The only rule in gardening is every year is different. The timing for starting seeds to bringing on young plants to moving them outside is always set by the subtleties of weather and cold. With the recent extreme cold and the possibility of an unexpected cold snap still, the whole process has been slowed down …Read More about Potting up time in Spring
Posts relating to tomatoes
Starting some tomatoes
Starting tomatoes from seed is the best way to get plants already suited to the place where they will grow. Shop bought plants can be in shock. However, starting seeds indoors can be tricky especially when extra cold outside results in the house heating system being turned up. The lack of sunshine indoors and chills …Read More about Starting some tomatoes
Planning for summer
Summer may be some way off but it does no harm to start thinking about just what you want to achieve in the garden (or on the balcony) this year. This all starts by ordering the seeds in the next week or two and being ready to start them indoors after Valentine’s day in February. …Read More about Planning for summer
Early tomatoes
While it is still still too early to start summer tomatoes from seed indoors (end of February), it is well worth starting some Russian and Eastern European tomato seeds. These are early tomatoes that need 8 weeks indoors before slowly moving outside. As their names imply (eg Sub-Arctic Plenty) these are more sturdy plants that …Read More about Early tomatoes
The best paste tomatoes
The San Marzano paste tomato is considered the best heirloom variety for sauces and making paste. Originally from Italia, the San Marzano and its cousin the Roma are the two best producers for the small city garden or balcony. These reliable croppers produce well even in mixed summers. For making sauces and tomato paste these …Read More about The best paste tomatoes
Picking tomatoes
Picking your own tomatoes is very satisfying. Fully mature tomatoes is a sign of a healthy plant often despite weather conditions and the limiting factors of a small city garden. When the tomatoes are heirloom varieties the whole exercise is one of helping to preserve a rare breed. All the seeds from these plants can …Read More about Picking tomatoes