Homegrown tomatoes taste far better than shop-bought ones. With the right care, you can grow a good crop in the UK, whether in a greenhouse, on a patio, or in the open garden.
Choosing varieties
- Cordon (indeterminate): Grow tall on a single stem, need staking and side-shooting. Good for greenhouses and sheltered spots. Examples: Gardener's Delight, Sungold, Moneymaker.
- Bush (determinate): Compact plants that do not need training. Good for pots, hanging baskets and outdoor growing. Examples: Tumbling Tom, Totem, Red Alert.
- For outdoors: Choose varieties bred for UK conditions – they ripen faster and tolerate cooler weather.
Sowing seeds
- Sow indoors from late February to mid-April.
- Use seed compost in small pots or modules.
- Sow seeds 1cm deep, one or two per pot.
- Keep at 18-21°C – a heated propagator or warm windowsill works well.
- Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
- Move to a bright windowsill once seedlings appear.
Potting on
When seedlings have two true leaves (the second pair after the seed leaves), pot them into individual 9cm pots. Bury the stem up to the seed leaves – tomatoes root along the buried stem, making stronger plants.
Keep in a bright, frost-free place. Turn pots regularly so plants grow straight.
Planting out
Plant outdoors after the last frost, usually late May or early June. Harden off plants first by putting them outside during the day for a week or two.
- Greenhouse: Plant from late April in borders or large pots (at least 30cm diameter).
- Outdoors: Choose a warm, sheltered spot against a south-facing wall or fence.
- Containers: Use at least 10 litres of compost per plant. Growbags work but need frequent watering.
Supporting and training
Cordon varieties need support – use canes, string or tomato cages. Tie the main stem loosely as it grows.
Remove side shoots (the small shoots that grow in the angle between the main stem and leaf branches) to keep the plant focused on fruiting. Bush varieties do not need side-shooting.
Watering and feeding
- Water regularly and consistently. Irregular watering causes blossom end rot and split fruit.
- Once the first truss of fruit has set, feed weekly with a high-potash tomato feed.
- Water at the base of the plant, not over the leaves.
Common problems
- Blight: A fungal disease that causes brown patches on leaves and fruit. More common in wet summers. Remove affected plants immediately.
- Blossom end rot: Black patches on the bottom of fruit, caused by irregular watering.
- Splitting: Caused by sudden changes in watering. Keep moisture levels consistent.
Harvesting
Pick tomatoes when fully coloured and slightly soft. At the end of the season, bring green tomatoes indoors to ripen on a sunny windowsill or in a drawer with a banana.
Start with just a few plants your first year. Once you get the hang of it, you can expand your tomato growing.
Written by the Hedge Cutting Staffordshire team
Professional Gardener & Founder
Dave has over 15 years of experience in garden maintenance across Staffordshire. He founded Hedge Cutting Staffordshire in 2009 and has helped hundreds of homeowners create and maintain beautiful gardens. When he's not out trimming hedges or advising clients, he's testing the latest garden tools and sharing practical tips on this blog.
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