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 London
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 London · average last frost around 4 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 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
18 Feb to 5 MarSow seeds in a greenhouse or indoors around 18th February - 5th March. Maintain a temperature of for germination. Use a propagator to ensure consistent warmth.
02
Prick Out Seedlings
4 Mar to 26 Mar Dates as each sowing reaches this stagePrick out seedlings into individual pots around 4th March - 26th March once true leaves appear. Use a peat-free compost and keep plants in a bright, frost-free greenhouse.
03
Pot On Plants
18 Mar to 9 Apr Dates as each sowing reaches this stagePot on into larger containers around 18th March - 9th April to support root growth. Ensure the greenhouse is ventilated on sunny days to prevent damping off.
04
Transplant into Greenhouse
4 Apr to 11 AprPlant into greenhouse beds or large pots around 4th April - 11th April. Space plants apart. Water well and consider using grow bags for container growing.
05
Support and Train Plants
11 Apr to 25 Apr Dates as each sowing reaches this stageInstall supports and train plants from 11th 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.
06
Feed and Water Plants
18 Apr to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksFeed with a high-potassium fertiliser every 14 days from 18th April until 10th November. Water regularly to maintain even moisture, especially during fruiting, to prevent problems like blossom end rot.
07
Harvest Tomatoes
13 Jun to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stageHarvest ripe fruits from 13th June until 10th November. 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 February to March, plant out April to May, harvest June to August. Typical frost risk November to April.
Brussels Sprouts
Sow indoors February to March, plant out April to May, harvest October to March. Typical frost risk November to April.
Calabrese
Sow indoors February to March, plant out April to May, harvest June to August. Typical frost risk November to April.
Tomato guides by town
See how Tomato timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.