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Tomatoes in Scotland - when to move out?

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  • #1

    Tomatoes in Scotland - when to move out?

    Hi. I am growing tomatoes for the first time since moving to Edinburgh from the US 5 years ago. A friend has given me four plants that she has grown from seed: tumbling tom, red pear, green zebra and Costoluto Fiorentino (beefsteak).

    When do others tend to move their tomatoes outside? Do you wait until they get to a certain size? They are currently living in a south facing conservatory and when moved outside will be in a south facing back garden.

    Any other general advice about tomatoes would also be great, I feel like I've forgotten everything about growing them!

    Thanks.
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  • #2
    Weather is the key, not the calendar - obviously they'll die if they get frosted, but further than that they tend to go into a sulk and stop growing below about 10 C for too many hours per day.

    As for tips, don't forget to plan some supports which can cope with several kilos per plant and any sort of extra cover they can get particularly from wet will extend your season - so i f your house has eaves that will help to keep the rain off a bit and the warmth from a wall which had sun on it in the day makes a difference at night, providing the plants are close enough to it.

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    • #3
      Hi norakay welcome to the vine

      A very nice selection of tomatoes you've got there.
      Personally I'd continue to grow them in your conservatory if you have the space.
      I know the tumbling tom can cope with been outside in a sheltered spot because a neighbor grows them in hanging baskets. Although it's been a little hit and miss if she gets a good crop or not. Depending on the weather.
      The others I've never actually grown those varieties so don't know how they cope outside in the frozen north or otherwise.
      If they are going outside I wouldn't do it till mid to late May. Give them as much support and shelter as possible.

      I'm sure someone that grows toms outside in Scotland will be along soon. To give advice and tell you to ignore everything I've just said

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      • #4
        The only one of you selection that I have grown is tumbling Tom, and yes I have grown it outside in a basket, as for the other ones I think I would keep them inside, the only tomato I have had success with growing outsider is Mountain Magic and even that was different from those grown n the greenhouse, their skins were tougher and thicker, which was the same with tumbling tom, but they tasted fine, I stay over to the west of the country and it is colder and wetter than Edinburgh, but if you are unable to keep them inside you need to harden them off by putting them outside during the day and bring them in at night, for at least a week and depending on night temperatures keep a bit of fleece handy for covering if it is going to be cold, and don't start doing that till at least the third week in May when hopefully it will be a bit warmer
        it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.

        Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers

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        • #5
          I’m in Edinburgh but do grow tomatoes outside some veggies having a greenhouse. At the moment I am taking them to the greenhouse during the day then back inside at night. Won’t think about leaving them in GH overnight until May. Am focussing on smaller toms tried Marmande last year but didn’t feel like we got enough sun for them. So guess I would suggest keeping inside for as long as you can and not moving outside until May.

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          • #6
            I too have had tommies outside, but not until June/July and even then I watch the temperatures, we can get a cold Harr come off the sea in August and the temp can drop below 10 degrees at night.

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            • #7
              To be honest, I'd keep them inside. You have the advantage of being on the East Coast and for the 5 years I spent in Edinburgh it was the best of Scottish weather. I've tried growing tomatoes outside in Aberdeenshire, Glasgow, Wigtownshire.. nothing to write home about and they were "spare plants".

              But if you are in one of them walled gardens, have a sun trap and a good summer, , sure they will grow well.

              Best luck.

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