Early Tomato Thread

[maytreefrannie]

I sowed some seeds last year and it worked, although my old neighbours reaped the benefit. If anyone wants to join in please do but nae moanin' minnies!

I'm planning to sow a few tomatoes around New Year - and nae moanin' from me I promise!

[bobleponge]

Did it last year and definitely will do so this year too.
I did get fruit earlier from my Boxing Day planted ones than came from the ones planted in April/May.

Cant remember what I planted last year, but this year will be a couple of each that I have, list to follow once I sober up enough on Boxing Day.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Well mine are planted in a mix of John Innes No 1 Soil based compost and some B&Q compost (not for any good reason, it's the only compost not frozen) So I've planted Green Zebra x 2; German Red Strawberry x 2; Purple Cherokee x 2; Black Krim x 2; Orange Habs x 2; and Ring of Fire x 2. I changed my list as I don't think the unknown toms are Grushovka but are PW's French Black toms, think I've lost my Grushovka (which are brill). Popped them in the propagator and all we need to hope for is an early Spring Merry Christmas all.

[bobleponge]

I shall be planting 2 each of the following on Boxing Day:

Roma VF
Tigeralla
Black Cherry
Home saved beefsteak (origins forgotten)

Good luck all and many thanks for the tips TK, really useful.

[Llamas]

erm. Must get more compost. Just opened my stocking to find all sorts of goodies to try out!!

[SarzWix]

I'm going to try and get my potting station (front porch!) cleaned up tomorrow so I can get on with sowing onions. Might just slip a couple of tomato & chilli seeds in too if there's space. I'll let you know which ones if I do

[Amberlilly]

Anything other than tomatoes

Anyone trying anything else this early, i was thinking of sweet peppers?

[greasyfire]

im growing sweet potatoes, but its and carribean variety so it really needs a long growing season

[poly]

Oooh reading this thread is giving me itchy fingers! Can't wait to sow a few tomato seeds too, but not until the 2nd of January (got people staying until then and just no room )

It will probably be 2xSungold, 2x Rosada and I've yet to make my mind up on a couple of others.

[gojiberry]

Sowed some onionseed a few days ago and have at least a 85% germination so far. Had not thought of sowing tomatoes quite so early but nothing to loose and will be putting some in this afternoon. Will let you know what varieties once I've sorted the seed out.

Ian

[coreopsis]

I sowed mine last year at the end of March-I might start about 2 weeks earlier as tomato plants grow quite fast and getting leggy on the windowsill(limited space).I can't put them outside till June-hardening out is also limited as the toms are upstairs-I can't leave them downstairs for a night as the dog will knock everything over.
FF,I'm curious what you'll get as I'm not too far away from you(probably the same climate zone)

What about "early" chili thread?Maybe we could start one as well?

[smallblueplanet]

...
What about "early" chili thread?Maybe we could start one as well?

Sounds a good idea - get it stickied too?

I've not started my 'next years' chillies from seed yet, but it won't be long!

[coreopsis]

I'm not far away either,just need to thaw some compost first

[Incy]

Just planted a selection of onions, toms, chillies and sweet peppers. I'm lucky as I have a number of south facing windowsills I can use once they germinate and a greenhouse for when it's somewhat warmer and they get bigger. I started the toms/chillies 1st week in feb last year and nearly beat the dreaded blight although the toms succumbed in the end so no harm in trying a few even earlier.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Coreopsis, yes we probably are in the same climate zone. What am I expecting as a result? - trouble Last year I was living further south than Fort William and sowing early allowed me to get 2 seperate sowings (as the early sowing toms were giving up the ghost I was just starting to get a crop from my main crop - until they all fell off my window sills) I'm sowing a couple of Russian toms in the hope it copes with the colder climate. Fingers crossed we get an early Spring and Summer. Great idea about the early chilli sowing thread - already joined. Also joined the Ginger growing thread - has anyone got a spare windowsill? Haven't joined the early onion sowing thread as my onion seeds have not arrived.