Tomatoes 2024

scarepanda

Hey!

I know it's very early to be thinking about tomato season, but I got blight into my greenhouse fairly early this season so it was a bit of a bust of a year. And I'm itching for next season!

So what varieties are you planning on growing this year?

While I haven't fully decided what I'm growing next season, the only one I'm carrying through is Picollo, a red cherry tomato. Everything else will be new. I'm thinking about some of the darker coloured varieties, but I do want a variety of colours and shapes, with one decent sauce tomato thrown in for good measure!

Supercell

Sungold and Latah for me next time, sadly i got blight this year too (or the beginnings of it - ripped all infected plants out as soon as i saw any signs) so will be skipping a year or two in that space :(

Tree

Last year was roma nanos which make a great cooked sauce but I'm going back to san marzanos next year as they're superior when it comes to pizza sauce. Not picked a salad tom yet though

scarepanda

I'll have to remove some of the compost from the greenhouse for next year. Any suggestions of how deep to go? It's a raised bed in the greenhouse. I've thankfully never had blight inside before.

I also have some hens so I'll be throwing a few of them into it in the spring to clean it up a bit.

Tree, It was the Roma I was going to try for the sauces this year. I've grown San Marzano for a few years and while they are delicious, I've always found them a bit lackluster or unproductive or something in growth/cropping. They were also the first to get the blight last summer and didn't have any sort of resistance at all.

We get Picollo tomatoes from Aldi and get the seeds from them. And they grow true to the parent plant. My youngest eats them like grapes, they crop brilliantly and they were the most resistant to the blight which is a bonus.

Tree

The roma nanos are great! Definitely more hardy against the anthracnose, but they're a paler and have less body in an uncooked sauce. They're great in the marcella hazan recipe (blanch, skin, simmer with salt, butter and an onion for 45min). Unreal but we're real pizza nerds. IF i had more space I'd grow more (I grow three plants at this stage, six make my small greenhouse unenterable, and we prioritise chillis for any shelf spaces)

Bill Hook

I grew San Marzano for the first time last year and they were very susceptible to blossom end rot. They were the only one of the 6 varieties that I grew that had this problem... they all grew in the same conditions in the polytunnel. Did anyone else have this problem?

2011abc

The small to medium yellow pear/bell shaped varieties are absolutely no-brainers .Seem very resilient and real honest to goodness flavour .Sometimes the super sweet red cherry varieties that people boast are as sweet as sweets are just TOO sweet and zingy /complex .

scarepanda

Ok, so the Christmas is over, it's the new year and Im properly itching to get started back in the garden, although it's fairly flooded/soggy so can't get started out there just yet.

Ive been looking on seedaholic for tomatoes to grow this year and I have it down to the following varieties:

Black krim (Beef)

Indigo rose (cherry)

Indigo Apple (cherry)

Tomatoberry garden (cherry)

Roma (sauce)

Yellow submarine (plum)

Tigrella (large cherry?)

I want to grow a variety of colours this year, so one of the indigo varieties and the tomatoberry are probably the only ones that I might cross off that list, unless anyone has any other suggestions? The only variety I'll definitely be growing next season is piccolo which I'll be getting fresh in the next few weeks. My daughter eats them like grapes!

I can get about 14 plants in on one side of the greenhouse and I'm planning on putting in another bed on half of the front side of the greenhouse. I've used that spot for growing in containers for the last couple of seasons but watering is a pain. I set up automatic watering off a soaker hose last year and it's was brilliant.

scarepanda

Bill hook, I've had this issue before. Although I notice it more at the beginning of the fruiting season. It tends to ease off after the first flush of fruit.

2011abc

Sorry I should have said that epsom salts helps prevent blossom end rot .Also I find with tomatoes no matter how careful you are to start early (or maybe BECAUSE you do )that garden centre (or Lidl!) bought young plants end up providing the bulk of my tomatoes .One or two well cared for big plants will provide a lot more crop than a pile of smaller ones .Astonishingly if you pull a branch off a reasonably established tomato plant in July it will grow as much(or far more) in a fortnight as your seedlings will in four months from germination !Sunlight is everything and basic light systems arent as good

Bill Hook

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121556780#Comment_121556780

I had it at the very start and the very end of the season. The San Marzanos cropped brilliantly even with the (few) blossom end rot losses so I'm going to grow them again this year.

Bill Hook

I put in some seed orders yesterday so this years tomato line up is looking like:

Amber and Mrs. Rucks (bush varieties to grow in pots for earliest eating hopefully)

Sungold - Cherry

San Marzano

Scatalone - San Marzano plum type

Principe Borghese - Plum

Roma VF - Plum

Cuor di Bue - Beefsteak

Marmande - Beefsteak

And whatever else I find lurking in half empty packs in my seed box.

scarepanda

Nice! Where did you order the seeds? How early do they crop? Seedaholic didnt seem to have many bush varieties when I was looking last week.

Bill Hook

The seeds are from all over the place! The bush ones are from Irish Seed Savers (part of my 7 free seed packet allocation for being a member).

I ordered the Sungold from Greenvegetableseeds then panicked in case they don't work and nipped into B&Q today and picked up another pack (Johnsons brand).

The rest of them are Franchi brand from GreensofIreland that I bought in their Black Friday sale in November.

In my experience the Sungold crop first... end of June/start of July.

scarepanda

Oh! That's early. Mid July is the earliest I've gotten them . That was last year and the first year I had watering etc sorted. That was with the piccolo.

pat2167

I'm planting outdoors Latah (for super early crop), Franchi cherry (for taste), and Marmande (for great productivity, they'll be used to make sauces). I probably will try a few other cherry types, like yellow pear and sweet millions

scarepanda

Tomato seeds have been sowed. I've gone with 9 varieties this year

Indigo apple, indigo rose, black krim, sweet millions, tigrella, yellow pear, piccolo , tomatoberry gardener and Roma vf

ECO_Mental

Going do mine this weekend as I was waiting for my chillie plants to germinate in the propagator and get the space free

ECO_Mental

Just put in 24 seeds in the germininator today.. hope to get them into the tunnel mid April

12 San Marzano,

6 brandywine (beefsteak) and

6 Gardeners delight.

ECO_Mental

My Toms are coming along good, time to move them into bigger pots. Im also thinking of putting them into the polytunnel f I protect them at night with additional cover. Bought 2 more established plants from B&Q as an experiment and planeted directly into the soil last weekend, they seem to be doing fine over the last few days. Any bit of sunshine at all the tunel heats up no end

scarepanda

I need to pot on my toms this weekend from the seed tray to 4in pots. Google photos threw up some reminders this week of what I was at last year and my toms were already well potted on and sitting in the greenhouse. I'm only after washing out the inside earlier today and trying to build up the motivation to do the outside now.

Now I was early at stuff last year because I had surgery at the end of march so I was trying to get ahead on some stuff so I wouldn't usually be that organised.

scarepanda

**** me! Just had a very very lucky escape with the big greenhouse where the tomatoes go with the storm and it bringing down a tree right beside it. Thankfully it fell along side the ditch but on the field side.

I potted up all of the first batch of tomatoes during the week. They have stopped sulking so when the weather clears up a bit during the week ill start hardening them off in the formentioned greenhouse. I have 6 more seedlings that are a few weeks behind so they will be potted on within the next 2 weeks.

Happy enough with the tomatoes so far. Most germination was good generally, although the expensive ones with only a few seeds were not fantastic.

ECO_Mental

Dont give out to me as I might be too early…(Im too impatient) but I decided to plant all my seedlings into the ground in the tunnel…they seem to be coming on grand to be fair. Only thing is the slugs, maybe if I waited a bit more any damage done by them would have less of an impact. But I am controlling them and its not too bad and have lost none. If we only got a few days sunshine I think they woudl be flying. I have put in a few more seeds as I forgot to sow a black variety I have.

paddylonglegs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122002060#Comment_122002060

have you ever used nematodes to deter the slugs? I haven’t used them but heard they are good.

ECO_Mental

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122006842#Comment_122006842

No I haven't I might look into it...but tbh I'm a big believer in going out at night with a head torch and just picking the up..a couple of nights and you'd be surprised how much of an impact you can make.

scarepanda

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122002060#Comment_122002060

How are your tomatoes getting on in the tunnel eco_mental?

I potted mine on there about 2 weeks ago and they are turning into a little jungle in the spare room. And they desperately need some extra light. I'm planning on getting the greenhouse sorted tomorrow so I can hopefully get them out there to harden off before being planted. The bloody weather is depressing though.

ECO_Mental

@scarepanda yeah they are coming on good enough, they were slow for the last week or so because as everyone know there has been no light therefore the tunnel wasnt heating up. What I have noticed is that they have come on a lot over the last few days since we have been getting "a bit!" of sunshine. I think this week will bring them on further as the forcast is showing some nice sunny spells.

Only for the polytunnel I woudl be crying every day with depressing weather…if I was planting outside I think I would have given up at this stage!!!

I ll take a phone tomorrow to show my progress.

10-10-20

Hey all, great to find this thread.

I have spent many a year watering my father's tom's but otherwise never had to give much thought to them until this year when I was given a selection of 5 tomato plants by an over-eager grower - don't have a clue as to the varieties, but I repotted them in mixed garden compost 3 weeks ago and they are absolutely flying in a sunny indoor spot.

Today I started hardening them off before moving them to grow-bags in around 3 weeks.

What may I ask is the recommended approach to side shoots - do all and every one need to be pinched, or did I read correctly that bush/determinate types do better with side-shoots, or what's the guidance? Mine are clearly cordon/indeterminate by their tall growth.

ECO_Mental

Here are my toms from this morning, I think they are healthy they are deffo getting stronger I might see the need to put on the strings in a week or two maybe…but like @10-10-20 this is my first year…regarding side shoots yes they are to be picked out if they are the indeterminate type and to be left if they are not (eg the bushes).

I have mine in the tunnel for 2-3 weeks now and I think they could have been taller if I left them indoors but I think I will be grand

10-10-20

Thanks @ECO_Mental.

What's the general period when tomatoes can be planted fully outdoors in Ireland? And any general tips other than to stake well? I won't be using strings - unless I need to…?

scarepanda

Oh they look healthy! Not tall but leafy and green!

Ya, pinch out side shoots on all indeterminate tomatoes. Keep on top of it 2/3 times a week. It's easy to do and easy to spot and pinch them out when they are small and young but once they fill out it gets a bit harder if you leave it more than a few days.

Plant out under cover or completely in the open? I think under cover the general consensus is when the night temperature is consistently +10°C, not sure about outside not under cover, but certainly after your last frost date. It's only worth planting outside tomatoes in Ireland if they are blight resistant varieties, and even at that both years I've planted outside with blight resistant varieties I got blight. Last year it was early and it ended up getting into my greenhouse destroying my harvest so I'm avoiding it from now on.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122027121#Comment_122027121

Hmm - yes, out in the open and no cover - well that was the plan anyway. Ok I can reassess and look at some protection. Maybe those windows which I didn't dump yet might end up getting used as a grow-frame. 😁

paddylonglegs

for the likes of Gardeners Delight, what size pot should it end up being in? Or would one of the grow bags work? I assume I have to stake or tie up with string as it gets big?

scarepanda

Ive grown tomatoes in 12l buckets before. I think growbags are 30l and they usually say 3 plants can fit. All indeterminate tomatoes need staking and support as they grow.

They did a good experiment on different ways to grow tomatoes last year on Gardner's world. You might find something online if you search for it.

10-10-20, how did the protection build go for the tomatoes?

I moved my tomatoes out to the greenhouse about a week ago now. They are looking good. Although I haven't planted them yet. I have to put up the support wires and this cold weather is making me a little hesitant because I can still cover them with fleece at night because they are all in a tray but some of them really do need planting for support as they are a little leggy and floppy.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122055097#Comment_122055097

Ah, thanks for asking. It didn't go far. I elected to pass-off two of the tallest plants to my parents, who have a number of plants already established in a greenhouse. Those two were just throwing out flower buds, so hopefully they will bear fruit.

I then sourced 4 more much smaller plants from a garden center, so I have seven now! The plan is to continue to harden them and hope that the weather improves in early May, then I'll put them in grow-bags in a shady spot. Whether I'll have protection or not - I don't know - I have a few things in motion which might either work out or not.

scarepanda

;) I love your economics! Get rid of two buy 4!

If you have a way of securing the cheap blow away greenhouses that Aldi/Lidl sell that might get you through for the season. But you'd have to figure out a way to secure it properly to avoid it's blow away characteristics.

Keep the tomatoes in full sun if you can, they won't do much for you in shade.

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122056106#Comment_122056106

Sorry - meant to say a sheltered spot, but with almost full sun.

I'll have a think about those little greenhouses, I'm not a fan of the throw-away culture, so I would be securing it to last a few seasons alright. Thanks!

scarepanda

Ah right ,sorry, I thought you meant shade = shelter!

Ya, I don't like it either but if you can secure it in a fairly sheltered position it should hopefully last a couple years to buy you time to sort something else out at least. Greenhouses are bloody expensive these days. Even the one I got 2 years ago is about €600 more expensive now and it went up fairly quickly back when I was looking at them first but that was in the middle of COVID. I have to say though, while it nearly killed me spending that much money it was worth every penny. (I also had a very specific look in mind for the garden so I wanted a dwarf walled one which is both more expensive and not many affordable options on the market).

paddylonglegs

got 3 varieties at the minute still on the windmill in small pots. tumbler which will just go into a larger terracotta pot, and then I have one called Ailsa Craig which I will plant up the same as gardeners delights. The GD is running away and getting a bit leggy, but the AC is very stocky with lots of stem and leaves. This seems like it might be easier to grow than GD, but this summer will tell.

ECO_Mental

Toms update, going on good they are getting a lot stronger with the bit of heat, they aren’t sprouting up in height but they look fine an healthy. Not fertilising them at all just letting them do their magic on their own. Doing this whole Charles Dowding “no dig” shenanigans…first year with a tunnel and growing toms, so all new to me it might end in disaster..

Picture taken on the 25th April…looking back they have come on a lot

Bill Hook

They look great. Mine are all still in pots in case a late frost hits, I think I am a bit over cautious! Charles Dowding no-dig devotee here and very happy with the results over the last 4 years.

scarepanda

They sure are looking great! They look like they are putting out roots and will shoot up over night once they get started. They are a lovely tomato green colour!

Im hoping to get mine planted this week. I have to get the tie wires up today. I have to alter some of my system from last year as it fell down and put up a new section on the other side of the greenhouse. I couldn't find the aluminium crimper clip thingys for the wires (very technical I know!) so I had to order some more and they arrived yesterday.

My tomatoes are in desperate need to get planted out. I've been feeding them but some are yellowing. It's mad how quick they have grown the last few weeks! But they are leggy, although that's not the end of the world with tomatoes. I'll plant them slightly sideways to make the most of the legginess.

Bogwoppit

Got a greenhouse last year 2nd hand, all in cost about €200.
My first time growing tomatoes, 6 different varieties.

scarepanda

I got 13 of 22 plants in the beds on Sunday! Just the old side. I was going to use bull wire to wire up the new bed but it's awkward to use so I've different wire ordered that's arriving this week and I'll get the rest done then. Feels good to have some in, now to figure out the pepper's and other bits and pieces that are going in too.

10-10-20

Whe the main stem divides like this, do I prune the smallest fork or does this get left alone? I have been removing suckers so far, or is that just a sucker that I missed?

Deub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122114724#Comment_122114724

Is it a cherry tomato?

10-10-20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122117819#Comment_122117819

It's an indeterminate variety, unknown type as it came as a gift.

Bogwoppit

I have the same issue with mine, they're cherry tomatoes. Which one, if any, should I prune?

Supercell

My tomatoes are going outside permanently this weekend, have been hardening them off this week and they seem to be coping fine. Will be going into a growbag beside the back wall of the house which is SW facing so should do well.

Deub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122119166#Comment_122119166

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122119549#Comment_122119549

You don’t need to remove side shoots on cherry tomatoes.

For the other tomatoes, you can keep a side shoot at the beginning to have 2 stems but you need to remove the others. You should always try to keep a strong side shoot for the second stem (like the one on the picture). They are easy to recognise as they almost have the same size as the main stem.

@10-10-20 : I would leave that one and remove side shoots until you know if it is a cherry tomato.

Bogwoppit

Heading away for a few days tomorrow and just noticed this on one of my plants.

What should I do?