Grow Your Own Tomatoes In 5 Easy Steps - A simple and easy to follow guide...
Tomatoes are one of the most popular and rewarding crop to grow in the UK. These fab fruits will provide you with bountiful yields of juicy & flavourful fruits throughout the summer months. Follow these simple steps to find success in growing tomatoes from a small tomatoes plant as well as recommendations for the best varieties based on yield and taste!
Step 1: Choosing the right variety to grow
Select tomato varieties that are well-suited to the UK climate and offer excellent taste and yield. Some recommended varieties include:
- 'Gardeners Delight': Known for its sweet, cherry-sized fruits and high yield.
- 'Sungold': A favourite cherry tomato with exceptional sweetness and prolific fruiting.
- 'F1 Shirley': Ideal for greenhouse growing, producing medium-sized, juicy tomatoes.
- 'Alicante': A classic outdoor variety with medium-sized, flavourful fruits.
- 'Tumbling Tom': A much loved hanging variety of Tomato producing sweet and slightly larger than a cherry tomato fruit
Step 2: Prepare the Planting Site
Tomatoes thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil. Choose a spot in your garden or a suitable container that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Ensure the soil is rich in organic matter and has good drainage. You can use organic farmyard manure to help with this.
Step 3: Planting
When starting from a small tomato plant purchased from a nursery or garden centre, follow these planting steps:
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the plant's root ball.
- Add compost or well-rotted manure to the soil to improve fertility.
- Gently remove the tomato plant from its container, being careful not to disturb the roots.
- Place the plant into the hole, ensuring the soil level matches that of the plant's original container.
- Firmly pat down the soil around the plant and water thoroughly.
Step 4: Support and Care
Tomatoes benefit from support as they grow. Install stakes, cages, or trellises to keep the plants upright and help support the weight of the fruit. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, aiming to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Feed with a balanced Tomato Feed or fertiliser every few weeks to promote healthy growth and fruit development.
Step 5: Harvesting
As your tomato plants mature, watch for fruits to ripen. Harvest tomatoes when they reach their desired color and firmness. Different varieties will have varying ripening times, so monitor your plants regularly. Enjoy your homegrown tomatoes fresh in salads, sandwiches, or cooked dishes.
Bonus Tips:
- Pruning: Remove suckers (side shoots) that grow in the leaf axils to encourage larger fruits and better airflow.
- Pest and Disease Control: Keep an eye out for common tomato pests like aphids and tomato hornworms. Use organic methods or appropriate treatments if necessary.
- Greenhouse Growing: Consider growing tomatoes in a greenhouse for an extended growing season and protection from adverse weather.
By following these steps and choosing the right tomato varieties, you'll be well on your way to harvesting delicious, homegrown tomatoes in the UK. Experiment with different varieties to find your favourites and enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own fresh produce!
