tumbling toms

[LorraineB]

Hello,

I have quite a few tumbling tom plants in small pots I have checked and the pots are full of roots. I want to plant them out in baskets and containers in the next few weeks do I need to put them into bigger pots before planting out or do you think they will last another few weeks. Its the first time I have ever grown anything. Also would you feed them and what withl
Thanks
Lorraine

[Nicola_D]

Hi Lorraine, I'm no expert and haven't grown tumbling toms before, but I did grow 'normal' (for want of a better word other than standy-up) ones last year. You'll need to harden them off before planting out, that means get them used to the outdoor environment by leaving outside sheltered from wind during the day for up to a couple of weeks and bring them in on a night time when the temperature drops. If you don't do this the change in temperature and exposure to winds and breezes will shock them and if they don't die they might not grow for a few weeks and then may not get fruit as early as they should. As for feeding I think the general advice is to feed them once a week with tomato food (I used the liquid stuff that you add to your watering can) but only when the first tomotoes are appearing. i think this type of feed is too strong for seedlings, though when you plant them out use a good quality compost and you could add something like fish, blood and bone or slow release ferilizer pellets to the compost you're putting in the baskets. I use 'basket friend' which contains little fertilizer pellets and water retaining crystals so that the compost doesn't dry out as quickly