British Garden Centres reveal the best ways to grow tomatoes

There’s nothing quite like the taste of sun-warmed, freshly picked tomatoes from your garden, and with so many varieties and growing ways available, anyone can enjoy a bumper harvest, whether you have a spacious garden, a patio, or even just a sunny windowsill.

British Garden Centres has put together the ultimate guide on how to get the best out of your tomato plants.

Choosing the perfect tomato

Tomatoes come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and flavours. Popular varieties include the high-yielding ‘Moneymaker’ cherry, the versatile ‘Alicante’, the robust beefsteak ‘Marmande’, and the early plum ‘Incas’- ideal for different dishes and garden settings. Be sure to check seed packets or plant labels to select the right type for you.

Planting out

If you sowed tomato seeds earlier this year, now is the perfect time to prepare your young plants for a successful summer harvest.  

Tomato plants are frost tender and should only be moved outdoors once all risk of frost has passed-typically from mid-May onwards. Seedlings should be 6–8 inches tall and well-rooted before transplanting. Begin by hardening off your plants: gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days by placing them outside during the day and bringing them in at night.

You can also buy ready-to-harvest tomato plants from your local British Garden Centres store if you haven’t sown your crop for this year.

Where to plant

In the ground:

Plant deeply so the first set of leaves sits just above the soil surface; this encourages strong root growth. Space plants 45–60cm (18–24in) apart, depending on the variety. 

When planting, mix your soil with plenty of organic matter to provide essential nutrients throughout the growing season. Water thoroughly, and as your tomatoes grow, support them with stakes to keep the fruit off the ground and reduce the risk of rot and pest damage. Regularly check for side shoots and pinch them out to focus the plant’s energy on producing its fruit. 

Containers and grow bags:

Ideal for patios and balconies, we recommend bush or compact varieties like ‘Sweet n Neat’, ‘Sungold’ and ‘Tiny Tim for best results in the smaller spaces. We recommend using containers that are at least 30cm (12 inches) deep and wide to accommodate healthy root development.

Fill your pots with a high-quality garden compost and make sure your containers have drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Water consistently, as containers dry out faster than garden soil-check moisture levels daily during hot weather. Feed regularly with a balanced liquid fertiliser or tomato-specific feed every 1-2 weeks once flowers appear to encourage healthy fruit.

Hanging Baskets: 

If you have limited floor space in your garden, why not try planting your tomatoes in hanging baskets to add vibrant red colour at eye level. It’s especially suited to cherry tomatoes, which tumble beautifully over the basket edges, creating a striking visual effect alongside a generous harvest.

By planting tumbling or trailing varieties like ‘Tumbling Tom’ or ‘Gartenperle’ around the edges of a lined basket filled with nutrient-rich compost, gardeners can enjoy a cascade of cherry tomatoes that ripen over several weeks.

Use a basket at least 30cm wide and deep, lined with coir or a suitable liner to retain moisture while allowing drainage. Fill with high-quality, peat-free compost enriched with slow-release fertiliser. We recommend planting one to three tomato plants, depending on your basket size.

Tomato care:

Once you have planted your tomatoes, we have the advice and tips to make sure they thrive. Make sure you choose a sunny, sheltered spot that receives 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. Keep your tomato plants well-watered and feed regularly with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser once flowers appear to encourage fruiting. You may need to support your tomato plants when needed with small trellises or stakes to prevent stems from breaking under the weight of fruit.

Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, said: “May is a great time to plant out your tomatoes because the danger of frost is usually over, and the soil is warm enough to help your plants establish strong roots. With our guide and advice from your local centre, you give your tomatoes the best chance to grow healthy and produce plenty of delicious fruit throughout the summer.”

British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 73 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by the Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.