Tommy advice please!!

[lainey lou]

Please can somebody advice...
I have no greenhouse, but do have lots of window sills and a cold frame at the lottie (which I don't get to everyday)
Is it to early to start off my tomatoes? Would they be best started on the window sill or in the coldframe?
Answers on a postcard please.............

[Flummery]

If you can't put them in a greenhouse I'd be tempted to wait till April, grow on the windowsill, harden off when decently big in the cold frame so you can close it up at night, then plant outdoors Mid - end May.

[lainey lou]

COR! Super Flum to the rescue! That was quick! Will follow your advice - thank you.

[veg4681]

I think you can leave them outside (not greenhouse) during the day, it isn't that cold and beside you're further south than me but always bring them in at night. But sow early (around now) only if you don't mind the hassle. The only advantage I have is that I can leave my toms in the greenhouse as long as there is no frost.

[Cutecumber]

After germination you need to keep tomatoes in temperatures above about 10 degrees - night and day - whether outside or inside. That's why it's preferable to sow end of March/ April as it is unlikely the right conditions can be achieved without a heated greenhouse.

When hardened off the young plants still need protection from wind and heavy rain until they are growing strongly and well supported.

[Alison]

I've just sowed my toms for greenhouse use on the window ledge but won't be sowing my outdoor ones until next month. Although you can put them outside, if you do that when they're too young / too early they'll just got water logged / blasted when the weather is bad even if you can protect them from the worst of the cold.

[zazen999]

Hi

This is my largest tom at the minute; Grushovka. sown on 8 Jan; germinated in heated propagator and moved to the kitchen windowsill since. Potted on twice; staked now as it is shooting up.

This type chosen as it is a Russian Early. Also growing Aurora, two of which are about 3 inches smaller at the moment.

All my others [a mix of others] are sown every few weeks - about 3 or 4 every time. should have loads to use and sell on/give away to friends in the coming months...space permitting.

[Took the photo showing the hand wash bottle to show the size!]

[Alison]

When are you hoping to be able to put it out? It'll be a giant by the time it's warm enough unless you have a heated greenhouse!!!!!!!

[zazen999]

Goodness knows!

We have a courtyard out the back that gets alot of sun in the mornings; so it will go out there [i work from home a lot of the time so can bring it in if it gets too windy].

It'll start going out there in the mornings as soon as this pesky wind dies down.

[gardenplot]

I have mine on the kitchen window sill been re-potted and doing very well, and will grow them in the greenhouse later and transfer them in to grow bags when no nasty frost is not around.