Tomatoes - When to plant in the ground?

[Matt_B]

What size do the plants have to be before they are ready to take out of the pots and planted into the ground?

I live in the southeast of england so I like to think we've seen our last frost before winter again

Heres a pic taken a few minutes ago, do you think its time?




Matt

[stanhol]

Have you been hardening them off?

You need to increase their outings over the next 2 to 3 weeks then put them in the ground.

Sandra

[Primrose]

I tried several different types of tomatoes last year and put them all outside - bad mistake !
I live in a little village which is surrounded by farmland and last year there were quite a few fields planted with potatoes and whether it was the sprays or the blight, all my plants were blighted - so this year they're staying in the greenhouse which is a nuisance as space is limited.

[stanhol]

Mine too! Its soul destroying isnt it.

I also managed to get blight in my greenhouse. All that damp weather ruined my carrots as well!

Heres hoping for a better year!

Sandra

[Primrose]

From one Sandra to another -
Don't mention carrots to me - 4 rows planted recently under fleece - nothing !
Grandson planted in a tub - 4 lovely rows growing.
Still, I live in hopes
Sorry - gone off thread

[Matt_B]

Originally Posted by stanhol

Have you been hardening them off?

You need to increase their outings over the next 2 to 3 weeks then put them in the ground.

Sandra

No I don't think we have?

Do you mean taking them outside while in the pots? The toms are going to be grown in the greenhouse, does that make any difference

Thanks for the replys

Matt

[stanhol]

Hi Matt,

If the Toms are staying in the greenhouse, i would shuv them in! I put mine in the greenhouse border today. They are about the same size as yours.

Hardening off is basically increasing the amount of time out of protection ready to be transplanted over a period of 2 - 3 weeks! Its a laborious task but does pay off.

Good luck with your toms, what varieties are you growing?

Sandra

[malcolmx]

last year was one of the worst for blight i can remember so bring out your plants if space is tight spray with Bordeaux mixture if you wish which will help blight problems . i plant my toms in the greenhouse soil but i use bottomless pots filled with new compost and drip feed with liquid feed after 3 weeks .
i harden my toms for outside use at the end of may and bring them out in trays now in the day and bring in at night after 2 weeks i cover with fleece at night but leave un-covered for the last five days then i place in a bath of water 15 mins before i plant out and add some compost and growmoor to the soil 3 weeks after this i feed every watering with tomorite

[Helen Jones]

Hi Matt I put my toms in the grow bags about the size of your plants. They are growing fine now the weather has picked up. I thought I would try some tumbling toms this year. It is all trial and error. Lets hope it isn,t as wet this year. Helen

[Matt_B]

Sorry for the late replys but the south east of england has been basked in sun over the last few days, so been busy with BBQ's

We took your advice Sandra and planted them ( also bought some marigolds )




As for the types ?? i'm not sure of the names and the better half is at work, but theres some cherry toms, large toms and some yellow toms, also we are growing peppers

MalcolmX, your post has given me plenty of info to search for on the internet as i've not heard of most what you mentioned

Helen, like you say it's trial and error, fingers crossed

Once again thanks for the replys

Matt