There’s something rather special about picking a tomato that you’ve grown yourself. Whether you have a greenhouse, a sunny patio or just a few containers, tomatoes are a wonderful crop to try.
Choose a sunny home
Tomatoes prefer a warm, sheltered position with plenty of sun. In cooler parts of the UK, a greenhouse can help, but outdoor varieties can do well in a bright, protected spot once frost risk has passed.
Start with healthy soil
Use good-quality, free-draining compost for containers, and choose pots large enough for the variety. Tomatoes in the ground benefit from soil enriched with well-rotted organic matter.
Get watering right
Water regularly and aim for consistent moisture rather than letting compost swing between bone-dry and waterlogged. Water the compost at the base of the plant where possible.
Support, feed and harvest
Some varieties need canes or other supports as they grow. Follow the feeding instructions for a tomato fertiliser once fruits develop. Pick ripe tomatoes regularly and enjoy them at their best.