How to grow tomatoes at home in the UK

Ever wondered how to grow tomatoes at home in the UK? With a tomato shortage making UK headlines, you’ve probably noticed how bare the supermarket shelves have been. So, why not grow your own outdoor plants? Searches for ‘how to grow tomatoes’ and ‘seeds’ have sky-rocketed on the internet, so this question is on everybody’s lips: How do you grow tomatoes at home? Luckily, we have all the answers. Plus, Craig Wilson from Gardener’s Dream is here to help us deliver the best tomato-growing tips and essentials on how to get perfect tomatoes at home.

Why is there a tomato shortage in the UK? Well, tomatoes have been widely affected by the UK’s fruit and vegetable shortage. In fact, crop yields have been affected by bad weather hailing from southern Europe and North Africa, which is where a lot of our tomato supply comes from. Many Brits have been taking to the internet to see if they can grow tomatoes in their gardens or on their kitchen windowsills.

Home-Grown Tomato Essentials Shortlist

• Best propagating seed trays: YAUNGEL Seed Trays
• Best compost for tomatoes: Miracle-Gro, Plant and Grow All-Plant Compost 6L
• Best tomato seeds for the UK: Simply Garden Tomato Moneymaker Seeds
• Best tomato liquid feed: Vitax Liquid Tomato Feed 1L
• Best indoor potting container: Satina Indoor Plant Pot, 13cm

Can you grow tomatoes at home? Yes! Craig says that the “best tomatoes are grown early” – and explains that you can plant them as early as January indoors. But, make sure to transfer them to the garden after two months when the weather is milder. It does take about five months to harvest, though, but “they should be ready in time for summer”. We don’t know how long this shortage is going to last. So, keeping some tomato plants on your windowsill may come in handy down the line.

Plus, there's nothing more rewarding than growing at home, whether it's an indoor herb garden or your own veggies. It feels great to eat food that you’ve cultivated and nurtured yourself.

What do I need to grow tomatoes at home?

First, Craig says you’ll need some starter trays, as well as three to four-inch pots for potting if you’re wanting to grow your toms successfully from seeds. They can join your indoor plant collection.

As for soil, you’ll need something rich, fertile and preferably peat-free. Here, you can place your tomato plants in a “good spot with plenty of sun (around eight hours a day) and shelter.”

Craig recommends tomato moneymaker seeds for beginners. After all, they’re “one of the most reliable varieties of tomatoes” as they can produce “heavy crops of delicious tomatoes.”

Luckily, you can get tomato seeds easily.

For sowing, Craig suggests sowing seeds from January to April, about one-quarter of an inch deep.

He says to use “deep pots or trays, under glass, with a temperature above 18°C (around 25°C is best).” After all, tomatoes can be sensitive to cold and love heat, hence why we import them from south Europe and north Africa. If you have a greenhouse, it’s time to put it to good use. Keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering. Soggy soil inhibits growth.

As well as watering your plants regularly, you should feed them weekly with a “high-potash fertiliser once the plants begin the flower,” says Craig. Make sure to do this once your seedlings have been moved outdoors. We’ve got some information on this below, don’t worry.

Craig, also, suggests pruning “side shoots [which] may appear on your tomato plants.” If you keep up with this, your tomato plants will have a reduced risk of disease – which is certainly useful.

Want to keep your tomatoes indoors? Invest in a large potting container for this.

How do I grow a tomato plant outdoors?

When looking to plant outdoors, ensure your tomatoes have the best chance at growing and providing you with plump, juicy and tasty fruit. Once your seeds have become seedlings – around five inches tall, you need to “transfer them into individual containers or a seedbed”, says Craig.

Then, it’s your responsibility to make sure your garden is equipped to handle this plant. It’s easy to care for and maintain, but your veggie patch may need some work beforehand.

Luckily, Craig has some tips for preparing your patch.

1. Remove any larger weeds and debris. Easy. Time to break out the gardening gloves.

2. Treat soil with weedkiller. If you’ve got some in-date weedkiller laying around, by all means, use it. But, we suggest using something a little more natural. Fantastic Gardeners recommend all sorts of home remedies that you can whip together yourself, such as vinegar and soap.

3. Dig the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches and make sure the ground is level. This helps moisture and oxygen reach the growing roots. It’ll ensure good growth and health, too.

4. Before planting, water the soil and work in fertiliser. We recommend a rich, natural fertiliser to boost your tomatoes into a bountiful harvest. If you have a compost bin, you can use that to fertilise your tomato plants – at no extra cost.

How do I plant tomato seedlings outdoors?

If your seedlings have reached around five inches in height, it’s time to pot them. Luckily, Craig has given us some advice on how to get your tomato plants outdoors in your veggie patch, your greenhouse or even in containers on the patio, warmed by the sun.

1. First, Craig suggests a deep enough container or space in the veggie patch for the soil to cover about two-thirds of the plant. This depth will encourage strong roots and healthy growth.

2. Next, Craig mentions ensuring each plant has enough room. For this, space out your tomato plants as much as you can. They grow better this way.

3. When it comes to watering, Craig recommends watering the plants consistently. Here, you can check the soil’s moisture; the water should go around ten inches deep.

4. Perhaps, investing in tomato trellises and support stakes could be worth investing in.

5. Don’t grow tomatoes “near cabbage, fennel, corn, or potatoes, as this will harm the tomatoes’ growth,” says Craig.

When is the best time to plant tomatoes?

If you’re interested in planting your tomatoes outside, you can do so – “once the last frost has passed.” Craig adds that you should keep your beloved tomato seedlings indoors if the night-time temperatures drop below freezing.

What to read next:

8 of the best indoor plant books

Easy to care for houseplants that look after themselves

Which potting compost and soil to use for plants