Is it to early to start sowing tomato and pepper seeds ?

[AJ WEBB]

I have a heated propagator and some grow lights but lights are only 2 ft long and I have some chilies I want to put under that . i wàs thinking of putting the toms outside during the day only in a cold frame when there big enough and bring them in at night ?

[maverick451]

Personally I would wait another couple of weeks for the tomatoes if you havent got lights

I think you could make a start on the peppers though, they are slower growing.

[jackarmy]

I planted a load of toms today, im in south wales and my last frost date is 2nd week of April.
I wouldnt think about putting young toms outside yet tho, maybe in a greenhouse for a while but deffo bring them in the night. a windowsill should do them fine .
There again, your post is somewhat confusing ( but im easilly confused so no biggy ) , when were you thinking of putting the toms outside? and have you sown them yet ?

[AJ WEBB]

Hi ,I've not sown them yet, my house gets very little light through the windows so I would have to put them outside during the day to get the light they need.

[WendyC]

Where are you? Tomatoes grow quickly once germinated. I tend to sow seed in mid March and by mid April I have to chance my luck in the greenhouse as they will be too big for indoors. My last frost date is towards the end of May. It's not just the temperature that can stall them, but the wind can be equally damaging.
As said peppers can take a long time to get going.

[AJ WEBB]

I'm in Devon near Exeter. Where can I find my last frost date ??

[bramble]

Hi AJ, if you dont have enough light for your plants I would hold off sowing your seeds for another few weeks.
They will germinate ok in the heat indoors but definitely need light or they will become very delicate and spindly if they dont get the light levels they need.

[Bigmallly]

I'm in Devon near Exeter. Where can I find my last frost date ??

Last week in April:

Adjusted gardening dates for the weather in your area of the UK

Plus this site has a good free online calendar for sowing & other jobs to do if you go to the bottom of the page.

[Penellype]

This winter has been very mild and it is tempting to think that things will be fine outside during the day, but winter is by no means over yet. I would be very reluctant to put young tomato plants outside with no protection even during the day until April even in the south, and there may be days when it is still far too cold (I remember having snow at the end of April).

There is an interesting zoomable map here United Kingdom Interactive Last Frost Map, which has the average last frost date shown in colour - Exeter, astonishingly, is the same colour and therefore in the same last frost date band as York (Apr 21-30).

Remember average means just that, and is not a guarantee. Last year we had one night when frost was forecast in July, but that was unusual. May is not.

[Alison]

Definitely too early for toms, as said they grow fast come spring and the later down plants tend to be stronger as they have a better start in life. Do sow peppers though.