How do I grow tomatoes from seed?
There are two main types of tomatoes, those that are called Greenhouse tomatoes and respond better to cultivation within the protected greenhouse environment and those that can be grown in the garden. A few varieties can prosper in garden or greenhouse.
Greenhouse varieties can be sown from seed from January, but they do need special care and attention, not least plenty of warmth. For new gardeners planning on growing greenhouse tomatoes for the first time, it may be better to wait until young tomato plants are available at the garden centre and grow these on in the greenhouse. But if you want garden tomatoes then sowing from seed is the most satisfying and cost effective way of growing many plants. You can even sell your surplus at the village fete or share with other gardening friends.
Variety
One of the best things about growing tomatoes from seed is the huge array of different types you can grow. If you are new to sowing from seed then choose a popular strain such as ‘Gardeners Delight' or ‘Money-maker' or even scrounge a few seeds of a gardening friend. Tomatoes like warmth to germinate; they are a Mediterranean plant and love a bit of heat. You can provide basal heat using a propagator or wait until about April when the temperature should be warm enough. Don't sow too early and don't sow all your seed at once. If you only want a few plants then try sowing seeds individually into clean modules containing room temperature seed compost. Make a tiny hole in the surface and sow one seed into each module or pot. Cover with a thin layer of Vermiculite or more compost. Water gently with tepid water and label. Place in a light, warm place, or use a propagator to germinate at 18-20C (65-70F). They can germinate in just a few days or may take 10-14 if conditions are cooler. You may also find that one or two come up quickly and the rest take a few days longer, be patient and don't poke around in the compost trying to see if they are coming up.
Potting up
Tomatoes cannot be planted outside until all danger of frost has passed, and even if you intend to grow them on in the greenhouse they need moving into larger pots or planting into a grow bag, as soon as their roots fill their existing pot or module. Make a hole about the size of the root ball in a growing bag, or half fill a large pot with good quality Multi-Purpose Compost. Place the root ball in the hole and firm gently. Add a strong stake and tie the stem gently to it. Keep well watered but ensure there is good drainage. Tomatoes need a pollinator to set fruit and need to be tied in as they grow to stop them toppling over. When growing strongly they drink litres of water each day and need regular feeding for the best results.
Questions and Answers
A cold frame is like a mini greenhouse. It is used by greenhouse gardeners to be an interim between the greenhouse and the garden.
A cold frame is an enclosure that is close to the ground with a transparent roof that protects plants from very cold weather. When sunlight passes though the transparent top, it heats the enclosure by convection and the warm air cannot escape. It is a miniature greenhouse that extends the growing season for flowers, vegetables and more. It is called a cold frame because it is not artificially heated like a greenhouse.
Cold frames gardening is another name for a cold frames greenhouse. These are greenhouses that are great for those who are just starting out growing things for the first time.
A cold frame is a roofed enclosure that is built low to the ground and used to protect plants in cold weather. Cold frames vary in size. A smaller version may be 3 ft. across, and larger versions are available from about 6 to 8 ft. across. Many different sizes are available. Cold frames have a transparent top constructed of glass or an equally appropriate material that allows plenty of sunlight. A good way to describe a cold frame is a "mini greenhouse".
Make a cold frame and extend your growing season. This simple structure will enable you to enjoy fresh vegetables well into the winter.
Cold frame plans are generally affordable to implement and can become a highly beneficial addition for your garden. The primary function of such a structure is to prolong the growing season, thereby providing the chance for a better yield for your effort and hard work. With this particular approach to gardening, the summer season is often started early on and extended longer devoid of the concern about the elements working against your growing efforts.
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That's a quite a far-reaching question as it does depend on what you want to use your greenhouse for.
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