Quick Guide: Growing Tomatoes

You say toma-toe, I say toma-ta – whatever your feeling towards tomatoes, we can all agree how delicious they are.

They add red and vibrant essential bursts of colour to your garden, and they’re equally as essential in the kitchen. A homegrown tomato will win over one bought at a supermarket any day.

There are endless varieties of tomatoes with slightly different shapes and flavours. Tomatoes are suited to a mild climate. They particularly love the warmth of the sun and grow best in Summer. In terms of garden maintenance, they are easy to grow if you have a good set up.

Here are the five Diaco’s Garden Nursery tips to grow tasty tomatoes.

1. Whether you’re planting fruit or seedlings, make sure you find a sunny spot with plenty of airflow. To get a juicy and delicious harvest, make sure you rotate your tomatoes each year. Never plant them in the same garden bed two years in a row.

2. Plant your tomato seedlings deep into the soil – more so than usual. They will grow roots along any stem they come into contact with. This means a deeper and stronger root system.

3. They grow on a vine and need to grow with some kind of support. Establish a tomato stake, cage or trellis at the time of planting. This keeps the developing fruit off the ground.

4. If your tomatoes are looking a little wild, don’t prune them. This will affect your harvest. Instead, thread the wild stem through your trellis/stake or cage.

5. They love a moist soil. Water deeply and regularly, especially while the fruits are developing. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your plants get at least 1 inch of water per week.

How do you know when to harvest?

Depending on the weather, they can be harvested between 2-4 months after planting. It’s important to keep in mind that colour is not the best indicator of when to harvest your plant. If you wait until your crop is completely vibrant and red, it may be too late.

Tomatoes are the only fruit that can be picked before it’s fully ripe. Harvesting should occur when your tomatoes are in a mature green stage, usually late summer – they will ripen off the vine. Look for the first sign of a blush colour as an indicator that your fruit are ready to pick.

Are ready to get your tomatoes growing? Here’s what you need to get started.

Don’t forget to enjoy! Tomatoes are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. They’re called the hero of the garden for a reason!

So if you’re ready to get your tomato growing on, here’s what you need to get started.

Tomato Plant