Table of Contents
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Introduction: Why Grow Your Own Tomatoes?
There’s nothing quite like the taste of a sun-ripened tomato, freshly picked from your own garden. Growing your own tomatoes in the UK offers a wealth of benefits. The flavour is simply superior to anything you can buy in the supermarket – the difference is astounding! Beyond the taste, you’ll enjoy significant cost savings, especially with rising grocery prices. You’ll have access to a far wider variety of tomatoes than typically available, from vibrant cherry tomatoes to robust beefsteaks, and the satisfaction of nurturing a plant from seed to harvest is incredibly rewarding. While the UK climate isn’t always ideal, with a little planning and the right techniques, you can enjoy a bountiful tomato crop every year.
Choosing the Right Tomato Variety for the UK
Selecting the right variety is crucial for success. Here’s a breakdown of popular types and their suitability for UK gardens:
Tomato Types
- Cherry Tomatoes: Compact, prolific, and ideal for containers. ‘Sungold’ (£3.99 for seeds from Thompson & Morgan) is a perennial favourite for its sweetness.
- Plum/Roma Tomatoes: Excellent for sauces and preserving. ‘Roma’ is a reliable choice.
- Beefsteak Tomatoes: Large, meaty, and perfect for slicing. Require more space and a longer growing season.
- Salad Tomatoes: All-purpose tomatoes, good for sandwiches and salads. ‘Gardener’s Delight’ is a classic.
Variety Categorisation by Growing Method
Consider where you plan to grow your tomatoes:
Greenhouse Growing
Greenhouses provide a warmer, more controlled environment, allowing you to grow a wider range of varieties, including those with a longer growing season. Indeterminate varieties (those that continue to grow throughout the season) are particularly well-suited here.
Outdoor Growing
For outdoor growing, choose blight-resistant varieties and those that mature relatively quickly. ‘Crimson Crush’ is a popular blight-resistant choice. Bush or determinate varieties (that grow to a specific size and then stop) are often easier to manage outdoors.
Hanging Baskets
Tumbler tomatoes and other cascading varieties are perfect for hanging baskets. They look beautiful and produce a steady supply of sweet cherry tomatoes.
Starting Tomatoes from Seed (Indoor Sowing)
Starting tomatoes from seed indoors gives them a head start, especially important in the UK’s shorter growing season.
Timing
Sow seeds indoors from late February to early March.
Materials
- Seed Trays or small pots
- Seed Compost (a fine, peat-free compost is best)
- Clear Plastic Lids or Cling Film
Instructions
- Fill seed trays or pots with seed compost.
- Moisten the compost gently.
- Sow seeds thinly, about 0.5cm deep.
- Cover with a thin layer of compost.
- Cover the tray with a clear plastic lid or cling film to retain moisture.
- Place in a warm location (around 20-25°C).
- Once seedlings emerge (usually within 7-14 days), remove the covering and provide plenty of light.
Troubleshooting
- Seeds not germinating: Compost may be too cold or too dry. Ensure consistent warmth and moisture.
- Leggy seedlings: Seedlings are stretching for light. Provide more light or move to a brighter location.
- Damping off: A fungal disease that causes seedlings to rot. Ensure good ventilation and avoid overwatering.
Potting On & Hardening Off Tomato Seedlings
Once seedlings have developed their first true leaves (the second set of leaves to appear), it’s time to pot them on.
Potting On
- Gently remove seedlings from their seed tray.
- Pot each seedling into individual pots (approximately 9cm diameter) filled with multi-purpose compost.
- Water gently.
Hardening Off
This crucial step acclimatises seedlings to outdoor conditions. Over a period of 7-10 days:
- Start by placing seedlings outdoors in a sheltered spot for a few hours each day.
- Gradually increase the amount of time they spend outdoors.
- Protect them from strong winds and direct sunlight initially.
Planting Tomatoes Outdoors or in a Greenhouse
Once the risk of frost has passed (typically late May/early June), you can plant your tomatoes.
Outdoor Planting
- Choose a sunny, sheltered location.
- Improve the soil with well-rotted compost.
- Dig planting holes approximately 45cm apart.
- Add a handful of bone meal to each hole to promote root development.
- Plant the tomato seedlings deeply, burying the stem up to the first set of leaves. This encourages more root growth.
- Provide support with stakes or cages (Dramm Tomato Plant Support Cage – £19.99).
Greenhouse Planting
- Plant tomatoes directly into the ground or into large containers (growbags – Vitax Growbags Tomato £7.49).
- Ensure good ventilation within the greenhouse.
- Provide support as needed.
Tomato Care: Watering, Feeding & Pruning
Watering
Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Avoid wetting the foliage, as this can encourage fungal diseases. Water at the base of the plant.
Feeding
Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Start feeding with a tomato-specific feed (Westland Tomato Feed – £6.99) once flowers start to appear. Feed every 7-10 days.
Pruning
Prune indeterminate tomato varieties to improve airflow and encourage larger fruit. Remove side shoots (suckers) that grow between the main stem and the branches. Pinch them off when they are small.
Dealing with Common Tomato Problems in the UK
Blight
A fungal disease that can quickly devastate tomato plants. Preventative measures include choosing blight-resistant varieties, ensuring good ventilation, and removing infected leaves promptly. Copper-based fungicides can be used as a last resort.
Blossom End Rot
Caused by calcium deficiency. Ensure consistent watering and add lime to the soil before planting.
Greenfly & Whitefly
Common pests that suck sap from plants. Encourage beneficial insects (ladybirds) or use insecticidal soap.
Slugs & Snails
A constant menace! Use organic slug pellets (Neudorff Organic Slug & Snail Killer – £9.99) or create barriers around plants.
Harvesting & Storing Tomatoes
Harvest tomatoes when they are fully coloured and slightly soft to the touch.
Harvesting
Gently twist the tomato off the vine. Avoid pulling, as this can damage the plant.
Storing
Store tomatoes at room temperature for best flavour. Avoid refrigerating them, as this can affect their texture.
Preservation
Green tomato chutney is a delicious way to use up any remaining green tomatoes at the end of the season.
Extending the Growing Season
Extend your tomato harvest by using cloches, fleece, or a greenhouse. Late-season varieties, like ‘Mountain Magic’, can also help.
Conclusion: Enjoying Your Homegrown Tomatoes
Growing tomatoes in the UK can be incredibly rewarding. Remember to choose the right variety, provide consistent care, and protect your plants from common problems. Experiment with different techniques and enjoy the delicious, flavourful tomatoes you’ve grown yourself! Composting your garden waste (using a Dalek Compost Bin – £89.99) will provide rich nutrients for next year’s crop.
FAQ
Q: When is the best time to plant tomatoes outdoors in the UK?
Generally, late May or early June is the safest time to plant tomatoes outdoors, once the risk of frost has passed.
Q: What does ‘hardening off’ mean?
Hardening off is the process of gradually acclimatising seedlings to outdoor conditions. It’s essential to prevent shock when transplanting them.
Q: How often should I feed my tomato plants?
Once flowers appear, feed your tomato plants every 7-10 days with a tomato-specific feed.
Q: What can I do to prevent blight?
Choose blight-resistant varieties, ensure good ventilation, remove infected leaves promptly, and consider using a copper-based fungicide as a last resort.
Q: Can I grow tomatoes in containers?
Yes! Tomatoes grow very well in containers, especially cherry and plum varieties. Use a large container and a good quality potting compost.