Top tips for tastier tomatoes

There’s nothing better than a juicy, sweet tomato in the summertime, whether it’s served in a simple fresh salad or whizzed up into your favourite sauce, and they taste even better when they’re homegrown! Plus, they’re packed with nutrients and easy to grow, making them the perfect choice for ‘grow your own’ beginners.

With the promise of spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get growing. Here, Angharad James, product manager at Maxicrop, shares some top tips on how to grow bigger, better and tastier tomatoes in your garden, greenhouse or any sunny spot.

Sowing and growing

Tomato seeds can be sown as early as late February, but as the temperatures are still very chilly outside it’s always best to start them off indoors. Contrary to what some may believe, you don’t need a greenhouse to grow tomatoes - a sunny kitchen windowsill will work just as well.

Sowing seeds is a simple process. Start by filling seed trays or small pots with good quality, peat-free compost and lightly firm the surface. Place the seeds on top of the soil about one to two centimetres apart, and cover with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite. Water lightly and place in a warm, sunny position. Use cling film or half an upturned plastic bottle to cover the seed – this will help create a consistent temperature and level of moisture, just like a mini propagator!

Within two or three weeks, the seed will begin to germinate and you should see a seedling sprout through the compost. Continue to water seedlings regularly, and as they establish they can be potted on into individual pots, so that each plant has its own space to grow.

Choose a sunny spot

When the risk of frost has passed, usually in May, tomato plants can be moved outside into larger pots or well-prepared soil. Tomatoes thrive in sunny, sheltered locations. In fact, they need at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily, so south-facing spots are usually best for them.

Provide protection from the wind by using a natural windbreak such as a wall, fence or hedge. Strong gusts can cause damage to delicate tomato plants or quickly dry out the soil. Positioning plants near a wall or fence also brings the added bonus of reflecting heat from the sun, creating the warm Mediterranean climate that most varieties prefer.

Remember to handle the plants gently when moving them into your chosen area, firming the compost around them once planted. If you’ve chosen a vining variety, such as Beefsteak or Sweet Million, provide a trellis or stakes to support the plant as it climbs. 

Enrich your soil

Tomatoes are heavy feeders, requiring specific nutrient levels at different stages of their growth. Early on, nitrogen is vital for healthy leaf and stem development, helping to establish a strong, robust plant. As flowering begins, potassium becomes essential, promoting the formation of flowers and fruits. Phosphorus supports root growth and overall plant vigour throughout the growing season. It’s therefore essential that you feed your plants using a specialist tomato fertiliser for a successful yield. 

We recommend using Maxicrop’s Tomato Growth Stimulant and Feed, which is specifically designed for tomatoes. Its highly concentrated formulation is rich in potash (NPK 4-2-6), helping plants produce plentiful, juicy, and flavourful fruits. The added seaweed extract, which is sustainably sourced from Norwegian waters, stimulates strong, healthy growth and helps plants build tolerance to pests, diseases and environmental stresses.

Simply add to your watering can and apply to the base of plants every seven days once the first trusses – or stems that support flowers and fruits – have appeared.

Harvest and enjoy!

You’ll know that your tomatoes are ready to pick when there are no green areas left on the skin of the fruit. Simply pinch it off from the top of the plant, and it should come away easily if it is ready. Remember, don’t store your tomatoes in the fridge, as the cold temperature will ruin the rich flavour! Keep them at room temperature on your kitchen counter and aim to eat them within a few days of harvesting to enjoy them at their best.

Ends

Editors notes

Maxicrop® has been a trusted name in gardening for over 80 years, known and loved for its premium organic seaweed-based products that support plant growth and resilience.

Sustainably sourced from the pristine waters off the Norwegian coast, Maxicrop’s seaweed extract is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, offering a natural bio-stimulant to develop strong plant cells and boost root growth, while building resistance to disease, drought and cold.

Its hero product, the popular All Purpose Growth Stimulant, is a pure bio-stimulant with an enriched formula designed to enhance root development, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance in plants.

The wider range features products that carefully combine this high-quality, highly concentrated seaweed base with Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium to provide complete care for a variety of garden needs, including Vegetable Growth Stimulant and Feed, Tomato Growth Stimulant and Feed, Growth Stimulant and Sequestered Iron, and Moss Killer and Lawn Tonic.

Certified organic by the Soil Association, Maxicrop provides eco-conscious gardeners with effective, sustainable solutions for healthy, thriving plants.