Spring is the ideal time to plant tomato seeds, ensuring they are ripe for summer harvesting. Tomatoes are a popular choice for gardeners due to their versatility, with varieties ranging from traditional red Rosellas to large Brandy Boy beefsteak types.
Before selecting seeds, consider the available space. Tomato plants grow in two forms: cordon and bush. Cordon tomatoes are fast-growing, reaching up to two metres tall, and require support from wooden canes. Bush tomatoes are more compact, suitable for limited spaces and even hanging baskets, with less maintenance needed beyond regular watering and feeding.
Horticulturist Jamie Walton, known as @nettlesandpettles on Instagram, has shared a simple trick to enhance tomato flavour through companion planting. In a video, he explained that planting basil near tomatoes can improve their taste and deter pests. Basil's strong scent repels common insects and attracts beneficial ones like bees and butterflies, creating better growing conditions and warding off whiteflies and tomato hornworms.
Basil thrives in similar conditions to tomatoes, preferring mild climates and sunny, sheltered spots. The Royal Horticultural Society recommends sowing basil in spring for a summer harvest, whether in soil or pots. From nurturing growth to enhancing taste, basil complements tomatoes from the garden to the plate.
