Tomatoes fall into two types, 'cordon' or indeterminate' which are tomatoes grown on a single stem which will need support and 'bush' or 'determinate' varieties which include varieties of cherry tomatoes that trail and therefore can be grown in hanging baskets and small, compact varieties which can be grown on windowsills. If you intend to grow outside, ensure you pick varieties which are recommended for outdoor cultivation. There are plenty to choose from.
Soil & Growing Position
Traditionally tomatoes are grown in grow bags (3 plants per bag) either against a south facing wall outside or in the greenhouse. Similiarly they can be grown in pots, planter bags, reusable growbags or in the open ground or raised beds. Tomatoes like a fertile and free draining soil. Prepare the ground in the usual way, digging in compost in the autumn and raking in Growmore two weeks before planting. Only plant in the open ground if you have a sheltered patch of ground, again preferably against a south facing wall.
If growing in containers, use growbag compost or a good multi purpose or veg compost.
Sowing from Seed
The crop takes around 16 weeks from seed. Although you can sow seed from as early as late December in a heated grenhouse, it is more usual to sow in an unheated greenhouse in early March for planting out in April/May. Sow thinly in trays if growing a number of plants, using seed compost. Lightly cover with soil and keep moist at a temperature around 18 degrees. Prick out into 3" peat pots once a pair of true leaves have developed. If only a small number of plants are to be grown, these can be sown into 3" peat pots containing seed compost. Sow two seeds per pot and remove the weaker of the two seedlings once they have developed.
Growing on & Young Plants
Once the plants are 6 - 8" and the flowers of the first truss are beginning to open, they can be planted in their final positions. The 'truss' is the stem which carry the flowers (which go on to become tomatoes). Plants for outside should be hardened off before planting outside. Plant under cloches in early May otherwise leave till June and plant out then.
Water the plants thoroughly before planting into grow bags, pots or 18" apart in open ground. If planting in raised beds or open ground, you could try laying out black ploythene or better still, weed control fabric first, cutting X shaped slits and planting the tomatoes through. This can help to warm the soil, retain moisture, deters slugs and obviously stops the weeds from coming through.
Cordon varieties, though not bush, will need support and there are many types of supports available. Use Growbag supports with canes if growing in a growbag, tomato frame supports for containers or Haxnicks Tomato Climbing Patio Planter which has an integral support. Alternatively you can use canes in the open ground. Tie the main stem loosely to the support or use plant rings.
As the plant develops, side shoots appear at the point where the leaves meet the stalk which need to be pinched out when they are 1" long. If however you do leave a sideshoot to grow to around 6", it can then be removed, planted in a pot of wet compost and another tomato plant will develop. Once the plants reach 4ft, remove the leaves below the first truss and continue to remove any yellowing leaves below the fruit throughout the season but without stripping the plant.
Trailing varieties can be grown in hanging baskets and small, cherry bush types are ideal for small containers, windowsills and window boxes.
It is important to regularly water tomatoes, particularly those in growbags or other containers as irregular watering causes splitting of the fruit as well as blossom end rot. Feed with liquid feeds such Tomorite or Maxicrop Seaweed Tomato Feed.
In the greenhouse, use greenhouse shading or paint on Coolglass once the temperature starts to exceed 25 degrees and ensure the greenhouse in ventilated. Tap the plant supports occasionally and mist to assist pollination and fruit set. Once the plants have reached the height of the greenhouse, the tip two leaves above the top truss can be removed to start any further height. Tomaotes outside should have the tip removed once fruit starts to develop on the fourth truss.
Harvesting
The first fruit will be ready from July in the greenhouse and August outside. The plant will continue fruiting until the first frosts. Break off the ripe fruit at the 'knuckle', which is the swelling on the flower stalk. Any green tomatoes left at the end of the season should be picked and taken into the house to ripe or put on a layer of straw under a cloche outside to ripen.
