tomato (standard) 'Shirley' F1
tomato or Solanum lycopersicum 'Shirley' F1
Delivery options
- Standard £5.95
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Average
- Hardiness: Tender (will need winter protection)
This award-winning F1 hybrid tomato produces large trusses of perfectly formed, greenback-free, red fruits. 'Shirley' is a popular, early-maturing cordon type, which is suitable for growing in both the garden (in milder areas), or in an unheated greenhouse. It has very tasty fruits and shows very good resistance to some of the common tomato diseases such as tobacco mosaic virus, cladosporium and fusarium wilt.
Tie in to supports as it grows, and pinch out the sideshoots. Keep well watered and feed weekly once flowers start to form. Keep water levels in the soil consistent to prevent blossom end rot and split fruit. When plants reach the roof of the greenhouse, pinch out the growing tip above the top truss so the plant concentrates on ripening fruit rather than growing greenery. Restrict the plant to six trusses for better quality fruits.
Sow basil among your tomatoes as a companion plant: the scent deters whitefly and it's handy for harvesting to complement your tomatoes perfectly in Mediterranean cooking.
Sow basil among your tomatoes as a companion plant: the scent deters whitefly and it's handy for harvesting to complement your tomatoes perfectly in Mediterranean cooking.
From January to March, sow in a frost-free greenhouse or windowsill, potting on seedlings individually as they grow. Once all danger of frost has passed, plant into greenhouse borders or into growbags, or harden plants off and plant outside in rich soil in a sunny spot.