Wednesday 30 April 2008

The Great Tomato Project 2008 Update...


As you can see from the above picture things are going pretty well so far with TGTP 08. The first batch of seedlings have all been transplanted into their own pots now where they'll hopefully grow on ready to be gradually hardened off in a few weeks time. The observant amongst you will have noticed that picture also contains our first load of sweet corn which is doing well so far as well as some of Melanie's Basil in there somewhere too along with a few Tomatillo, and an Aubergine as well.

Two of the tomatoes didn't germinate unfortunately but I'd kept some seed back in the event of problems so I've now re-sown those varieties along with the second stage of the project, the cherry varieties, in the freshly empty propagator.

The rest of the seedlings seem to be doing well too, here's the peppers and chillies all growing merrily in the spare room. I've got a couple of the larger tomatoes hardening off outside simply due to lack of room but they seem happy enough so far and they're joined in the plastic greenhouse with some Borage, a load of courgettes and a single marrow (need to sow another one me thinks) as well as the huge number of flower seeds Melanie seems to have sown.

While I'm at it, we're on the look out for one of those small 4 tier mini plastic greenhouses to house our ever growing number of plants but they seem a bit on the expensive side at £30 in our local garden centre. Does anyone know of a cheaper place to buy them from?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi

The plastic greenhouses are pretty lousy, I should say; I've got one, and it's barely better than nothing. And I mean, just barely.

I reckon you'd be better off buying a pair of coldframes; more expensive, I know, but would definitely do a far better job.

vegmonkey said...

Make your own greenhouse! Check out the one i got in me garden...free from freecycle, and it does the job nicely. By the way, i have responded to the tagged...at last!

dND said...

I tend to agree with soilman, they don't do much against the cold but will boost the daytime temp if there is some sun.

I will use mine in the polytunnel when I get that along with fleece.

If you can get hold of one that someone is getting rid of because the cover is ripped I got a replacement cover at the Whitminster garden centre a year or so ago for around £8. Not been in the UK for over a year so don't know if they still do them

JD said...

Try Poundstrecher or Instore, they were selling 3 tier for £9.99.

Nicky said...

Hi

I've got one of those mini greenhouses in the back garden because it's about all I've got room for. I've had it for years and although it's a bit knackered now. it's still very useful. Mine's got 4 tiers and cost about £30 when I got it but my mum got a 3 tier one last year in Lidl for under a tenner. My seedlings all go on the shelves, behind chicken wire to protect them from squirrels before they get planted out onto the allotment.
Best wishes

Anonymous said...

If you have a Wilkinsons near you, they sell 3 tier ones for either 14.99 or 19.99, not sure which. Always a bargin to be had at Wilkinsons.

Kim said...

Your toms are coming on well, mine were sown a bit later than planned so not quite as developed as I'd like but doing ok...

I've tagged you on my blog - fancy coming up with six random things about you?

Hope you are enjoying the lovely weather!

nommo said...

I second the Wilkinsons tip - they have them for £14.99 (online shop says out of stock but they have them in Stroud shop - http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/invt/0169742

They have cheap waterbutts as well (and loads of relevant and low price items - like vermiclite/perlite for £1 a bag!)