What was I thinking? I’ve been sowing and growing seeds for the past ten years. I know that I don’t have the facilities to manage very early seedlings. So what was I thinking when I cranked up the heated propagator and cleared a space for it on the kitchen worktop four weeks ago? I’ve no idea, but it is a classic example of optimism over common sense.
This is the result of that optimism. Oh dear…
Common sense is telling me to put them out of their misery and compost them but optimism has a strong voice and has plans for paper pots so those sad, weedy stems can been deeply planted and all will be well…
So readers, what do you recommend: compost heap or paper pots??
Allotment Life 
Aww, they don’t look that bad, just a little stretched-out! Looks like they could use a bit stronger light intensity, so they can get bushier. Any way you can give them more light?
I like that ‘a little stretched-out’! The only way to give them better light is move them to the greenhouse. Unusually for London, we are getting minus night time temps and the greenhouse is unheated… sigh
The urge to sow this year is intense isn’t it? I’d plant them deep and see what happens, can you put them in the greenhouse during the day and bring them in at night?
Sadly not, the greenhouse is at the plot.
That’s a pain, maybe a pop up cloche in the back garden? I have no other clever ideas, first batch of tomatoes last year were ridiculously leggy!
I’d compost them and start again, albeit rather reluctantly. xx
😢
I’d plant them deep and cover with fleece in the greenhouse. Got to be worth a try!
Do you have strip lights under kitchen wall units? Place your tray underneath as close as you can and they might straighten out. We sit ours on top of the microwave to get the acquired height and our tomatoes grow well and straight. Never failed us yet. I’d also plant them deep even if they don’t straighten, would be a shame to compost them.
What did you decide to do, Sharon? I’d have found it very hard to compost the seedlings.
I’m in the greenhouse today. I’ll post an update later.
Good for you!