Grow: tomatoes

Looking for some top tomato growing ideas that are out of the ordinary? Peter Vouthas has a garden filled with tomatoes of many shapes, sizes, colours and flavours, growing 60 varieties each year. Here’s two of his favourites for you to try in your garden, plus growing tips for containers.

Sungold

As the name suggests, sun-kissed golden, cherry-sized fruits are produced in profusion on this deliciously sweet, snacking tomato. With excellent depth of flavour and a pleasant sweet and fruity after-taste, this is the one for children’s lunch boxes and mixed salads.

Black Beauty

One of the darkest tomatoes on the planet, this medium beefsteak features a dominant splash of anthocyanin on its top third with a blood-red bottom. The flavour is a combination of delicious smoky and umami flavours with well-balanced acidity to finish.

Container growing

While it’s always great to grow your tomatoes in the soil, growing in pots is a great option if you run out of space or have very little space to begin with!

• Use a large pot. A half wine barrel is ideal but otherwise look for a pot at least 400–500mm in diameter.
• Add cow manure to a good-quality, organic potting mix.
• Select dwarf varieties or cherry tomatoes. These are best in containers and pots.
• Plant as you would in the garden – down to the  first laterals.
• Apply a liquid organic fertiliser, rich in potassium, every four weeks to maintain healthy growth.
• For taller varieties make your own cage or tower inside the pot by using four bamboo stakes and some twine.
• Water regularly.

For Marcelle’s full article about Peter and his tips for tomato success get a copy of our Spring 2025 issue (OG 160), available from selected newsagents or supermarkets. You can also subscribe and get the magazine delivered to your door.