Tomato Seed

[rutters]

Could anyone tell me if it's too early yet to sow Tomato seeds?

If so, what is the best way to do it? I do have a heated propagator if that's the best way. It is still very cold up here in the North East.

cheers

[Sanjo]

The early tomato thread may be of help to you Rutters. A number of people have already sown theirs (including myself). They tend to get a bit leggy this time of year because of lack of light. Once out of the propagator do you have somewhere warmish for them with good light? Anyway, have a look at the thread and see if it helps. (It's called the sticky above this thread)

[zazen999]

What does it say on the packet? Add a fortnight to that date for main sowings in the North East.

[rutters]

Thanks to both

[YFS]

lack of light. Once out of the propagator to you have somewhere warmish for them with good light?

I have sown my toms and peppers, but how much warmth is needed? I struggle for light too.
I am going to make a cold frame for the lotty, but when would they be ok in a cold frame?

YFS

[Sanjo]

I have sown my toms and peppers, but how much warmth is needed? I struggle for light too.
I am going to make a cold frame for the lotty, but when would they be ok in a cold frame?

YFS

Don't know anything about peppers to be truthful, and not much about tomatoes) although these I have grown for a few years.
Are you growing indoor or garden toms?
In either case I doubt whether you could put them in a cold frame much before May as you must make sure that all danger of frost has passed.
I have looked for instance at the back of my packet of Marmande and it says to grow on in temperatures of 60 degrees, not obtainable at this time of year in a coldframe I'm afraid.
I expect a tomato expert will be able to give you a more comprehensive answer but that's my two penn'orth anyway!

[sarraceniac]

Can you amend your personal details YFS to tell us what area you are in? It's not that we are nosy but obviously location alters advice. It's not just, say, the difference between Penzance and John 0'Groats but in winter for example the Yorkshire coast is often a couple of degrees warmer than West or South Yorkshire, and in summer it is cooler.

[Flummery]

I have only sown a few heritage varieties that I know from experience need a long growing season. I can move them in and out of the house/greenhouse when the temperatures are suitable and I can turn them regularly on the windowsill. I sow my main tomato crop mid to late March. I'm just about in the North East!

[northmaid]

Rutters, I'm in the north-east too and started off my first toms in a heated propagator at the end of December. No problem with germination but they did start to go leggy when transferred to a windowsill, potted them deeper into individual pots and it's only within the last two weeks that they've started to put on proper growth.
YFS, I wouldn't take any chances with them in a cold frame at this time of year even if insulated. It's just not warm enough at present.

[Rossa]

I was going to sow my marmande seeds this month as they have a long growing season. But a friend in Manchester said leave til at least mid or end March as it's too cold and once things warm up most plants will catch up. He never sows anything for his allotment til April and still gets as much as his lottie neighbours.

Saying that he has sown stuff for this year's Tatton Show but he has access to a heated commercial 100ft greenhouse (lucky bu**er). And doesn't have to pay the bills!

"... I went from adolescence to senility, trying to bypass maturity ..." - Tom Lehrer
Earth Wind and Fire

[greasyfire]

I have already sown two varieties of tomatoes indoors and i am planning to bring these outside next month

[Flummery]

I have already sown two varieties of tomatoes indoors and i am planning to bring these outside next month

I think you'll lose them if the weather is 'normal' - the slightest frost and they'll keep over. I put mine in a cold greenhouse and they don't go in there until mid-May. Mind you, I'm further north.