Too cold for outdoor tomatoes

[Potstubsdustbins]

My toms in hanging baskets are in the glass topped lean to, my courgettes and runner beans are hiding behind a fleece clipped to their supports.

Not been a good May weather wise.

[Penellype]

Party Pooper. Literally! I have a freezer full of BBQ food and 15 people on an invite list.

Sorry

If its any consolation, your part of the country is likely to see the highers temperatures at the weekend, whatever they may be.

[Chippy Minton]

Good to hear we're all in the same situation, our outdoors tomatoes have been hardening off for a couple of weeks now and they are well hard and a bit sullen, rather like the local yoof population. Now it's blowing a hooley and thrashing it down and predicted to get hoolier and thrashier. Unfortunately as the greenhouse is full of delayed hardenings as the hardening off table (picnic table to the good lady wife but I ain't picnicking in this weather) is full, there's nothing more I can do other than close the curtains, light the fire, turn the sound up on the telly to drown out the crashing and hope for the best.

Good luck to everyone and their tomatoes.....

[Valleyman]

Sorry

If its any consolation, your part of the country is likely to see the highers temperatures at the weekend, whatever they may be.

Excellent! Well, as you've now accepted responsibility, I can only assume you are in some sort of position to change the weather. Therefore I'd be very appreciative if you could work your magic.

I'm not sure 15 people gripping a damp sausage is what I had in mind

[maverick451]

The rest of my Toms are going out on wednesday, looking at the forecast its not due to go below 10 degrees after that and there comes a time when you just have to put them out.

Weve been fairly lucky in the South east, although not brilliant we havent actually had too bad a month.

[colin1957]

I sow my toms in last week of march in a unheated greenhouse and they are still way two small, last few years i bought tom plants but this is first year i have grown from seed.



It has been quite cold here.

[Jimmy]

Perhaps a sacrifice might improve things.
Anyone want to nominate a weather presenter ?
Jimmy

[Scarlet]

I sow my toms in last week of march in a unheated greenhouse and they are still way two small, last few years i bought tom plants but this is first year i have grown from seed.
It has been quite cold here.

If you are sowing tomato seed they need to be kept warm. Best place to germinate is on a warm windowsil indoors, in an airing cupboard, or near a radiator. As soon as they have germinated keep them somewhere warm with as much light as possible. A sunny windowsill indoors with a piece of paper behind to reflect the light. As theygrowyoucan transfer into bigger pots, you can put them in the green house during the day but bring them in at night if the night time temperatures forecast lows below 10. Anything less and the plants either die with cold, get frosted or their growth gets slowed right down.

[colin1957]

Thanks Scarlet will remember that for next year

[Jonnyt]

My Toms were planted out in an unheated Greenhouse in the middle of April. They are now 4ft tall and some Sungold have set 5 trusses.

They are a damned sight better off getting the light than worrying about a few degrees etc. I will be eating Toms and Cucumbers within two weeks whilst those that waited will be a full month behind the curve.

Runners are half way up the poles, I've had 10 courgettes from 2 plants, just give em a chance and you will be surprised.

I've never lost any planting out in Mid April

[Scarlet]

I've never lost any planting out in Mid April

I think you have the advantage of being a bit further south than Bradford I'm already eating my cucumbers and courgettes but I've loosely stuck to the rule that tender plants don't like temperatures below 10. You may be lucky, you may be growing in an area that is sheltered but for most of us if we follow these guidelines loosely we generally get better results. You can't grow against the weather. Remember growing food isn't a race...

[veggiechicken]

My Toms were planted out in an unheated Greenhouse in the middle of April. They are now 4ft tall and some Sungold have set 5 trusses.

They are a damned sight better off getting the light than worrying about a few degrees etc. I will be eating Toms and Cucumbers within two weeks whilst those that waited will be a full month behind the curve.

Runners are half way up the poles, I've had 10 courgettes from 2 plants, just give em a chance and you will be surprised.

I've never lost any planting out in Mid April

I'm impressed Jonny. Show us some photos and make me envious
Mine are little tiddlers so far.

[Scoot]

Just potted the last 8 of my Toms into their final pots. they needed to go in. They'll have to stop outside as there's no room in my growhouse but it's a risk i'm willing to take.

[Bren In Pots]

My toms have been the GH for 10 days now but its still too cold in there for my cucs so they have to go back into the kitchen at night.

[cilla]

Will do my toms tomorrow as the forecast for the night is 7 C. So just one more night in their cosy cold frame.