How to plant our your tomato seedlings

Tomatoes need an open sunny position with plenty of air circulation to thrive and a good loam will produce the best results.

It is best to plant tomatoes in a different bed each year, returning to the original bed after a break of three growing seasons. This is to prevent the build up of disease carrying organisms in the soil.

Tomatoes are best planted in beds that have been heavily manured for a previous crop, such as broccoli. A soil that is too rich in nutrients will produce prolific, but soft, sappy and disease-prone growth.

Well-rotted compost is high in organic matter and low in nitrogen, making it the perfect addition to a tomato bed. If your soil is acidic, below pH 6.5, add lime (calcium) or dolomite (calcium and magnesium). Spread it at rate of 2 handfuls per square metre (about 60-70g) and work it lightly into the surface soil.

Calcium is essential for tomatoes. It prevents the disease, Blossom End Rot, which is when the bottom of the tomato, furthest from the stem begins to rot.

Plant out your seedlings into the garden when the soil temperature reaches 15°C or more and after the risk of frost has past. Don't worry if they look uncomfortable, they will soon straighten up.

Tomatoes form roots along their stems when they come into contact with the soil, so you can plant them quite deep, just ensuring that the leaves remain above soil level. In doing this, a good strong root system should result.