Tomatoes for Beginners: Your First Step to a Juicy Homegrown Harvest
- Steve
- Jul 8
- 3 min read
“Nothing beats the sweet, sun-ripened taste of a homegrown tomato.”
There’s something incredibly rewarding about growing your own tomatoes, nothing beats the sweet, sun-ripened taste of a homegrown harvest. There are so many different types of tomato from small micro dwarf varieties that can grow on a windowsill all year, cherry varieties that produce hundreds of fruits to the large beefsteak types with meaty juicy flesh.
Whether you’re a first time gardener or just want to perfect your tomato growing technique, this simple guide will set you up for success growing tomatoes in the UK climate.
Choosing the Right Tomato Variety
Not all tomatoes thrive in British weather, so selecting the right variety is key. For outdoor growing, ‘Gardeners’ Delight’, ‘Alicante’, and ‘Roma’ are great options, while ‘Sungold’ or ‘Sweet Million’ flourish in greenhouses. These are all readily available hybrid varieties that are often easier to grow than the heirloom type I normally grow.
If you’re looking for more of a challenge you might like to try some of the 10,000 varieties now available, so you’ll never be short of choice. Some heirloom varieties bred by tomato specialists are perfect for shorter summers and cooler climates examples are Yukon Quest and Black From Tula
When and how to plant
Tomatoes are frost-sensitive, so timing is crucial. Start seeds indoors between February and April, using seed trays and a warm windowsill or heated propagator. By late May or early June, when the risk of frost has passed, they can be transferred to their final growing position outdoors or into a greenhouse.
When potting up a small plant always remove some lower leaves and bury the root ball deeply. The stem will grow more roots anchoring in the plant and more roots means a healthier plant and more fruit.
Where to Grow Tomatoes
Grow tomatoes in containers: Perfect for patios and small spaces. Use large pots with good drainage and nutrient rich compost.
Grow tomatoes using grow bags: Convenient and ideal for greenhouse growing.
Grow tomatoes in a garden bed: Well drained soil enriched with compost will provide deep roots with stability (raised beds are ideal for this if you have poor soil)
Caring for Your Tomato Plants
Water Wisely: Tomatoes love consistency. water regularly, but avoid soaking the leaves to prevent disease. Regular consistent watering helps prevent blossom end rot.
Feed Frequently: Use a liquid tomato fertilizer rich in potassium once flowering begins. I always feed on the same day of the week to help my routine. Feeding Friday is a thing !!
Support & Prune: Train plants with canes or cages and remove side shoots to direct energy into fruit production. Good support is essential as the fruits can be heavy and you don’t want snapped stems.
Monitor for Pests: Watch out for aphids and whiteflies. To combat pests naturally, try introducing companion plants like basil and French Marigolds - the smell of these plants help deter them.
Harvesting & Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labour
When tomatoes turn vibrant red (or yellow/orange, depending on the variety) and feel slightly soft to the touch, they’re ready to pick. Avoid refrigerating them, as this reduces their flavour, instead store at room temperature.
Steve’s Final Thoughts
This beginner’s guide is designed to give you a simple foundation: the what, when, where and why of tomato growing. You don’t need to be an expert or have a perfect garden. Just a bit of time, some patience, and a sunny corner is all it takes.
