WHO doesn’t love growing tomatoes? There are countless varieties with large and small fruits coloured red, yellow, purple, even tiger striped, and they can be grown in a greenhouse, in the garden – and there are even trailing varieties for baskets.
Tomatoes are prone to several pests and diseases and need a consistent feeding and watering regime, so keep an eye on your plants to get the best results.
The most common pests on greenhouse tomatoes are glasshouse spider mites that cause blotched leaves and spin webbing over plants, whitefly, and tomato moth caterpillars. The little mites and flies can be beaten with biological controls, such as parasitic wasps and flies and predatory mites.
They are widely available online (see dragonfli.co.uk 01376 563322 and greengardener.co.uk 01493 750061) and can be ordered from many garden centres as well. They come in cards that you hang on the plants.
Glasshouse spider mites thrive in dry conditions, so deter them by keeping tomato compost well watered and by standing a bowl of water close to plants to increase humidity around the leaves.
Denne historien er fra June 18, 2022-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra June 18, 2022-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters
