Monty Don’s two tomato plant tasks to do in June for ‘strong’ growth

Monty Don has shared his top tips for growing tomatoes in June – and it’s not too late to get them in the ground before the end of the summer months

Biting into a freshly picked, homegrown tomato is one of life’s simple pleasures. However, cultivating sweet and juicy tomatoes can be a challenge in the UK, given the unpredictable weather conditions. Renowned British horticulturist Monty Don has shared his expertise on how to grow delicious tomatoes.

According to him, there are two essential tasks to complete this month to promote strong growth in the plants. The 69-year-old gardening expert advises on his blog: “I do not plant my outdoor tomatoes until June. But once they are in the ground they will grow strongly and need regular tying up.

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“This is, of course, if you are growing cordon tomatoes rather than bush or determinate varieties. The latter can be propped up rather like an herbaceous plant rather than tied regularly in.

“As I tie them with soft twine I pinch out the side shoots and then water them.

“I do not feed the outdoor ones as our soil is plenty rich enough and they had a good mulch of compost just before planting, but the indoor tomatoes will have a weekly seaweed feed at the same time.”

However, Monty Don also warns that tomatoes are more susceptible to blight from July onwards due to increased humidity and heat.

To prevent blight, ensure your outdoor tomatoes have good air circulation and remove lower leaves when the fruits develop, reports the Express.

It’s also crucial to provide the tomatoes with ample sunlight.