Gardeners' World: Monty demonstrates how to pot tomato plants
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Gardening expert and presenter Monty Don shared his top tips for planting tomato plants in an episode of the show last year. Monty, who has presented the series since 2003, often shares his tips and tricks on the show. Monty said he had planted Gardeners’ Delight tomatoes a few weeks ago.
He said he chose to plant them because you can eat them off the vine and they’re not difficult to grow.
He also said the seeds are widely available the plants tend to be more robust.
The gardening expert showed viewers his own germinated tomato plants which had developed the “true leaf”.
He described the true leaf as “the leaf that looks like the parent”.
He said: “As soon as they develop the true leaf they’re ready for pricking out or potting on.
“So if yours look anything like this, this is what you should do.”
Monty had a small pot and some peat-free potting compost.
He said to hold the small plants by the leaf “always” and cut around the plant to lift it out so you have a “root ball”.
“You drop it into the pot like that, hold it steady, put some soil around it,” he said.
“I’m not going to firm it in at all. Just gently shake it like that and put it to one side.
“And it is really important to get as much root as you can.”
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He said it doesn’t matter if you “slightly bury the stem” because new roots will develop from it.
His tomato plants were going straight in the greenhouse so they stay warm.
A greenhouse is the best place for young tomato plants but he also recommended a cold frame, windowsill, or porch.
Monty continued: “The beauty of tomatoes and, in fact, quite a few vegetables is that you need a lot of space to get a really good harvest.”
If you haven’t sowed tomato plants yet, you may be able to get some young plants from a garden centre.
Monty’s tips received high praise on YouTube from gardening fans.
One user said: “Potted my tomato plants on this weekend.
“Hope I did them right. First time ever. Guess only time will tell.”
Another user said: “I put a few plants in larger containers and the plants are growing tall and filling out.
“I am hoping they can stay in the pots until spring.
“I have a fabric-covered tent greenhouse with more furniture than plants although this winter my greenhouse is full of plants.”
Gardeners’ World airs tonight at 9pm on BBC Two
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