There's nothing like biting into the summer's first fresh tomato. From the humble tomato sandwich to a dressed-up caprese salad, the fruit is an undisputed star wherever you feature it. When you grow them yourself, you can ensure the fruit is at your ideal ripeness and softness.
Sonja Morgan demonstrates just how it's done. The former Real Housewife of New York took to Instagram to share a video of growing tomatoes in her Hamptons garden. It's a masterclass in producing a high yield of healthy, juicy fruits.
I interviewed Drew Swainston, master gardener and Homes & Gardens Content Editor, to get the scoop on how she does it.
According to Drew, staking your tomato plants on a cage, as Sonja has done, is the number one way to increase the health of your plants.
He explains: 'Growing tomatoes up a frame like this is highly beneficial. It lifts the plants off the ground, protecting them and the fruits from pests that may want to nibble on your crop. It also allows for lots of air circulation to keep your tomato plants healthy. A well-supported and trained tomato plant may also help increase your yield.'
Air your tomatoes to keep them healthy with this affordable frame. The green color is pleasing to the eye and complementary to the tomatoes.
This green twine is perfect for tying your plants with style. It will keep them growing the direction you want to get lots of air.
These multi-colored tomatoes will keep your garden alive with fresh vegetables all summer. They are organic so that you can rest easy about their health.
To increase your tomato yields using this method, garden twine is your best friend.
'When growing tomatoes up a frame or a trellis, make sure to tie in the stems to keep them supported regularly,' Drew advises.
'Tying with a loose figure-of-eight works best; you don’t want it too tight as it risks the stems snapping. And always use a soft and flexible material for ties, not wire, as it can cut through the stems and ruin plants.'
In addition to the right equipment, growing bigger tomatoes requires an abundance of water, fertilizer, and close attention to pruning.
Drew recommends: 'Keep the plants well-watered, regularly pruned if they are indeterminate tomato varieties, and take time to feed plants with a liquid tomato feed every few weeks, and you’ll be rewarded with a great crop.'
Tomatoes are not the easiest crop to grow, but they can be one of the most rewarding. By following Drew's simple tips, you're sure to get plants just as lush as Sonja's.
