2026 Tomatoes

Supercell · 22-02-2026 12:59PM #1

Sowing some Sungold and Latah next weekend, anyone else already sowed theirs and trying something new this year ?

Going to sow some chilies this afternoon, but late bit here's hoping for a good summer.

I cut my grass for the first time this winter this morning, can feel the season starting to turn outside now.

wildwillow · 22-02-2026 01:28PM

Sowing tomatoes including Sungold, and peppers this weekend and will probably start onion seed. Using the seed snail to make life easier. I use a heated propagator. Already have some lettuce and spring onions growing well in modules in the green house and will transplant to a covered outside bed or pots in the greenhouse soon.

blackbox · 22-02-2026 04:59PM

I have sown Hamlet, Sungold and Crimson Crush. The Sungold and Hamlet were very good last year. I only bought the Crimson Crush because I was struggling to find Hamlet for a while.

So far I have only sown 2 of each to see how they go as it's a bit early. They have germinated and have been moved to a cool bright room.

NB only 5 seeds in the packet of Hamlet!

ECO_Mental · 22-02-2026 09:20PM

Are ye not a bit early...I have a tunnel but I found out it's not really until May that the toms really come on. I germinated my toms very early the first year I had the tunnel but while they grew on a bit it wasn't until end of April and into May that they really came on.

dmcdona · 22-02-2026 10:37PM

Green Sausage, Holly Rose, Brad's Atomic Grape, John Baer, White Wonder, Brandywine and Tumbling Tom will be sown mid to late March. Propagator for 4-7 weeks then planted out end April/early May in the tunnel.

I'll sow 3 of each and pick the best two for planting - will see if neighbours want the spares…

First time growing tomatoes so looking forward to it.

Supercell · 23-02-2026 10:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124257751#Comment_124257751

I sow mine indoors and then plant outdoors around late April early May depending on weather. If i had a green house or tunnel i would start later alright but they need to be as big and strong as possible within reason to survive the early summer coldness and every week of sun counts . Latah and Sungold are pretty reliable early (Irish outside) varieties I've found.

blackbox · 23-02-2026 03:47PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124257751#Comment_124257751

Probably, but I was impatient to get going. I've moved them to the (unheated) greenhouse today to get the extra light. If the forecast threatens frost I'll bring them back to the house.

I have some more seeds in reserve. I'll sow them in March.

magicbastarder · 25-02-2026 11:06AM

my wife bought a windowsill heated propagator and i think we've now got a problem where the seeds are growing too fast..

wildwillow · 25-02-2026 11:43AM

Seeds will grow very quickly in a heated propagator, so you need to pot them on and keep them frost free. Keep turning them so they don't grow towards the light. Don't let them get too leggy. Now that you know this you can alter your sowing schedule.

Also be aware that some seeds, e.g. lettuce dislike too much heat. Can you regulate the temperature in the propagator?

magicbastarder · 25-02-2026 12:10PM

i don't know, i think it's just a steady 13W supply to it. i must RTFM.

Homesick Alien · 25-02-2026 12:22PM

I've got two tomato varieties (one sungold, can't remember the other), cauliflower, beetroot and cucumber on my windowsill for about two weeks. All coming along nicely except the cucumber which is a bit slow - only 2 out of 6 germinated. Probably the earliest I've had seeds in trays but I'm keen to get going this year and every year I seem to end up with loads of green tomatoes in October/November so looking to get ahead of the weather this year.

magicbastarder · 25-02-2026 12:24PM

this is the first year we've had a greenhouse from the start of the year so can afford to get going early.

blackbox · 28-02-2026 10:52AM

Forecast was for very cold last night so I brought mine in from the greenhouse.

blackbox · 27-03-2026 09:49PM

I sowed my second batch a week ago - just starting to germinate now in the kitchen.

Bill Hook · 28-03-2026 10:10AM

I sowed mine on the 20th March, all the ones that germinated are on the kitchen window sill along with the chillis, peppers and aubergines I germinated back in February. Way too crowded now but too cold to move anything to the polytunnel yet. I'm growing the following this year:

Brads Atomic Grape

Amber

Mrs. Rucks

Marmande

Sungold

Supersweet 100

Apresa

Black

Principe Borghese

San Marzano

Ox Heart

dmcdona · 28-03-2026 02:14PM

Coming on well. Sown 11th March - propagator in polytunnel. Sowed three of each but will only plant two of each.

Tunnel getting warm during the day (+25c) but cool at night (8c or lower but above freezing).

Good advice on here that I took - sand on top of heated mat. Works great. Propagator weighs a ton though!

magicbastarder · 28-03-2026 03:21PM

Good advice on here that I took - sand on top of heated mat. Works great. Propagator weighs a ton though!

what's the logic behind that?

dmcdona · 28-03-2026 04:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124347435#Comment_124347435

Spreads the heat out more evenly without hot spots associated with the heating element/cable. Also, if you get a power cut, it'll hold the heat for probably a good half a day or more I believe.

And I can spray a fine mist onto the plants but any overshoot simply absorb into the sand.

That was the logic I read anyhow - seems to make sense.

beggars_bush · 30-03-2026 09:16PM

Going to get started this week.

Finding it hard to find bush varieties in the local shops.

We usually put them in hanging baskets in the polytunnel

Barnaboy · 30-03-2026 09:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124351874#Comment_124351874

I just bought some online with Seeds Ireland. First time trying bush type tomatoes. Our garden is too small for normal types.

dmcdona · 30-03-2026 09:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124351874#Comment_124351874

Did you try any online suppliers? I got mine from Brown Envelope Seeds - delivered within a couple of days by post. Really good website and payment options.

There's a lot in stock - you'd have to trawl through them to see if there any bush varieties.

DayInTheBog · 31-03-2026 11:20AM

Sowed my seed yesterday. Pink beefsteak, marmalade and Amish tomato ( I got them from the US so they could be anything.

Homesick Alien · 31-03-2026 12:26PM

Moved my plants into the greenhouse 3 days ago. Some into the ground, others in pots. Time will tell whether I've gone too early or not. Have another bunch of seedlings on the windowsill anyway.

ECO_Mental · 31-03-2026 09:04PM

Germintated a good few at this stage, sungold a few beefsteak, salad and Yellow ones…cant find the names now. hoping for bumper crops again this year. Planted an extra large Gigantic tom this year mainly for the local GAA country fair to show off and win the best basket of veg…looking at last year competition I have it in the bag….

Pics from last year to get you guys in the mood…

blackbox · 01-04-2026 09:57PM

Danger of frost again tonight. I brought mine in from the greenhouse.

2026 Tomatoes

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