Alan Titchmarsh gives advice on how to plant tomatoes
Tomato plants are commonly grown in the UK and can produce lots of fruit from just one plant if they’re looked after properly.
Tomato plants like a sunny, sheltered position in the garden and need to be regularly watered and fed to stay healthy and thriving.
While food and water are important, growing the correct variety for your garden is equally as important.
If gardeners follow all these steps correctly, they should end up with healthy, happy tomato plants.
However, one variable gardeners can’t control as easily are pests and diseases. With this in mind, experts at Two Wests & Elliott have shared their tips for dealing with tomato pests and diseases this summer.
The experts said tomato blight is the “main concern” as it will “directly affect the fruit”.
The disease is more common among outdoor tomato plants. Signs of tomato blight include leaf edges turning brown and fruits developing blackened patches.
Infected material needs to be removed, burnt or deeply buried as soon as it appears. It should not be composted.
The experts added: “Unfortunately, there is no organic treatment for blight, but newer varieties (Ferline for example) have some tolerance.”
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Tomato plants can also suffer from botrytis cinerea which is known as grey mould.
It’s a common disease which is caused by the soft decay of plant tissues and is particularly a problem for tomato plants in a humid environment.
The experts continued: “Remove any old plant material from around your plants to improve air circulation.
“Stem botrytis can be sprayed with lemon juice or vinegar to help prevent it from spreading.”
Pests like aphids, slugs, snails and spider mites are also a big problem for tomato plants.
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Slugs particularly like younger plants like seedlings and even the tomatoes themselves.
Slugs need to be removed if they’re spotted near plants, especially in greenhouses or polytunnels.
Those growing tomatoes in a greenhouse or polytunnel, need to check plants for aphids, whitefly and red spider mites.
The experts said: “A damp greenhouse will keep red spider mites under control as will washing your plants down with soapy water.
“Plant some French marigolds nearby to deter whitefly. Introducing predatory insects to a greenhouse can also help to control pests but this has little use if growing outside.”
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