It has good flavour, and it is equally as nice to look at. The fruit starts off light green with dark green stripes when unripe, later changing to red with its orange “Tiger” Stripes when it is ripe.
Tomato Seeds Sowing instructions:
Few vegetables have suffered at the hands of the commercial food chain as much as the tomato. The simple fact of the matter is that most of the tomatoes that we buy year-in, year-out in our supermarkets taste of absolutely nothing at all. It is not until you grow your own that you realise this.
Commercial growers pick varieties that have thick skins so that they last longer and are less prone to wastage in storage and distribution. On the other hand, the homegrown tomato is a delectable treat – a meal in itself, best eaten fresh in the warmth of the greenhouse for maximum effect.
Tomatoes do require a certain level of TLC (pinching out sideshoots, watering, feeding, etc), but it’s definitely worth the effort.
Sow
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March to April
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Harvest
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July to October
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Sow
- The soil needs to be fertile for tomatoes, so the addition of compost and a general fertiliser is usually beneficial.
- If growing in containers then use good quality potting compost.
- Tomatoes need to grow in warm temperatures so a greenhouse will give you the best results, but you can also try growing at a sunny windowsill.
- Tomatoes are usually grown in a glasshouse or polytunnel in Ireland. Some people have had success growing outside in a warm summer, but in a poor summer they are a very difficult crop outdoor.
- Tomatoes can be grown in soil or containers – management is easier in the soil, but successful crops can be produced in large pots or grow bags.
- Sow seeds in 2cm deep pots or module trays in March, indoors on a heated mat, in a greenhouse or a warm, sunny spot.
Visit the GIY Veg directory for more growing details and tips.
