Tips for the tastiest toms!
Home - Tips for the tastiest toms!
Home - Tips for the tastiest toms!
The time for sowing tomatoes is between late January and late March, with harvests to come between July and October. This easy to grow crop does best when grown in full sun and there is a wealth of varieties to choose from, including cherry, plum, and beefsteak, with each of them having their own distinctive shape, flavour and culinary use.
Whilst it’s possible to buy young plants from garden centres, it’s also easy to grow from seed – especially for some of the more unusual varieties. There are two growing types to choose from – determinate (bush) or indeterminate (cordon) – with bush types being planted in pots or hanging baskets and cordons growing tall, supported by a cane or stake.
Once your crop is flourishing, bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with a delicious tomato and olive bread stick recipe – a perfect accompaniment to hazy summer days.
Find out more about the recipe below…
For more information on tomato varieties, growing tips and guides on cordon training, head to the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine site.
Tip the flour, sugar and 1 tsp salt into a large bowl. Combine the yeast with 350ml warm (not hot) water and slowly pour into the flour mix, bringing the wet dough together gently with your hands or a spatula. Cover and place in a warm, draught-free area until the dough doubles in size (around 2 hours).
Tip the dough onto a floured surface – it will be wet and gooey, so gently fold it into itself 5-6 times to make a wobbly rectangle shape. Place back in the mixing bowl, drizzle with some olive oil and a little sea salt, cover with a floured tea towel and leave to rise again in a warm place for at least 2 hours, until doubled in size.
Line two non-stick baking trays with silicone paper. Press the dough with your gingers to see if it leaves an indent – if it does, it’s ready. Tip out onto a floured surface, cut the dought into quarters or thirds (depending on how chunky you want your sticks to be) and gently stretch each one out to a stick shape the length of a tray, leaving room between sticks.
Heat the oven to 230C/210C fan/gas mark 8. Brush each stick with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, add a final dusting of flour, then press the olives and tomato halves into the dough. Allow to rise for another 10-15 mins, then drizzle with a little pesto and bake for 15-20 minutes depending on the thickness of the sticks.
Leave to cool and then enjoy!
New year, new garden, new trends!
We’re through the garden gate into 2023, with a host of gardening trends blooming throughout the country. From house plants reaching dizzying heights of popularity, to the colour of the year ‘Viva Magenta’, read on for our full list of trends.
To get up close and personal with fresh garden inspiration, new plants, the latest gardening kit and more, join us in 2023.
Hand-picked by Pantone, the colour of the year has been named as ‘Viva Magenta.
Pantone describe the colour as ‘brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.’
Discover a world of colour and scent in the stunning Floral Marquee, bursting with award-winning nurseries and display.
Whilst your garden might seem to already be very green, it can always be greener!
Discover ways you can make gardening more sustainable, like upcycling common items to make stylish features. What was a pallet, hessian bags, bits of pipe, and tin cans, could become a planter, grow bags, water features, and wildlife habitats.
Be inspired by the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine editorial team as they’re joined by experts to give tips and advice.
Looking to go from soil to supper this year? Get brilliant advice from the National Allotment Society at the event.
Learn about the latest peat-free compost from exhibitors who can offer face-to-face advice.
Foliage doesn’t just belong outside – bring nature indoors and be inspired by the Houseplant Hub.
Beautiful Borders returns with this year’s theme ‘My Garden Escape’ to give you space savvy ideas. |
Discover different ways you can let your garden bloom under a tighter budget, with advice from expert gardeners.
Visit the BBC Good Food Summer Show (with free entry with your ticket!) and discover the latest foodie trends.
Feeling inspired? Find out what else is happening at BBC Gardeners’ World Live this June!