Grow tip-top tomatoes

SOME MUST-DOS: WATER REGULARLY, SPRAY TO PREVENT OR GET RID OF APHIDS AND WHITEFLY

Store tomatoes at room temperature, not in a fridge, which affects the taste.

Tomatoes are the easiest of veggies to grow. Anyone who has thrown veggie scraps that include tomatoes onto the compost heap will know how tomato seeds spread and pop up by the hundreds anywhere and everywhere.

That’s what they are doing right now, which is nature’s signal that tomato season has arrived.

If you want tomato plants for free, there is no reason why you shouldn’t keep or transplant a few of the stronger growers. Most likely it will be the cherry tomato type, but it is always a bit of a lucky dip and you don’t know what you have until the fruit starts to develop.

The fun part of growing tomatoes is trying out all the different varieties, so don’t limit yourself to the self-seeded ones.

TASTY VARIATIONS

Tomatoes are no longer just red; there are yellow, orange, green, brown, and a very dark red, almost black tomato. The size, shape and texture of the fruit is just as varied. Some are better for cooking (beefsteak types), others are ideal for salads (cherry tomatoes), while others are good all-rounders, like Floradade, Heinz 1370, and Rodade. The colourful varieties are generally Heirloom tomatoes. In many cases these are ‘rediscovered’ varieties that are very tasty and easy to grow. Some names to look out for are Green Zebra, Black Prince, Big Rainbow or Principe Borghese. They are available in seed or as seedlings. For ‘instant’ tomatoes there are Patio tomatoes that have been bred for growing in small spaces. There is the cherry type, Patio Choice Yellow and Sweet ’n Neat Scarlet. Red Napoli is a smaller version of the Roma tomato, and there is the prolific Orange Zinger, also a small fruit. Tumbling Tom (yellow and red) is suitable for large hanging baskets.

Good to know In terms of growth habits there are two types of tomatoes:

Indeterminate tomatoes are vine tomatoes, with vigorous, rambling growth which needs support on a trellis. Prune or trim plants to keep their size manageable. They are the ‘racehorses’ of the tomato world; producing high yields but susceptible to disease. Many of the heirloom varieties are this type of tomato.

Determinate tomatoes are bush tomatoes that don’t need staking but will benefit from it, especially to keep the fruit off the ground. They are more disease resistant, and take up less space. They have a limited harvesting period and succession planting (every three to four weeks) ensures a continuous supply during summer.

Growing tomatoes – what you need to know

Tomatoes need full sun and fertile well-drained soil. Dig in compost when preparing the bed and add a handful of bonemeal for root development and 5.1.5 fertiliser, like Vigorosa, to ensure good fruit production.

Seeds can be sown into the soil or into seed trays or a pot. Keep soil moist during germination and fertilise with a liquid feed, like Margaret Roberts Organic Supercharger, two weeks after germination. Thin out according to instructions on the seed packet.

Water regularly; tomatoes don’t like irregular watering that’s either too much or too little. Water at the base of the plant and not the leaves as this can cause fungus disease. Fertilise with Vigorosa when the fruit is forming. Let it ripen on the bush as this intensifies the flavour. Store tomatoes at room temperature; not in the fridge which affects the taste.

Keeping pests under control

If you notice whitefly or aphids, use the organic Ludwig’s Insect Spray or Margaret Roberts Organic Insecticide. Both contain canola oil that has a smothering action. At the beginning of a new season, whitefly will head for the juicy new growth, lay eggs and within days plants are infested. To prevent this, two weeks after transplanting seedlings, start preventive spraying once a week. Stop spraying when the plants are clean, but spray again as soon as you see evidence of them.