An outstanding beefsteak tomato variety which produces attractive oxheart-shaped fruits with exceptional flavour, all summer long. Early ripening and extremely productive, you can enjoy the rewards of Tomato Gourmandia from July right through to autumn, the chunky fruits each weighing up to 300g (10oz) when ripe. A firm texture with the juice held well within the flesh, these tomatoes are perfect for slicing and using in sandwiches or as a burger topper and wont make the bread soggy! Height: 1.5-1.8m (5-6). Spread: 50cm (20).
Sowing
Sow seeds on the surface of a good, free-draining, damp, seed sowing mix and cover with a fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. Place seed trays in a propagator at a constant temperature of around 20-25C (68-77F) until after germination, which takes 10-14 days. When seedlings gain 2 true leaves, transplant into individual 7.5cm (3) pots of compost and grow on at a minimum temperature of 15C (59F).
When growing in a glasshouse tomato plants may be transplanted at the end of May or when the first flowers are showing, if earlier. Allow 3 plants per growbag, or one per 25cm (10) pot, or plant tomatoes directly into the greenhouse soil.
When growing tomatoes outdoors, wait until all risk of frost has passed before transplanting tomatoes. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7 - 10 days before planting out from early June when tomato plants are 20cm (8) tall. Choose a sheltered position in full sun on fertile, reliably moist, well drained soil, and transplant at a distance of 60cm (24) apart. Drive a (5) cane into the soil adjacent to each plant to support them as they grow, and tie each main stem to its support with soft garden twine.
More Info
Water tomato plants frequently, to keep the compost evenly moist. Feed tomatoes regularly with a high potash plant food once the first truss of fruit has formed.
Tie the main stems to their supports and remove any sideshoots that develop between the main stem and the leaf stems. Once the plant has produced 6 or 7 trusses, pinch out the top of the main stem. This process of sideshooting and stopping will increase the availability of light and air movement around the developing fruit, and focus the plants energy on producing a good crop of high quality tomatoes. Tomatoes can be harvested as they ripen from July to October.
