2016 Tomato Growing

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Jan 2, 2016.

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  1. blacktulip

    blacktulip Gardener

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    Is it too early to sow now? I have only an unheated greenhouse. Should I wait till Feb?
     
  2. john558

    john558 Total Gardener

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    I think it's too early blacktulip, I start mine on a sunny bathroom cill late January, then transfer them to a grow-light hoping they don't get leggy.
     
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    • Phil A

      Phil A Guest

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      I bet you say that to all the girls :heehee:
       
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      • Freddy

        Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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        A bit like me then :snorky:
         
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        • Cinnamon

          Cinnamon Super Gardener

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          I've just got my first seedlings of 2017 up. And yes, I know it's ridiculously early but it's worked for me in the past, especially for those varieties that take longer to mature e.g. black trifele.
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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            Yes way too early unless you have heat and light.

            I'll be sowing my first batch at the end of this month and into mid Feb but I do that indoors and with a growlamp system.

            If I didn't have heat/growlamps I'd wait till March to sow, and keep them on a bright indoor window. They can't take any frost and will sulk at temps below 10C.
             
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            • Loofah

              Loofah Admin Staff Member

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              I tried early sowing and it doesn't work for me, this year I'll be waiting to the start of March. Probably.
               
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                Last edited: Jan 8, 2017
              • Freddy

                Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                Seed sowing?

                Resist! :old::biggrin:
                 
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                • ARMANDII

                  ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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                  Agreed, it's very tempting to take the chance of sowing early but I've never found any advantages. I sow from about the 3rd week of March onwards.:snork:
                   
                • Freddy

                  Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                  Yes, I know the urge is strong, especially at this time of the year. I don't remember for sure, but I think I made last years sowings around the end of March, for both indoors and outdoors. I have in the past sown quite a bit earlier, but it was a devil of a job looking after them in less than ideal conditions. Even sowing in March (last year), it was necessary to add some heat to stop the plants being 'knocked back'.
                   
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                  • blacktulip

                    blacktulip Gardener

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                    Is it possible to sow early then keep them indoors/under glass until May time?
                     
                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                    There is no advantage, the plants go leggy searching for light. Later sown plants will usually catch up and outperform ones sown too early.
                     
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                    • Loofah

                      Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                      Time for the 2017 thread?
                       
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                      • Phil A

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                        Hold on a minute, is this the last tomato to ripen from 2016? :)

                        20170121_120150.jpg

                        Didn't think it would as it was very green when I picked it, but it got lost in me bed for a few weeks after rolling off the windowcill :phew:
                         
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