STEP BY STEP

How to look after tomatoes

Add organic matter to soil before planting. In pots, use potting compost or try a growbag. Give plants at least 60cm space – bush tomatoes may need more. Support plants with a cane, at least 1.5m tall for cordons; wires on a wall work well too. Knot string to the cane first and tie loosely round the stem to avoid damaging it. To cordon train, pinch out the side shoots, just above the leaves when they are tiny. Once the fruit is ripening, snip off lower leaves to give the plant more air. Water after planting, then water as the plant needs it, more as it grows and sets fruit then less as the fruit ripens. Add liquid feed to the water once a week.