When should tomatoes be planted?

Sow from late February to mid-March if you'll be growing your crop in a greenhouse, or from late March to early April if they'll be outside. Fill a small pot with seed compost, water well, then sow three or four seeds on the surface.

rhs.org.uk - Tomatoes - Growing your own / RHS Gardening

What can I pour on gravel to keep it in place?

Tamp and Pack One easy, DIY way to help prevent the spread of gravel is to tamp and pack it a bit. This simply means using a hoe or other tool to...

Last updated Aug 29, 2021

How long will a 4x4 post last in the ground?

How Long Will A Treated 4×4 Last In The Ground? (Explained) A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and...

Last updated Nov 5, 2019

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Choosing what to grow

Tomatoes generally have two ways of growing:

Cordon (or indeterminate) tomatoes grow tall, up to 1.8m (6ft), and require tall supports. They are great for growing in a greenhouse, but will also do well in a sunny spot outdoors, either in the ground or in large pots against a south-facing wall. They are useful when space is limited, as plants grow vertically, tall and narrow, and produce a heavy crop. They require regular maintenance – watering, feeding, tying to supports and pinching out side-shoots. Bush (or determinate) tomatoes are shorter and wider, great for smaller gardens, pots and growing bags. Smaller types can also be grown in hanging baskets, with the stems trailing over the sides. These are the easiest type to grow and need little maintenance apart from watering and feeding. The stems don’t usually need support, except if heavily laden with fruit. Check seed packets or plant labels before buying, to ensure you get the right type to suit your needs. There are also lots of varieties to choose from, offering fruits of various sizes, shapes, flavours and textures. Fruit colours range from traditional red to dark purple, pink, orange, yellow or green, and even striped. There are heirloom varieties, grown for many generations, as well as modern, blight-resistant choices. There are miniature round fruits, elongated plum varieties, smooth uniform salad tomatoes and huge, wrinkled, mis-shapen beefsteaks, all full of flavour and with their own individual characters. For varieties that will reliably produce good crops, look for those with an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which means they performed well in RHS growing trials. There are currently more than 40 AGM tomatoes to choose from – for a selection, see Recommended varieties, below.

What & where to buy

Tomato seeds are widely available from garden centres and other seed stockists.

Sow indoors

Tomatoes are easy to grow from seed sown indoors in warm conditions. Sow from late February to mid-March if you’ll be growing your crop in a greenhouse, or from late March to early April if they’ll be outside. Fill a small pot with seed compost, water well, then sow three or four seeds on the surface. Cover with vermiculite and keep at around 18°C (64°F), ideally in a heated propagator, or cover with a clear plastic bag and place on a warm windowsill. As soon as seedlings appear – usually within a fortnight – uncover and place in as much light as possible, to prevent them growing thin and leggy.

Potting on

After a couple of weeks, move the seedlings into individual pots:

Fill small pots with multi-purpose compost and water well, then make a hole in the centre of each with a dibber or blunt stick. Lift each seedling individually, using the dibber to support its rootball and holding it by a leaf rather than the delicate stem, then lower it into the new hole. If the seedling is leggy, bury it up to the first pair of leaves, then firm in gently. Keep the plants in a greenhouse or on a well-lit windowsill, where the temperature is always at least 16°C (60°F), and water regularly. After about a month, they should be ready to plant into their final position, as soon as the first flowers open.

Can you use a greenhouse as a potting shed?

If your shed is climate controlled and well-lit, this can also be a great place to store your more delicate potted plant friends. Sometimes people...

Last updated Dec 14, 2018

Can I live in log cabin permanently?

Some land simply cannot be built on, while other pieces of land can only be used for building if the design of the structure is sympathetic to the...

Last updated Jun 16, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Should I insulate and drywall my shed?

Insulating a shed will reduce damage to your stored tools, equipment, or boxes. It can also make it more versatile, allowing you to store plants or use it as a rec room. Properly insulating a shed requires you to seal gaps, install sheets of insulation, and possibly cover them with drywall.

wikihow.com - How to Insulate a Shed (with Pictures) - wikiHow

This article was co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams . Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas. This article has been viewed 301,286 times.

Article Summary

X

Before insulating your shed, make sure it's sealed, replace any broken windows, and patch any holes in the roof if necessary. Then, measure the space between the studs and the size of your shed so you know what width of insulation to buy. If your measurement is between 18 and 24 inches, purchase blanket or bat insulation and roll it out between the studs. As you move up the wall, overlap sheets of insulation where they meet. Alternatively, if your studs are closer together or further apart, use an insulation spray instead. For tips on when to use wool insulation or when you should call in a contractor, keep reading!

Can my Neighbour put foundations on my land?

Yes, your neighbour is allowed to build right up to the boundary line and project his footings beyond it but must serve the required notices. Aug...

Last updated Jul 17, 2022

What temperature should I keep my cabin in the winter?

Set thermostat at the appropriate temperature for the region. If you heat your place in the winter, set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees; if...

Last updated Mar 6, 2021