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November 11, 2019 November 2019 No Comments

“A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins.”
Laurie Colwin, ‘Home Cooking’

This is the time of year we are all a bit obsessed with tomato planting: whether we are “hardening them off” for planting out; or have given into temptation and planted early; or are utterly confused at the variety  available so have yet to make choices. 

This year at the Community Garden we have held back until well past the Labour weekend planting tradition, in an effort to avoid winds and frosts, as neither are conditions enjoyed by the tender tomato. This year we have decided to plant our tomatoes in pots, as the recovery time for the soil, post tomatoes can be a number of months, and we would rather have our plant boxes available for other produce.

A few tips for you and your tomatoes 

  • Choose a sunny spot for your tomatoes. It’s best practice not to plant your tomatoes in the same spot as last season.
  • The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in compost and sheep manure to your soil. 
  • Then add a layer of, specifically formulated “tomato mix” with extra potassium to encourage a plentiful harvest of big juicy fruit. 
  • Place stakes in the soil for each tomato plant before planting to provide support and avoid damaging the roots later on.
  • Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the root ball of your plant.
  • Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position in the centre of the hole.
  • Tie the tomato plant to the stake.
  • Water your plant well and continue to water regularly.
  • Feed every 2/4 weeks

Keep your eye on our FB page for information about Sunday gardening hours and on the Larder for lettuce, leeks, broad beans ,spinach and celery.

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