Tastiest toms for 2026

[Andraste]

My understanding is potash is a key factor in flavour for Toms & rumour has it companion planting with Basil helps flavour too. I have absolutely no evidence to back up either claim (and I don't personally like raw Toms very much so I'm not the best critic for flavour). The only thing I'm really confident to say is that even a lack lustre home grown Tom is better than any shop bought if only for the smell of a super fresh Tom

We're trying two 'new to us' varieties this year (OH does like Toms so we grow for him not me ): Rubinka (cherry) and Akon (standard size). I'll let you know how they do & OH's tastiness verdict

[rary]

I will be trying Lata and Urbikany both early bush, also Ruby, Ailsa Craig and Moskvich a large tasty tomato.

How many of you remove the lower leaves as the season progresses, also does anyone spray their plants either as a folier feed or to water them

[Andraste]

I'm probably not the best to comment as I'd describe myself as a mediocre tom grower (they get grown for OH to eat mostly). I don't use foliar feeds. I do remove some lower leaves but only if they get tired looking.

[Containergardener]

I'm trying some Russian ones too.
I remove leaves but I don't spray, I tend to use tomato feed. Neighbour up the rd uses comfrey which grows round about. I may try a comfrey this yr.

[Peanut]

How many of you remove the lower leaves as the season progresses, also does anyone spray their plants either as a folier feed or to water them

Hi Rary,

I do both, I remove the lower leaves as the season goes on. I grow my toms in buckets in double staggered rows in the greenhouse, so you can imagine the jungle I would have if I didn't. I believe that it helps to keep the air flowing nicely and lessens the risk of diseases. I also feed everything with a spraying of miracle grow via a hosepipe attachment every now and then, this is as well as my weekly tomato food feed.

[Containergardener]

Do you spray all the leaves Peanut?

[Peanut]

Yep, I spray everything from top to bottom every few weeks or so. This includes, aubergines, peppers/chillies, cucumbers and toms, in fact anything that is in the greenhouse at the time! I only do the greenhouses on warm days when I know it will dry up quite quickly. Plus I do all the fruit, veg and flowers outside.

[Containergardener]

I used to do flowerrs and beds outside but have got out of the habit. Time to bring that back. Thanks Peanut.

[Mark Rand]

I'm sticking with tried and tested ones this year:-Cour Di Bue; Indigo Rose; Rugby; San Marzano and Sweet Success.

I've given up on Sweet Million because the skin is tooo thin, to the point that it splits if you don't harvest it twice a day. I've not done Tigerella this year because it's a bit pasty/cardboardy.

I did get some new seeds because some of the saved ones seem to have drifted a bit (didn't realise that some were F1)

[rary]

The reason for asking about spraying was to see if there is any connection between that and getting blight, I rarely spray my tomatoes the only time I have done this is when I had problems with whitefly and as I now underplant with marigolds they are no longer a problem, but I have been very fortunate as I have never had blight, probably due to cooler conditions rather than good growing skills. As for removing lower leaves, I have never really noticed any difference in growth or harvest when removing or leaving on, though I do remove the leaves if the start to discolour.
I have also now acquired Rubinka tomato seeds so will be trying them this year

[Peanut]

The reason for asking about spraying was to see if there is any connection between that and getting blight, I rarely spray my tomatoes the only time I have done this is when I had problems with whitefly and as I now underplant with marigolds they are no longer a problem.

I don't believe there is. I can't remember the last time my greenhouse toms got blight. I leave all vents, windows and doors open 24/7 once the temps are up, I only ever close them if we are forecast heavy rain. I also underplant with marigolds and basil

[Containergardener]

Warmer where you are though Peanut for you to keep things open .

[Peanut]

Quite probably. It depends on what the temperature is, of course if its cold I will close it up, but on the whole by the time I have everything planted in the greenhouse, it's likely to be end of May/June so temps are generally heading towards double digits overnight by then, fingers crossed!

[rary]

I don't believe there is. I can't remember the last time my greenhouse toms got blight. I leave all vents, windows and doors open 24/7 once the temps are up, I only ever close them if we are forecast heavy rain. I also underplant with marigolds and basil

I sometimes have the doors open in my greenhouse but definitely not 24/7, though I do leave the doors open at night if some of the tomatoes are a bit slow in ripening

[burnie]

I never have the door open unless I am in there, too many cats about, I have two large roof windows on automatic openers, there are also side vents which I
open manually.