
How to Grow Tomatoes from Seed
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables (technically a fruit!) to grow at home. With the right care, you can enjoy a great harvest of delicious, juicy tomatoes from your garden or greenhouse. This guide provides a detailed overview, including specific advice for popular varieties like Crimson Crush and Moneymaker.
Introduction to Growing Tomatoes from Seed
The British climate can present some challenges for tomato growers, especially due to its cooler temperatures and high humidity, which can contribute to blight. However, with careful planning, suitable varieties, and a bit of attention, tomatoes can thrive in outdoor beds, greenhouses, or containers. Crimson Crush and Moneymaker are popular varieties in the UK due to their reliability and high yields. While Crimson Crush is known for its blight resistance and suitability for outdoor growing, Moneymaker is a greenhouse favourite, producing consistently high yields of medium-sized tomatoes.
Choosing the Right Tomato Variety for the UK
Selecting the right tomato variety for your growing conditions can make a significant difference. Here’s a look at Crimson Crush and Moneymaker, along with their unique qualities:
- Crimson Crush: This variety is specially bred for its high resistance to blight, making it ideal for outdoor growing in the UK. Crimson Crush tomatoes are large, flavourful, and juicy, with good resistance to common diseases.
- Moneymaker: A traditional favourite for UK growers, Moneymaker is known for its reliable yields of medium-sized, round tomatoes. It performs well in greenhouses, where it can avoid the outdoor challenges of blight, though it can also be grown outdoors in warm, sheltered areas.
Choosing between these varieties often depends on your growing environment. If you’re growing outdoors, Crimson Crush’s blight resistance makes it a smart choice. If you have a greenhouse, Moneymaker can offer abundant harvests with a classic tomato flavour.
Preparing the Soil for Tomatoes
Tomatoes are heavy feeders and require nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Here’s how to prepare it:
- Loosening the Soil: Tomatoes develop extensive root systems, so loosen the soil to a depth of at least 30 cm, removing any stones and debris.
- Adding Organic Matter: Work in well-rotted compost or manure to enrich the soil and improve moisture retention. Tomatoes benefit from soils high in organic matter, as it provides nutrients over the growing season.
- Soil pH: Tomatoes prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-6.8). Test your soil and adjust with lime or sulphur if necessary to reach this pH range.
For greenhouse planting, prepare a high-quality potting mix enriched with slow-release fertiliser. Crimson Crush can tolerate slightly less fertile soils outdoors due to its robust nature, while Moneymaker will benefit from regular feeding in containers or beds.
Starting Tomato Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors gives tomatoes a head start, especially in the UK’s cooler climate. Here’s how to get started:
- When to Start: Sow seeds indoors in late February or March for greenhouse plants. For outdoor planting, start in late March or April.
- Seed Sowing Technique: Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in seed trays filled with fine compost, placing trays in a warm location (18-21°C) with good light. Water lightly to avoid over-saturation.
- Germination and Potting On: Tomato seeds typically germinate within 7-14 days. Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, transplant them into individual pots, and continue growing indoors until they’re 15-20 cm tall.
Both Crimson Crush and Moneymaker seeds are easy to start indoors. If you’re starting Crimson Crush for outdoor growing, aim to harden them off over 7-10 days before transplanting outdoors.
Transplanting and Planting Outdoors
Tomatoes need warm temperatures and protection from frost. Follow these steps for transplanting them outdoors:
- Hardening Off: About 10-14 days before transplanting, gradually acclimate plants to outdoor conditions by placing them outside for increasing intervals each day.
- Planting Depth: Tomato plants can be buried deeper than most plants, with the stem buried up to the first set of leaves. This encourages additional root growth along the stem.
- Spacing: Space plants 45-60 cm apart for indeterminate (vining) varieties like Crimson Crush, which can grow tall, and about 30-45 cm for determinate (bush) varieties. Moneymaker should be spaced 45-60 cm apart in a greenhouse setup.
When transplanting Crimson Crush outdoors, select a sheltered, sunny location. For Moneymaker, greenhouse conditions provide an ideal warm and stable environment.
Supporting and Pruning Tomatoes
Supporting and pruning help tomatoes grow upright and focus energy on fruit production rather than excessive foliage.
- Staking and Trellising: Both Crimson Crush and Moneymaker benefit from support. Use stakes, cages, or trellises to keep plants upright, which improves airflow and reduces the risk of disease.
- Pruning Suckers: For indeterminate varieties like Crimson Crush, pinch out the side shoots (suckers) that grow in leaf joints. This directs energy into producing larger fruits.
- Removing Lower Leaves: As plants grow, remove the lower leaves to improve airflow and reduce the risk of soil-borne diseases.
Since Moneymaker is usually grown in greenhouses, regular pruning helps maintain order and maximises space for air circulation and light penetration.
Watering and Feeding
Tomatoes need consistent moisture and regular feeding to develop flavourful fruit.
- Watering: Water deeply at the base of each plant rather than from overhead. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Watering in the morning is best, as it allows leaves to dry during the day.
- Feeding: Tomatoes benefit from a potassium-rich feed, particularly when flowering begins. Apply a liquid tomato feed every 10-14 days once the first fruits appear.
Crimson Crush, being a more robust outdoor variety, is somewhat tolerant of irregular watering, though consistency improves yield. Moneymaker, typically grown in controlled greenhouse conditions, benefits from a more regular feeding schedule to maintain fruit quality.
Pollination and Fruit Setting
Tomatoes grown in greenhouses may require assistance with pollination.
- Encouraging Pollination: Tomatoes are self-pollinating, but gently tapping flower clusters or brushing them with a soft paintbrush can help in greenhouses where airflow is limited.
- Temperature Management: For greenhouse-grown Moneymaker, maintaining daytime temperatures of 18-24°C and nighttime temperatures above 12°C is ideal for fruit setting.
Crimson Crush is generally self-sufficient outdoors with natural pollinators, while Moneymaker may require hand pollination in enclosed spaces.
Pest and Disease Management
Tomatoes can face several common pests and diseases. Here’s how to manage them effectively:
- Blight: This is a major concern for outdoor tomatoes in the UK, especially in wet summers. Crimson Crush has strong resistance to blight, while Moneymaker, typically grown in greenhouses, avoids it through environmental control.
- Aphids: These small insects can cluster on leaves and suck sap, weakening plants. Use a mild soapy spray or introduce ladybirds as a natural control.
- Whiteflies: Often a problem in greenhouses, whiteflies can be managed with sticky traps or by introducing natural predators like lacewings.
- Powdery Mildew: This fungus appears as white powder on leaves. Improve airflow and avoid overhead watering to reduce humidity.
Crimson Crush’s disease resistance makes it ideal for outdoor gardens, while Moneymaker’s greenhouse environment offers natural protection against blight and other issues.
Harvesting and Storing Tomatoes
Tomatoes ripen at different rates depending on the variety and growing conditions.
- When to Harvest: Crimson Crush tomatoes are typically ready from mid-summer onwards and can be harvested when they turn a deep red. Moneymaker will also ripen in mid-to-late summer in a greenhouse.
- Harvesting Technique: Gently twist or use scissors to cut ripe tomatoes from the vine to avoid damaging the plant.
- Storage: Fresh tomatoes are best stored at room temperature. If you have a large harvest, consider freezing, drying, or canning them for longer storage.
For best flavour, avoid refrigerating tomatoes, as cold temperatures can dull their taste and texture.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even with careful care, tomatoes can encounter issues. Here’s how to address common problems:
- Blossom End Rot: Caused by calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering. Maintain even soil moisture and consider a calcium supplement if needed.
- Cracking and Splitting: Caused by irregular watering, particularly after dry spells. Water consistently and mulch around plants to retain moisture.
- Leaf Curl: Often due to stress from overwatering, high temperatures, or pruning. Try to keep conditions consistent and avoid over-managing plants.
Regular monitoring, combined with consistent care, helps prevent these issues and keeps your plants healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Crimson Crush be grown in containers?
A: Yes, but choose large containers (at least 30 cm deep) and ensure regular watering and feeding, as container plants dry out quickly.
Q: How tall does Moneymaker grow?
A
: Moneymaker is an indeterminate variety and can reach up to 2 meters in height with proper support, especially in greenhouses.
Q: Can I grow tomatoes from last year’s seeds?
A: Yes, if you saved seeds from a non-hybrid tomato. For hybrid varieties like Crimson Crush, saved seeds may not produce true-to-type plants.
Summary and Additional Resources
Growing tomatoes is both rewarding and feasible with the right approach. Here’s a quick recap:
- Choose varieties suited to your growing conditions: Crimson Crush for outdoor resilience and blight resistance, Moneymaker for greenhouse productivity.
- Start seeds indoors and transplant only after the risk of frost has passed.
- Support plants and prune for healthy growth and improved yields.
- Water consistently, feed regularly, and monitor for common pests and diseases.
For additional guidance, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) offers excellent UK-focused resources, and “Tomato” by Craig LeHoullier provides insights into tomato growing for both beginners and enthusiasts.
With these steps, you’ll enjoy a bountiful crop of delicious homegrown tomatoes, perfect for salads, sauces, and more. Enjoy the satisfaction of growing these versatile fruits in your own garden!