Tomato seedlings

[kelly]

They are looking better …. Repotted in different potting mix and added some perlite. Added some fertilizer a few times when watering.

 

[Susan BBPM]

Does everyone feed their seedlings?

I've been starting seedlings indoors for about 4 years now and I've never fed anything. I just pot up when they start to outgrow their containers (and often I neglect that part as I run out of time/space).

Things always work out fine. Once they're in the ground everything sorts it's self out.

Is feeding really necessary? Would I get better harvest if I did a better job of looking after my seedlings?

 

[Susan BBPM]

Peat is great some ways, but it is a limited resource, and it is not like coal and oil in a sterile environment underground. There are a whole range of animals and plants that depend on peat bogs for their existence, digging them up to put on the garden doesn't sit easily with me.

The great thing about tomato seedlings to me is they germinate so easily and plentifully. I think "How many tomato plants do I need?" TBH not that many, so I can keep some indoors, put some in the heated greenhouse, some in the cold greenhouse, they will develop at different rates, if one lot snuffs it from a frost or something I still have enough and I will get a bit of succession from the survivors.
My usual strategy really, don't think 'This is the one way', but 'The more ways I try the more successful ways I shall discover.'

How do you heat your greenhouse and how much does it cost you a year? Or rather - how much did it cost you before the price hikes!

 

[YumYum]

Does everyone feed their seedlings?

I've been starting seedlings indoors for about 4 years now and I've never fed anything. I just pot up when they start to outgrow their containers (and often I neglect that part as I run out of time/space).

Things always work out fine. Once they're in the ground everything sorts it's self out.

Is feeding really necessary? Would I get better harvest if I did a better job of looking after my seedlings?

I've always fed my transplants that I remember but have modified it through the years. Not necessary if what you do works for you. If you are transplanting good solid plants then I don't believe you would have a better harvest.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

How do you heat your greenhouse and how much does it cost you a year? Or rather - how much did it cost you before the price hikes!

I use a home made paraffin heater, a wick through a jar lid under a terracotta flower pot, the whole flower pot warms up with the equivalent of a candle flame. I only heat when it looks like it gets cold and I am using approx. two four litre cans a year. A year ago they cost £8 each, this year £II. 75p.

 

[Chuck]

Does everyone feed their seedlings?

I've been starting seedlings indoors for about 4 years now and I've never fed anything. I just pot up when they start to outgrow their containers (and often I neglect that part as I run out of time/space).

Things always work out fine. Once they're in the ground everything sorts it's self out.

Is feeding really necessary? Would I get better harvest if I did a better job of looking after my seedlings?

I start feeding my seedlings when they have one set of true leaves but only at 1/2 the rate. I have found that this makes a much larger and a more mature plant come planting time. I start my tomato seeds Feb 15 and set them out April 1. They all have buds forming