calling tomato growing experts

[GeorgeEliot]

I am experimenting with growing my tomatoes in growbags in the poly tunnel this year. But watering them is tricky - hard to tell whether they've had the right amount.

What would you do?

Not sure I am an expert. Last year I set up a watering system off a waterbutt using a timer for my greenhouse. I went for a little and often approach and as the water came from the butt rather than a tap the pressure was low. I then monitored the situation and changed the timing until it seemed right. Basically, watch the plants and make sure they arent being flooded.

i plant in gro bags by sinking a plastic pot with the bottom cut off into a hole in the top of the bag, a bit like this. Very easy to water then!

While the tomato experts are about, can anyone suggest when I need to start trimming the tomato plants; last year we didn't really trim them at all and they grew really tall and thin, with very few ripe toms (was first attempt at growing own veg, to be fair).

Now, they are about 15cm tall. What should I trim, and when??

when you say trim do you mean 'pinch out'? It depends what sort of tomatoes they are - some grow on bushes and you don't need to pinch out at all. Others - you are pinching out the little bits that grow between the branches and the trunk (if that makes sense) and you can start doing that once it is evident it need doing.

OYBBK - how do I tell which plants need pinching out and which don't?

If it says 'bush' on the little tag I assume it doesn't want pinching, otherwise should I do it?

I didn't know you needed to pinch the plant - I've got one growing in a container

when it gets level with your boobs pinch the top out. Pinch out any side shoots (those growing in the little groove between the main stem and leaves). once the tomatoes start turning red, I remove 1/2 the largest leaves to allow a) light into the fruit, facilitating ripening and b) so the fruit gets the most water.

None of that applies if they are bush - just let them do their thing.

re. watering, they are very thirsty plants - as long as they are not constantly sitting in water thats fine.

Dont forget to feed them - makes huge difference to the crop.

...clarification on the first sentence... unless you are a dwarf or a giant!

feed with tomato feed I should have said... not real food!

Thank for the tips! I have liquid tomato feed - chillis like it too.

good advice mankymummy :)