Earliest sowing of Tomatoes In UK

[golden14]

Hi,
What is the earliest I can sow Tomatoes in the UK, I live on the Isle Of Wight and so have a slight 'jump on the rest of the UK. I also use twin electric propagators but really need to know the earliest I can get them going. Once propagated they remain in my conservatory, which as it goes cold at night seems to harden them up very well before transplanting outside to my mini greenhouses - If anyone wonders why I do this I sell the plants as I am a work at home Dad, so the earlier I can get them going the earlier they are ready for sale!

[Reweed]

why not start some now? ther worst that would happen is you'd need to sow more anyway. I imagine you seed save from the previous years crop so you don;t have a huge expense to buy more seeds?

[golden14]

Actually that's not such a daft idea. Having time on my hands being a house husband a may give them a go in my propagators. Thinking of trying some chilies already

[PotagerGardener]

Hi There,

I take it you could start to grow the toms indoors in a propagator or on a warm windowsil

[stupo74]

Hi All,
Yes, while it is possible to start plants from seed now,(i have some new chilli plants on the go) you might find it difficult to prevent these plants becoming "Very Leggy" as they search for the little light available at this time of year.
Of course, if you have access to some form of, "Artificial Lighting" then you can control the "Vegative Cycle" of the plants, by giving them between 16 & 20 hours of light per day.
However, the above said, how many would find this "Viable" cost wise???

As i like to experiment alot, i would never deter anyone from starting early, just be prepared for the odd mishap and make sure you have plenty of seeds, for later sowings, if the first batch don't make it.

Cheers stupo.

[golden14]

Yes I am thinking about getting one of the lights that give out daylight and running it through the night. I see that those people growing cannabis on a large scale use them to speed up the crop. If anyone can recommend such a light supplier (not for growing weed obviously!) it would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Dickie

[Reweed]

envirolights are good and have bulbs that are decent for cost saving. i used oen when growing something a few years back. and it worked a dream.