[Valdez]

I hope to grow tomato and chilli plants outside this year in the ground as opposed to in grow bags. I have a sheltered south-facing raised bed system.

I purchased special "tomato hoop" ventilated plastic last year which you cut to length and tie over the top of the plant, it rests on the bamboo supports.

Tomato is a bush variety "Red Alert" and Chilli is pepper de cayenne.

Can anyone give me some advise on whether this will work or any tips on how to make it work?
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Valdez

[fuinnseog]

Hi there,

I have not grown these varieties but have had no problems growing other tomatoes outside.
No success with chillis outdoors though, just fruit but no heat. Even the chillis in my plastic greenhouse didn't get very hot. But I hope you will have more luck than me!

[Valdez]

Thanks Fuinnseog

Do you grow tomatoes fully open to the elements (albeit in a sheltered area I suppose) or have you used this "tomato hoop" arrangement?
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Valdez

[Valdez]

By the way they are also called tomato tubes.



Wish this was my garden!
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Valdez

[fuinnseog]

Very interesting Valdez! Suppose it would keep off the green fly also?
Nope I have not tried this method, just leave them open to the elements in a south facing garden, but I try not to plant outside till 1st week of June. However, if they get too crowded in my plastic GH i sometimes put outdoors from mid-May but this is chancey.
Where did you get them out of interest?

[Valdez]

Well the plastic has perforations about the size a paper puncher makes for a ring folder. So this would allow green fly in I suppose.

I bought a 10m pack last year on holiday in Brittany. You can purchase them on French web site www.plantes-et-jardins.com but they seem a lot more expensive than I paid