THERE’S nothing like biting into a homegrown tomato – and if it’s your first time growing your own you won’t believe how different they taste from bland supermarket versions.
Here in the UK all they need is a warm, sheltered corner and a bit of love and attention.
SuppliedTomato Gourmanson lets you know when its ripe with a stripe[/caption] SuppliedTomato ‘Fraise’ are lush and heart shaped – and unlikely to split if you drop them[/caption] Supplied‘The Black Tomato’ is a really interesting and unusual colour[/caption] Gardening expert Simon Akeroyd with a tomato Credit Andy Townsend.Traditionally you sow the seeds inside from February – or buy plugs to bring on in the greenhouse from now.
But as with so much of gardening nowadays – the rule book has been thoroughly torn up – with all sorts of new and exciting varieties and techniques to get your tomato taste buds going.
GROW FROM SHOP BOUGHT TOMATOES
Gardening author Simon Akeroyd says in his Grow Your Groceries book:
Cut a few tomato slices about 3mm thick Fill a container with Peat Free compost to about 3cm deep – you can use plastic grape containers – just make sure there’s holes in the bottom. Place the tomato slices on the compost and cover with about 2cm with more compost Place on a warm sunny windowsill and water regularly When the tomato plants have formed true leaves transplant into individual pots Plant outside once the risk of frost has goneGrow Your Groceries by Simon Akeroyd is published by DK, out now.
STORAGE TOMATOES
Heirloom seed company She Grows Veg have introduced Storage Tomatoes to the market – which last for up to six months ONCE you’ve picked them!Founder Lucy Hutchings told me: “They lack the gene that allows conventional tomatoes to self ripen quickly, which means once picked they take months to reach full ripeness – becoming sweeter and sweeter – so you can actually be eating fresh homegrown tomatoes on Christmas day and beyond in the UK.”
PICK & JOY TOMATOES
One for the urban/small space gardener – these are bred to go on your windowsill and will keep refruiting the more you pick.
They’re also nice and compact so you don’t need much room.
Available from Dobbies at £16.99 – worth their money for a whole summer of tomatoes.
TOMATO ‘FRAISE’
Glossy, deep red strawberry shaped tomatoes – with an unbeatable shelf life – with sellers Suttons Seeds claiming they’re ‘tough against cracking and fruit drop for a more reliable yield.’ From £2.99 a packet.
REISETOMATE
As recommended by Mitch McCulloch in his book The Seed Hunter – these look like a ‘fused together bunch of grapes.
He says: “It was bred for trekking across the Andes – its’ bobbly structure allowing segments to be torn off and the rest popped back into a bag without leaking juice.’
Seeds are currently available on Amazon for £3.77.
CORDON TOMATO ‘GOURMANSUN’
Yellow, big and beautiful, these spectacular Oxhart tomatoes produce large heart-shaped fruit, with golden orange skins streaked with red when they’re ripe.
Plugs available from Marshalls Garden froim £6.29 for three in May.
TOMATO INDIGO ROSE ‘The Black Tomato’
These ‘superfoods’ are loaded with antioxidants like blueberries, and specially bred for extra nutrition.
They’re also highly disease-resistant. Plugs from Thompson and Morgan from £9.99
HANGING BASKETS
A great way of growing tomatoes without taking up much space is to buy a selection that can grow in hanging baskets.
Not only are they a space-saver – but they also look great. Just make sure you keep them well watered as hanging baskets dry out quickly.
YouGarden have a ‘Tumbling Tom’ tomato mix which produces hundreds of small, juicy yellow and red tomatoes all summer long.
TOP TOMATO CARE TIPS
MULCH – make sure you put a layer of mulch around tomato plants – to stop them drying out.SNIP Remove side shoots of cordon tomatoes regularly – so they’re putting their energy into growing tomatoes instead of leaves. Bush tomatoes can be left.FEED Keep a regular feeding regime with tomato based feed (which can also be used all around the garden)WATER Tomato plants are thirsty and dry out quickly – keep a regular watering regime and if you’re going away, get a neighbour to pop in and carry on.SUPPORT Tomatoes need a lot of support – you can build a cage support with bamboo canes and stringHARVEST pick ripe tomatoes regularly to encourage more fruitPROTECT Tomatoes don’t like wind so keep them in a sheltered spot
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