Why is a red tomato red?

Tomatoes come in a variety of colours, explains Penny Woodward, with quirky names to match.

Tips for preparing soil for tomatoes

Cheryl McGaffin has a wide range of tomato varieties growing on her property in Victoria and Penny Woodward couldn't resist visiting Daniel's Run to find out more about them.

Practical solutions for growing success

Cheryl McGaffin grows a wide range of heirloom tomatoes on her property on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. She shared her top growing tips with our horticultural expert, Penny Woodward.

Pre-sprouting peas

Pea plants don’t like being transplanted, so it’s best to sow seeds directly. However, you can use biodegradable pots or pre-sprout seed.

Spinach substitutes

Spinach is a no-fuss cool season crop but there are some excellent substitutes for warmer seasons and regions too hot for English spinach.

Colourful carrots

There are so many different types of carrot to grow, many of them vibrantly coloured heirloom varieties.

Garlic in your garden

Homegrown garlic tastes dramatically better than any you can buy in your local supermarket, so why not grow it yourself!

Growing asparagus

A family favourite, asparagus is a must-have in the vegie patch, and with these expert tips you can grow them in your backyard.

Growing heirloom tomatoes

Tomatoes are a favourite in the kitchen and a must-have to grow in a backyard patch, here you can learn how to plant them from seed.

How to grow sprouts

All you need is a bench or windowsill and some easy-to-find equipment to grow sprouts.

How to grow sweet corn

The crunchy flavour and versatility of sweet corn (and the fact it's easy to grow) make it a must-have in backyard vegie patches.

Growing tomatoes from seed

There are many ways of growing tomatoes from seed, but here is one of the simplest and most common, using punnets or seedling trays.