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  • How many tomato plants?

    Could realistically fit in a 4x2 poly tunnel? I'm thinking 2 almost 1m beds with a narrow path in the middle.

    Is 30 too many?
    Thanks

  • #2
    4 x 2 metres?
    I had the border wider on one side with 2 plants between each frame pole on the outside and one between those nearer the path, in the other narrow side bed I just had the 2 between each pole. At the far end I tucked another 2 between the rows.
    So 22 tomatoes - but it isn't easy to control humidity, so you have to be careful or you can lose them all to Botrytis. One year I did

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    • #3
      I would allow 18"-24" between plants.
      sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
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      • #4
        I had 16 last year in a 6 meter polytunnel and lost the lot in 24 hours . So would say 30 is far too many.
        When you have a hammer in your hand everything around you starts looking like a nail.

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        • #5
          I intend to have 3 each of 4 varieties in an 8 foot by 12 foot glass house(plus other crops). 30 plants does sound rather a lot.
          Last edited by burnie; 03-01-2017, 09:38 AM.

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          • #6
            30 is definitely too many - you'll get more off properly spaced plants than simply cramming more in and having unhealthy ones.

            Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

            Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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            • #7
              Just as a matter of interest how large is your family??? I have grown 14 plants for the last few years and these feed my extended family and neighbours and the freezer in varying forms.

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              • #8
                6 indoor and 3 outdoor plants was plenty for 2 of us right through the season- though we didn't freeze or preserve many.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by greenishfing View Post
                  Just as a matter of interest how large is your family??? I have grown 14 plants for the last few years and these feed my extended family and neighbours and the freezer in varying forms.
                  14 plants would never be enough for me

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Scarlet View Post
                    14 plants would never be enough for me
                    Not me as I bottle a lot for sauces etc in winter however you can only grow what you can sensibly fit in and I wouldn't put more than that in the space the OP says is available

                    Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

                    Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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                    • #11
                      I agree that it's best not to cram plants in. You will get more from a plant that has reasonable air space around it...correct spacing is really important. Unhealthy plants dont fruit well and are prone to desease. Botrytis usually attacks with little airflow.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Scarlet View Post
                        I agree that it's best not to cram plants in. You will get more from a plant that has reasonable air space around it...correct spacing is really important. Unhealthy plants dont fruit well and are prone to desease. Botrytis usually attacks with little airflow.
                        Not to mention that feeding, watering, removing side shoots etc will take forever! I think I had 8 plants lasy year (all outside) and at one point I felt all I did at the allotment was look after the ruddy tomatoes!

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                        • #13
                          Hmm, I'm not telling how many tomato plants I grow

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                          • #14
                            I had over 20 in my tiny garden last year...until they got blight and died at the end of September. I eat about a pound of toms a day. Plus what we have for dinner and any for chutney or freezing. I really do get through loads.

                            I was basing 30 on 1 per 18 inches with 2 rows just short of 1m apart. Which would be 32, unless there is something wrong with my maths

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                            • #15
                              What varieties will you be growing? I can't imagine any plants that take up as little as 18", except windowsill ones!

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