Tomato Growing 2024

Not just me then....three separate sowings of tagetes and not a single one came up.

 

Ditto re seed sowing and no-showing of tagetes seed this year. One lot produced 4 plants out of about 20 seeds, three growing away now in raised bed next to tomatoes.Another sowing of ‘Burning Embers’ has produced only 3 plants. These destined for greenhouse where I’ve always found them totally effective in deterring whitefly greenfly etc. i’ve always grown this variety and never had problems before, seems I’m in good company!

 

I sowed about 30 French Marigolds from various opened packets - most of them germinated and are doing well.
All the seed was several years old.
I've still got 2 trays left that I'll plant amongst the beans when I plant them out.

 

I only sowed a single variety this year, my own saved seed from last year's Red Gem. I just wanted them to plant around the tomatoes and they're doing well.

They've gotten nice and bushy and have been ignored by the slugs and snails so far, which is more than I can say for my variegated hostas which resemble lace.

 

The tomatoes I sown this year look really sorry for themselves and only a couple of inches high. While the three shop bought tomato plants are coming along nicely.

 

Not sure in your own case, but it almost always comes down to insufficient heat.
I would say that unless you can provide 60f (15.5c) night & day, consider buying your plants every time.

 

I sown them indoors but I think I moved them into the greenhouse a little too early.

 

?????

 

All 8 Black Cherry and Happy day are in flower in the greenhouse. My late sown Golden somethings are going into final stations. They will be outside where my senile dog cannot get them.
Happy days indeed.

 

My Sweet 'n' Neat Scarlet Microdwarf had keeled over completely this morning. Thankfully, the main stem seems intact. I've added bamboo/string supports. The plant was heavily congested with leaves, so I've thinned them out to allow light and space for the new trusses.