Tommy rules?

[Lady Veg]

hi can anyone tell me is true the rule of thumb is to trim the leaves and if so by how much? Finally I live in Manchester and need someone who knows our temperatures which toms have the most success growing outdoors?

[smc999]

I've always grown mine under cover but I tend to take off all side shoots on my courdon toms below the first truss that has set and also trim out the side shoots to about 6-8 inches, making sure that there are no shoots growing from the "V" of the main stem.
I also found this guide to be very good.
Pruning Tomatoes - Fine Gardening Article

[Lady Veg]

Thanx this article answered a few questions

[smc999]

Thanx this article answered a few questions

You are very welcome.
I'm no outdoor Tom expert, but my Dad gets very good results from Moneymaker and Ailsa Craig growing them outdoors in Derby. Its only 50-70 miles from you. Hope this give you an idea.

[rustylady]

Hi Ladyveg, welcome to the Vine. Please add your location to your user profile, this way it will show up on all your posts and save you having to tell everyone you're in Manchester everytime you post a query. As for trimming tomato foliage, generally no. If you're growing bush varieties leave them alone. If you're growing cordon (tall) types, then you don't trim, you pinch out the side shoots that grow in the leaf axils (joints). As SMC999 says, Moneymaker and Ailsa Craig are good outdoor varieties, Gardeners Delight is also good (ALL PROVIDED YOU DON'T GET THE DREADED BLIGHT)

[Lady Veg]

What is blight and how do I make sure I avoid it if I plant outside?

[gojiberry]

You can't avoid the blight outdoor. The only way is to keep the rain off of them. If you ask around it may be that you are in an area that does not get infected. Here in South Wales we get it bad every year and it is just a matter of time before it comes. There are a few tomatoes around that show some resistance to blight, I had some tumbling tom last year that caught it but I removed the infected leaves brought them inside and I got a good crop from them.

Ian

gojilottie updated 27 May 08