Tomatoes won't go red!

[alan refail]

Dear Jules

Sown in May is late. As you see, they will ripen. The problem with large tomatoes is that they take longer to ripen. But, as we say round here "Mi ddawn nhw - They'll come"

[ken]

Hi Jules
I think you could be a bit bolder with your planting dates. I sow the seeds for our greenhouse tomatoes indoors around 7-8 March, and the seeds for the outdoor varieties about two weeks later. By April I have the young plants in the greenhouse during the day, usually ferrying them back indoors at night. I agree this is a bit of a hassle, though it wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't growing some plants for friends and neighbours, too. The target, usually achieved, is to pick the first Gardener's Delight in the greenhouse by 1 July. For the past two years I've sown the littlle early bush variety Latah at the same time as the greenhouse varieties, and have been able to pick the first outdoor toms in mid-JUne.

[Jules]

Alan and Ken
I know you are right - I was just a bit behind this year ..... I do usually have everything planted (usually lying around the house is cool places) in March or April so I guess until you asked me I had forgotten how late I was this year and hence the late harvest!
Thanks again for all your responses!
Jules

[Mike Vogel]

My experience is that tomatoes in a greenhouse don't ripen any sooner for being under protection - but then, my greenhouse is not in a great position for light. I grow Potiron Ecarlate beef toms there because they've been badly affected by cooler snaps outside - and I have obtained a few good specimens. The Lagend beef toms outside have done well this year.