The flavour of home grown tomatoes is unbeatable, no shop bought tomato can ever compete with a thin skinned variety picked fresh and sun warm from the vine.
Tomatoes are also packed with antioxidants and are rich in Vitamins A and C and lycopene, all helping to stimulate your body's immune system.
How to do it
- Sow two seeds 6mm (1/4in) deep in a 7.5cm (3in) pot, lightly covering them with potting compost.
- Ensure the compost is moist but not waterlogged.
- Place them in a warm draught free place (at a temperature of 18-21C (65-70F) until after germination - the seedlings should emerge in 7 to 10 days time.
- Immediately this happens, move the plants to a light position (a light windowsill is ideal), but out of direct sunlight to avoid burning the leaves.
- If two seedlings emerge, thin out the least health seedling as soon as they large enough to handle.
- Plant finally into tubs, containers or hanging baskets in a sunny spot, greenhouse or conservatory.
- Water regularly.
- Feed weekly with high potash tomato food once the first flowers have set.
TIP: Choose a variety suited for growing in containers or hanging baskets, e.g. Tumbling Tom Red or Totem F1