Early Tomato Thread

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Well I'm sowing on Christmas Eve, picked out my seeds -
German Red Strawberry Tomato, Purple Cherokee, Black Krim, unknown tom (probably Grushovka cause I can't find them) and for chillies - Peter Pepper, Orange Hab and Ring of Fire. Just sowing one seed of each in seedling compost, using an electric propagator. When ready onto a table near a south facing window.

[nelliegemini]

I hadn't thought about doing this, but love the idea. I will do a trial sowing on 1st Jan, it will have to be with no bottom heat, but in a warm conservatory. When it stops snowing (!), I will find my seeds and list what I am sowing.

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

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!

[Snadger]

Not a moan but an observation! My toms which were sown later in the year, reached the top of the greenhouse roof and had seven trusses on them. If I sowed them earlier I would have to nip the tops out earlier.

Just wondered...............by sowing NOW, when would growers expect their first tomato? (A competition springs to mind)
The other question is, do any of the early sowing fraternity have access to a heated greenhouse, which would really speed up growth?

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Snadger, it's a silly competition based on Moon Planting (which we relied on before we became all "modern") Can we grow the plants on without them giving up the ghost and dying from the cold? I managed a few plants last year - Grushovka was the outright winner. Got toms in early June (neighbour forgot to record the date). Yes, I had to nip the tops out much earlier but it not about quantity of crops but rather about can we get a crop? I don't have a heated greenhouse but would love one (when pennies permit me to buy a decent heater).

The thread is open to any Grape who has a few spare tom seeds and thinks I'll give that a try. I'm sowing seeds on Christmas Eve and I live in Fort William

[Bex]

Snadger, it's a silly competition based on Moon Planting (which we relied on before we became all "modern") Can we grow the plants on without them giving up the ghost and dying from the cold? I managed a few plants last year - Grushovka was the outright winner. Got toms in early June (neighbour forgot to record the date). Yes, I had to nip the tops out much earlier but it not about quantity of crops but rather about can we get a crop? I don't have a heated greenhouse but would love one (when pennies permit me to buy a decent heater).

The thread is open to any Grape who has a few spare tom seeds and thinks I'll give that a try. I'm sowing seeds on Christmas Eve and I live in Fort William

I'll join you Frosty, we've been given christmas eve off work so providing I can get hold of some seedling compost (i tried 2 garden centres yesterday with no success) I'll have nothing to do christmas eve. When I get home I'll have a look what varieties I've got and post later what I'm going to give a go. Some toms and chilli's it will be.

[Bigmallly]

My list has already been compiled, submitted & deleted so I'll just go alone thanks.

[Tomatoking]

I did put a post on the last thread, basically giving some advice and encouragement. I am not geared up this year with a propagator, so will not be sowing too early. However, I do hope the thread starter will not mind me giving some advice, as I used to grow early tomatoes commercially. I am not a growing 'Guru' and I do take a lot of advice from here myself, so when I can, which is not often, I try to give some back!
These comments are not rules set in stone, but I would be interested in other peoples results.
When I worked in Guernsey we tried to beat the Dutch at their own game and get the first toms on the UK market in February to get the best prices.
The green house was kept at 20 degrees whilst sowing to get a 99% germination, lower then you might get less, no light is really needed till they are poking through the soil.
After being transplanted we kept the greenhouse at 18 in the day and 16 minimum in the night. This is to make sure the first trusses set their fruit.
You will, I am sure, get some setting fruit at lower temperatures, but we needed most of the fruit set to recoup all the money that had been spent on heating the glasshouses.
Good luck with all of your trials, and I hope you do not mind me sharing my experiences.
Mr TK

[shirlthegirl43]

Early tomato types

I know it is early to be thinking of sowing seeds other than onions but I fancy having a crack at some toms. I have had rubbish results sowing at the right time for the past two years so I want to get a jump on it for next season.

Does anyone have any recommendations for best types to try now?

They will be on the kitchen windowsill with two Robin F1 miniature tomato plants which overwintered last year and are still going strong. I took cuttings off these in spring and they were the only good tomatoes we had, so I will be doing that again next spring.

Just advice on types to try folks - no need to tell me it is too early and no need to tell me if you don't agree with sowing now

[piskieinboots]

I've never tried this early but will look forward to some goodly advice here as I'd like to crack on

[zazen999]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ote_25502.html

Plenty of info from last year's thread.

[Herbie]

I am going to sort some seeds out but won't sow until February as that is what I did last year but may start the chilli's a bit earlier.

[Llamas]

Planted San Manz-something on the 20th of December as well as scotch bonnet, White Habs and Dorset Naga (tescos saved seed). I've no heated propagator but I've rigged up a raised towel system above the aga and they've sprouted! Now about the light.....

[Madasafish]

I'll try this year: but only 4 plants.

We can have -10C in February so heating the greenhouse is not practical before March...

[Eco-Chic]

I might sow a few seeds in a plastic box with a lid and slip it under my broody pullet and see if she generates sufficient heat for the seeds to germinate