Why Choose Tomato Plants from Carbeth Plants
Growing Tomato Plants at Home
Frequently Asked Questions
There isn’t one single best variety, but some are much easier than others. Alicante and Moneymaker are popular because they cope well with UK summers, while Shirley F1 is known for being reliable. If you like sweeter tomatoes, cherry types like Gardeners Delight or Sungold are a good choice, especially under cover.
You’ll sometimes hear this tip mentioned, but it isn’t something most gardeners rely on. Baking soda can slightly affect soil acidity, which may change flavour, but it won’t replace good feeding or watering. Healthy plants usually come down to compost quality, warmth, and regular care.
Tomatoes grow best when they’re warm, well fed, and not stressed. Plant them into rich compost, keep watering steady, and start feeding once flowers appear. If you’re growing cordon tomatoes, removing side shoots helps the plant put more energy into fruit rather than extra growth.
Most people wait until late May, once frosts are no longer a risk. Before planting, it helps to harden plants off by giving them some time outside during the day. This makes the move into the garden much easier for them.
No, a greenhouse isn’t a must. It does help in cooler or wetter summers, but many tomato plants will still grow and produce outdoors if they’re planted somewhere warm and sheltered. The right variety makes a big difference here.
Tomatoes don’t like drying out completely, especially once fruit starts forming. Water them regularly and try to keep moisture levels steady. Letting plants swing between very dry and very wet can cause problems with the fruit later on.