Grow Your Own Magazine

I am always trying to push the boundries, it all maybe a waste of time when I go down the allotment to check my tunnel and greenhouse in this weather.



I went down my allotment yesterday, weather far nicer than predicted, I was in greenhouse and the temp was between 26 to 30 when the sun was out and no heater on, and the polytunnel was just to hot,I did have a thick jumper on Which I took off.

The point I am geting to is that when I get my tomatoes going (today) when they are big enough could I put them out in the polytunnel , and could I chance some of my peppers which are at the 4 leaf stage.

The reason I am asking is that growing between my carrots in the Tunnel there are some tomatoes plant about 2 to 3 inches high from last years plants, so my point of think is that it must have mild enough with the tunnel to geminate the tomatoes and keep growing. I also planted small runner beans plants 2 weeks ago and they are growing strong.

marion

I germinated tomatoes in the house then put them in the frost-free greenhouse, they are coming along slowly but surely. I don't want them too tall too quickly as I had one spindly plant like that last year and it was a pest to keep upright! Basically if your tunnel is frost-free then the toms will be fine. Guess the peppers will be too - try one and see how it goes then you can put the others out. You could always have fleece handy in case it is due to be chilly.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

way too cold for mine yet but I would think you would be fine in cornwall

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Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

Yes, I think it's the location that is key in this - it certainly doesn't mean that everyone is ok to sow tomatoes very early in the year.

I don't agree that "frost free" is ok, by the way - tomatoes really don't do well if it is under 10 degrees. It's not unlikely in a mild Cornish winter that the temps in the polytunnel might rarely dip below ten.

I have had problems keeping tomatoes happy during March/ April in a cold spring - they really don't like the cold.