From greenhouse to sunny patio, shop-bought tomatoes can't touch homegrown. Here's how to grow them well in our climate.
Created by jflgardens.co.uk
Nothing tastes like a sun-warmed tomato picked minutes before dinner. They do brilliantly in the UK — given warmth, sunlight and a little daily attention — whether you've got a greenhouse, a polytunnel, or just a sunny corner of the patio.
Sow tomato seeds in modules or small pots in late winter or early spring, on a warm, bright windowsill or heated propagator. Keep them at a steady warmth until the seedlings appear, then grow them on in plenty of light.
After the last frost, acclimatise plants to outside over a week before planting them in a sunny, sheltered spot or moving them into the greenhouse. Plant deep, into rich, well-drained soil or large pots, and support them with canes or a string system.
Tomatoes are thirsty, hungry plants. Water steadily, more in hot spells, and feed weekly with a high-potash tomato feed once the first truss sets. Regular feeding keeps the fruits coming and avoids the split or bitter fruit that drought causes.
For cordon (indeterminate) varieties, pinch out the side shoots between the main stem and leaves and keep them tied in. Pick fruits as they ripen, and at the end of the season, ripen the last green tomatoes on a windowsill or use them for chutney.
From garden maintenance to a full growing-style overhaul, the JFL Gardens team works across Surrey and London.
