Hardening off toms

[Cosmo and Dibs]

I'm ready to put my tom plants out in growbags (etc). I have started to stand them outside during the day, and then put them away in the mini greenhouse at night.

How long should I be doing this for? I've done it for 2 days, so far.

Also, I'm a little concerned at the height of my toms. I sowed them in early March, yet they are only around 4/5" high. They have a strong stem, with a good amount of leaf/branch growth.

[eye1der]

hi again c n d,
carry on with what your doing for another few days then start to leave them over night if no frost is forecast, you should be ok now down in the midlands.. put into the bags at the end of the month. any extra heat that you can give them the better, putting them against a south facing wall as it will heat up in the day and keep the plants warm in the night.i would also stop the plants after 3 trusses to ensure they ripen in time. dont worry about the size of them, they will get going when you transplant them..

[terrier]

I potted up some Costuluto toms yesterday that were planted late and I swear that they grew and inch overnight Don't worry about the height of the plants, they'll start to grow when they're ready. I think we've turned the corner weather wise and I've just about emptied my greenhouse today, but I'll still keep and eye on the weather forcast.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm not putting any tomatoes outside EVER AGAIN* ! so no hardening off for me. They are all staying in their blowaway greenhouses


* they get blight every year, it's a waste of time.

[bobleponge]

Hi Cosmo and Dibs, I harden mine off during the days for about a week, then leave them a couple of nights in the area they are going, before finally planting them up in the beds.
As has been said, I shouldnt worry too much about the height of them, I will be planting out a few more today, a couple of them only about the same height, they'll grow when they are ready.

[cupcake]

My tumbling tom yellow were great outside last year, and this year I'm going to try Tamina, but only the spares that don't fit in the greenhouse, and as I grow them in pots they will be attached to trellis so they don't blow over. The free tom seeds from GYO will go out in pots in a sheltered place.

[taff]

I'm not putting any tomatoes outside EVER AGAIN ! so no hardening off for me. They are all staying in their blowaway greenhouses

Bad day?

[coreopsis]

Terrier,are your toms outside?I'm asking because I have a few of Costoluto Fiorentino and I'm going to grow them outside.

[Noodles]

Mine are staying in the greenhouse too. Losing all 15 plants last year and only getting 3 small ripe tomatoes was heartbreaking (and I still haven't gotten through all the green tomato ketchup and chutney!).