I’m really pleased to be able to introduce the fourth in the series of Tomato Lover interviews.
In our last interview we met Scarlet on her small holding in Normandy. Today we are with an urban gardener. Kim Panter Hoare who gardens from her courtyard garden and London allotment.
TL : Where do you do your tomato growing ?
KPH : On the northern fringes of Inner London.
TL : How long have you been growing tomatoes?
KPH : 4 years
TL : Where do you grow your tomatoes?
KPH : At home in our very small courtyard garden and also on the allotment which gets more sun.
TL : What do you grow your tomatoes in?
KPH : Pots at home and in the ground at the allotments
TL : Which are your favourite varieties to grow?
KPH : Last year my tomatoes were affected by blight so this year I’ve decided to only grow early varieties so I’ve chosen Suncherry, Sungold and Red Alert. My neighbours on the allotment grow early varieties in order to beat blight and have been successful, so recommended I do the same.
TL : Are there any types that you have grown that were disappointing?
KPH : Brandywine. My total harvest – 1 big tomato!
TL : Do you grow your tomatoes from seed?
KPH : Yes
TL : Is this your own seed or do you buy seeds?
KPH : I buy my seeds. But I plan to experiment with saving and growing my own over the next couple of years.
TL : Do you buy tomatoes plants?
KPH : No. I would only buy them if my own tomato plants weren’t sufficiently advanced. But I’m please that so far this year, that’s not the case. For example the Suncherry plants are now about 4 inches high with lots of leaves.
TL : How tomato plants do you grow each year?
KPH : A minimum of 15 but actually usually nearer to 30! This year I’ve planted all of the 3 packets of seeds and most have come up. However I can sell the plants I don’t need at the allotment plant sale which is held each year in mid May. It’s also my chance to buy rhubarb crowns and globe artichokes.
TL : How many tomatoes do you get from your plants?
KPH : Last year I got about 8 or 9 lbs. But they were mostly green, picked early to avoid them succumbing to blight and so I missed out on the lovely taste and smell that comes with ripening.
TL : What’s your favourite way to enjoy your tomatoes once you have picked them?
KPH : This year I’m growing cherry tomatoes so will be eating them as they are. One recipe I really enjoyed making last year with home grown beetroot and bought in beefsteak tomatoes was ‘Roast Beetroot and Roast Tomato Relish’. I still have some left and it’s absolutely delicious. I will definitely make some more this year.
TL : What are the mistakes a beginner is most likely to make?
KPH : The mistakes I made that I wouldn’t make now would be to choose late varieties and I wouldn’t start as late in growing my tomatoes either.
However equally, which I have also done, I wouldn’t start seeds off too early either. By this I mean sowing the seeds in late January and then when they come up it’s still too cold and too dark and then not having anywhere to grow them on in those conditions.
TL : What tips would you pass on to a beginner who wants to enjoy the experience of growing their own?
KPH :
- Get early varieties.
- Optimum planting and by this I mean the optimum planting time for your growing situation.
- Making the most of good weather when we get it. It’s been a sunny spring and so I move my seedlings outside (at least in the day) into my sheltered courtyard to get as much sun as possible.
- Experiment with varieties and experiment in general. Some of what you do will work and some won’t but the doing of it will result in valuable experience. Everything that hasn’t worked for me has been useful to learn from. So gaining experience and asking other gardeners.
- Give the tomato plants enough room; they need to be far enough apart.
- Don’t let them get too wet.
- Keep an eye on them. Look out for things like bent or damaged leaves. Just make sure they are kept clean, neat and tidy!
TL : We’re nearing the end of April. What’s been on your April tomato to-do-list?
KPH : For the past few weeks I’ve been putting the Suncherry and Red Alert plants outside in day and bringing them in overnight. The Sungold are now in a cold frame and so unless it’s a very cold night they can stay out.
The Suncherry are in pots and well protected by clear plastic bags. As it’s been a warm and sunny month and they are well protected by the sheltered courtyard I have opened up the bags.
It’s also been the month for Pricking Out and Potting on.
TL : Many thanks to Kim for sharing her knowledge and experience. Her advice that taking action and gaining from experience is the best way to learn was very reassuring.
And learning from others. Following my interview with Kim and her advice on making the most of sunny weather I transferred my tomato plants outside in the day to soak up the rays. And as well as being good for the plants it was good for me too! It was unexpectedly satisfying to see the plants I grew from seed fluttering in the warm breeze.
Photos by GNIKRJ and Steve.Wilson
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