Tomatos - planting out

Hi all,
I grew some tomatos from seed early this year (end of February I think - I was too enthusiastic to wait!). They all germinated and have been pricked out. Currently they are about 8-12" tall, and growing fast. The problem I have now is that I am away for a week, so am deciding whether to plant them out (in growbags) now, or whether to repot them (I'll have to buy more, bigger pots). The instructions say to wait until the first flower appears before putting them in growbags, but I don't want to come back from a week away and find they're all leggy and dropping. They are almost starting to need supporting already, and are needing large amounts of water.
So what do you guys think? Is it way to early to plant them out?
I don't have a greenhouse, so they'll be outside, in a sheltered garden. I've got neighbours who can water them while I'm away.

Thanks

 

I would opt to put some out and leave some for when you return. The ones you dont plant out can be left in a cooler place to conserve watering. You may be lucky. You could also sow more seeds in case you need them.
I planted my first 6 plants out last weekend, they are doing fine!

 

Hmallett you should have the first flower opening on the first truss at 6-8 inches high,you say yours are 8-12 inches they therefore sound a bit leggy to me.In answer to should they be put out,you should avoid lanky stems,yellowing leavesor any abnormal growth,so you have nothing to loss and as oktarine says you have time to start more,so you have nothing to loss.Best of luck and have a nice holiday.

 

Hi hmallet. Welcome to GC.

You really planted too early if you don't have a g.house. I planted beginning of March and I do have one but I keep it cold because of dormant exotics and I am not putting the toms, into the g.house for another week. And we aren't freezing here on the Yorkshire coast, just not as warm as Kent.

I agree with Oktarine. Put some out and leave some cooler unless your neighbours are really nice and you can (apologetically) leave a key with them. In which case don't put them out yet but put them in the lightest place you can to stop them getting even leggier. As Oktarine and Coub say, plant some more now. A far more sensible time without a g.house, and don't worry, they'll catch up with your early one-nights.

 

I have hedged my bets by putting half out now and leaving half in a cold greenhouse. You toss the coin and take your pick. If you win you have gained a few weeks and worth the risk, I think.

 

Hi there. I just want to make sure of what`s being said here. It`s NOT too late to plant seed ? Cheers...freddy.

 

Certainly not Freddy. And actually if you do it right they will catch up and you will not lose much on early planted seeds.

 

Thanks John, that`s good news. I thought I`d left it too late. Any recommendations for a medium-sized tom for outdoors ? Cheers...freddy.

 

I love Marmande, those lumpy French ones. They don't look pretty but the taste is fantastic And if you plant about now they are outdoor in a warm sunny spot, If you have a Wilko near you, they sell them. If they haven't any I have a few seeds left so PM me your address ASAP (they want to go in soon) and for a small consideration (£59.50 plus VAT) I will send you my remnants 1st class, which nowadays will only take 3 weeks.

 

Ok John, Marmande it is. I`ll check out my local G/C, they have a good range so there shouldn`t be any problem. BTW, thanks for the offer of your remnants, I`ll bear it in mind. PS,why can`t I post a smiley thingy ? Cheers...freddy.

 

W"ell I'm growing supermarmande this year outside, just pricked them out today.

I reckon its about three weeks too early around here for planting out.
On many occasions I've planted out in early June and they have stood still for a good three weeks before getting going again.
Hardening off is the key and it needs to be done slowly.
If you dont harden them off they will get checked and take a long time to recover.

 

I don't plant out at all up here Pete I shall just leave them in the g.house. You will no doubt remember that I only got a new g.house before Christmas after many years without one (well 3 years anyway). Last year I started them (as always) in the spare room and planted out early June. They did absolutely nothing. So this year, in frozen N. Yorks. it's the glass job for me.:D

 

Was an exceptionally bad year last summer.
Lets hope get a better one this year.

 

I only planted my seeds this week! But the weather is warming up and i don't expect any problems so that is an alternative choice - plant some more just in case, they should have germinated by the time you get back

 

Hi again. To save starting a new thread I was wondering, is it too late to sow toms for the greenhouse ? cheers...freddy.