Home Grown Tomatoes
Growing tomatoes under glass in England…
Well despite my earlier ramblings about the cost of growing vegetables despite the credit crunch here I find myself ‘growing for glory’ once again. First of all this is a significant cut back compared to previous years, work commitments have made much of my previous horticultural adventures truly a thing of the past. But I have spoken of the famous ‘Collins Backbone’ before and never let it be said that your host goes down without a fight. No sir!
I must say that I am partial to a ripe tomato, not those bloody awful force fed things which are described as salad tomatoes and are as ripe as a household brick, no I mean a home grown bright red old fashioned variety with bags of taste. This year I’m sticking with three plants and three varieties, a tumbling cherry, a tiger striped called, funnily enough, tigerella and a good all rounder calld gardener’s delight. That will do, there will be enough to keep me going through the summer and because of the recent grim weather I shall keep them under the protection of greenhouse glass and warmth.
I’ve already planted the young plants on into larger pots, the vine varieties are now supported with canes and once the first flowers appear I shall begin to feed and trim the shoots accordingly. If I look after them I should be able to look forward to many a tasty tomato salad along with a sprinkling of my favourite herbs.
Miles
I’m pretty jealous as I don’t have a greenhouse - that said I was more jealous last year when you had the ply tunnels etc.
How do you think they’d stand up if you moved them outside ?
Cheers
Rod
May 20, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
Rod,
It’s a handy thing to have, the sky is the limit with one of these, I can see you getting one before too long!
I’ve grown them outside many a time, they do take longer and I prefer the taste of hot house tomatoes, the added heat gives them more flavour and sweetness in my opinion.
Miles
May 20, 2009 @ 9:13 pm
Miles,
Are you a sunblushed man?
Cid
May 20, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
Miles
I grew cherry tomatoes outside last year and they were outstanding - though very prone to the skin cracking.
Picking them straight off the vine and adding them to vegetables roasted in olive oil was one of last years Kitchen Garden highlights - the difference between them and shop bought was staggering !
I’m having a go this year as well - just hardening a plant off in readiness.
Cheers
Rod
May 21, 2009 @ 8:02 am
My “victory garden” has turned into a “surrender patch” because of my dog (a fence goes up today), but my tomatoes are in a pot much like yours and doing fairly well. No greenhouse glass, but the days are now warm and sunny.
I have a question, Miles. You said, “once the first flowers appear I shall begin to feed and trim the shoots accordingly.” What do you do to trim the shoots and what do you use for feeding — do you use organic ingredients? I never trim anything other than the random broken or destroyed leaf or stem. Any suggestions?
Good post!
Melissa
May 21, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
Cid,
Don’t know about sunblushed..will be something else in an hour or two-I’m off to the pub!!
Miles
May 21, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
Rod,
There is little more annoying than a split tomato. Save them for the soup!
You are quite right though, straight from the vine and they are superb.
Miles
May 21, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
Melissa,
Will post answer when I return from the pub, then or tomorrow-depending on how I’m feelng
Miles
May 21, 2009 @ 6:35 pm