If there is one greenhouse crop that everyone will have heard of, it is bound to be tomatoes. And while not everyone likes the plants and their pungent foliage, they are surely the nation's most commonly grown greenhouse crop. Perhaps one reason is that tomatoes are not particularly difficult to grow.
As a horticultural college student, I quickly learnt that the seeds can be sown early in the year, if you can provide the correct conditions. Tomatoes are always one of the first seeds I sow in the New Year, as I don't mind giving them the extra care they need.
Tomatoes originate from South America and therefore they need warm frost-free conditions to grow successfully. In the UK that invariably means growing them in a heated glasshouse or polytunnel until the end of May when the risk of frost passes in the UK.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR GERMINATION
The optimum temperature range for seed germination is 18-22C (65-71F). Germination takes place typically between 7-14 days within this temperature range.
Usually the warmth required can be achieved on a south-facing windowsill, or more reliably by utilising a radiator at home or by using an electric propagator. We are only limited by our imagination and I've even heard of centrally heated kitchen and bathroom floors being used too. This is fine for the sure-footed!
Denne historien er fra Spring 2024-utgaven av The Country Smallholder.
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Denne historien er fra Spring 2024-utgaven av The Country Smallholder.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
