209 There is little more rewarding than planting, growing and picking your own fresh, plump, juicy tomatoes – straight from the garden. The ultimate guide to growing tomatoes Whether you’re filling your garden beds with red fruits And remember, whether in a small pot indoors or an or adorning your balcony with productive pots, we’ve expansive garden bed, you’ll have the most success compiled a brief guide to growing your own tomatoes with organic, disease-resistant seeds. Plus, heirloom – including tips for helping them flourish, and advice tomatoes are our favourite in terms of consistent around when to plant or harvest. success with flavour! HOW TO GROW TOMATOES HOW TO HARVEST For best results, tomatoes require a combination of Unlike many fruits (yes, tomatoes are imposters in the full sun, no strong winds, and ample space. In fact, we vegetable aisle), some varieties are best harvested suggest planting seedlings relatively deep and as much when at a mature shade of green and left to ripen off as 50cm–1m apart, depending on the variety. Bush- the plant. Heirloom varieties, for example, are best type plants need less space in between, whereas vines picked before they’ve turned fully red, and cherry on stakes will flourish with a metre or so in their midst. tomatoes crack if left on the vine too long. Staking is essential in most cases (giving the vine a But some varieties require an even red colour for framework to growup) and requires soft materials so optimal picking, and vine ripened tomatoes often boast as not to damage the plant’s stems. much bolder flavours and colour profiles. Another way With adequate space, light and moisture, most to tell is by touch – somewhere in between firm and tomatoes flourish just as well in pots (both indoors and soft is usually the prime time to harvest. outdoors) as they do in garden beds. But it’s important to note that larger varieties will need bigger pots and EXPERT TIPS added staking support. If you’ve got smaller spaces, One main difference between garden beds and pots choose compact varieties such as San Marzano or is that the latter dry out much faster, so frequent Patio Roma. watering and fertiliser is vital. Another expert tip when WHEN TO PLANT growing indoors, where breeze is minimal, to turn a gentle fan on the growing seedlings to force their In most climates, spring planting will be most fruitful stems to strengthen. (around August or September), but some warmer Lastly, if you’re cultivating a whole veggie garden, climates welcome tomato planting all year round. tomatoes seem to really flourish when planted next to Frequent and thorough feeding and watering with cucumbers, basil, asparagus, lettuce and onion. With liquid fertiliser is a sure way to keep your fruity red beds all that green, red and white, we can’t think of a more happy. Some experts suggest pre-heating the soil too, fitting Italian garden bed! as growing plants love warm beds – simply cover the beds a few weeks before planting with groundsheet or tarpaulin and letit get a little steamy under there. An early harvest is worth the extra effort! GROWING & STORING