Growing tomatoes advice needed

Dee140157

Hi

I have grown tomatoes in previous years in grow bags in the greenhouse. However this year I am trying to be more organic and self sufficient. I have just taken out a load of beautiful compost from my compost heap. (Crumbly, black and next to no smell- just slightly sweet.) This is the first time I have emptied it for 3 years. My greenhouse has got sectioned off bases.
What I want to know is can I grow the tomatoes in big pots ( I have a load) using the compost. After all it is really organic! Do I mix it with anything - soil etc? I want to avoid spending out if I can and if I need to I want to buy organic stuff. Or should I just put it into the greenhouse base and plant the tomatoes in there? I have about 60l of compost sieved. And about 3 bucketfuls of the coarser parts.

I am quite new to all this as my husband used to do it all and I know very little. Any advice will be gratefully acccepted. It can be as idiot friendly as you like, I need to learn the basics.

lily_the_pink

I have grown tomatoes outside for last 3 years in pots - you do have to keep watering and you will probably have to feed at some point.

I dont use my garden made compost for germinating seeds - I am worried about weed seeds still being in there.

Apparently french marigolds help to cut down on pests if grown close.

Jnelhams

Start the seeds off in sterile compost, (shop is best) then when large enough plant into pots of your own compost. If you plant into the Greenhouse, you will need to make sure you do not plant the same crop for about 3 years otherwise you get pest build up.

Dukie_Boy

Hi Dee
I Grow Mine In Pots But Here's The Difference
I Completely Take The Bottom Out Of The Pot Less About 1'2
Inch Too Keep The Pot Bottom Ridgid Them I Put Them In A
Cheap G/bag . This Allows You To Feed From The Top And
Water From The Bottom Ie Straight Into The Bag Via A Bit
Of Waste Pipe About 2 Inches Dia Along Side The Pot

I Also Only Grow Two Types Shirley & Gardeners Delight
The Shirley Variety Stands A Bit Of Infreqent Watering

Good Luck
Dukie Boy

kevinwj

You need to dilute your homemade compost with soil before use, as it will be too rich for seedlings.

I normally do 25% compost to 75% soil.

You can use the raw compost as a top dressing around the garden but avoid using it near seedlings.

.

Dee140157

Thankyou for your advice. I shall attempt to grow in pots this year using a mixture of soil and my own compost. I will however have to get some sterile potting compost to grow the plants - unless I buy them ready grown!! I am ken to be as organic as possible as my fiance tends to only eat organic food and this should save a fortune as well as being tastier.
My pots have ones that they can sit in so I can water from below as well without the use of growbags.
I may well be back for advice later in the year on how to tend them!