Growing tomatoes offers numerous advantages, as a single plant can produce a large amount of fruit throughout the season.
Despite less than ideal weather conditions in some parts of the UK, Britons can still ensure a bumper harvest if they avoid certain mistakes.
Garden Street’s Holly Jones highlights five common mistakes gardeners make that can lead to “yield loss” and disease.
A common mistake is to sow tomato seeds prematurely when the soil is still too cool for optimal growth.
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The timing of planting tomato seeds varies depending on location and the specific area of the garden in which they will be grown, but by July, tomatoes should already be planted outdoors, the Express reports.
Holly warns: “If you plant tomato seeds too close together, you risk stunting the growth of the plants. You also risk crowding the plants, which can result in them not getting enough direct sunlight.”
For healthy development, tomatoes should be planted deeply, with only the first set of leaves above the soil line, and then buried firmly in the soil.
Spacing is key, and a distance of between 45 and 70cm is recommended, depending on the variety. Be sure to check the seed packet for guidance. Many growers prefer to use grow bags, which come with pre-marked planting spots.
According to Holly, tomato plants do not require frequent watering unless it is exceptionally hot.
Overwatering can cause root rot, destroying your plants and any chance of harvesting tomatoes.
The expert noted: “However, it is still important to ensure that plants are watered, and by watering consistently once or twice a week you can ensure that there is constant moisture.”
Holly added: “Ideally, tomato plants should be staked to keep them upright. If this is not done, the plants can end up on the ground and pick up diseases from other plants which can damage them.”
To support tomato plants, you can buy various items at garden centers, such as bamboo or even wooden branches.
Just make sure they are tall enough and tie them with string as the plant grows to support it.
The gardening guru said: “If you don’t pick tomatoes at the right time, you risk them rotting on the plant and falling to the ground. Pick tomatoes before they are fully ripe and place them in a sunny window to fully ripen before eating.”
It is also essential to cut the side shoots so that the plant does not direct its energy into developing too many stems.
This can result in a weak crop as it will become extremely heavy and cause the tomatoes to not grow properly.
