15 hours Ago By Phoebe Cornish
Tomatoes are among the most popular home-grown crops in the UK, prized for their delicious flavour and versatility. There are two ways to grow tomatoes: from seed , or bought as young plants, then grown outdoors or in a greenhouse, in pots or the ground. Each method brings its own set of challenges and rewards.
Successfully growing tomatoes , whether in grow bags, containers, or directly in garden beds, depends on managing temperature, soil quality, and sheltering plants from the UK's unpredictable weather. But Sarah Rubens, garden coach and founder of Seed to Sanctuary, notes another very important consideration that determines the quality of your crop. She told The Spruce: "Most people don’t realise that tomatoes come in two varieties—determinate (bushy) and indeterminate (vining)—and knowing the difference is key to planting success.
" The main difference between the two lies in their growth habit and fruit production. Determinate tomatoes grow to a certain height and then stop growing, producing all their fruit roughly simultaneously. They are deemed low maintenance and low yield.
Meanwhile, indeterminate tomatoes produce fruit throughout the growing season. These are considered high-maintenance, high-yield. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, some tomatoes, like Gardeners Delight and Tumbling Toms, are better-suited to container conditions than others.
The RHS notes that growing determinate bush tomatoes in containers and indeterminate cordon types in the ground generally makes sense based on their space and support needs. As a general rule, determinate tomatoes are smaller and more manageable. They will do well in large patio containers, troughs, window boxes, and hanging baskets.
In contrast, Sarah notes that indeterminate tomatoes are better suited for planting directly in the ground since they require robust staking and support as they grow. The RHS suggests that cordon tomatoes grow well in large containers, with a tall cane for support. And many gardening experts agree that containers trump ground tomatoes.
Tammy Sons, CEO and founder of TN Nursery, highlights that "the convenience of containers" appeals because it is easier to protect tomatoes from weather conditions. Containers also serve as a natural defence against some pests. To successfully grow cordon (indeterminate tomatoes), position the large pot in a sheltered site, ideally against a sunny wall.
Canes or vertical strings make for sturdy supports, notes the RHS. Gardening experts suggest raised beds as the second-best place for tomatoes. Both containers and beds offer more control over soil type and drainage.
However, gardeners should know that tomatoes that are not grown in the ground require more frequent watering. The yield of fruit may be slightly reduced, too, since ground-grown tomatoes have more space for the roots to spread..
