The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: suziequeue on April 24, 2011, 02:36:08 pm

Title: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: suziequeue on April 24, 2011, 02:36:08 pm
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:


Does anybody else have any suggestions about what we can do to get a bumper crop
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: poppajohn on April 24, 2011, 02:57:23 pm
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!
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: suziequeue on April 24, 2011, 04:02:24 pm
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
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: Fleecewife on April 24, 2011, 09:14:49 pm
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  :yum:

The nettle and sheep poo broth will double to clear your sinuses  ;D :D nettle tea really really pongs but is tip top stuff
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: suziequeue on April 25, 2011, 06:04:38 pm
No frost last night thank god.

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

Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: Beewyched on April 25, 2011, 06:08:42 pm
Frost due again up here tonight  ???
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: poppajohn on April 25, 2011, 07:42:12 pm
Frosts should be over now, git plantin!   :wave:
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: Beewyched on April 25, 2011, 07:46:31 pm
No chance - grass was white & crunchy the last 2 mornings - having to cover everything up overnight barr the broad beans & peas  ???
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: poppajohn on April 25, 2011, 07:50:42 pm
We are in Fenland, last frost was 3 weeks ago..........
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: Beewyched on April 25, 2011, 07:56:18 pm
Yep - you're usually about a month ahead of us - amazing what a distance of less than 400 miles does  :wave:
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: poppajohn on April 25, 2011, 07:57:58 pm
Thats why I gave Shetland up! Getting soft fruit in June rocks!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
Post by: Blonde on May 08, 2011, 05:45:17 am
Quote from: suziequeue on April 24, 2011, 02:36:08 pm
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.
    Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
    Post by: suziequeue on May 08, 2011, 12:18:21 pm
    Yes - they are getting home made nettle and sheep poo liquid fertilizer.

    I love it.

    It STINKS!!!
    Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
    Post by: Dizzycow on May 08, 2011, 06:01:31 pm
    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.
    Title: Re: Planted tomatoes out
    Post by: suziequeue on May 08, 2011, 09:07:52 pm
    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.