Tomato Growing 2025

I have seeds left from last years varieties so it will be Burlesque and Costoluto (de something or other) again plus my home squished cherry seeds.

 

I'm only going to grow 'Gardeners Delight' on the balcony this year. Last year I grew only a few so I have seeds that are left over that I shall sow at the end of Feb. No use sowing them any earlier as they get too lanky & fall over themselves even on the kitchen windowsill, which gets the best of light all year round.

Last year I grew3 or 4 self-sown tomato seedlings. I have no idea where they could have come from as I NEVER save seeds & the toms always get eaten long before they can drop off on the balcony. Beside they were all cherry tomatoes & the only ones I sowed last year were 'Gardeners Delight.' Which were grown indoors till late May when I planted them out in growbags.

They can only have come in the compost I bought when I changed the compost in all my pots, troughs & hanging baskets last year for peat-free compost. Could birds have brought them??? I doubt it as I've been growing toms on the balcony for over 20 years &, until 2 years ago, had never had self-grown toms. That year I had 1 self-sown tom spring up.

 

Can anyone advise how long/ large trailing Maskotka will get please? I have a good knee high container but if it trails very long the fruit would end up touching the floor which I don't want.

Thanks!

 

I had one in a hanging basket a few years ago.
It didn't really trail, but got to about 3ft across and about 2ft high.
The plant was way too big for the hanging basket, but it performed very well and was one of the best-tasting non-cordon tomatoes I've grown with masses of fruit over a long period - far superior to the bland Tumbling Tom.
So I think you'll be fine

 

I won't be sowing until March due to late frosts up here, the list is
Gardeners Ecstasy
Ruby Short Vine
Tigerella
Britains Breakfast
Marmande
Sungold
Moneymaker
Ailsa Craig

The intent is to cut back this year as I grow too many, however I say that every year lol.

 

I'm going to have a go at Blue Bayou and Early Girl. Both are for outdoors and I've never tried any toms outside before, first year of owning an allotment. Anyone got an experience of these varieties? Including when to get them going indoors. Based in Brum Birmingham

 

Thanks @JWK

 

Back in seed sowing mode for 2025. Hope the weather is kinder to us this year.

This year I'm trying out more micro Dwarf varieties. I've been assured they're lovely but time will tell. My earliest sown micros are well-established and some have already gone to their new home. In the photo are micros Henry Harrington's, Lois' Baby Tiger, Groovy Tunes ( chartreuse foliage), Hahm's Gelbe, Blau Zimmertomat and Geranium Kiss. Also pictured are "Dwarf" Bloody Butcher, Purple Fairy, Mascotka and "MassivKotka" ( larger fruited sport). I'm holding off sowing my indeterminates until later in the month. If I can resist.

 

They are looking great!

 

Final List for 2025!

 

After saying I wouldn't be growing any toms this year I came across crimson plum F1.
Blight resistant apparently.

 

Yes all the ones with the Crimson name are blight resistant. So C Plum C crush, C blush, etc.
Remember though resistant does Not mean total immune, but they should do better than non resistant ones. Some find the taste of these slightly less good though.

 

Thinking of starting a few of my toms in the next week as my kitchen has at last got heating. I got away with using a small table in front of the patio doors for the last 2 yrs, but as we have a completely new kitchen I now wonder if I can still get away with it
I'm thinking... if I just start then off in groups of three's, then nobody will notice!