Growing tomatoes holds so many memories for me because they were one of the first crops I grew as a child, in a small homemade greenhouse. Even now, more than 50 years later, when I walk into a greenhouse of tomatoes and breathe in that distinctive aroma, I'm instantly taken back.
As far as I'm concerned, home-grown tomatoes are without doubt much tastier than shop-bought fruits, simply because when you grow your own, you can allow the fruits to ripen and develop their full flavour before picking. Growing your own also means you can choose from hundreds of varieties, all of which are different in flavour, shape and colour.
If you have a heated greenhouse, you can extend the cropping season and be picking fresh, tasty tomatoes from July through until November.
SOWING
In their native South America, tomatoes grow as perennial plants, but in the UK they are treated as frost-tender annuals that are grown from seed each spring. To germinate, the seeds need warmth and both seedlings and growing plants need frost protection at all times.
For an early crop in a heated greenhouse, seeds can be sown in January and February, but where they will be grown outside or in a cold greenhouse, wait until March or April to sow.
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Kitchen Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Kitchen Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
EASY DOES IT!
As the growing season gathers pace there's one thing often in short supply: time! Ever feel like you're chasing your tail? Benedict Vanheems offers some tips to save valuable time and effort
A NEW Kitchen garden!
It's time for sowing and planting in the new garden and while Martin is busy with that, Jill is making a tasty asparagus soup
OUR PLOTTER OF THE MONTH
Kitchen Garden readers rose to the challenge when we asked for pictures of their plots to appear in the magazine this year. It's time to meet another of our talented competition winners
MANAGING WEEDS, NATURALLY
Weeds are never far away but you can keep them at bay without recourse to weedkillers
Meet the apple doctor
KG editor Steve Ott chats to Glyn Smith, head gardener for the National Trust's Erddig estate in Wrexham, about his career and love of the garden he has tended for 38 years
A CORNUCOPIA OF COURGETTES
It's time to sow a first batch of tender crops such as courgettes for picking through the summer months. KG editor Steve Ott has some tips for a super harvest
FLAVOURSOME FRUIT CURRANTS
you If I want to plant some soft fruit that is easy to grow and will give you plenty of flavour, how about trying currants?
TRY AMARANTH! The dual-purpose veg
Garden Organic's research manager Anton Rosenfeld extols the virtues of amaranth and how to grow it
A SPACE APART
Instagrammer James Martin shares his love of gardening and how much it has helped him and his family both mentally and physically under very difficult circumstances
HITTING THE SWEET SPOT
Welcome to the wonderful world of sweetcorn as Rob Smith takes a look at both old and newer varieties, with some growing advice too