Cherry tomatoes
Small, sweet, and incredibly prolific, cherry tomatoes are a joy to grow. Perfect for snacking, salads, and often easier than larger varieties, making them a great choice for beginners.
Cherry tomatoes seeds
£2.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
Late February – early April, indoors on a warm windowsill
Plant out
Late May – early June, once all risk of frost has passed
Harvest
July – October
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6–8 hours a day
Water
Keep compost consistently moist; avoid letting it dry out completely or become waterlogged.
Soil
Rich, free-draining, pH 6.0–6.8
Spacing
45–60cm between plants
Containers
Excellent in 25-30cm pots, hanging baskets, or grow bags.
Indoors
Can be grown in a greenhouse or a sunny conservatory for earlier and heavier crops.
Care and harvest
Feeding
High-potash tomato feed weekly once the first fruits start to swell.
Pruning
Most cherry tomato varieties benefit from pinching out side shoots; determinate bush varieties need less pruning.
Harvesting
Pick when fully coloured and slightly soft to the touch; harvest frequently to encourage more fruit.
Storage
Store at room temperature for up to a week. Best eaten fresh.
Good companions: Basil, French marigold, Chives, Carrots