Question for gardening fedi. Is it too late to sew tomatoes seeds? I'm in the Netherlands, and the plants will be on a balcony and a south facing window sill.
Discussion
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@quixoticgeek Check out different varieties and find out which ones are ideal for your climate. I’m in San Diego & I can start way earlier than other climes. Check out some of the “winter tomato” varieties that withstand cooler temps the closer you get to the end of summer too.
@quixoticgeek give it a go. There may be no frost until late November. I find they will stop producing once light levels fall too low, though with a south-facing location you're set to make the best of it.
@quixoticgeek I’ll be planting my tomato seeds this week. UK south west.
@quixoticgeek
Probably will be ok, plants know the time of year and will do whatever they can to produce fruit before they die
The plants may be a bit smaller but I would be very surprised if you dont get tomatoes
Good luck
@quixoticgeek give it a go anyway
I loathe tomatoes, so I can't say for sure, but the usual mistake people in northern Europe is to sow too early. Seeds may germinate in late March or April, but they'll likely struggle, grow slowly and fail to out-run the pests. May is better.
So no, I very much doubt it's too late and I suspect it is perfect timing
I'd look for seedlings.
Now is about the time that home gardeners are trying to offload extra seedlings.
That being said I planted some cherry and romoa tomato seedlings in early July my first year in my house and got plenty of tomatoes by Sept.
So I think you have time.
@quixoticgeek can't you get some plants from a nursery, market, or wherever such things are sold there? That would be more efficient.
In warm environment plants grow fast, but they still need certain number of weeks until fruiting.
I'm in a bit colder climate, I would not consider seeding anymore.
@quixoticgeek It depends on the sort. There are fast growing sorts and slow.
I'd check some fast sorts at
https://www.rareseeds.com/ - they are faschists and I wouldn't buy there but they are the only to give a fruiting time. Then you can try to get some fast fruiting sorts at vreekens.nl or any other good store.
@Irisfreundin i already have a pack of Roma vf seeds.
Does the pack of seeds say how long they expect to take? (It might just say “days” or “TTH “ in English, time to harvest.) @quixoticgeek
So you'll have to try. 🤷♀️
@quixoticgeek at the worst you'll need to make a batch of green tomato chutney. I say go for it. Maybe go for one of the hardier varieties like black krim to give yourself a bit of a buffer late into the season.
@quixoticgeek It's never too late, it just takes longer. But depending on your area and community, I'd suggest reaching out on neighbourhood groups to see if someone sowed too many tomatoes and have some to spare. They are out there. I mean, we are.
@quixoticgeek a bit late (mostly march/ april I think) , but I’d give it a try.
@quixoticgeek It depends on how early your first frost is. And the variety you choose. Cherry tomatoes do really well in pots & are faster to harvest than larger varieties.
