Monty Don, the BBC Gardeners' World presenter, has shared vital watering advice for tomato growers this August, along with an effective solution for 'maximum fruit and flower production'.
Reduce watering to prevent splitting
As the UK experiences an unprecedented summer marked by successive heatwaves, the blistering temperatures can leave gardens looking somewhat neglected. The situation is so severe that the Environment Agency (EA) has formally declared a drought across more than half of England, with a hosepipe ban now in effect impacting over 20 million people.
Premature harvests, reduced river levels, and an elevated risk of wildfires represent just some of the significant consequences of the drought, with numerous other adverse effects anticipated over the coming weeks. Fortunately, the nation's best-known gardener and horticulture authority has offered specific guidance for one particular plant this August to achieve a flavoursome and nutritious harvest.
The guidance is ideally suited to the hosepipe ban restrictions, as it centres on decreasing watering for the plant to secure a strong crop - exceptionally hot weather aside. There's also a homemade solution to obtain the most flavoursome crop of tomatoes.
What to do for tomato plants in August
Writing on his personal blog to provide green-fingered enthusiasts across the UK with guidance, the BBC Gardeners' World presenter shares: "Tomatoes are coming up to their prime harvesting period but to extend this and make sure that all the current green tomatoes fully ripen over the coming month or so, there are a few things the tomato grower should do now."
The gardening expert advises: "Reduce the watering, unless it is very hot, to avoid the fruit splitting, but keep up a weekly feed of liquid seaweed or, if you can make it, home-made comfrey feed. Both are ideal for maximising flower and fruit production."
Adjusting watering schedules isn't the sole task that needs implementing for tomato crops during the height of UK summer. The famous horticulturist explains: "Strip off the bottom half of the leaves on each [tomato] plant. This will let in light and air so that the growing fruits get more sun and also the extra ventilation will reduce the risk of disease. This process can be continued weekly until there are no leaves left at all."
How to make your own comfrey feed at home
Comfrey plants are recognised for having particularly deep roots, meaning they extract substantial quantities of nutrients from far beneath the soil's surface which are typically unreachable to other plants. According to Gardeners' World: "These nutrients are stored in its leaves. By harvesting the leaves and letting them break down, you'll have a rich, dark, nutrient-rich plant food to use around the garden. It's especially rich in potassium, making it the ideal feed to promote flowers and fruits in a range of plants, including tomatoes."
To produce your own nutritious and organic plant feed for tomatoes using comfrey leaves, Gardeners' World suggests a straightforward DIY approach. The whole process should take somewhere between 3 to 6 weeks depending on the conditions (the hotter the better to speed up the process of decay).
All you'll require are comfrey leaves, plastic bottles (such as old milk bottles), a watering can, a large bucket, tub trug or watertight container, and a big stone or brick to keep the leaves weighed down.
To begin, harvest comfrey leaves from the base of established plants. Wearing gloves is advisable, as the plant's hairy leaves may cause skin irritation. Following this, Gardeners' World recommends removing tough stems and flowers, then chopping the comfrey leaves and packing them firmly into a watertight container or bucket. Using a container with a lid is suggested, given that the mixture can become pungent as the leaves decompose. Place a stone or brick on top of the leaves to weigh them down at this point.
Keep a close watch and monitor the progress of your comfrey feed every couple of weeks. Anticipate the leaves gradually breaking down and releasing a smelly, brown liquid. Begin collecting any released liquid in plastic bottles and store in a cool, dark location. Top up your container with fresh leaves whenever you do this.
Dilute the collected liquid at a ratio of one part comfrey to 10 parts water — the darker the liquid, the greater the dilution required. Once complete, apply the solution as a potassium-rich liquid fertiliser to your tomato plants for the most flavoursome and robust crop you've ever grown.
