Author: Amy Riley

Spring is an exciting time for gardeners, especially if you’re growing tomatoes! As the weather warms up, it’s essential to give your tomato plants the best care to ensure a strong, healthy, and productive growing season. Here are three key tips to help your tomatoes thrive this spring!

1️. Choose the Right Planting Time & Protect from Late Frosts

Spring weather can be unpredictable, so timing is everything! Tomatoes are warm-weather plants, and they don’t do well in cold temperatures. Before planting outdoors:
– Wait until after the last frost—tomatoes thrive in temperatures above 10°C at night.
– If a late frost is expected, cover your plants with fleece or cloches to protect them.
– Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost to get a head start.

2️. Give Them Plenty of Sun & Nutrient-Rich Soil

Tomatoes love sunlight and nutrient-rich soil! To set them up for success:
– Plant in a spot with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
– Use well-draining, compost-enriched soil to provide essential nutrients.
– Add organic matter like aged manure or compost to boost soil health.

3. Water Smartly & Support Their Growth

Tomatoes need consistent watering and support as they grow:
– Water deeply but less frequently—about 1-2 inches per week, depending on rainfall.
– Avoid getting the leaves wet to prevent diseases like blight.
– Use stakes or cages to support the plants early on and prevent them from falling over as they grow.

By following these simple spring tomato care tips, you’ll set your plants up for a delicious and bountiful harvest!

As winter slowly gives way to spring, tomatoes follow their own rhythm, transitioning from the hardier imported varieties we rely on in the colder months to the fresh, homegrown options that define warmer weather. The change in seasons brings a shift in tomato availability, flavour, and ways to use them in our kitchens. Here are three things to know about tomatoes as they transition from winter to spring:

1. The Rise of Greenhouse-Grown Tomatoes

As winter fades, greenhouse-grown tomatoes become more abundant. These tomatoes are nurtured in controlled environments, where the temperature, humidity, and light are carefully managed. While they might not have the rich flavour of summer’s sun-kissed tomatoes, greenhouse-grown varieties such as vine-ripened and beefsteak tomatoes begin to show up in supermarkets around early spring.

These tomatoes often have a firmer texture and a mild, slightly tangy taste, making them perfect for dishes like fresh salads, sandwiches, or as toppings for pizzas. They are the bridge between the end of winter’s reliance on imported varieties and the fresh bounty of the spring harvest.

2. Early Spring Tomatoes in the Ground

While we may still be experiencing chilly temperatures in early spring, many farmers are starting to plant early-season varieties of tomatoes in greenhouses and polytunnels. These crops are protected from the cold and can begin to produce fruit in the more temperate conditions of late March to early April.

Early-season tomatoes, such as small cherry and plum varieties, are typically the first to ripen. They might not be as sweet as their summer counterparts, but their bright, tangy flavour adds a burst of freshness to dishes, like pasta salads, or even as a topping for toasted sourdough bread. As the days grow longer and sunnier, these tomatoes will gradually begin to develop that sweet, summery taste we all crave.

3. The Shift Toward Fresh, Seasonal Dishes

The transition from winter to spring also means the shift toward lighter, fresher dishes using seasonal ingredients. As early spring tomatoes become available, they begin to play a key role in meals that celebrate the changing seasons. Fresh tomato salads, vibrant salsas, and light pasta dishes are perfect for welcoming the arrival of spring.

This is also the time when tomatoes really shine in dishes like shakshuka (tomato and egg skillet), where their natural sweetness pairs beautifully with the richness of eggs and spices. As we move into spring, it’s the perfect moment to start incorporating more raw, uncooked tomato dishes that highlight their fresh, zesty flavour.

As we move toward the summer months, the best is yet to come!

Tomatoes are a staple in kitchens worldwide, but how much do you really know about this vibrant, versatile fruit? While we often think of tomatoes as just a salad or sauce ingredient, there’s so much more to these ruby-red gems than meets the eye. From their fascinating history to their health benefits, here are three surprising things you probably didn’t know about tomatoes:

1. Tomatoes Are Technically a Fruit, Not a Vegetable

It’s a common misconception that tomatoes are vegetables, but in reality, they are classified as fruits! More specifically, tomatoes are a type of berry. According to botanical definitions, fruits are the mature ovary of a flowering plant, typically containing seeds. Since tomatoes grow from the flowering part of the plant and contain seeds, they meet the criteria of a fruit.

This distinction became a topic of legal debate in the US in 1893. The Supreme Court ruled in Nix v. Hedden that tomatoes should be taxed as vegetables for tariff purposes, even though they are scientifically fruits. So, next time someone asks if you prefer vegetables or fruits, you can cheekily tell them tomatoes count as both!

2. Tomatoes Were Once Considered Poisonous

For centuries, tomatoes were met with suspicion in Europe, and in fact, they were believed to be poisonous. When they were first introduced from the Americas in the 1500s, many people were wary of eating them, partly because of their resemblance to the toxic nightshade family (which includes belladonna, a poisonous plant). In the 18th century, aristocrats even used porcelain dishes to serve tomatoes, and the acidity of the fruit would leach lead from the plates, contributing to widespread fear.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that tomatoes gained widespread popularity, especially in Italy, where they were embraced in Mediterranean cuisine. Over time, people learned to enjoy them without fear, and now tomatoes are one of the most beloved foods worldwide.

3. Tomatoes Are a Superfood for Your Skin

While tomatoes are widely known for their nutritional benefits, one of the lesser-known advantages is their ability to promote healthy skin. Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives them their red colour. Studies have shown that lycopene can protect the skin from UV damage, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture.

In addition to lycopene, tomatoes are also rich in vitamin C, which helps stimulate collagen production and protect the skin from free radicals. So, the next time you’re enjoying a tomato-based dish, remember it’s not only doing good for your insides – it’s helping your skin stay radiant as well.

Tomatoes are far more fascinating than just a salad topping or pasta ingredient. From their fruit status and history of suspicion to their incredible skin benefits, these humble red fruits have a lot to offer. So, next time you bite into a juicy tomato or stir a pot of sauce, you can appreciate them even more, knowing the surprising history and health benefits behind them.

Tomatoes might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind during the chilly month of February, but even in the colder months, they remain a versatile and essential part of our diets in the UK.

1. Imported Varieties Keep the Tomato Spirit Alive

While the UK’s growing season for fresh tomatoes peaks in summer, February offers a variety of high-quality imported tomatoes, especially from warmer climates like Spain, Morocco, and the Canary Islands. These tomatoes are grown sustainably in greenhouses or warmer fields, bringing the sun-kissed flavour of summer to your winter kitchen.

Look for cherry tomatoes, plum varieties, and on-the-vine options in your local supermarkets – they pack intense flavour even during the colder months. Plus, these tomatoes are perfect for slow-cooked dishes, where their sweetness deepens as they simmer.

2. A Nutritional Boost for Winter Wellness

Tomatoes are a fantastic source of vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants like lycopene, which helps support your immune system and heart health – exactly what you need to fight off winter colds. Even in February, incorporating tomatoes into soups, stews, and roasted vegetable dishes can give you that extra boost of nutrition and flavour.

Hot, comforting dishes like tomato basil soup or baked pasta with a rich tomato sauce are the perfect way to stay warm and healthy in winter.

3. The Perfect Ingredient for Romantic Winter Meals

February is the month of Valentine’s Day, making tomatoes a key ingredient for romantic dinners at home. Whether it’s a bold and spicy spaghetti arrabbiata or a creamy tomato risotto, tomatoes are perfect for creating meals that feel indulgent yet wholesome.

For an elegant appetizer, consider bruschetta with roasted cherry tomatoes, basil, and olive oil – it’s simple yet bursting with flavour. Tomatoes add a vibrant, passionate red to your table, making them a fitting choice for celebrating love.

Tomatoes may not be the star of the UK’s seasonal produce in February, but they’re still a versatile and nutritious ingredient worth embracing. With high-quality imports, health benefits, and their role in comforting or romantic dishes, they’re a winter essential in their own right.

So, this February, grab some ripe tomatoes and let them brighten up your cold-weather meals – you’ll be glad you did!