Early Tomato Thread

[weekendwellies]

thought i'd share a pic of my 3 seedlings taken this morning. they are going ok....they could have a better window, but i'm not able to do that as i'm not in my own space. nevertheless, i'm pleased with their progress as i had thought i'd ruined seedling 1 by breaking alot of the root when i was transferring it!.
they are all Amish Paste.

They look grand Kiwirach. I notice you number the labels, instead of writing what they are. I like this idea as it is often hard to fit onto the labels where you have a long name to write. Do you keep a note somewhere of the name/type of seeds related to the number?

[kiwirach]

They look grand Kiwirach. I notice you number the labels, instead of writing what they are. I like this idea as it is often hard to fit onto the labels where you have a long name to write. Do you keep a note somewhere of the name/type of seeds related to the number?

yes, i am trying out a spreadsheet this year. normally i just write it in the garden diary as i go, but i struggled to find all the relevant info last year for each seed, when i was transferring/planting out etc. also by numbering the labels, i can reuse them next year without having to do much....other than find them!

[Newbie]

Today i have sown 4-6 seeds each of San Marzano, Red Cherry & Red Robin Tomatoes. The Red Robin are self-saved & its the first time i've done this so i'm interested to see if they do actually germinate!

[kiwirach]

Today i have sown 4-6 seeds each of San Marzano, Red Cherry & Red Robin Tomatoes. The Red Robin are self-saved & its the first time i've done this so i'm interested to see if they do actually germinate!

Newbie, my 3 seedlings above are from self saved seed as well...my first time doing that last year. keep us posted how they go!.

[mariell]

ive just sown my pepper and tomato seeds this afternoon sitting nicely on my kitchen window sill....cant wait to see them grow

[Amberlilly]

Sown my tom seeds and cucumber seeds last Sunday, i am following the moon planting method, they have already started shooting, last wed to be exact, i was amazed, this is the first year i have tried this method. quite excited about it, i have put them in the conservatory with a underheated propergator, i'm looking to see what i can sow next, must check my book.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Sub Arctic Plenty germinated today Won't be sowing anymore until I get more compost in.

[Flummery]

I now have germination from one each of Green Zebra, Brandywine, Black Sea Man and two of Purple Cherokee. Darby Striped still hiding! I might push another seed under the compost.

[grahama]

Can I ask why sow them now?? Will it make a real difference to harvesting and length of season??

Just wondering as I have lots of varieties to grow!!

Graham

[BarleySugar]

I sowed last year on 27/12, picked my first tomato at the beginning of June, and thanks to the mild autumn, the last was in December (see GYO climate change article ). I wasn't convinced at first, but I'm trying again this year with some artifical light to help them along. I did not heat the greenhouse at all. It also helps to calm the itchy fingers of those of us who are too impatient to wait

[Amberlilly]

I had a really poor show of toms last year, so thought, give it a go and start extra early and maybe warm the greenhouse up a bit after they have established themselves, and noticed quite a few of you were doing it before christmas as well prompted me on.

[Bren In Pots]

I had a really poor show of toms last year, so thought, give it a go and start extra early

I'm giving early sowing a go as well, on Tuesday I set some Marmande toms wont be doing the others until the end of the month though.

[Flummery]

Can I ask why sow them now?? Will it make a real difference to harvesting and length of season??

Just wondering as I have lots of varieties to grow!!

Graham

I sow most of my tomatoes in March. Some of the large heritage types have a long growing season - generally I don't harvest by first Green Zebra till nearly September. Last year I tried an early sowing of Brandywine - another large heritage tomato and it made a difference. I wouldn 't do it with all the tomatoes as I haven't room to ensure they all get enough light before the season is under way.

[zazen999]

Sowed some more today; any that I don't have space for might get sold for pennies at the first boot fair of the season; or for some money towards the village show in Sept.

[Bramble_killer]

I sowed my tomatoes today! Getting quite excited now about my second year growing