Tomato Skin
Tomato skin is the thin, protective outer layer of the tomato fruit. It plays an important role in preserving the fruit’s structure and protecting it from environmental factors, such as pests, diseases, and moisture loss.
How Many Genes in a Tomato?
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) have approximately 35,000 genes. Whereas humans have around 20,000-25,000 genes.
Natural Fungicides for Tomato Plants
Natural fungicides can be highly effective in managing fungal diseases on tomatoes while being safer for the environment and human health. Common fungal diseases affecting tomatoes include blight, powdery mildew, and anthracnose.
How Genetically Stable are Heirloom Tomatoes?
Heirloom / heritage tomatoes are considered generally genetically stable as long as they are grown in isolation from other varieties and allowed to pollinate within their own type. This stability supports them to produce seeds that grow true to the parent plant, making them more reliable for seed saving. Minor natural variations may occur, but overall, they are typically dependable in maintaining their unique characteristics across generations.
How to Make a Hybrid Tomato Stable?
Stabilizing a hybrid tomato involves growing successive generations from the original hybrid and selecting for the desired traits over time. With patience and careful selection, you can create a new, stable tomato variety that consistently produces plants with the traits you want.
Hoop House Innovations
Hoop house innovations involve various improvements in the design, materials, and techniques used in traditional hoop houses to make them more efficient, durable,
How to Collect Tomato Seeds?
Collecting tomato seeds is a straightforward process that allows you to save seeds from your favourite tomato plants for future planting such as heirloom / heritage tomatoes.
Paradigm Shift in Tomato Growing
A paradigm shift in tomato growing refers to a significant transformation in the methods, technologies, and philosophies used to cultivate tomatoes.
What is an F1 Tomato?
An F1 tomato is a hybrid that combines specific desirable traits from two different parent plants, resulting in a plant with enhanced vigor, uniformity, and disease resistance. However, the seeds from an F1 hybrid cannot be saved for consistent future crops, making them a popular but less sustainable option compared to open-pollinated varieties like heirlooms / heritage.
Beginners Guide to Growing Tomato Plants
Growing tomato plants can be a rewarding experience, whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener. Here's a beginner's guide to help you grow healthy and productive tomato plants from start to finish, including heirloom / heritage tomatoes, hybrid tomatoes, determinate tomatoes and indeterminate tomatoes.
Kaizen - Continuous Improvement
Kaizen is a Japanese philosophy and practice of continuous improvement, widely known in business and manufacturing but applicable to personal development, agriculture, education, and daily life.
What is the Difference Between Heirloom Tomatoes and Heritage Tomatoes?
The terms heirloom and heritage tomatoes are often used interchangeably, but they have slightly different connotations, particularly in how they're commonly used.
How to Measure Moisture Content of Tomato Seeds
Measuring the moisture content of tomato seeds is an important step for determining their viability and ensuring proper storage conditions. If seeds are stored with too much moisture, they are prone to mould, fungal growth, and premature germination, which can reduce their shelf life and viability. Conversely, seeds that are too dry may have reduced vigor.
Mozzarella, Tomatoes, Fresh Basil, Olive Oil and Sourdough
A dish of mozzarella, tomato, and basil on sourdough is a delicious and classic combination, often inspired by the Italian Caprese salad, but with a rustic twist by serving it on crusty sourdough bread.
Sunrise Tomatoes
Sunrise tomatoes are a unique and vibrant variety of tomatoes, known for their stunning colors and delicious taste.
What is Vertical Farming?
Vertical farming is a modern agricultural technique that involves growing crops in stacked layers, typically in controlled indoor environments. This method maximizes the use of space and allows for farming in urban areas or other locations where horizontal land space is limited. Vertical farming can utilize various growing methods, including hydroponics, aeroponics, and traditional soil-based systems.
Chadwick Cherry Tomatoes
Chadwick Cherry tomatoes are a beloved heirloom variety known for their exceptional flavour and vigorous growth
Tangerine Tomatoes
Tangerine tomatoes are a unique variety of heirloom tomatoes known for their vibrant orange colour and sweet, rich flavour. They differ from the traditional red tomatoes not only in appearance but also in taste and nutritional content.
The Hoop House UK - Sun Protection for Tomato Plants
To protect plants from excessive sun and heat inside a polytunnel / hoop house you can use a variety of methods such as installing shade cloth, applying whitewash, improving ventilation, mulching, and using drip irrigation. The goal is to balance the amount of sunlight entering the tunnel while preventing overheating, ensuring your plants thrive under optimal conditions. By using these techniques, you can create a controlled environment where plants get the sunlight they need without being damaged by excess heat.
What is an Air Pruning Pot?
An Air Pruning Pot, is a type of plant container designed to promote healthier root growth by preventing root circling and encouraging the development of a more fibrous root system. It is commonly used in gardening, hydroponics, and other plant-growing setups.