ABOUT TOMATOES
The tomato is a delicate or tender perennial which is grown as an annual and when raised in your greenhouse is very successful.
One of the best reasons for growing your own tomatoes is that you can be sure that they are chemical spray free as well as the fact that a greenhouse tomato tastes far better than any supermarket product, firstly because it is picked and eaten immediately while it is warm (refrigerated tomatoes become bland in taste and secondly the flavour is better because it does not have to travel – something a tomato does not like.
There are over 3 000 tomato varieties to choose from and you should ensure that you grow several different varieties which will not only add interest but also ensure against an inferior crop from one variety. I have listed a few that you might like to try - “Gardener’s Delight” is probably the best variety for flavour, yield, early results and easy growing. One of the best cherry varieties is “Sweet 100” and if you want a small yellow tomato then go for “Sunbelle”. “Shirley” is a good red normal size tomato variety which is disease resistant and “Big Boy” is a large red, beefsteak tomato with very few seeds which is ideal for cooking. “Brandy Wine”, another beefsteak variety has an amazing flavour.
Tomato plants can be bought at garden centres but many are weak stemmed, lanky and spindly. Plants that have been on display for any length of time become affected by too much heat and little or no light and also there is little or no choice of variety available from retail outlets. It is far better and also much more rewarding to raise your own from seed. Remember that if you are going to raise 3 or 4 different varieties deep modular, hinged opening cell trays like Rootrainers are extremely useful as they are both space and time saving.
Tomato seed is sown in a propagator and a temperature of 60°- 65°F is needed for successful germination. If you have a heated greenhouse seed can be sown in late December for planting out in late February or early March for a May/June crop. Most gardeners only have cold houses and then seed should be sown in a propagator in early March and planted out late April for a July crop.
1. Recipe for growing tomato plants from seed using Rootrainers
Ingredients
Sherwood Rootrainer system (Single Tray Pack to give 32 plants)
Good quality compost (peat free)
Good quality seeds
Warmth
Water
Liquid feed
Method
Fill the Rootrainers with the peat free compost
Sow the seeds in late February for an early crop and 4 weeks later for the main crop
Cover the Rootrainer tray with the clear propagating lid and leave in a warm area till seeds have germinated
Remove lid and use under tray as water catcher once plants get tall
There is no need to prick out plants until you are ready to plant them in their fruiting positions
When the plants become too tall they can be easily staked with a split cane and loosely tied with soft string or Flexi Tie because they are in individual cells.
Feed once a week with a weak solution of liquid feed
Pot on to 22.5cms pots or follow the recipe below for using Growbags if growing in greenhouse or the plants can be planted out into their fruiting positions outside or in the polytunnel.
2. Recipe for using Growpots : The Tomato Growers Secret Weapon
Ingredients:
Set of 3 or 6 Growpots
Growbags (3 Growpots per bag)
Tomato plants (plugs grown in Rootrainers)
Good quality planting compost (matching that of the bag- peat to peat, coir to coir)
Water
Liquid feed
Method
Shake the growbag to loosen compacted material so that roots can easily penetrate
Place bag on a clean flat surface with drain holes pierced through on the top half of the bag
Space pots out LIGHTLY on the bag at equidistant intervals
Lightly press down and pierce the bag with the Growpot (Twist in either direction so the teeth cut the plastic)
Remove the cut plastic circle and fill the inner pot with planting compost till level with the top of the rim of the outer trough
Site support strings or canes and leave loose ends of the strings hanging in the pot
Hollow out the centre of the compost and place the tomato plant in the hollow, tucking the loose end of the string under the rootball
Firm the compost around the plant leaving the other end of the string free to tension as needed
Water the plant in the inner pot to establish (approx 1 pint)
Fill outer trough to the top with water (4 pints) and leave to slowly saturate the growbag
Do not apply any more water for 2 weeks to the outer trough and this will ensure a strong healthy root system
For the next 3-4 weeks water in the morning and a max of 2 pints should be placed in the outer trough every 2-3 days
Water the inner pot once a week to ensure it does not dry out
Increase amount of water to outer trough after 4-6 weeks
Apply suitable plant feed to the inner pot on a weekly basis and continue feeding throughout the season
At end of season the pot can be twisted and lifted from the growbag, the rootball and compost discarded and the Growpot washed and stored for future use next season.
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