How to grow tomatoes at home in the UK

Don't let a shortage keep you from getting your favourite salad topper.

High angle close up of farmer holding bunch of fresh tomatoes. - stock photo

by Piper Huxley |
Updated on

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.

Best propagating seed trays

Reusable, durable and transparent, this is a great propagation tray for tomato seedlings.

Pros

  • Easy to observe seedlings
  • Control water balance and temp

Cons

  • Small for some

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.”

Best pots for plant cuttings

Whether it is plants, fruits, herbs, vegetables or seedlings this pot was made both to grow and help transplant to accommodate and grow any kind of plant. We recommend the 8.5cm size Muzhira Pots for Seed Starting/Cuttings (20)

Pros

  • Ideally sized
  • Well-drained

Cons

  • Basic and simple

Best compost for tomatoes

Great in quality, the Miracle-Gro, Plant and Grow All-Plant Compost 6L is easy to use and feeds for six months.

Pros

  • Lightweight for all plants
  • Feeds for six months

Cons

  • None that we can think of!

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.

Best tomato seeds for the UK

Simply Garden Tomato Moneymaker Seeds is a reliable old favourite producing heavy crops of tasty medium-sized tomatoes.

Pros

  • Reliable with planting guidance
  • Makes tasty, medium-sized tomatoes

Cons

  • May not suit all tastes

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.

Best tomato liquid feed

This Vitax, Liquid Tomato Feed 1L is a high potash fertiliser that has been specially developed for tomato plants, whether they are grown outdoors, indoors, under cover or in grow bags.

Pros

  • Grow these indoors or outdoors
  • Perfect for healthy crop

Cons

  • May need grow bags

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.

Best indoor potting container

This Satina Indoor Plant Pot, 13cm is superb and ideal for a tomato plant.

Pros

  • For all indoor plants
  • With drainage holes

Cons

  • Some customers drilled more holes

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.

Best fertiliser for tomato plants

The Just Grow 'DUO' 5KG Organic Fertiliser is 100 per cent natural, packed with unique and strong manure.

Pros

  • 100 per cent natural
  • Multi-purpose, year-round

Cons

  • None that we can think of!

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.

FAQs

Can you grow tomatoes from a tomato?

Apparently, you can grow your tomato plant from a tomato. This could be a great way to tackle tomato growing indoors. The trouble is, we have a shortage. Still, if you’re interested in trying this method, we recommend watching this method from Urban Gardening.

How long does it take to grow tomatoes?

Around five months from seeds. It’ll be quicker if you find a starter.

It’s safe to harvest in the summer, from July to October. This is far away, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to get ahead of the curve. You may have some luscious tomatoes for your summer salads. Craig says that they should “come off the vine easily” after changing colour. Keep them well-ventilated, too.

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