Tomatoes tend to divide opinion—you either love them, or you don’t—but one thing is certain: nothing beats the flavour of a homegrown tomato. Rich, sweet, and sun-ripened, they surpass supermarket flavour. However, achieving that flavour punch requires more than just selecting the right type. With the right products and care, even a sweet or acid-free tomato can become something special.
I plant ‘Mega Tom’ grafted tomatoes. These are created by combining two tomato plants: a strong rootstock and a fruit-producing scion. The result? A plant that’s not only more vigorous and disease-resistant, but also capable of producing at least double the yield of a standard seed-grown variety—with far less need for spraying.
Position
Tomatoes thrive in temperatures between 18–22°C. They dislike conditions below 10°C, although they can tolerate occasional dips to 5°C. These are sun-loving plants—if your fruit isn’t ripening, it’s likely due to low light levels rather than a fault in the plant itself. Plant in an area with at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Soil
Garden: Enrich your garden soil with Oderings Tomato Mix or Oderings Fruit & Veggie Mix improve drainage, maintain consistent moisture, and reduce the risk of disease and weeds.
Pots: Use PB28 or PB40-sized pots or planter bags filled with Oderings Tomato Mix.
Staking
Always insert a stake at planting time to avoid damaging roots later. Proper support will help your plant bear the weight of fruit and grow more vigorously.
Feed
Tomato Mix contains all the nutrients your plant needs until it reaches 1 metre in height or begins to fruit. At that point, switch to a tomato-specific fertiliser. Keep in mind that tomatoes in pots require different feeding than those in the garden.
Garden: Begin fertilising when plants reach about 1 metre tall or start to flower. Use Oderings Total Replenish or Tui Performance Naturals Tomato & Vegetable Fertiliser.
Pots: The bagged mix provides enough nutrients for initial growth; begin feeding later as described above.
Watering & Mulching
- Always water directly into the soil—not onto the foliage—to avoid encouraging fungal diseases.
- A layer of mulch helps conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Tomatoes prefer consistent watering: keep the soil damp but not wet. Inconsistent watering can lead to issues like split fruit or blossom end rot.
Removing Laterals
Regularly remove side shoots (laterals), as they can divert energy away from fruit development. Once the plant reaches 1.8m or the top of your stake/greenhouse, pinch out the growing tip to concentrate energy into ripening fruit.
Protection
- Psyllid: Prevent with Mavrik, BioNeem, or Bug Net Crop Cover.
- Whitefly & Aphids: Control with targeted sprays.
- Diseases: Use copper-based products to combat common tomato diseases. Always water early and avoid night watering.
Getting Tastier Fruit
Sunlight is key. The more direct UV exposure your plant gets, the sweeter and more flavour-packed the fruit. Water deeply every 2–3 days during hot weather, or more often if growing in pots or a glasshouse. Avoid overwatering at harvest time, as this can dilute flavour. A seaweed-based tonic can also boost both flavour and plant health. And remember—mulch helps keep soil temperature and moisture consistent, both of which support a better-tasting crop.
When to Harvest
Colour is a guide, but feel is the true test. A ripe tomato will be firm with slight give when gently squeezed. Overripe ones feel soft or squishy; underripe ones are hard. While many gardeners prefer to vine-ripen their fruit, tomatoes can continue to ripen off the vine if picked with a blush of pink and minimal green.
