Description
Shimmer F1 variety is something a bit different and was highly recommended to us by one of our customers and we're now sharing it with you!
The unique almond shaped fruit are larger than a cherry tomato but smaller than a Roma, with green stripes and touches of shimmering gold. Yields of between 300-350 fruits in a season are possible and the sweet and fruity flavour is exceptional.
| When to sow | Sow indoors February to April, delay sowing for outdoor crops until late March /April. |
| Where to sow | Tomatoes prefer fertile well drained soil. Can be grown either in a greenhouse or outside, in a sunny sheltered position e.g. up against a wall or garage, either in a bed, large pot/container or in grow bags. |
| Sow seeds 0.5cm (1/4in) deep, in modules or trays filled with moist compost and place in a warm light position such as a south facing windowsill or where temperature is 18–21°C (65 to 70°F). | |
| What to do Next |
When the seedlings are about 15cm (6in) high, transplant to their final growing positions, planting 40cm (16in) apart if in a bed or 2 to 3 plants per grow bag/container. If the plants are to be grown outdoors they should be hardened of for 7 to 10 days, after the date of the last frost, prior to transplanting. |
| Erect support as soon as possible, either with canes or metal spiral supports at least 2m (6.5ft) tall. Tie in the main stem to the support as it grows. | |
| Water well to keep the compost evenly and consistently moist and keep weed free. | |
| Remove, 'pinch out', side shoots which appear between the leaf and main stem and once 5 to 6 trusses have set remove the growing tip to ensure the plant focuses its energy on ensuring the remaining fruits mature and ripen. | |
| When the first fruits start to form, feed with a liquid fertiliser (high in potash) and every 2 to 3 weeks up until the end of August. | |
| Harvest | July to October. |
| Handy Tips | Try potting up side shoots as soon as they are removed, they should develop roots easily and will give you some additional plants. |
| Pick fruits before first frosts. If tomatoes are still green, pick and leave on a warm windowsill for them to ripen. | |
| Companion Planting | Good companions: Basil, chives, garlic, marigolds, nasturtium, parsley. |
| Bad Companions: Brassicas, sweetcorn, potato and fennel. | |
| Nutritional Information | Tomatoes are packed with antioxidants and are rich in Vitamins A and C and lycopene, all helping to stimulate your body’s immune system. |
| Serving Suggestion | Tomatoes are extremely versatile, eaten both cooked and raw. They can be sliced in a sandwich, eaten whole in a salad, chopped and cooked in various sauces or if a bigger variety, they can be stuffed and baked. The unripened green fruits can also be used in a tomato chutney. |
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