tomato (cherry) 'Tumbling Tom'
cherry tomato or Solanum lycopersicum 'Tumbling Tom'
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: Average to fast
- Hardiness: Tender (will need winter protection)
Perfect for hanging baskets and patio containers, ‘Tumbling Tom’ is a compact, bushy tomato producing an abundance of cherry-sized delicious fruits that can be grown in a glasshouse or outdoors. Requiring no side-shooting or training, this easy to grow and maintain tomato is a fun and tasty alternative to trailing bedding. Or why not grow it alongside?
Tumbling tomatoes are naturally self-branching and will normally cascade on their own, but can be encouraged by pinching out the growing tip once they reach 25-30cm. Keep well watered and feed weekly with seaweed extract once flowers form. Keep water levels in the soil consistent to prevent blossom end rot and split fruit.
From January to March, sow seeds under glass 0.5cm (¼ in) deep in pots or trays of good quality seed compost and lightly cover. Germination takes 1-2 weeks at 64-70°F (18–21°C). Prick out seedlings, once large enough to handle, into individual pots and transplant to hanging baskets or containers once all risk of frost has passed.