02 May 2024 , 08:54
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Tomato plants will thrive if gardeners avoid three planting mistakes in May.
Gardeners' World's Monty Don has shared on his blog the most important gardening jobs to be completed in May to prepare for summer and has explained that now is the time to begin planting tomatoes. However, the master gardener warned that in early May tomatoes should only be planted in the greenhouse and gardeners should avoid planting any outside until late May.
He said: "It is time to plant out tomatoes in a greenhouse - although wait till the end of the month for outdoor ones. This is because tomatoes hate too much temperature fluctuation and May nights can be chilly - especially if the days are warm."
Tomatoes should only be planted outside after the last frost has passed as they need a warm soil temperature of around 13C to 16C to grow properly. Planting them in gardens too early in May when the soil is too cold can slow down the growth of tomatoes, interfere with pollination which will result in poor quality fruit and even increase the risk of plant fungal diseases due to the damp weather, reports the Express.
However, when tomatoes are planted in late May there is little chance of them suffering from frost damage as the weather is much sunnier and warmer. Green thumbs eager to get a jump on their tomato planting should heed expert advice for the best yield. Monty has also shared some golden nuggets of wisdom for those looking to cultivate the perfect crop in their greenhouses.
Gardening god Monty Don reveals the job you mustn't do & need to leave for June
He advised: "Plant them deeply, burying them right up to the bottom leaf as the buried section of stem will develop extra roots." He also highlighted a common blunder that can sabotage your harvest by neglecting to deadhead the side-shoots, which diverts the plant's energy from fruit to foliage.
Monty detailed: "As the young plants grow they form shoots between the leaves and the stem and these are known as side-shoots. They grow with extra vigour and although they do bear trusses of fruit, they take energy from the plant and reduce the overall harvest as well as making a cordon plant straggly. So they should be removed as they appear."
For those ready to tackle this task, Monty's method is straightforward: simply pluck the side-shoots with your fingers upon sighting them. However, he cautions against evening deadheading due to the risk of damaging the plant. Monty warned: "The best way to do this is in the morning when the plant is turgid, simply breaking them off with finger and thumb. However, in the evening they will be limper and may tear the plant so should be cut off with a knife."
If these three basic planting errors are avoided, tomato crops will flourish - yielding larger and more abundant fruit this summer.