Tomato Growing Thread 2023

Give it time @Loofah I'll soon sort that

 

Planted out the final crimson crush as I found another 25litre pot and some old compost to put it into

All others are growing well for now, bit dull today but a fair bit of sunshine forecast

 

Petit Chocolat is going to be a beast of a plant. It was already crowding out wispy little Black Hole Sun, so I carefully exhumed the latter and found it a space on the front of the house. PC can now have the run of the 30 litre pot.

 

I love the thread, greetings to all fellow gardeners. Cannot wait for photos of the ripened tomatoes soon!
What do you think guys of my trellises? I have 10 plants. 8 of the are big indeterminate beef tomatoes, in a 30 litres pots, might be a bit too small, but next season I will do raised bed instead. Guys any chance to go ve me Watering advice please? I want to get it perfect, most of people say that stick finger in 2-3 inch of soil and if its dry then water
Today for example 3 even for too inches ate dry, but I check very bottom of the pot(I have holes at bottom edges of the pots) then soil over there is very saturated. Like pretty wet, not just moist. Should I water now or wait.?woukd some photos help by any chance?

 

Very nice, I would say go easy on the watering until the plants get well established then it will probably be a daily job, twice in hot weather.

But dont overwater at this stage, it could be fatal.

 

Thank you for a tip, but still not sure shall I water now or wait? Bottom is still pretty wet but few top inches of the soil very dry? Also some of my plants turned slightly yellow, whole plant is this shock to transplant possibly?

 

@LukeMB , those are looking fab. There are as many opinions on watering as there are tomato varieties. Personally, I tend to under-water, to discourage too much green growth at the expense of fruits and flavour. I watch for the slightest sign of leaves wilting, then give the plants a generous drink.

Edit: I sink 500ml yoghurt pots (base removed) into my 30 litre pots and water via those. The top soil stays dry and the moisture is delivered closer to the roots.

 

Have your plants been hardened off.
If the plants are not going limp, I'd not water until you see those signs.
Where roughly are you?
You could run into problems if you get heavy rain with the pots in saucers.

 

Thank you. Was thinking if need these saucers at all. Only reason I have them is to prevent possible diseases if pots would sit directly on garden soil? Do you think then that these are wilted and ready Watering? Do you then let soil completely dry out top to very bottom? My 30 litre pots seems to be at the moment 4 inch top really dry and some moist bottom 4 inches. I have inserted long tooth pick

 

Hi Pete,

Yes I did harden them off for a week

I am. In Uk. I have saucers as I thought it will prevent some diseases if I sit them directly on the grass? Or am I overthinking it? Otherwise I would remove them. I have difficulties to spot early signs of needing watering. My plants most of the time have leafs a bit droopy, so not sure how can I differentiate that from wilt when tomatoes need watering?

 

Watering of any plant it difficult to explain, its probably one of plant growings biggest mysteries, and it comes with experience.
Its difficult for anyone to say, looking at a picture, if your plants need watering, its something you have to learn.
But at this moment in time, think, small plant, small rootball, big pot.
It adds up to a pot full of soggy compost if you are not careful, so at this stage under watering is better than overwatering, come summer, big plants lots of leaf, lots more water.

Yes, I'd get rid of the saucers for now, you wont get disease, but you could have soggy compost if it rains.

 

You could, if you are really worried get a moisture meter, I've never bothered but I think some people use them,
The damper soil at the bottom of the pots will help to get the roots to move downwards rather than staying near the surface.

BTW, in the pictures they look fine and are not wilting.

 

I'd be a tad iffy about outdoor saucers as they waterlog very easily. I wouldn't worry about diseases from below; it's the splash-up from top watering that's more likely to spread the nasties.

 

Or plunge the pots in the ground. Works for me!