We show you how to grow tomatoes with 35 pictures, tips, hints and advice

How to Grow Tomato Plants

The tomato originated in the Andes, South America where they grow wild. They were first cultivated by the Aztecs and Incas as early as 700 AD. The tomato plant arrived in Europe in the 16th century.

They were brought back from Central America by the Spanish Conquistadors, while another legend suggests that two Jesuit priests brought them to Italy from Mexico.

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Latin Name
Lycopersicon esculentum

Type
Perennial, grown as an annual in the UK

Site and Soil
Full sun, well-drained water retentive soil

Plant to Harvest Time
14 weeks but dependent on variety and where grown (e.g. pot or direct in the soil).

How Many?
2 to 3kg (4.5 to 6.5lb) per tomato plant.

At that time they were also known as wolf's peach and Peruvian apple. The Elizabethans in the UK thought the bright red colour of tomatoes was a danger signal and regarded them as dangerous fruits. In fact, tomatoes are related to the nightshade family.

That's enough of the history, fresh from the garden, the tomato is delicious wherever they originated from!

Where To Grow Your Tomato Plant
Tomatoes are sub-tropical plants and therefore require a full sun position. A position against a wall or fence will give an even better chance of success as long as they can receive sufficient water.

Tomato plants grow very well in raised beds, they appreciate the soil conditions which provide moisture without water-logging. Click here for our page on growing vegetables in raised beds.

Soil Preparation
Two or three weeks before planting, dig the soil over and incorporate as much organic matter as possible. The aim is to make the soil able to retain the moisture needed so much by tomatoes.

When To Sow Tomato Plants
tomato picture Tomatoes are unable to tolerate any degree of frost, the timing for planting/sowing outside is therefore key to successfully growing tomatoes. If the tomato seeds are to be sown directly outside (not really suitable in cooler climates), they must be sown when the soil temperature is (and will remain) above 10C (50F) - any lower and the seeds will not germinate. In practical terms this normally means 3 weeks after the last frost date in your area.

Where the seeds are sown under cover (poly tunnels or cloches) or indoors, aim to sow the seeds so that they reach the stage where they can be transplanted outside, three weeks after the last frost date. Click here to view different types of poly-tunnel or cloche online from our recommended suppliers.

Tomato plants plants take roughly 7 weeks from sowing to reach the transplanting stage. They should transplanted outside one or two weeks after your last frost date which is early May in your area. Sow them 7 weeks before you plan to transplant them outside.

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