Hi Carole
Isn’t it strange that (and it may just be me) when we talk about our own garden or allotment we assume we’re talking to other gardeners working next door?
I suppose – and I wait to stand corrected – that the popular tomato plants in the UK are those that thrive best in our climate ... and I’m guessing that’s why ‘Big Boy’, ‘Beefsteak’ and ‘Celebrity’ are popular where you’re gardening ... am I right?

hello.. I need some help.. I am new to growing tomatoes having only the knowledge aquired by osmosis and tv watching.. well, i foolishly planted three tomato plants in a big (24") pot.. in my conservatory.. and boy have they grown.. I cant tell one plant from the other.. they are three different ones. I have been pinching out since i had the first three trusses on each plant but they have taken no notice of me!!... I have also 'stopped' (i think that is the correct term). I have now several trusses with lovely little pea sized tomatoes... and a couple of inch sized globes.. My problem is there is a hell of a lot of foliage can i strip some of this out for the fruit to ripen without causing undue harm to the plant.. fewer leaves means less energy etc... doesnt it? I realise now that i should have used a grow bag and not put them all together in the pot but it was too late to move them when this occured to me.. Advice and suggestions requested please btw... growing in a lincolnshire conservatory in a v sheltered garden

Hi
Don’t feel foolish planting three plants in one pot ... we can all get carried away in the garden ... and if you want to make yourself feel better you could just say ‘I never expected all three plants to survive, I must be a better gardener than I thought!’

It sounds like you’ve been doing the right things – pinching out and attempting to ‘stop’ the growth. However ... I wonder if this exuberant growth of greenery on the plants has been caused by over feeding. Feeding tomato plants should only be done when you get the first trusses of fruit appearing not before ... did you feed early?

Anyway, to try to get the best from the tomatoes which are now appearing, you should remove some of the lower foliage ... don’t strip the plants of leaves as tomato plants do feed through their leaves (your ‘energy’ description), so you need to leave some in place. And if you can’t get all your fruit to ripen ... dig out the recipes for green tomatoes (most of us end up doing this at some point in the year).

And remember, what you’ve learnt this year with your tomato plants will put in good stead for next year ... as gardeners we are learning all the time, we all make mistakes ... nature is very forgiving and we can always try again next season!

Hi GG.. thanks for the reply, I didnt start feeding the plants till there were three trusses on the bigger plants.. smaller one is still small.. guess there is just the right environment for them there :)

Green tomatoes... hmmm wasnt there a film of that name?

btw.. in your collectives post.. no one has suggested a crop of gardeners.. or did I miss that one!!

I AM WONDERING WHY NONE OF MY TOMATOES HAVE TURNED RED YET THERE ARE HUGE, STILL FEEL HARD,JUST TAKING FOREVER

hi how many plants should i put in 1 hanging basket i am growing them outdoors be really helpful if anyone could help

how do i bottle tomatoes and how long do they keep

I just planted big boy tomato plants in a pot and the bottom of the tomato is a big brown circle.can anyone help.
B
Thank you

I have one of the most diffrent tomatoes I have ever grown. I have pictures. E-Mail me and I will send them to you. I wish I could freeze it just the way it is. I said is it a bird, Is it a plane, No It's Super Tomato.
E-mail me and take a look.
Ann