I have grown my tomatoes differently this year to previous years. Usually, I start the seed off in a heated propagator and then prick the seedlings out and keep them on a windowsill indoors. As the weather has been unusually hot this year, I moved the seedlings in to my mini greenhouse, which is inside my normal greenhouse, as soon as they were pricked out. I've noticed that their growth has been much slower than in previous years, but the plants are much sturdier. They were potted on last week in to larger pots and since then I have noticed that they've had a growth spurt. I expect this is because the new compost will have fresh nutrients for the plants to take up.My first early potatoes have now been earthed up in their containers, they're about half full now. I'm having to make sure that they're well watered as containers dry out much quicker than the ground does. My main crop potatoes are still waiting to be planted in the allotment.
I had hoped to spend quite a bit of time at the allotment over this long weekend but my dad had a heart attack on Wednesday evening so we've been busy hospital visiting since then. He gave us quite a shock but I'm pleased to say that he's come home today so I might get to spend some time there tomorrow. Needless to say, I haven't managed to visit many blogs since then, but I'm hoping to catch up with all your new posts in the next couple of days.
So sorry to hear that your Dad has suffered a heart attack. I wish him a speedy recovery. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your Dad - I hope he recover really quickly.
ReplyDeleteGlad your dad is coming hope and hope he's on the mend.
ReplyDeleteOur container potatoes are growing very quickly too.
Oh goodness, all best wishes to your Dad and the family, wishing him a gentle but speedy recovery. Take care of yourself x
ReplyDeleteI start tomato seedlings off on indoor windowsills then prick out and straight into the unheated greenhouse because of space mainly but find they grow into sturdy plants because they need to be hardier, never any problems with them growing them and don't get leggy so yours will no doubt thrive too. I find they are less inclined to be leggy especially by burying the deep when pricking out.
Take care x
Hope your Dad is OK. I sympathise with him because I am "in the danger zone" myself...
ReplyDeleteMy tomatoes are also doing well this year, mainly because due to the warmer conditions I was able to put them outside sooner than normal (in my mini-greenhouses, like yours).
So sorry to hear about your dad, hope yo get to spend some time with him tomorrow and that he is more comfortable. I too the chance and put most of my tomato plants inside my plastic greenhouse. They are slow to get going by the two on my windowsill are double the size! Will bring them inside for the next week or so. Take care. Amanda x
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to your Dad.
ReplyDeleteOur Tommies have taken their time too this year but, as you say, seem much stronger for it.
For different reasons, I've not been reading much lately either and have some catching up to do :)
Mo
Hi Jo, I'm glad your dad is OK and has come home now.
ReplyDeleteI think your tomato plants look great...i think the problem with growing them in a heated propagator is that they get too much heat so therefore bolt a little and seem a little weedy...yes growing them just in the greenhouse is a slower process but it does give you a much sturdier plant which can hold more fruit in the summer season.
Hope your Dad's OK now he's home. Everything is growing fast now, just a bit nervous until the risk of frosts goes.
ReplyDeleteReally sorry to hear about your dad, I wish your family all the best in helping him recover well!
ReplyDeleteTake care x
Glad to hear your dad is on the mend.
ReplyDeleteA trip to the allotment will make things a bit calmer. Plants are looking lovely.
Best wishes to your Dad. Glad to hear he's on the mend. I still have a couple of spuds to plant in containers.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your Dad being taken ill Jo. I hope he continues to make a good recovery.
ReplyDeleteJeanne
x
Sorry to hear about your Dad Jo, but good news that he's home and doing well.
ReplyDeleteYour tomato plant does look sturdy.
Best Wishes to your Dad
Gill xx
You're doing a lot better with your tomatoes than I am with mine, but that's not surprising!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your dad and hope that he makes a full recovery. Flighty xx
Jo, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad, that must have been extremely scary for all of you. Glad he is doing so well. Wonderfully healthy tomatoes though.
ReplyDeleteWhat a scare your Dad must have given himself and all of you Jo. It must be a great relief for you that he's back at home. Hope that he continues to do well. In the meantime take care of yourself ((((()))))
ReplyDeleteIt must be a worrying time with your dad. Good sign that he is home though. I hope he is feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteIt is the movement caused by a breeze that makes the tomato plants grown outside a bit more sturdy than those grown in shelter. A great Spring this year to harden off those tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth. He's got to take things easy for four weeks, no driving and no lifting, but he seems to be on the mend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Su. He seems to be on the mend already.
Thanks, Sue. It doesn't seem to take potatoes long to grow once they get going.
Thanks, Dawn. I usually bring my tomatoes on a bit on the windowsill before I move them in to the greenhouse but they do tend to get quite leggy. They seem to be doing much better this year.
Thanks, Mark. Sorry to hear that you're in the danger zone too, it much be quite a worry. This weather has definitely been a bonus to us gardeners.
Thanks, Amanda. My tomatoes took a while to get going but they've shot up after being repotted.
Thanks, Mo. It's taken me a while to catch up on my reading, everyone seems to have done loads of posts since last week, but I'm nearly there now.
Thanks, Tanya. I only start my seeds off in the heated propagator, they're usually moved on to my windowsill once they've germinated, but I think it's the low light levels which make them leggy. They seem much better this year.
Thanks, Damo. I'll be moving lots of things back in to the greenhouse if we get a frost. I'm watching the weather forcasts like a hawk.
Thanks, Kay. He seems to be on the mend now, and has eight different types of tablets to take.
Thanks, Allot of Veg. Things have been a bit up in the air here whilst he's been in hospital, so it's nice to get back to some kind of normality.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kath. All my container spuds have been planted but I've still got to get my maincrop in the ground at the allotment.
Thanks, Jeanne. He has given us all a fright but I'm sure he'll be back to full health in no time.
Thanks, Gill. I'm hoping for great things from my tomato plants this year. Time will tell.
Thanks, Flighty. I've got a greenhouse at my disposal whereas you don't. I'm sure you'll manage to grow some decent tomato plants all the same.
Thanks, Janet. It was very scary but he was in the best place. Glad we've got him back home now though.
Thanks, Anna. It's good to have him home but still quite scary. I'm sure he'll be fighting fit in no time though.
Thanks, Mark. It is a worrying time, but it's good to have him home.
My tomato plants are in the greenhouse, Matron. I think it's the extra light levels as well as a cooler environment which has helped to make them more sturdy.
Oooh sorry to hear about you Dad, hope he continues his recovery! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paul. He's doing well at the moment so long may it continue.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this, Jo. I've been AWOL from blogging for a while and have just caught up with your blog. I really feel for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I know your own dad's had some health problems too so you'll know exactly what it's like.
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