Tomatoes are New Zealand's favourite fruit, with over a million plants grown by home gardeners all over the country every year. They are grown at home for their flavour ... no store-bought tomato tastes anywhere near as good.
Tomatoes are high in vitamin C and and are good sources of fibre. They love the sun, need protection from the wind, and to be given plenty of water and tomato fertiliser for strong plant and root growth. They are also frost tender. For a master class in growing tomatoes at home, see: www.tuitime.co.nz.
Tips for success
* Choose a warm position in full sun away from strong winds in either the garden or in a pot. Cultivate soil, blend in Tui Tomato Food and compost before planting.
* For pots, simply choose a container at least two to three times the size of a kitchen bucket (20-30 litres) or use a Haxnicks tomato planter and fill with Tui Tomato Mix. This mix already has all the goodies in it to produce a bumper crop. You can even poke a few holes in the bottom of the potting mix bag for drainage and plant straight into the mix if time, space and the inclination takes you.