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My gardening notes are going to focus on everything tomatoey.  I’ve been growing tomatoes for many years but over the last few years I have become really interested in experimenting with the many heritage varieties that have come on the market.  A few weeks ago Gardeners World featured Lance Turner and his online store tomatorevolution.co.uk.  I immediately placed an order for 4 different varieties, Black Beauty (one I have grown before), Great Yellow Blue, Heart of Vasa and a long chilli-looking one called Antho Pink Panther.

 

I pretty much follow the same method that my dad showed me many years ago and sow my seeds at the beginning of April in 4 inch pots, 3 or 4 seeds to a pot.  I put them on a warm, sunny windowsill and they normally germinate within 2 weeks.  As soon as the first pair of true leaves appear I pot them on into their own individual 4 inch pots and transfer them to my greenhouse.  This year I have not had to use my little electric bar heater but usually the end of April still brings chilly nights and if necessary I give them a little bit of warmth overnight.

 

Next they go into 5 inch pots for another couple of weeks and then it’s time to plant them up into the beds in the greenhouse.  I do tend to pack them in usually planting them about 10 inches apart in a zig-zag fashion to maximise space. Water in well and watch them shoot away!  I forgot to say, very importantly every time I pot on or plant out, I put the plants in deep with the compost coming up the stem.  This is because more roots will grow out of the stems and help anchor the plant and absorb more water and nutrients.

 

Once they get established you will need to add canes to support the plants or stake string in the soil and start winding the string around the plant as it grows. Pinch out all the shoots which grow between the main stem and branches and then as soon as the fruit starts to form, it’s time to start feeding.  Feed every 10 to 14 days with a high-potassium liquid fertilizer directing this straight at the roots.  Don’t let the leaves get sprinkled with water because this will encourage rot on the foliage.  Really important to keep your greenhouse well-ventilated with open doors and windows and if you can, try and keep as much of an even temperature as possible.

 

Once we get into August, it is time to start removing the foliage from the bottom of the plant to enable more light for fruit to ripen and reduce the rate at which the plant is growing.

 

Good luck with your tomatoes this year and I very much look forward to seeing lots of glorious fruit at the Autumn Show.

 

Fiona Davies