Tomatoes

While on the theme of red (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), I am so enjoying a great harvest of tomatoes right now. Originally from the Andes, many different varieties have been bred and still are being invented – you may have seen the new “patio” varieties available in nurseries this season. More commonly we know big beef steaks – one slice fits a sandwich, little sweet 100’s – kids love them, so sweet and great in a salad, right through to all the weird and wonderful heirloom varieties. You can buy a punnet of ready seedlings or a grafted variety from your local nursery, you can buy more unusual non hybridised seed from various outlets – Running Brook Seeds (at Clevedon Farmers market), www.kingsseeds.co.nz (at Kings nurseries or online), www.koanga.org.nz (online), or you can join a club like Auckland Seed Savers who will teach you to save your own seed & bring it along to meetings to swap with other members. If you grow by seed, you can get an early start on next season by sowing in punnets in early spring ready to transplant into the ground or pots when all frosts have passed. Save seed from your best performing plant – simply cut tomato in half, wipe open part over a paper towel, spread seed out on towel if necessary, allow to dry, store until next season, and plant paper with seed. There are many useful tips on growing successful tomatoes – they like calcium so empty your milk “dregs” around plants, keep watering when dry, plant Basil nearby, stagger your planting times so your tomatoes are not all ready at the same time. Some people religiously stake and remove laterals (which you can replant). Others get a good crop with minimal care. They are usually a very rewarding crop, and have a limitless number of  recipe suggestions online.