Tomatoes in Bristol

Solanum lycopersicum

Tomato
Tomato · Solanum lycopersicum

Tomatoes are popular annual plants that produce juicy, colourful fruits and thrive in warm conditions. They are native to South America and come in two main types, determinate and indeterminate. Determinate plants are bushy and self-supporting and indeterminate are tall plants that require staking and pruning.

180 cm · Full Sun · High Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Bristol · last frost ≈ 19 Apr

Sow indoors March, plant out March to April, harvest July to November. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Tomato

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Grow tomatoes in a greenhouse for an earlier and longer harvest. This method provides protection from UK weather but requires ventilation and pollination attention.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    5 Mar to 20 Mar

    Sow seeds in a greenhouse or indoors around 5th March - 20th March. Maintain a temperature of for germination. Use a propagator to ensure consistent warmth.

  2. 02

    Prick Out Seedlings

    26 Mar to 2 Apr

    Prick out seedlings into individual pots around 26th March - 2nd April once true leaves appear. Use a peat-free compost and keep plants in a bright, frost-free greenhouse.

  3. 03

    Pot On Plants

    9 Apr to 16 Apr

    Pot on into larger containers around 9th April - 16th April to support root growth. Ensure the greenhouse is ventilated on sunny days to prevent damping off.

  4. 04

    Transplant into Greenhouse

    19 Apr to 26 Apr

    Plant into greenhouse beds or large pots around 19th April - 26th April. Space plants apart. Water well and consider using grow bags for container growing.

  5. 05

    Support and Train Plants

    29 Apr to 6 May

    Install supports and train plants from 29th April. Remove side shoots on cordon varieties and pinch out the tip after 6-7 trusses. Ventilate the greenhouse to reduce humidity and pollinate flowers by gently shaking plants.

  6. 06

    Feed and Water Plants

    6 May to 2 Nov every 2 weeks

    Feed with a high-potassium fertiliser every 14 days from 6th May until 2nd November. Water regularly to maintain even moisture, especially during fruiting, to prevent problems like blossom end rot.

  7. 07

    Harvest Tomatoes

    1 Jul to 2 Nov

    Harvest ripe fruits from 1st July until 2nd November. Pick regularly to encourage continuous production. In a greenhouse, harvesting can extend later into autumn compared to outdoors.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Tomato.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Tomato to consider

Gardener's Delight

A popular cherry tomato with sweet, abundant fruits. Ideal for UK gardens due to its reliability and good flavour.

Moneymaker

A classic cordon variety producing medium-sized red fruits. Known for its high yield and disease resistance in UK conditions.

Tumbling Tom

A trailing bush tomato perfect for hanging baskets or containers. Produces small red or yellow fruits without needing support.

Tomato guides by town

See how Tomato timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.