Tomatoes will grow beautifully if you follow Monty’s advice
Monty Don’s May tomato planting tips for a bumper harvest(Image: d3sign via Getty Images)
May is a fantastic month for gardening enthusiasts, with the warmer months fast approaching. There’s plenty to keep you busy, from pruning to mowing, but arguably the most crucial task is knowing exactly when to plant out your tomatoes.
Growing tomatoes at home is enormously satisfying, with a single plant capable of yielding an abundant crop throughout the summer months. However, they’re notoriously fussy, demanding plenty of sunshine and water to thrive. In a blog post from May 2024, Monty wrote: “It’s time to plant out tomatoes in a greenhouse, although wait until the end of the month for outdoor ones.”
Despite the allure of balmy days, tomatoes are particularly delicate and need careful handling.
Monty added: “Tomatoes hate too much temperature fluctuation, and May nights can be chilly, especially if the days are warm.”
Tomatoes can be planted outside at the end of the month(Image: Getty)
The stark difference between mild daytime temperatures and cooler evenings can put young plants under considerable strain, potentially jeopardising your harvest, the Express reports.
Once the moment is right, how you plant is just as vital as when you plant.
The horticultural expert suggests planting them deep, burying the stem right down to the lowest leaf.
The submerged portion of the stem will sprout additional roots, resulting in a sturdier, more robust plant that can support a heavier yield as the season progresses.
Monty said: “As the young plants grow, they form shoots between the leaves and the stem, and these are known as side-shoots.”
These growths can emerge rapidly and display characteristics similar to tomatoes, but they drain resources from the plant and “reduce the overall harvest” while making a cordon plant “straggly”.
Monty advised removing these shoots immediately upon spotting them.
When carried out consistently, this ensures the plant remains focused on producing delicious fruits while maintaining healthy, neat growth.
The gardening expert explained: “The best way to do this is in the morning when the plant is turgid, simply breaking them off with a finger and thumb.
“In the evening, they will be limp and may tear the plant, so they should be cut off with a knife.”
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