When should you Sow Warm Loving plants like Tomatoes, Aubergine & Sweet Peppers?

Tomatoes, Aubergines, Sweet & Chilli Peppers are warm loving plants.

They originate in tropical countries:

  • Tomatoes in South America,
  • Aubergines in China and Thailand,
  • Sweet & Chilli Peppers from South America & Mexico.
Chilli Peppers being harvested

What do you need to Grow Warm Loving Vegetables?

Indoors – You will need a light bright windowsill in a warm house for germinating seeds.

Indoors – Sowing Early – You will need Grow Lights and a heated propagator to sow warm loving seeds early in January.

I have never used grow lights or a heated propagator, my sunny windowsill indoors has always been sufficient, but it depends on your light & heat levels.

Greenhouse when chance of Frost has passed – You will need an unheated greenhouse for aubergines and sweet peppers to grow in, once they are ready to go outside. The last frost date is around mid to end of April in the UK (Zones 8-10).

Most tomatoes will be ok outside after May in the UK, unless specifically stating they only need a greenhouse.

Tomatoes growing inside

Important Temperatures for Warm Loving Vegetables

It is important to not start these types of vegetables too early in January unless you have Grow Lights and heat.

Grow Lights and a heated propagator will provide the warm loving conditions perfect for germination and to let your seedlings grow on until it’s warmer in an unheated greenhouse in March or April.

The following temperatures are key for providing the right conditions for your seeds, seedlings and plants.

Tomatoes

Seed Sowing to Harvest: 3 to 7 months. Seeds are sown in the UK, usually 6-8 weeks before the last frost date, so they can be planted straight outside with no chance of frost. (which could kill them).

If you are growing tomatoes in a greenhouse or polytunnel, tomato seeds can be started off earlier as you have the protection, although it still won’t be warm until at least May in most parts of the UK except colder locations.

  • Germination Temperature: 18 – 27 degrees centigrade.
  • Optimum growing temperature: 16 degrees centigrade.
  • Can survive in temperatures: 12 – 15 degrees centigrade.
  • Below 12 degrees centigrade: Seeds won’t germinate, no growth, leaves will show signs of stress.

Aubergine

Seed Sowing to Harvest: 5 to 6 Months. They need to be sown in February or Early March for a July to Sept Harvest in the UK.

Some locations in the UK that are colder, you may need to use a heated propagator and/or grow lights to start them off.

  • Germination Temperature: 21 -24 degrees centigrade.
  • Optimum growing temperature: 16 – 18 degrees centigrade.
  • Can survive in temperatures: 10 – 15 degrees centigrade.
  • Below 10 degrees centigrade: No growth, plants leaves will show signs of stress.

Sweet & Chilli Peppers

Seed Sowing until Harvest: 3 to 6 months. Sweet Peppers can be sown indoors on a windowsill in Mid February to End of March.

Some locations in the UK that are colder, you may need to use a heated propagator and/or grow lights to start them off.

  • Germination Temperature: 18 – 21 degrees centigrade.
  • Optimum growing temperature: 15 degrees centigrade.
  • Can survive in temperatures: 5 – 14 degrees centigrade.
  • Below 5 degrees centigrade: No growth, seedlings will die as it’s too cold.

The Most Important Thing Is:

Get the Timing Right when Sowing Warm Loving Plants

1. Find your last frost date – Go Here: Plantmaps

2. Count backwards 6 – 8 weeks, to find the date you should start sowing your seeds indoors.

Warm Loving plant Sow Dates based on Last Frost Dates (UK)

3. Sow your Seeds Indoors and when you plant them outside or into a greenhouse, then you will know there will be no chance of frost ruining your precious plants.

Tomato seedlings

At the right time, Go forth and Sow Seeds!

The post When should you Sow Warm Loving plants like Tomatoes, Aubergine & Sweet Peppers? appeared first on Sow Grow Harvest.



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