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Tomato care

Because they come from a very dry climate, tomatoes struggle with wet leaves and are prone to fungal blight. Every year I think I’ve planted them far enough apart to create airflow between plants, then every year they somehow grow together in a big leafy mass….

Tomato care:

Choose a dry, windy or sunny day when blight spores won’t be active and wounds can seal over quickly.
Pinch out baby laterals (the shoots that grow where a leaf joins the stem) – this prevents plants becoming a bushy tangle.
Cherry tomatoes don’t need delateraling, and naturally have a more sprawling habit. Plant them at least 1m apart.
Tie in any new shoots to your stake or frame.
Cut away any blighted leaves, as well as yellowing lower leaves, and don’t compost these.
Sterilise your secateurs after this job (e.g. with meths or cider vinegar)
Always water the roots, not the leaves (unless you have some liquid feed in your watering can)
Move tomatoes around each year - blight spores will remain in the soil.