GET GROWING
Of all the edible plants I grow, tomatoes are right up there at the top of the list. I love the taste of home-grown tomatoes and I thoroughly enjoy growing them. My first experience of growing tomatoes was when I was 13 years old. My uncle built a makeshift greenhouse out of old wood and polythene in my grandma’s garden, and we grew half a dozen tomato plants that produced an abundance of fruit. I’ve grown them ever since and every spring I look forward to sowing seeds.
SOIL CONDITIONS
To grow well, tomatoes need a well-drained but moisture-retentive soil, whether growing under cover in a greenhouse or polytunnel or outside in the garden. Tomatoes like plenty of moisture when growing, but they don’t liketo be saturated. To create a fertile soil, work in organic matter such as garden compost or very well-rotted manure to the area before planting. If growing in containers, use a good quality multipurpose compost or one of the specialised vegetable composts.
