[rookie1]

Hi veg growers
A friend gave me three Gardener's Delight tomato plants, which I've been nurturing indoors, but since the spring finally arrived a couple of weeks ago, have been outside during the day. They're looking a bit spindly, and I wonder if they ought to go outside in the veg plot now, or should I wait longer before planting out. Don't have a greenhouse so that's not an option.
thanks.

[mattwragg94]

There Shouldn't be any frosts now - so they will be fine to plant outside - if they are a bit spindly - you could plant the tomato plant deeper, which will give you a stronger plant 

[rookie1]

thanks for that - will definitely put them out, although the forecast is for cooler temps this week. Fingers crossed...

[compostqueen]

I lost a load of veg one year on the weekend of 4th and 5th June in North Derbyshire so I'm not planting out til after that. Once bitten and all that 

[Salmo]

If they are a bit spindly make sure that you have a good strong cane to tie them to. Gardeners delight need any side shoots pinching out so that you train a single stem up the cane.

[boogaloo]

Oh really? Didn't realise that about GD and side shoots. Hope I haven't harmed mine by pinching out.

[JayG]

Oh really? Didn't realise that about GD and side shoots. Hope I haven't harmed mine by pinching out.

Not sure you've read that correctly boogaloo - the side shoots on GD should be pinched out to make sure it grows as a cordon! 

[mumofstig]

Gardeners delight need any side shoots pinching out so that you train a single stem up the cane.

Oh really? Didn't realise that about GD and side shoots. Hope I haven't harmed mine by pinching out.

The advise was to pinch out - so you won't have harmed them at all by doing it 


Snap jay 

[AnneB]

Just make sure it is the side shoots you pinch out and not the growing tip. Well not until you have 5 or 6 trusses of fruit anyway.

[Willow_Warren]

Just make sure it is the side shoots you pinch out and not the growing tip. Well not until you have 5 or 6 trusses of fruit anyway.

I got a bit carried away yesterday pinching out side shoots and before I could stop myself I had pinched out the growing tip as well    It only has 2 trusses    at least it was only 1 of my 10 tomato plants I did this too...  will be taking extra care with the remaining 8 

Hannah

[savbo]

if you pinch out the growing tip, just let one sideshoot grow and become the new leader. will hardly notice as difference

guess who's been there before? 

[Willow_Warren]

if you pinch out the growing tip, just let one sideshoot grow and become the new leader. will hardly notice as difference

guess who's been there before? 

It's in it's final pot, so will see what happens, at least it has flowers so there should be something.

Doesn't look like I can count either... 10 - 1 = 8  :blink:

H

[boogaloo]

Gardeners delight need any side shoots pinching out so that you train a single stem up the cane.

Oh really? Didn't realise that about GD and side shoots. Hope I haven't harmed mine by pinching out.

The advise was to pinch out - so you won't have harmed them at all by doing it 


Snap jay 

You're absolutely right! That's what happens when I read the forums at the same time as eating my lunch