Leggy tomato seedlings?

Leggy tomato seedlings?

Oops. Wasn’t expecting that. Sowed some tomato seeds last Sunday, by Wednesday they were shooting upwards thanks to the heated propagator. Forgot to put the grow lights on so consequently they were looking a bit leggy. Not a problem if you get leggy tomato seedlings. Just loosen the compost around the roots with a widger or similar, lift out by…
Who needs a seed tray?

Who needs a seed tray?

Within reason you can grow anything in just about anything. I tend to keep the plastic cartons that come with tomatoes and use them instead of seed trays – they have ready-made holes for a start and, as the seeds emerge, they allow in plenty of light. So here are some ‘Costoluto Fiorentino’ tomato seeds I sowed last Sunday. They…
Roasted Tomato & Coconut Soup

Roasted Tomato & Coconut Soup

This is a lovely vegan soup that is sweet and tangy with home-grown tomatoes and deliciously creamy from the coconut milk.  SERVES 4-6 Preparation time: 20 minutes     |     Cooking time: 45 minutes • 400g (14oz) tomatoes, halved • Olive oil to drizzle • 1 large onion, chopped • 1 thumb-size piece of ginger, grated • 3…
Mini Tomato Frittatas

Mini Tomato Frittatas

These colourful frittatas can be made ahead and served at a picnic, or serve straight out of the oven with a salad for lunch or brunch.  SERVES 6 Preparation time: 15 minutes     |     Cooking time: 20 minutes • 4 organic eggs • 8 cherry tomatoes, halved • ½ red pepper, finely diced • ½ red onion,…
Breeding Wildness Back

Breeding Wildness Back

Are tomatoes too well-bred for their own good? A new study led by scientists at Newcastle University has found that tomatoes are getting too well-bred for their own good. The study, published in Agronomy for Sustainable Development, shows that in our quest for larger, redder, longer-lasting tomatoes we have inadvertently bred out key characteristics that help the plant defend itself against…
New Potato & Cherry Tomato Bake

New Potato & Cherry Tomato Bake

A hearty and delicious bake which is easy to assemble. SERVES 4 • 500g (1lb) new potatoes • 300g (10oz) cherry tomatoes • A few knobs of butter, plus extra for greasing • 4-5 thyme sprigs • 100g (3½oz) Gruyère, grated • 100g (3½oz) Parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated • 250ml (9fl oz) pot double cream • 200ml (7fl oz)…
Quick growing tips

Quick growing tips

Joyce Russell shares some of her top growing tips for May… It’s worth making a second sowing of anything that failed from an earlier one. On the other hand, it will save valuable growing time if you can find young plants to buy in instead. Look for strong, healthy growth and try not to import any problems. Sow in situ…