Tomatoes are a fruit strictly speaking, but have been included in the vegetable section as they are most often associated with vegetable gardening.
Preparation
Prepare the soil by digging organic matter into it, which will help improve aeration and moisture retention in the soil. Aim to dig this material in at least 2 or 3 weeks before planting.
Drive supporting stakes/canes into the soil before planting so that the stakes do not damage the roots.
Sowing
Timing
You should sow your tomatoes about two months before you intend to plant them out (planting out should take place after the last frost).
Germination
Germination of tomato seeds takes place at around 15 to 20°C — a windowsill is often a good environment for your seedling pots to be placed on. If you do position your seedlings on the windowsill, then be sure to turn the pot daily so an even growth direction is achieved.
Planting Process
Fill some 7cm pots with seedling compost and water so it is moist. Gently firm the compost and then sow a couple of seeds in each pot.
Cover with 1cm of compost. Germination should take around 7-10 days and once the seedlings have emerged, thin out the weaker of the seedlings, and then you can prick out the strongest seedling into its own 7.5cm pot filled with compost.
Once the roots start to emerge from the holes in the base of the 7cm pot, they are then ready for transferring into 12cm pots.
Planting Out
If you are planting your tomatoes in the open, then plant out in about mid-June. If planting under a cloche, you can plant out four weeks earlier, and if growing in a greenhouse, then you can plant in mid-April.
Spacing and Support
Space plants around 45cm apart so that light can reach the leaves and fruits on each plant.
Dig a hole slightly larger than the pot the tomato plant is in, remove the pot, and plant the tomato next to a pre-inserted stake.
Position
Tomatoes must be grown in a position that receives full sunlight.
Soil type
The soil should be moist but not waterlogged.
Tending
Feeding
Tomatoes are greedy feeders, so feed once a week with a diluted tomato feed.
Watering
- Water around the roots of the plants as this can help reduce the spread of disease between leaves, stems, and neighbouring plants.
- Water regularly to prevent the splitting of fruit skins.
- Tomatoes like a lot of water, and an organic mulch can help the soil to retain moisture so it is available to the fruit, which has a high water content.
Pollination
Tomatoes self-pollinate, but if growing indoors, then a gentle shake of the plant can help to distribute the pollen.
Fertilising
Tomatoes will benefit from a high potash fertiliser applied every 2 or 3 weeks as this helps with fruit development.
Pruning
- After four levels of fruiting branches have formed, remove the plant’s growing tip. This will direct growth energies into the fruit.
- The same is true of side shoots that appear between the leaf and stem; simply pinch them out to direct growth energies to the fruit.
Support
Bush varieties do not require staking, but others benefit from guiding the tomato up a stake by using soft twine around the stem and stake. Be sure to check the twine regularly to ensure that it is not cutting into the stem.
Maintenance
- Regularly check for any decaying/yellowing leaves and remove them to prevent the spread of disease.
- Regularly weed between your tomato plants to prevent loss of factors necessary for growth.
Harvesting
Remove the tomatoes when they are of the desired size and colour. Harvesting tomatoes encourages further fruit production so don’t leave them hanging around on the plant after they have reached ripeness.
Near the end of the growing season, ensure that all fruits are harvested before the first frost. If you have unripe fruits, still harvest them, they can finish ripening on the windowsill.
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