Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The range of tomato varieties available is staggering, and runs from huge 'beef-
steak' tomatoes, where a single slice will be enough for an entire sandwich; to
tiny 'cherry' types - potent little balls of flavour that can be grown in hanging
baskets tucked away in a tunnel corner. As well as in hanging baskets you can
grow tomatoes in containers, grow bags or soil beds. Plant types range from
bushy and compact to huge, triffid-like monsters that can be 2 or even 3 metres
tall. Fruit can be red, yellow, striped, orange, purple and early or late - it's just
endless, and great fun too.
Growing tomatoes in a polytunnel can be difficult, as humid environments
encourage the formation of blight. Tomato plants are a bit picky. They are hungry
feeders, prefer rich soil, and like calm spots with good drainage and plenty of
sun. Despite all this, they are tremendously rewarding and part of the repertoire
of any gardener. There are outdoor varieties of tomato that will produce a satis-
factory harvest in a warm, sheltered spot, but they really don't compare to indoor
varieties and fruit several weeks later - and, in poor summers, not at all.
When choosing a tomato variety for the polytunnel, go for an 'indeterminate'
variety rather than a 'determinate' one. Indeterminate tomatoes grow as a vine,
which can be trained up a cane or growing string (see Chapter 6, page 51) and
keep growing and fruiting until killed by frost, giving a long cropping season.
Determinate varieties get to a certain size (which depends on the variety) and
then produce a single flush of fruits that all ripen more or less at once. This
makes them very popular with commercial growers, but they are less suitable for
tunnel use because they produce a riot of low-level growth that is difficult to
maintain, and tend to invade the space around them.
Also remember that F1 varieties are not suitable for seed saving, and they are
often dull creatures selected for looks rather than taste. This is a pity, given the
fantastic diversity of this species. Joining the Heritage Seed Library, part of
Garden Organic (see Resources section), will give you access to a bewildering
range of truly unique tomato varieties, and we heartily recommend it.
Preparation
Tomatoes are heavy feeders and need lots of organic matter dug well into the
earth, whether in a bed or a container. This helps to prevent uneven watering
and, together with the nutrient value of a good compost, will give you healthy,
vigorous plants. A handful of comfrey pellets is a welcome addition.
Sowing
Sow seeds into 9cm pots, 0.5cm deep. Germination is usually good, so don't sow
more than two or three to a pot, and thin to the best plant when they're 2-3cm
tall. Don't pull the seedlings out as this will disturb the roots of the plant left
behind - nip them off at ground level instead.
