The Tomato Lab

The Tomato Lab At The Tomato Lab we believe that everyone should be able to grow fantastic varieties which fit their space.

Whether you are growing on a windowsill, a balcony, or in a full size polytunnel we have amazing and unusual tomato seeds and plants to suit you!

Lots of little tomato babies on the way 😍
07/06/2026

Lots of little tomato babies on the way 😍

I think I've finally reached the point where the spring flurry is over, and it's all just maintenance now. Everything is...
05/06/2026

I think I've finally reached the point where the spring flurry is over, and it's all just maintenance now. Everything is in its final planting spot, supports are in, and now I can relax and watch the garden grow. Although The Tomato Lab is a business, this is, after all, our home, and our garden. I'm growing more than just tomatoes (not as much more as I would like!) So I thought I would show you how it's all looking, and how I integrate around 300 varieties of tomato into a beautiful and functional space.

Nimu... you are just, magnificent aren't you? One of the most variegated varieties I've found, and a mini dwarf at that,...
05/06/2026

Nimu... you are just, magnificent aren't you? One of the most variegated varieties I've found, and a mini dwarf at that, growing to about 50cm. Frankly, the fruit let it down, they are very pretty, bicolour striped in red and gold, but they are a bit bland. So I'm hoping to make a few crosses from it this year!

Insane first truss from SkyeBlu! This is a stable variety, a multiflora child of Rebel Starfighter Prime x Rebel Allianc...
04/06/2026

Insane first truss from SkyeBlu! This is a stable variety, a multiflora child of Rebel Starfighter Prime x Rebel Alliance... yes please!! I can't wait to see what kind of output I get from this one! Fruits are not my picture - the picture was taken by the breeder, Russ Crowe.

Edit: Somehow the picture of the truss didn't attach!! I've added it!

It's windy as hell here, so I'm out tagging my plants before the in-ground labels blow away!!!
03/06/2026

It's windy as hell here, so I'm out tagging my plants before the in-ground labels blow away!!!

Such a simple trick, but one which has saved me a lot of hassle!As gardeners, we go through a lot of string, and a I'm ...
01/06/2026

Such a simple trick, but one which has saved me a lot of hassle!

As gardeners, we go through a lot of string, and a I'm sure everyone has experienced that moment when the knot you are tying just keeps slipping, and you just don't have enough hands to hold everything up... well, friends... I am here to tell you that those days are over!

When you tie your first knot, wrap it round twice. This stops the string from slipping, leaving you free to tie your second knot. It also helps secure the knot when it's finished, so it won't slide along the string and come undone. Simples!

The polytunnel gang got their first haircut of the year today. If you followed me last year, you'll know that I'm minima...
29/05/2026

The polytunnel gang got their first haircut of the year today. If you followed me last year, you'll know that I'm minimal in the pruning of lower leaves - just those touching the ground, at the moment - but militant about side shoots and suckers! This tunnel ain't got room for none o' that! Seriously... I can't let a single one grow, or the place goes mad 😆

These are the frames I use to support my outside-growing indeterminate toms. The A frames are 6ft high, these tomatoes w...
27/05/2026

These are the frames I use to support my outside-growing indeterminate toms. The A frames are 6ft high, these tomatoes will get tall if we have a good summer! Each plant is supported on a string. I don't keep too much tension on them - the plants should pull down on the string, rather than the string pulling the plant upwards. I also use a slip knot at both ends of the string, and leave some slack at the top, so that if we have a windy day, the plants can move with the wind. With these long, hot summers we have had recently, it is totally feasible to grow indeterminates outside in the UK, certainly from the Midlands down. Are you further north and get a good crop from indeterminates outdoors? I'd love to know...

Early start today to do some potting on in the greenhouse before the heat hits. We are expecting 32⁰C today (about 90⁰F)...
25/05/2026

Early start today to do some potting on in the greenhouse before the heat hits. We are expecting 32⁰C today (about 90⁰F) and in the greenhouse it will get to well over 40⁰C (104⁰F) in the middle of the day. I've put some shade up in there for them too! You've got to admit, it's a lovely time of day to be up and about... Let me know what you've been doing in your garden this morning 🌄 ðŸ…ðŸŒąðŸŠī

21/05/2026

Focus on... Karen Olivier, of Northern Gardener and the lovely varieties of hers, that I am growing this year.

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The Willows, Oddpenny Farm
Crudwell
SN169SJ

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