Monty Don shares expert gardening tips for growing tomatoes in June

There is nothing like the taste of a fresh tomato from your own garden. But growing sweet, juicy tomatoes can be a challenge in the UK, given our unpredictable weather and temperature fluctuations.

One person who has mastered the art of growing delicious tomatoes is the famous British horticulturist Monty Don. The gardening guru shared two key tasks gardeners should undertake this month to ensure their tomato plants ‘grow strong’.

On his blog, the 68-year-old advised: “I don’t plant my tomatoes outdoors until June. But once they’re in the ground, they’ll grow strong and need regular tying,” reports the Express.

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“This is, of course, if you are growing cordon tomatoes, rather than bush or determinate varieties. The latter can be supported as a herbaceous plant rather than tied regularly.”

“As I tie them with soft twine, I pinch the side shoots and then water them. I don’t feed the outdoor ones as our soil is rich enough and they had a good compost mulch just before planting, but the indoor tomatoes will have a weekly seaweed feed at the same time.”

However, he also warned gardeners that tomatoes are more susceptible to July blight due to increased humidity and heat. To combat insects, ensure outdoor tomatoes have sufficient ventilation and remove lower leaves when fruit begins to develop.

It’s also essential to make sure the tomatoes get plenty of sun.