Tumbling Toms advise

[Raindancer411]

Hi All,

I have grown 5 tumbling toms and was wondering how many of them I can fit in a 12" hanging basket? Also can I grow the yellows in with the reds?

Plus, does anyone happen to have their tomatoes outside yet or is it still too early?

[Hans Mum]

no problem mixing red & yellow, i put 2 or 3 in a 12" basket, and i havent got mine outside yet as its still pretty cold on a night here

[bluemoon]

We were crunching through a harsh frost this morning when we went to open the chicken house, so I wouldn't put anything outside yet. I'd stick with a maximum of two per basket as they spread as the year goes on and anything which is planted towards the back of the basket won't get enough sun, but there will be no problem mixing the two colours.

[Alison]

2 absolutely max in a 12" basket as they can get quite big and sprawlling. No problem with mixing them though. I've got a couple of baskets planted up in the greenhouse but they won't be going outside for a while yet.

[Natterjack72]

I've just got my hands on a pack of seeds of tumbling toms, so this advise is fantastic. Thank you... I'm new to gardening, though I have wanted to grow my own for a few years now. I haven't got a conservatory or greenhouse (and can't afford one), so has anyone got any suggestions? I can make my own cloches if that is a possible idea and can also use windowsills... can anyone help? Thank you in advance.

[selfraising]

Natterjack72 I would suggest you sow the seeds indoors now in a propagtor if you've got one on a bright windowsill as they do need quite a bit of warmth to germinate.

[Natterjack72]

Thank you Selfraising. I haven't got a propagator yet... have you any ideas how I can make my own? Would the seeds in a small plant pot under a plastic bottle as a cloche on my kitchen windowsill work (nice and sunny there)? Sorry for being a complete newbie.. but we all have to learn somewhere... and books aren't everything. Again, thank you.

[selfraising]

Yes you can do that as long as it's quite warm in your kitchen or you could cover with clingfilm. Once they've germinated remove the bottle or the clingfilm. Hey don't aplogise, I've only been growing for three years and am still learning, so ask away!

[Natterjack72]

Again, thank you Selfraising. I like the clingfilm idea, I hadn't thought of that. I'll try to stop apologising, I just feel so nervous and not wanting to be a failure in this venture.... and I keep thinking everyone knows so much more than me, that I keep apologising.. I will try to stop. Again, thank you.... going to plant tomorrow, when I can see the pot/pots that I am going to plant into, that are hiding in my dark garden at present. Lol.

[jennibobs]

I've been growing them for a couple of years now. last year they where a bit leggy as I had them too warm after they germinated. I have them a lot cooler (around 10c) this year and they are looking a lot sturdier.

[Lottieval]

Stop worrying Natterjack, nobody's a failure at this game, the wonderful thing about growing is that even if it doesn't work first time you can always have another go, your plants might be a little late but that doesn't matter, look around you at nature, things come at different times each year because of the weather. We all have successes and then things that don't work so well, but we just try again and that's what's so exciting about it. Enjoy it!

[maytreefrannie]

Hi All,

I have grown 5 tumbling toms and was wondering how many of them I can fit in a 12" hanging basket? Also can I grow the yellows in with the reds?

Plus, does anyone happen to have their tomatoes outside yet or is it still too early?

I have 15 Tumbling Toms which are now in three pots - I moved them and some other things out as the kitchen was being taken over by plants.

For the last 3 nights I've kept them on a table outside - it's just outside the back door and there's a perspex roof but no sides, so it's cold. At night I cover them with a big plastic storage box - it's white plastic and quite thick.

So far they seem to be doing fine - I take the plastic box off during the day. But I'm aware that we could still have frost and am not sure how they'd fare then.

Not sure if this would help you, Raindancer - I got the boxes some time back at a homeware-type shop and they were quite cheap.

I'm hoping this is enough protection, if anyone can give advice on this I'd appreciate it.

[perkin]

Planning to plant up a couple of hanging baskets with toms at the weekend - gartenperle with nastursiums for a bit of colour. All I have to do then is find somewhere it hang it...

[bluemoon]

Thank you Selfraising. I haven't got a propagator yet... have you any ideas how I can make my own? Would the seeds in a small plant pot under a plastic bottle as a cloche on my kitchen windowsill work (nice and sunny there)? Sorry for being a complete newbie.. but we all have to learn somewhere... and books aren't everything. Again, thank you.

Have you got old fashioned central heating with a boiler? If so then germination can be helped along by popping the seed trays on top for warmth and covered in cling-film or inside a poly-bag to keep in the heat and moisture, then move them to the windowsill as soon as the seedlings emerge as they'll need the light.

[Raindancer411]

Thank you Maytreefannie, I shall see if I can find something similar next time I go to a hardware shop