Tomato Time!

 

 

 

You probably wouldn't think it, if you visited these shores from the southern hemisphere, that spring has finally made an appearance.  Even though we had snow and frost last week, the daffodils are nearly out, crocus in full bloom, and the tulips are well on their way out of the soil already.

Usually, by the beginning of March I have gone through all my seed packets, drooled over online catalogues and decided what, where and when I'm sowing for the coming veg growing season. 

This year it has been a lot colder than I can remember from seasons past and somehow the "lentekriebels" (as they say here, the spring fever) hasn't struck yet....

but regardless of how I've been feeling, the tomato seeds have to go in!  I've got a bit of a thing about tomatoes.  They are my favourite vegetable to grow and to eat!  If I wasn't limited by space I would go a little bit silly growing tomatoes I think.  There are hundreds of varieties to chose from - even hairy-skinned ones!  I try to grow one new variety each year and stick with varieties which have done well  past. 

This year, I'm running late!  I always sow my tomato (and chili) seeds on the 11th of March.  Why?  I don't know how I settled on that date, but it works for me!  I know some people sow at Easter, but I can get away with an earlier sowing as our summers are often quite good.... well you know, not stinking hot, but reasonable for quite a long while!  I was about to sow my seeds this very morning... but then thought, well let me just remind anyone else who might have stumbled across this blog that the time has come to sow their seeds!!

 

Below is a pic of how I sow my seeds - these are from last year.  I make labels out of fused plastic.  Fabulous stuff!  If you want to know how to fuse your own you can find out HERE.



I grow Heirloom varieties of seed.  That means I can save them and they will be true to type, unlike F1 varieties which will revert back to its mongrel parentage!

I'm a bit of a stickler when it comes to sowing seeds, I like to do it very neatly.  I think it helps when pricking the seeds out (transferring to bigger pots) to keep them evenly spaced to limit root damage.  I also like to note how many seeds I've sown, so I know if the pack of seeds I've got is going a bit old.

I've learned that 6 seeds is just about right to allow me to plant 2 strong plants of each variety.  Sometimes I'm lucky and can raise all six to be strong plants, in which case my neighbours are very thank full for some extra plants.

In case you're wondering, this is a quick breakdown of how I sow my seeds.

• fill the seed tray with potting compost.
• stand the tray in a bath of water until the soil is thoroughly damp on the surface.
• divide my seed tray up by the number of varieties I'm growing - I used ice lolly sticks.
• make labels.
• carefully place seeds on top of soil and label using permanent marker.
• sprinkle a tiny bit of soil over the top so that the seeds are just, just covered.
• put seed tray cover on and place on a sunny windowsill.

So there you have it.  It's not too late to start your own tomato seeds off now if you haven't already done so!

xx
Laura