Growing Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding edibles to grow at home - the tangy flavour of a ripe fruit taken straight from the vine a world away from cold-stored supermarket produce. For ease and convenience, most gardeners opt to grow plants in growing bags or containers. This avoids problems with root diseases that can build up in greenhouses when the same soil is used year after year for growing tomatoes. Container cultivation also creates opportunities for those with no access to the soil to grow their own tomatoes on warm and sheltered patios. When growing outdoors, it is advisable to choose blight-resistant cultivars. Horticulturist Emily Smith looks after the vegetables at RHS Garden Wisley, and has plenty of advice on how to achieve high yields and healthy plants with container culture. ‘Growing bags are convenient and have good levels of nutrients to supply the plants for the first few weeks. But regular feeding with a liquid tomato fertiliser will still be necessary later on, as tomatoes are vigorous, hungry crops,’ she says. One drawback of growing bags is the relative shallow depth of the compost, but this can be rectified by adding a growing ring to the top of the bag, which extends the root space.
‘As well as increasing the space available for the roots to grow, adding a bottomless pot or grow ring is beneficial, because it helps concentrate the water to the fine feeding roots near the base if the stem,’ says Emily. ‘Using growing bags on their side - so that the long edge becomes the top that you plant through - will also help.’
Watering is key to success
The main drawback of growing in containers and growing bags is that plants will run out of moisture more quickly than if they are grown in the ground. The larger the container for growing, the bigger the plant’s reserve of water will be. Emily says, ‘Most tomato plants do well in a 30cm (12in) pot, which is around 20 litres, or perhaps two or more in a longer rectangular pot where the plant! can be spaced far enough apart. Tumbling selection such as ‘Tumbling Tom Red’ or ‘Gartenperle’ cope 1 much smaller pots.’ Getting watering right is one of the most importar aspects of growing, as inconsistent moisture levels lead to problems such as blossom end rot and split skins. Ideally, watering needs to be done at the sarr time every day, increasing the amount of water as the plant grows. ‘Growing bags and containers may well need watering more than once a day in hot weather,’ says Emily. If you are unlikely to be able to manage this, a drip-feed irrigation system fed from an outdoor ta] or waterbutt can be a solution. You can also buy large, shallow trays for growing bags that catch water runoff, slowing drying.
Supporting your plants
At Wisley, tomato seedlings are pricked out into a 9cm (3in) pot when they produce their first two tr leaves, then planted into their final pot or growing bag when the first flowers appear. As the plants grow, it is important to make sure the cordon cultivars in particular have adequate support. In a greenhouse, plants can be supported with vertical strings attached to the roof structure, tyi the lower end around the growing bag or loosely around the base of the plant if using a container. ‘Twist the string around the stem as it grows, and make sure it isn’t too tight or it will cut into the plant,’ says Emily. Alternatively, use canes clipped into a frame or stand that fits around the growing bag. In containers, you can push canes deeply into the compost to secure your plants. Tomatoes are so rewarding to grow, and using containers or growing bags makes cultivation possible if even a small area of hardstanding is the main outdoor space you have. By following a few rules, crops of tasty juicy tomatoes should be well within your reach. O
Tend to your tomatoes little and often. Water carefully and consistently to help avoid problems such as fruit splitting and blossom end rot.’ Emily Smith, Horticulturist, RHS Garden Wisley
Do’s
Buy larger-sized growing bags to give more room for roots.
Fluff up the growbag to reduce compaction before planting.
Cut extra slits in the base of growbags before planting to help avoid waterlogging. Grow in a place that receives at least six hours of sun each day.
Apply liquid tomato feed when first fruits start changing colour.
Consider halving the dose but applying it twice a week, so tomatoes get the same amount but a more constant supply.
Don’ts
Water inconsistently; this leads to blossom end rot or split skins.
Forget to aid pollination during flowering by tapping the canes regularly to shake the plants. Wet leaves when watering; this can spread fungal diseases.
Forget to snap off sideshoots from cordon tomatoes.
Use growbags if you’re trying to cut down on single-use plastic consumption. Use a reusable container instead.
Forget to water tomatoes more than once a day in hot weather.
Tips for growing bags and containers
Use a growing ring Growing bags are convenient but lack growing depth. Increase the space for roots by adding a growing ring on top. These often provide spaces for constructing a cane support, and also help make watering more efficient. A plastic pot with the base cut out and removed will do the same job.
Large containers Grow more than one plant in one larger container for a spacesaving solution that will take up only a corner spot. Here three plants are interspersed with Tagetes in a half barrel, creating an attractive edible planter.
Cut a bag in two A simple way to provide a deeper root run for tomato plants in grow bags is to cut the bag in half, upend the parts, and plant into the open ends. Take care when cutting - use scissors or a craft knife, and scoop up any spills.
Use decorative pots Outdoor tomatoes can be made into a feature good enough for your ornamental garden if you use decorative containers, such as these terracotta pots. Ensure they are large enough - at least 30cm (12in) wide.
Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding edibles to grow at home - the tangy flavour of a ripe fruit taken straight from the vine a world away from cold-stored supermarket produce. For ease and convenience, most gardeners opt to grow plants in growing bags or containers. This avoids problems with root diseases that can build up in greenhouses when the same soil is used year after year for growing tomatoes. Container cultivation also creates opportunities for those with no access to the soil to grow their own tomatoes on warm and sheltered patios. When growing outdoors, it is advisable to choose blight-resistant cultivars. Horticulturist Emily Smith looks after the vegetables at RHS Garden Wisley, and has plenty of advice on how to achieve high yields and healthy plants with container culture. ‘Growing bags are convenient and have good levels of nutrients to supply the plants for the first few weeks. But regular feeding with a liquid tomato fertiliser will still be necessary later on, as tomatoes are vigorous, hungry crops,’ she says. One drawback of growing bags is the relative shallow depth of the compost, but this can be rectified by adding a growing ring to the top of the bag, which extends the root space.
‘As well as increasing the space available for the roots to grow, adding a bottomless pot or grow ring is beneficial, because it helps concentrate the water to the fine feeding roots near the base if the stem,’ says Emily. ‘Using growing bags on their side - so that the long edge becomes the top that you plant through - will also help.’
Watering is key to success
The main drawback of growing in containers and growing bags is that plants will run out of moisture more quickly than if they are grown in the ground. The larger the container for growing, the bigger the plant’s reserve of water will be. Emily says, ‘Most tomato plants do well in a 30cm (12in) pot, which is around 20 litres, or perhaps two or more in a longer rectangular pot where the plant! can be spaced far enough apart. Tumbling selection such as ‘Tumbling Tom Red’ or ‘Gartenperle’ cope 1 much smaller pots.’ Getting watering right is one of the most importar aspects of growing, as inconsistent moisture levels lead to problems such as blossom end rot and split skins. Ideally, watering needs to be done at the sarr time every day, increasing the amount of water as the plant grows. ‘Growing bags and containers may well need watering more than once a day in hot weather,’ says Emily. If you are unlikely to be able to manage this, a drip-feed irrigation system fed from an outdoor ta] or waterbutt can be a solution. You can also buy large, shallow trays for growing bags that catch water runoff, slowing drying.
Supporting your plants
At Wisley, tomato seedlings are pricked out into a 9cm (3in) pot when they produce their first two tr leaves, then planted into their final pot or growing bag when the first flowers appear. As the plants grow, it is important to make sure the cordon cultivars in particular have adequate support. In a greenhouse, plants can be supported with vertical strings attached to the roof structure, tyi the lower end around the growing bag or loosely around the base of the plant if using a container. ‘Twist the string around the stem as it grows, and make sure it isn’t too tight or it will cut into the plant,’ says Emily. Alternatively, use canes clipped into a frame or stand that fits around the growing bag. In containers, you can push canes deeply into the compost to secure your plants. Tomatoes are so rewarding to grow, and using containers or growing bags makes cultivation possible if even a small area of hardstanding is the main outdoor space you have. By following a few rules, crops of tasty juicy tomatoes should be well within your reach. O
Tend to your tomatoes little and often. Water carefully and consistently to help avoid problems such as fruit splitting and blossom end rot.’ Emily Smith, Horticulturist, RHS Garden Wisley
Do’s
Buy larger-sized growing bags to give more room for roots.
Fluff up the growbag to reduce compaction before planting.
Cut extra slits in the base of growbags before planting to help avoid waterlogging. Grow in a place that receives at least six hours of sun each day.
Apply liquid tomato feed when first fruits start changing colour.
Consider halving the dose but applying it twice a week, so tomatoes get the same amount but a more constant supply.
Don’ts
Water inconsistently; this leads to blossom end rot or split skins.
Forget to aid pollination during flowering by tapping the canes regularly to shake the plants. Wet leaves when watering; this can spread fungal diseases.
Forget to snap off sideshoots from cordon tomatoes.
Use growbags if you’re trying to cut down on single-use plastic consumption. Use a reusable container instead.
Forget to water tomatoes more than once a day in hot weather.
Tips for growing bags and containers
Use a growing ring Growing bags are convenient but lack growing depth. Increase the space for roots by adding a growing ring on top. These often provide spaces for constructing a cane support, and also help make watering more efficient. A plastic pot with the base cut out and removed will do the same job.
Large containers Grow more than one plant in one larger container for a spacesaving solution that will take up only a corner spot. Here three plants are interspersed with Tagetes in a half barrel, creating an attractive edible planter.
Cut a bag in two A simple way to provide a deeper root run for tomato plants in grow bags is to cut the bag in half, upend the parts, and plant into the open ends. Take care when cutting - use scissors or a craft knife, and scoop up any spills.
Use decorative pots Outdoor tomatoes can be made into a feature good enough for your ornamental garden if you use decorative containers, such as these terracotta pots. Ensure they are large enough - at least 30cm (12in) wide.