How to Grow Your Own Organic Tomatoes
Most people love a ripe juicy tomato, either on its own or in a salad or sandwich. But most tomatoes sold in shops are covered in chemicals, and taste of nothing! Actually fruits, tomatoes have only really been eaten for the last 200 years (before that, lead from plates lead to poisoning, with some aristocrats believing it was the tomatoes that were fatal!)
Named ‘love apples’ in 16th century France for their aphrodisiac properties, tomatoes actually hail from the South American Andes (the work comes from the Aztec word ‘tomatl’, which means ‘plump thing with a navel!’
There are over 10,000 types of tomatoes, although of course red and yellow are the most popular. Very hydrating (they are nearly all water), tomatoes are one of the few fresh produce items that are as good for you cooked as raw (heating the plant cell walls increases how much heart-healthy lycopene your body can absorb). So a good reason to grow them, to make your own tomato sauce for pasta!
What you need to grow organic tomatoes
Growing organic tomaties is highly rewarding, but does require careful timing, due to England’s cool damp climate (that’s why most tomatoes are grown in Italy!) The key to success is to manage moisture (to protect from tomato blight) and shield plants from late frosts.
The best time to sow tomatoes plants is late February to early April (indoors) and to move them outdoors in late May to early June, once the risk of frost has passed. Greenhouses are often used to grow tomatoes in England as they trap heat and keep rain off the leaves.. Other options are sunny south-facing patios with sheltered walls.
- Read up on pet-friendly gardens for plants and mulches (like cocoa) to avoid
- Use humane non-toxic methods to deter slugs/snails
- For indoor plants and greenhouses, use Feather Friendly bird tape to stop birds flying into windows (avoid facing indoor plants to face gardens).
Use fruit protector bags (never use netting as this can trap birds and wildlife). Fasten over fruit as it starts to ripen, and leave until harvest (remove during flowering to let bees pollinate, or no fruit will develop). If laundered, use a microfiber filter.
Tomatoes are hungry plants! So ensure they grow in good peat-free compost and pinch off the top growing tip in late summer after the first clusters of fruit have formed. This forces the plant to stop growing leaves, and pour remaining energy into ripening the tomatoes, before autumn.
Only water the soil (never the leaves) and only add feeds once the first green tomatoes appear. A good ‘tomato food’ is comfrey tea due to potassium (steep comfrey leaves in water for a few weeks, then dilute to the colour of weak tea), Keep comfrey away from all animals.
Planting basil near tomatoes helps both thrive (nice harvested together for an Italian meal). Nasturtiums (or French marigolds – not near pets as they are toxic) nearby deter whiteflies (organic gardens attract ladybirds who eat aphids).
Where to buy sustainable tomato plants
If you can’t find sustainable tomato plants locally:
Rocket Gardens are sold as plug plants for sunny sheltered spots, greenhouses or polytunnel. They are sold with a complete growing guide. The range includes red and yellow tomatoes, and giant ‘beefsteak tomatoes’.
This company’s vegetables and herbs are organic, the tomatoes are the best we could find commercially (in sustainable packaging).
Ways to eat fresh organic tomatoes
Tomatoes are best avoided for people with kidney disease and severe acid reflux. Avoid cherry tomatoes for small children and swallowing difficulties.
- Eat them as they are – delicious!
- Toss in a salad
- Add to homemade tomato sauce.
- Bruschetta: Dice and toss with minced garlic, fresh basil, olive oil, salt and pepper, and spoon over roasted sourdough rubbed with raw garlic.
- Layer thick slices on bread with vegan mayo, season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Caprese salad: Layer thick slices with vegan mozzarella, top with basil leaves and oil.
