If you’re keen on growing tomatoes without the hassle of blight ruining your hard work, Monty Don has the golden tip for you! As one of the UK’s most cherished gardening experts, Monty suggests a simple job that could save your tomato crop.
While outdoor tomato plants are straightforward and quite the joy to grow, they can fall victim to several problems, with blight being a major threat particularly as we head into late July. Blight thrives in warm, humid conditions and can render your tomato plants useless if not managed.
Monty Don advises keeping good ventilation around your plants and stripping off the lower leaves as your tomatoes begin to fruit. This allows them to soak up more sunlight and reduces the humidity around the leaves, making it hard for blight to take hold.
Monty also mentions not to plant outdoor tomatoes until June and to tie them up regularly if they’re the cordon variety. This is crucial as it helps them grow strong and healthy. Even though Monty doesn’t feed his outdoor plants, he does give his indoor tomatoes a weekly seaweed feed.
So, if you fancy tomatoes that thrive and escape the dreaded blight, give Monty’s method a go! Keep an eye on your plants, provide ventilation, and allow those ripening tomatoes to bask in the sunshine. Happy gardening! 🍅🌞
[Image Credit: Getty Images]
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