Sow What?

Tomatoes sourced commercially are often without much flavour, hence the interest in “growing your own” for a better taste.  Personally, I like to grow a selection of different types for various uses in the kitchen.  On a sheltered sunny patio, everyone can grow tomatoes, even in containers, so we can all give it a go.

Here are some more recommended varieties for something new:

For General and Unusual Use

Campbell

A variety suitable for various uses and known as being used for soups and sauces.  Vigorous grower with plentiful fruit. Buy Campbell tomato seeds here

RAF Fimande

From southern Spain, where this variety can be grown during cooler months as it is best to harvest sweet green fruit.  RAF means “resistant to fusarium”.  It is said to be the “Rolls Royce” of tomatoes and has a distinctive taste.  Thoroughly recommended as very rare and in high demand. Original Touch have limited stocks of RAF Fimande tomato seed for sale

Yellow Pearshaped

A tomato with an unusual pear shape and yellow colour which makes it great for original dishes or just slicing for a salad. Recommended by the French for aperitifs and cocktails. Suitable for container growing. Buy Yellow Pearshaped tomato seeds here

On the Patio or in Containers

Balcony Star

A very productive variety that can be grown in containers so ideal for anyone.  It produces large fruit in a small space and is very reliable.  We have grown this variety on the patio for lots of fruit with little effort. Buy Balcony Star tomato seed here

Tumbling Tom

Tumbling Tom is a hanging/trailing variety of tomato and is therefore ideal for container growing and even hanging baskets. The sweet cherry like fruit are easy to grow with no need to stake and as pretty as flowers. Seeds available here

Tomatoes for Sauces

In Italian, “da salsa” is usually a term used for tomatoes used in sauces.  A popular type is the San
Marzano grown on the flanks of Mount Vesuvius, but most large tomatoes with few seeds can be used for soup or salsa.

Coeur de Boeuf – Beef Heart

Definitely one of our favourites as the resistant plant produces lovely heart-shaped fruit with little seeds and lots of flesh, ideal for sauces or slicing.  Prized by chefs, you can buy them here

San Marzano Indeterminate or Determinate

San Marzano was Gardeners World hot pick for the best tomato paste! Gourmet cooks demand the classic, richly flavoured San Marzano variety, grown exclusively in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino area of Italy. Crack resistant and better tasting than Roma. Less seeds and water than round tomatoes, so perfectly suited for cooking as well as salads. You can buy Dwarf San Marzano here or the Cordon San Marzano here

Tomatoes for Salads

As well as cherry tomatoes, many tomatoes are called “insalataro” as being most suitable for fresh use.

Chocolate Cherry

An interesting variety on the plate as it maintains a brown colour.  Fruit are cherry sized and very sweet.  Productive plant. Available here

Ponderosa

An early variety of heirloom tomato with golden fruits that are large and firm, ideal for slicing in salads.  Add a little salt with goat’s cheese and grill as a tasty starter. Buy Ponderosa tomato seeds here