Hi there, I bought a couple of tomato plants and a strawberry at the beginning of April which are doing well in their containers. I am slightly concerned that they have been flowering for the last three weeks now due to the good weather we had back in April. I'm not sure whether I should be removing these flowers as the plants do not looked developed enough to be producing fruit at this stage and I would hope to channel the energy in to growth of the plant itself by doing this. I was also advised to start feeding the plants once the first truss had set (which with the tomatoes there are a few of now) but again it seems to be too early to be doing this. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

In article ,
Livs wrote:

Hi there, I bought a couple of tomato plants and a strawberry at the
beginning of April which are doing well in their containers. I am
slightly concerned that they have been flowering for the last three
weeks now due to the good weather we had back in April. I'm not sure
whether I should be removing these flowers as the plants do not looked
developed enough to be producing fruit at this stage and I would hope to
channel the energy in to growth of the plant itself by doing this. I was
also advised to start feeding the plants once the first truss had set
(which with the tomatoes there are a few of now) but again it seems to
be too early to be doing this. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Even flowering tomatoes usually won't set until evening temp. is over
55°F and day time temps are under 90°F. The type of tomato and your
philosophy about growing tomatoes would enter in to your decision to
trim flowers. Me, I'd let it set fruit if it could because I'm in a
hurry to stop eating commercial, cardboard tomatoes. You need to
fertilize your plants. Most dirt gardeners have fertilizer in the ground
before they plant. They need "N" for growth, "P" for setting flowers and
developing roots, and "K" for chlorophyl and health. Cut back (not off)
on the "N" when they are in bloom or setting fruit, and as fall
approaches (for your strawberries). I'd give the tomato 3 oz. of chicken
manure now, and again in about 2 months, or some other organic
fertilizer.

Hope that helps.
--
- Billy
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