[suziequeue]

YAY!! have just spent the morning planting our tomatoes out in the polytunnnel.

We learnt alot from last year's first attempt so this year we have:

• Been brutal about thinning out the seedlings initially so there was only one per pot and consequently one per "station"
  
  Planted the seedlings at 40cm(ish) intervals
  
  Done a sub-surface watering system with 2 litre pop bottles
  
  Used the RHS string method to support the vines
  
  Left plenty of space around the front and back of the plants to improve ventilation
  
  Companion planted marigolds in front

Does anybody else have any suggestions about what we can do to get a bumper crop

[poppajohn]

I like your pics Suzie thanks! Dont forget to pinch sideshoots, or leave them if they are bush / cherry type. When the first flowers appear feed twice a week with a comfrey or nettle soup. Always ventilate well and water evenly to avoid split fruit.
Keep an eye open for blight around August, I also use marigolds as companion. Watch for slug attack on them though!

Looks a grand set up, good luck!

[suziequeue]

Thanks Poppajohn

I have nettle and sheep-poo soup brewing which will be ready in time for the first flowers.

I shall put some beer traps and grit down around the marigolds forthwith.

Thanks for the tip.

Susanna

[Fleecewife]

I hope you are not going to get the frost down there that we are forecast for tonight up here    If so, cover them up.

I mulch around mine with comfrey leaves which helps to keep weeds down as well as feeding the plants as the comfrey rots down.  Then you just tuck in to a big crop  

The nettle and sheep poo broth will double to clear your sinuses  nettle tea really really pongs but is tip top stuff

[suziequeue]

No frost last night thank god.

I've thrown caution to the wind and planted out all my other seedlings today.

[Beewyched]

Frost due again up here tonight 

[poppajohn]

Frosts should be over now, git plantin!   

[Beewyched]

No chance - grass was white & crunchy the last 2 mornings - having to cover everything up overnight barr the broad beans & peas 

[poppajohn]

We are in Fenland, last frost was 3 weeks ago..........

[Beewyched]

Yep - you're usually about a month ahead of us - amazing what a distance of less than 400 miles does 

[poppajohn]

Thats why I gave Shetland up! Getting soft fruit in June rocks!!!!!!!!

[Blonde]

YAY!! have just spent the morning planting our tomatoes out in the polytunnnel.

We learnt alot from last year's first attempt so this year we have:

• Been brutal about thinning out the seedlings initially so there was only one per pot and consequently one per "station"
  
  Planted the seedlings at 40cm(ish) intervals
  
  Done a sub-surface watering system with 2 litre pop bottles
  
  Used the RHS string method to support the vines
  
  Left plenty of space around the front and back of the plants to improve ventilation
  
  Companion planted marigolds in front

Does anybody else have any suggestions about what we can do to get a bumper crop

Fertilize with a liquid feed regularly.

[suziequeue]

Yes - they are getting home made nettle and sheep poo liquid fertilizer.

I love it.

It STINKS!!!

[Dizzycow]

I need to get mine planted out, wish I had a polytunnel. I'm going to do half in the greenhouse and half outside - bit of a risk for central Scotland! Your polytunnel looks fantastic.

[suziequeue]

Thanks Dizzy- we've been a bit more organised with it this year.... but there's still a heap of plastic pop bottles in one corner and any number of rolls of "stuff" (black poly, netting, mesh etc etc) lying around plus weeds growing up the other side.

Need to get in there again and have a grot out.

We are going to get a new one this autumn and re-site it and get a whole lot of whistles and bells on it from First Tunnels

SOOOOO excited.