Growing tomatoes is about far more than simply planting them and waiting for the fruit to appear.
Behind the scenes in our glasshouses, there are countless jobs taking place throughout the growing cycle to help our plants stay healthy and produce the high-quality tomatoes our customers expect.
Some of these jobs might seem small, but together they can make a big difference.
Carefully Removing Leaves
As our tomato plants grow, selected older leaves are removed.
This helps manage the plant and allows more light around developing fruit. Although removing a few leaves may look like a simple job, knowing which leaves to remove and when requires care and experience.
Even the removed leaves can sometimes continue playing a role in the glasshouse. We may leave them temporarily on the ground to provide shelter for beneficial insects before they’re removed.
Supporting Our Trusses
As tomatoes develop, the weight of the fruit can put pressure on the plant.
Certain varieties can be prone to their trusses bending or kinking, so small truss clips can be used to provide additional support.
They’re tiny tools, but they help keep the truss in the right position as the tomatoes continue to develop.
Pruning Our Plants
Pruning is another important part of managing our tomato plants.
Different varieties can have different requirements, so our team carefully manages the amount of fruit on individual plants.
The aim is to create the right balance, allowing each plant to put its energy into producing a healthy, consistent crop.
Nature’s Pest Control
Some of the smallest workers in our glasshouses aren’t people at all!
Beneficial insects can help us manage pests that might otherwise cause problems for our tomato plants. By introducing and supporting these helpful insects, we’re able to work with natural processes within our growing environment.
It’s All in the Detail
There isn’t one single secret behind growing a great tomato.
Instead, it’s the combination of knowledge, experience and hundreds of small decisions made throughout the growing process.
From supporting a truss to removing a leaf at just the right time, our team pays attention to the details every day.
It’s this care that helps us continue producing the quality British tomatoes we’re proud to grow at R & L Holt.
