Gardener's Delight
A popular cherry tomato with sweet, abundant fruits. Ideal for UK gardens due to its reliability and good flavour.
When to plant 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.
180 cm · Full Sun · High Water
Calibrated to Durham · average last frost around 10 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
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.
01
Sow Seeds Indoors
26 Mar to 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.
02
Prick Out Seedlings
9 Apr to 1 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stagePrick out seedlings into individual pots around 9th April - 1st May once true leaves appear. Use a peat-free compost and keep plants in a bright, frost-free greenhouse.
03
Pot On Plants
23 Apr to 15 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stagePot on into larger containers around 23rd April - 15th May to support root growth. Ensure the greenhouse is ventilated on sunny days to prevent damping off.
04
Transplant into Greenhouse
10 May to 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.
05
Support and Train Plants
17 May to 31 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stageInstall supports and train plants from 17th 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.
06
Feed and Water Plants
24 May to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksFeed with a high-potassium fertiliser every 14 days from 24th May until 16th October. Water regularly to maintain even moisture, especially during fruiting, to prevent problems like blossom end rot.
07
Harvest Tomatoes
19 Jul to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stageHarvest ripe fruits from 19th July until 16th October. Pick regularly to encourage continuous production. In a greenhouse, harvesting can extend later into autumn compared to outdoors.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Tomato to consider
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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Basil
Sow indoors March to April, plant out May to June, harvest July to October. Typical frost risk October to May.
Brussels Sprouts
Sow indoors March to April, plant out May to June, harvest September to February. Typical frost risk October to May.
Calabrese
Sow indoors March to April, plant out May to June, harvest July to October. Typical frost risk October to May.
Tomato guides by town
See how Tomato timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.