Is it still too cold?

[Welsh Wizard]

I have some hardening off under cloches at present and they seem to be happy enough. Its the ones left inside that are the problem, all leaning drunkenly towards the light. I would rather split them into two groups and risk some. It may give a little succession with different treatments from the same sowing.

[Bren In Pots]

Mine go in the greenhouse every morning then back in the house at around 7ish, not sure how many leg miles I'm putting in but I don't want any of my toms to die on me

[leah]

I have some sat on my daughters bedroom window cill and I potted some more up yesterday, that went straight into the greenhouse. Hoping they do ok.... we didn't have any room left inside!

I put some chilli in about a month ago I think now and they are doing ok, I must have about 12 in there, they only have 4 leavescompared to the ones indoors with 8 or more, but they are still growing! I was quite shocked that they survived!

[gojiberry]

Greenhouse dropped to 4 last night, so still not all that warm. But with a couple of layers of fleece tomatoes would have been al right. Still it is only the beginning of April and the weather could turn cold again yet.

Ian

[Flummery]

Mine go in the greenhouse every morning then back in the house at around 7ish, not sure how many leg miles I'm putting in but I don't want any of my toms to die on me

Same here Bren. Mine have spent the day in the greenhouse for about a month but come in at night. This past few days we've had a minus temp at night - inside the greenhouse.

Sometimes they can get a chill and recover, but it gives them a setback. My husband's uncle, who was a market gardener, used to say if you are buying tomato plants, only buy those that still have their seed leaves. This means they haven't had a check in growth. I can't see any point in sowing early to get a head start and then losing it by giving your plants a shock so they are set back in growth. To me it's a trade off. You want early toms, you give them the warmth and the light that they need.

[Two_Sheds]

I'm not risking my chille plants

I've found that my chillies can tolerate lower temps than the toms

[Incy]

I've found that my chillies can tolerate lower temps than the toms

That's useful to know. My chillies that managed to germinate and not keel over due to lack of light before they got their true leaves are looking a lot healthier and stronger than the toms. Maybe I should be thinking of moving a few of those out rather than the toms at the moment

[Madasafish]

I am about 30 miles south of Binley - but about 100 metres above sea level. Tomatoes are in greenhouse but overnight temperatures last week were 1-2C so paraffin heater at night.

My early Latah tomatoes are 75cms tall and first flowers showing.

[teakdesk]

I can't see any point in sowing early to get a head start and then losing it by giving your plants a shock so they are set back in growth. To me it's a trade off. You want early toms, you give them the warmth and the light that they need.

I completely agree!!

I used to sow tomato seeds in January to cheer me up and remind me spring would come eventually....

.... and I'd sow more seeds in February as sun through the window fooled me into thinking spring had sprung...

... and then I'd sow more seeds in March, 6 weeks before I intend to plant out in the greenhouse....

... and then I'd sow more seeds in April, 6 weeks before I intend to plant out in the garden....



.... and then I'd throw all the seeds I'd sown in January and February away because they would be leggy, light green vines that never produced a worthwhile crop of tomatoes!!



Now I curb my enthusiasm and sow 6 weeks before planting and I still have fruit as early as anyone else with a cold greenhouse or who plants outside!!

[binley100]

I am about 30 miles south of Binley -

South ?

[bramble]

I sowed all my tomato seeds of Feb. 8Th in my heated propagator. They spend all day in the conservatory and I bring them into the kitchen at night,. At the moment there are flower buds on my Red Alert, Stupice, Kimberely and Mexico Midget.
they will not be going into the unheated greenhouse for another 4 weeks as I don't want to knock them back. My chilli's are also getting the same treatment and are doing good.