This new F1 hybrid bush variety yields wonderful, heart-shaped tomatoes, adding a fun dimension to summer salads or when used as a pizza topping. Reaching just 40cm (1¼ft) high, ‘Dora’ is perfect for growing in containers outdoors, while each fruit’s distinctive shape becomes even more apparent when sliced open. Sweetly flavoured crops start ripening from July and are ideal for lunchboxes or eaten straight from the plant as a summertime treat. ■
From The Organic Gardening Catalogue (£3.99 for 8 seeds); www.organiccatalogue.com.
Order tomato seed early so you don’t lose out – heightened demand during lockdown is evident once again.
Be patient! Last month, one supplier had to temporarily suspend or restrict online orders so that its socially distanced workforce could catch-up with backlogs.
If you intend to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, sow seed under cover from February to March. Where plants are eventually destined to grow outdoors in gardens and on allotments, get sowing indoors between March and April.
Use a fine-grade seed and cu ings compost that’ll coax tomato seed into life.
Fill pots or seed trays with compost and sow tomato seed around 5mm deep. Place in an unheated propagator in a warm, light position at between 15-20C (59-68F).
When the first pair of true leaves have formed, prick-out into small pots of multi-purpose compost and grow on at around 18C (64F).
Plants will need to be hardened off ahead of planting out after the last frosts.