Putting tomatoes in the greenhouse

[WillieBee]

I have my tomato plants in 3" pots, at the moment but I think they are ready for potting on to their final destination ... 9" ring culture pots in the greenhouse.

Normally I would do this over the 'half term' towards the end of May, but the weather has been shocking recently, up here in Tyneside. There was hail a couple of days ago.

I don't want the tomatoes to get pot bound, but surely if I put them out now, they'll be set back for weeks. The greenhouse is not heated.

Thanks

[WendyC]

My tomatoes have been in an unheated greenhouse for about a month. It's not as warm as it could be but I think they are better in the greenhouse with better light levels.

[kathyd]

Mine are split between an unheated polytunnel, an unheated glass porch and an unheated outhouse where the chickens live. I do hate tempting fate by saying they're all doing fine so far, but... well they're all doing OK so far *fingers crossed, touch wood, etc etc*. I've been throwing fleece over them at night if frost looks likely though. The ones I'd left in 3" pots were getting really stunted - I'd get them potted on.

[SarzWix]

Metcheck's long range forecast is showing 5c or above every night from Monday, so hopefully we're turning the corner this weekend... *crosses fingers*

[redser]

I think as you've come this far you should hold out for the warmer temperatures. You would hope that they are just around the corner. No point putting them out now in cold temps and setting them back, just for the sake of a few days.

[jacob]

I think tomatoes are a bit tougher than people give them credit for. They don't want frost, obviously, and might be slightly grumpy on cool evenings, but really I think they want to be outside in a GH as soon as possible.

[rustylady]

Mine have been in the unheated greenhouse for 4 weeks and are doing OK.

[Scarlet]

Mine have also been in the cold GH for a month. It may be cold at night but they are coping with it and they benefit from the extra light and warmth in there during the day. I'd put them out and wrap them up at night in a little fleece until next week when fingers crossed the temps will rise a little.

[veggiechicken]

I treat mine rough (and it shows). They go into the unheated GH as soon as they look like a tomato plant rather than a seedling. Some have been there since February OK I'm not picking tomatoes yet but I do have flowers and space on my window sills for all the other funny stuff I try to grow

[Bren In Pots]

Mine went into a cold GH border on Tuesday but I do fleece them overnight.

[WillieBee]

Thank you for all the replies ... I'll think I'll wait, even just for a few more days.

I note that those folk who mentions their tomatoes being already in the greenhouse are all from 'down south' ... of course to me, down south is anywhere south of the River Tyne.

Best wishes to all

[redser]

Actually, couldn't you pot them on to the final pots in the greenhouse, but just take them in to the kitchen at night? Bit of a hastle but it shouldnt be for long. Best of both worlds that way.

[Irish-Veg]

mine went out for the first time along with the cucummbers and a few other types of veg last night.

but we're expecting heavy frost next week for a few days, have a feeling they'll be coming back in for a few nights!

[horticultural_hobbit]

Been in the 4TB for a couple of days, but tucked into a fleece at night.

[Shadylane]

Ours have been out for ages now - in the GH at home, still in pots. Some are waiting to be planted out at the allotment GH, which isn't as sheltered. They're going in this weekend regardless, as they're heading into rootbound territory and the GH at home is rammed.
We did coddle a couple of Galinas, (out in the day in at night) but even they've been out day and night for a good few weeks now. One of them has set fruit too.