No tomatoes yet...

[sewer rat]

won't work the same outside as the ethylene gas given off by the bananas will disperse to easily.

OOPS - didn't realise they were growing outside - it never happens up here so I assume everyone grows them under cover - keep forgetting the weather differences between us up here and them down there !!

[Aberdeenplotter]

I have some sherry toms growing outside. Birds are taking them before they are properly ripe. Could net them but I don't mind sharing.

[HeyWayne]

I took part in some gardening deviant behaviour last night and nipped off all the shoots growing from the upfacing "armpits" of my plants (apparently LadyWayne knew this on account of working as a tomato picker in her youth ).

Guess what?

I have a tomato! It's only one, and it's only the size of a marble, but still - it's a tomato.

Whoop, whoop.

[VampireJack]

Am I correct in presuming that it's been a bad year for tomatoes?
My plants have done really badly compared to the last 5 years or so, the same as my Grandad's. He's convinced it's down to the compost we used this year (from Aldi's) I'm not so certain, as my tomatillos and chilis have done great in it. Courgettes wonderful in it, aubergines a little slow to flower, but getting there. Hopefully not too late on the aubergines...

Fortunately my tomatoes have set fruit and are starting to ripen, but in nowhere near the numbers as previous seasons.

So, how is it for the rest of you when it comes to our favourite fruit?

[Potstubsdustbins]

In this neck of the woods toms both indoor & outdoor are doing very well indeed.

SWMBO has frozen her years supply of whole cherry toms and is now making puree with any that arn't eaten fresh.

Colin

[Alison]

My toms are a bit behine last year but not horrendously so, not growing any outside this year but the ones in both the polytunnel and greenhouse are now starting to ripen nicely and I've not had to buy any for about a month.

[zazen999]

LadyWayne knew this on account of working as a tomato picker in her youth

She kept that quiet!

[deltz]

Tomato plants loving the weather!

[HeyWayne]

She kept that quiet!

You should hear some of the other stuff!

[Dead Dogs]

Am I correct in presuming that it's been a bad year for tomatoes?

I can't say if it's been a bad year for Toms.

Last year I did not try and pervious years I lived further south, like Oxfordshire. All I can say is that it has not been a bumber year.

I have only had a hand full or so from a dozen plus plants growing in the poly and GH. Still time I hope, as there is flower and 'armpit' shoots.

[jackyspratty]

Its been a good year for me so far! Im taking one step at a time though! Usually \i have big problems with various diseases and watering etc. mine have been ready to eat for a few weeks now and are coming along nicely. Doing tigrella, golden queen, auntie madges and bloody butchers plus \pws fench blacks. main problem has been fluctuating temperature in the poly tunnel. All mine are container grown so this is the first year that Ive been quite happy with my toms really. They are a little on the small side though, I think cos \i missed a few sideshoots which took over!! It may not be a humungus crop but they are ...so far disease free!! Phew!!

[TallGirl]

Still no ripe ones here got 5 indoor Gardeners Delight with lots and lots of green fruit on... still. I'm trying talking to them but it's mostly "ripen you b*st*rds".

[Piggle]

mine are rubbish but that's cos I was a little to over zealous with the removal of leaves!

[Gearoid]

Mine have been much slower this year. I have lots of green ones, but only one ripe one so far, a delicious little gardeners delight.

[VirginVegGrower]

I have some sherry toms growing outside. Birds are taking them before they are properly ripe. Could net them but I don't mind sharing.

Sherry toms ? Hic!
I have had 15lbs of tomatoes from 9 plants so far with loads still to ripen. My outdoor Roma, Marmande and Yellow Stuffer are growing and ripening; none harvested there yet.