Tomatoes in Durham
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.
- Height
- 180cm
- Sunlight
- Full Sun
- Water
- High Water
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Tomato
Planting Calendar
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.
Sow Seeds Indoors
26 Mar – 10 AprSow seeds in a greenhouse or indoors around 26th March - 10th April. Maintain a temperature of for germination. Use a propagator to ensure consistent warmth.
Prick Out Seedlings
16 Apr – 23 AprPrick out seedlings into individual pots around 16th April - 23rd April once true leaves appear. Use a peat-free compost and keep plants in a bright, frost-free greenhouse.
Pot On Plants
30 Apr – 7 MayPot on into larger containers around 30th April - 7th May to support root growth. Ensure the greenhouse is ventilated on sunny days to prevent damping off.
Transplant into Greenhouse
10 May – 17 MayPlant into greenhouse beds or large pots around 10th May - 17th May. Space plants apart. Water well and consider using grow bags for container growing.
Support and Train Plants
20 May – 27 MayInstall supports and train plants from 20th May. 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.
Feed and Water Plants
27 May – 16 Octevery 2 weeksFeed with a high-potassium fertiliser every 14 days from 27th May until 16th October. Water regularly to maintain even moisture, especially during fruiting, to prevent problems like blossom end rot.
Harvest Tomatoes
22 Jul – 16 OctHarvest ripe fruits from 22nd July until 16th October. 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.
Related Plants
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Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Cucumber
A tender climbing vine grown for its crisp fruits, requiring warm conditions and consistent moisture. In the UK, greenhouse varieties yield earlier and longer, while outdoor ridge types are hardier but need a warm summer.
Dahlia
Show-stopping tuberous perennials that provide a spectacular display of colour from mid-summer right up until the first frosts. Ranging from enormous 'dinner plate' blooms to intricate pompoms and open-centred varieties that bees adore, they are a staple of the late summer UK garden.