Tomatoes are currently the nation’s favourite ‘grow your own’ crop with 25% of UK households having a go each year.
There’s nothing more satisfying than successfully growing your own tomatoes. Your crop will be the tastiest, freshest and healthiest tomatoes that you have ever eaten.
If you are new to growing tomatoes, then a bush variety may be the best choice, as they do not need to have the side shoots removed and so are less labour intensive. They are compact growing and ideal for growing in or outside in pots, in the vegetable garden, or in growing bags.
Sow Tomatoes
Sow greenhouse tomatoes from January for an early crop.
Outdoor tomatoes should be sown in April and May, so that they are the correct size for planting out after the late frosts.
Try the Unwins Tomato ‘Red Alert’ F1, or the cherry plum ‘Superb’ variety.
Step 1
Fill pots and modules to the top with a fresh batch of quality seed compost. Choose Gro-Sure Seed & Cutting Compost or if you want to grow organically choose West+ Light & Easy Multi Purpose Compost & 4 Month Feed. Firm the compost gently so that it is about 12mm (1/2in) below the rim of the pot.
Step 2
Water the compost with tepid water and allow to drain.
Step 3
Make a series of shallow holes using a dibber and sow the seeds into these. As a rough guide you can sow 3 or 4 per pot. Cover over with a light layer of finely crumbled compost or a thin layer of vermiculite.
Step 4
Label well and place into a heated propagator at 18-20C (65-70F). Check daily and water sparingly when required.
Flowers and Trusses
Tomato plants carry short side stems of flowers; these are called trusses. The flowers need to be pollinated either by insects, or if they are in a greenhouse, you may need to pollinate the early flowers with a paintbrush by brushing pollen from one flower and transferring it to the next. The truss has set when you can see tiny green balls of immature tomatoes in place of the flowers. Allow up to five trusses to set on outdoor tomatoes; anymore are unlikely to ripen outside before the first frosts. When the fifth truss has set, pinch out the top of the growing shoot to divert all the plant energy into swelling and ripening these fruits.
Feeding Tomatoes
In the early stages of growth the Westland compost that you have used will provide sufficient nutrients for the developing plants. If plants are looking a bit pale after 3-4 weeks of growth then feed them with a dedicated tomato food such as Gro-Sure Tomato Feed. If you are feeding a lot of plants in the garden you can also use All Purpose Soluble Plant Food which offers good value when feeding large numbers of plants. Feed with a when the first truss of fruit has set, this will deliver all the necessary nutrients and trace elements to encourage strong healthy plants and a good crop of fruit. Follow the instructions on the pack and feed your plants at regular intervals, usually once a week or fortnight for soluble feed, to ensure good fruit set and development.
