In the garden with GB News: Tomatoes - everything you need for tomato plants to thrive in your garden
GB News shares everything you need to know to grow tomatoes
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Growing fruits, vegetables and herbs comes with a great sense of achievement and sustainability, and tomato plants are one of the best things we can grow in the UK.
GB News shares the best tips to help you grow and maintain the plant in your garden.
Everything to know about caring for tomato plants
Planting
Tomato plants thrive between May and October so now is the perfect time to get started. They will look their best during the warmer months, so expect the best results between July and September.
"The best time to plant tomato plants is after your last frost date, if applicable. Otherwise when temperatures are 7°C and above. The warmer the better," Greenhouse Manager at the Case Western Reserve University Farm Sarah Warner told GB News.
Now is a good time to plant tomatoes
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Tomatoes need warm temperatures to produce a great crop so it is important to pick sunny spots in the garden. Tomatoes benefit from fertile and rich soil. They need to be watered regularly and fertilised once the plant starts to flower.
How to look after tomato plants in the garden
The best advice for growing tomatoes depends on what type of plant you have. Determinate tomatoes, also known as 'bush' tomatoes, do not need pruning as they are naturally restricted and generally easier to grow.
Interdependent tomato plants, on the other hand, keep growing until they are stopped. The expert shared advice for getting both to thrive.
Sarah continued: "Determining whether you are growing a determinate or interdependent tomato plant is always key when getting supplies ready.
"Determinate tomato plants typically reach three to five feet tall and do not grow over that. So a cage or small trellis will be needed.
"If you are growing interdependent tomato plants, they can grow up to 12 feet which means you'll need a large trellis. If that does not work for your space then it is important to differentiate between the two."
Making sure there is enough distance between your plants will help them to grow. The expert added: "Most varieties of tomatoes have a planting space of 18 to 24 inches apart, in rows five feet apart. It is very important to know the variety you are growing so you can determine proper planting instructions.
"As soon as tomatoes start to produce suckers (two to three months) it is vital to production that those are pruned."
How to deter pests from your tomato plant
Experts also warned gardeners should be vigilant of pests in their garden as these can target and destroy tomato plants.
Co-founder, director and in-house gardening expert at Gardeners Dream Craig Wilson stated: “For those of us that like to grow our own fruits and vegetables, pests are unfortunately a regular battle. Common veggies such as cucumbers and tomatoes, will encourage the presence of whiteflies and tomato hornworms.
“Whiteflies are fast breeding pests that gather on the underside of the leaves, sucking the sap and weakening the plants. If infestations are particularly bad and out of control, they can ultimately cause the plant to die.
“Tomato hornworms are hungry little pests that, if given the chance, could completely decimate a tomato plant within a day. They chew on both the leaves and the fruit of tomato and other solanaceous plants."
The expert shared tips on how to deter these pests and protect your plants. Craig continued: “To deter pests from your vegetable garden, I recommend rotating crops annually to prevent soil-borne pests and diseases from becoming well-established. To protect plants against pests above ground, use covers made of a lightweight, permeable fabric to protect your vegetables from a wide range of pests while still allowing light, water, and air to reach the plants.
“To get rid of whiteflies in particular, spray your plants with a hose to scatter adults and dislodge the pupa and eggs. Young white flies cannot crawl and die without access to their food source.
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Tomatoes can be grown in UK gardens
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"To stop the adults from returning to your plants, treat them with neem oil as soon as you have removed the flies from the plant.”
Sarah added pruning is an important part of growing tomato plants and it will also help to deter pests. She said: "[Pruning] will make the plant more manageable and ensure there is one main stem instead of a large amount.
"This technique can also provide more fruit and create better airflow to prevent pests and diseases. This method should be completed throughout the tomato growing season."
Tomato plant care timeline
Spring
Planting: Gardeners can start to plant tomatoes in late spring.
Summer
Feed: Regularly feed plants with liquid tomato food. Keep well watered.
Autumn
Prune: Remove excess foliage such as leaves and branches that are overgrown from the plant.
Winter
Move: Britons can move tomato plants in the winter if they still want them to thrive. They must be in a bright location, free from frost and kept above 5°C.
Looking for more tips? GB News shares everything you need to know to grow sweet peas. Or check out our guide on how to grow and care for hydrangeas.