Gardeners’ World: Monty Don praises Clare Austin’s knowledge
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Gardening expert Monty Don has shared what jobs keen gardeners can be getting on with in February. From mulching flower beds to pruning roses, there’s plenty of tasks gardeners can do now to get ahead before spring. Despite the cold weather, gardeners can start sowing certain crops now, including tomatoes.
Monty, who is the lead host of BBC Gardeners’ World, said gardeners should sow tomato seeds in “two batches” now and in March.
The 66-year-old said on his latest blog post: “I like to sow tomatoes in two batches, the first in February and another in March or even April both to stagger the harvest and as an insurance against bad weather.
“I scatter the seed thinly on the surface of peat-free compost in a seed tray and then very lightly covering them either with a layer of more compost or of vermiculite.
“Water them well and put them in a warm spot to germinate.”
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When seedings emerge, Monty said gardeners need to ensure they have as much light as possible.
Eventually, the seedlings will develop a pair of “true” leaves.
These leaves will be the first leaves that look recognisably like tomato plant leaves.
The leaves will signify that the plant has stable roots.
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The tomato seedlings should then be pricked out into better compost and put in individual pots or plugs.
They will then grow on into young plants and will be ready to plant out in May.
Tomato plants should not be put outside until after the last frost in May.
Young tomato plants are unlikely to survive frost.
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Gardeners may need to use a grow light so the seedlings get enough light.
Using a greenhouse or sowing indoors is the best way to sow tomatoes in February.
If seedlings don’t get enough light, the plants might become too long and have thin stems.
Plants also may not be able to support their own leaves.
Gardeners who do start sowing tomato seeds early are likely to get a higher yield of tomatoes when it comes to harvesting them.
When watering tomato seedlings, it’s important to water them from below, not above.
Watering from above could damage any stems or leaves that emerge.
Do not over water or underwater seedlings as this could impact how they develop.
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