You should grow your own tomatoes, it is really satisfying. Especially when you taste them and realise that they have some much more flavour than the ones at your local supermarket! Jon has made a couple of harvests from his three tomato plants. The tomatoes are smaller than he imagined but great in salads or to add to a tomato sauce while cooking. He can really see the benefits of growing your own.
These fruits are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which reduces risks of heart disease and cancer. Tomatoes are also beneficial for skin health, as it may protect against sunburns thanks to the beta carotene. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
What tomato varieties can you grow?
There are a number of varieties of tomatoes that you can grow in your garden or on your balcony. Jon chose the ‘super sweet 100’ cherry tomato which are high yielding so great for a good few salads. The variety you choose really depends on the space you have and what kind of foods you like eating. In fact, Jon would probably go for a different variety next time. The plants grow pretty high (to around 150cm) so he found that they were a bit too high and the stems broke when it was windy. Next time he thinks he will go for ‘red alert’ cherry tomatoes as the bushes are smaller. Again, they are heavy cropping and ideal for salads and cooking.
So, take a look at the different varieties available and see which one would be best for you!
