Planting tomatoes in trays - Claire's Allotment part 11

[ILuvCaroline]

Here in the southern states we call tomatoes "maters" and potatoes "taters"...I love the way you say tomatoes. :)

[clairesallotment]

@ILuvCaroline Sometimes we call Potatoes "Spuds", why I don't know.

[glittermoomin]

lovely video claire, and super-useful - thankyou for making these!

here comes my silly question from a total newbie gardener: once you've sowed your tomato seeds in the trays, and covered the trays with a cloche/clear plastic bag or similar, do you water them before you see anything sprouting? and if so, how often?

thanks so much!

[clairesallotment]

@glittermoomin Hi there, I'm glad you find the videos useful. Water the soil before you scatter the seeds, and then you'll only need to water the soil again if it gets dry. If you're sowing your tomato seeds from April onwards then you don't need to put a cover over them, unless the night is going to be anything below 8 degrees. I hope that answers your question.

Claire

[richythepianoman]

Thanks for this video Claire. Just what i'm after :)

[patrolman999]

Thanks Claire, busy trying to get the final beds dug but I'll be on target roughly for planting of the potatoes etc. Thanks for clearing that query up for me, I'll be sure to leave the bags/lids on the trays whilst they germinate. Thanks again - James :-)

[clairesallotment]

@patrolman999 Hi James,

You're welcome. Everyone has their various ways of planting seeds. You just need to find the one that suits you best. I'm glad to be of help, anad I hope you have a fantastic year.

[patrolman999]

Hi Claire, I acquired my plot last June so spent my time since then digging, building etc. I put my polytunnel up last week and have planted various tomatoe & chilli seeds in the same way you have on this video. Have you had much sucess with your planting in Jan in a unheated greenhouse? Everyone I have spoke to have told me I'm too early!!

Thanks for taking the time to post your vids, been extremely useful to me :-)

[clairesallotment]

@patrolman999 Hi there, I hope your plot is progressing well, and that you're ready to start this season. If you look at the back of the tomato packets they say to sow Jan- March. Most years I sow them Jan/Feb. They do take longer to come through, but I tend to find that in the end the plants are far more sturdy. I don't have a heated greenhouse, never had done, the only heat comes from the sun. It is important to put a propagator lid on top, as this creates an extra bit of heat.

[ukgardener1]

How tall are your tom plants when you seperate them, ive never started my own i always got them given at different stages as they were growing and they were always seperated, Thanks in advance Claire

[clairesallotment]

@ukgardener1 I separate them when they're big enough to handle, which is about 2 -3 inches tall. By this time they should have 4 leaves if not more. If they're too small they won't survive in a 3 inch pot. Be very careful as they are still very delicate and can break easily. If you leave them too long in the seed tray they start to go leggy and their stem is very thin.

[0987654321libra]

Clever girl. Most informative and enjoyable.

[antfiresbetter]

Lovely videos. They are addictive. Greetings from near Chicago, Illinois, USA. Thanks for the wonderful information!

[clairesallotment]

@antfiresbetter Glad you find them useful. Hope everything is growing well for you in Chicago.

[jihadacadien]

Man I'm just begining to harvest and I'm allready anxious for next spring! =)

[clairesallotment]

Start planning in the Autumn what you're going to plant next Spring. I love it when the catalogues come through.

[saphiablue]

Hi enjoy your videos, thank you.

[socratesx11]

How did the gherkins do last year?

[clairesallotment]

A bit pathetic actually. I got half a dozen or so. Kept them in the greenhouse, but the weather was too cold even in there. Aubergines useless also. I want a proper hot summer this year.

[panteliskel]

great work!!

i have started this year.

right now, i am trying to finish, my small greenhouse.

Then , i will plant tomato seeds, first. I try to keep them warmer, with a "cover", like you did...

:-)

Keep on.... planting!

Pantelis , from Greece

[clairesallotment]

Hope you have a great year of planting. It's much warmer where you are, than it is for us over here.