Shirley Tomato
Welcome to our complete guide on growing Shirley Tomatoes, the gardener’s favorite for robust flavor and reliable harvests. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a budding gardener, this guide is tailored to help you cultivate Shirley Tomatoes successfully in your own garden or greenhouse. Dive into the world of this popular tomato variety, known for its resistance to common greenhouse diseases and its beautifully uniform, juicy fruits. We cover everything from seed sowing and plant care to pest management and harvesting techniques. Join us on this journey to grow luscious, flavorful Shirley Tomatoes and enjoy the fruits of your labor in salads, sauces, or just as a delicious snack straight from the vine!
Did you know there are over 10000 tomatoes! There are so many to choose from when deciding to grow tomatoes. Some of the most popular to grow are Roma, Moneymaker, Alicante, Marmande Tomatoes. One of the most popular tomatoes to try and grow is the Shirley Tomato.
One of the main reasons why Shirley Tomato is popular to grow at home or in the allotment is that they are heavy croppers with reliable fruit. The taste of Shirley tomatoes is delicious.
In this article, we will be explaining how to grow Shirley tomatoes, tips for growing them successfully, how to care for them plus lots more.
Find out about different tomato varieties here.
Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book
Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-
You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.
Shirley Tomato History
Shirley Tomatoes have been around since the 1970’s they are a F1 hybid tomato. These tomatoes can be grown in a cold greenhouse so can ideally be grown outdoors in the UK
What are the health benefits of Shirley Tomato
Tomatoes are a healthy option for meals and drinks. Tomatoes have many great nutrients in them. They are a great source of Vitamin C and other antioxidants. They help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.
How to grow Shirley Tomato
When you are deciding to grow Shirley Tomatoes or any tomato variety you need to know where you are going to plant them. Think of the best location for planting these first before sowing the Shirley Tomato seeds. As mentioned above the Shirley tomatoes can be grown outdoors or in a cold greenhouse. This is perfect for the UK weather climate.
In this Shirley tomato guide, we will be giving you a step-by-step guide on how to grow your own Shirley tomatoes from sowing the tomato seeds, potting them into plant pots, and reaping the harvests of the beautiful tomatoes.
When to sow, plant, and harvest Shirley Tomato
Here is an easy table to show you the dates you need for your tomatoes. This chart is for the UK – remember that this is a guide and will all depend on the weather and how warm it is.
| Sow | February to April |
| Plant | May – June |
| Harvest | July to October |
Best place to grow Shirley Tomato
When growing many types of tomatoes the best place to grow them is always in a polytunnel or a greenhouse. This is the same for Shirley tomato. However, Shirley tomato can survive a cold greenhouse. In a greenhouse, you will get bigger and strong tomato plants. The humidity will be better for the tomato plants.
The best soil to grow Shirley Tomato
The best soil to grow your Shirley tomatoes in will always be compost. You can either grow them in a grow bag where you can fit around three plants in one. You can also purchase bags of compost and fill up a large plant pot to grow the Shirley tomato in. Just make sure that it has drainage holes in the bottom.
How to sow Shirley Tomato seeds
To sow Shirley tomato seeds is an easy process which anyone could do even children will love to help you sow your seeds. I have included a video on how I sow Shirley tomato seeds.
First, you need a seed tray with a layer of compost. Sprinkle the tomato seeds evenly across the top of the compost then cover with another layer of compost. Sprinkle the compost with water – do not over-water them. If it is still cold in your greenhouse you can cover the seed tray with a layer of cling film. This will keep the soil warm and moist and help germination.
Planting your Shirley Tomato
It will take around 14 days for your tomato seeds to germinate. Leave the plants until they get quite big in the seed tray – around 8cm tall. Once they are big enough to handle you can pot them on into plant pots to grow and develop further – you only need plant pots that are around 8cm. Keep watering the tomatoes on a regular basis and keep them in a sunny position in the greenhouse. Always pot up more tomatoes than you actually need just in case any die – you can always give friends and family spare ones.
When the Shirley tomato plants grow to around 15cm in height they will be ready to pot onto their final growing space. Either plant them in grow bags – usually, you can get three in a grow bag. The other option is to grow them in a big container and add your own compost or a flower bucket. Just make sure there is drainage holes in the bottom or you could waterlog your tomatoes.
Looking after your Shirley Tomato
When growing any variety of tomato plant they require a lot of love and attention to get great crops.
One of the main jobs in looking after your Shirley tomato plants is to keep them watered they are extremely thirsty plants, especially in the warm summer months. They often require a drink of water every day. In extremely hot weather, they might want a drink in the morning and at night.
Make sure that you support your Shirley tomato plant by placing a cane in the ground at the side to fasten it too as they are top-heavy and can snap. You would not want to lose all your produce from the plant if it snaps and breaks.
As the Shirley tomato plant is growing keep snapping off any side shoots that grow this then lets the plant put in all the energy into growing the tomatoes on the main stem.
If you notice any yellow leaves growing on the plant these can be cut off just in case they are diseased.
How to feed Shirley Tomato
Your Shirley tomatoes will require regular feeding to get great crops from the plants. The most common ideal tomato feed is a liquid tomato feed. This is often given once a week when the plants are flowering. When the tomatoes are setting on the plant you can feed them twice a week. This will give you bumper crops and many healthy plants.
Below is a link to the recommended product we suggest for feeding your tomatoes.
Harvesting Shirley Tomato
The best part of growing Shirley tomatoes is when the time comes to harvest them. The tomatoes taste absolutely gorgeous. You won’t just end up eating one but lots. When one turns red they will all start turning red. Pick the tomato off when it is fully ripe do not leave too long or it will go soft and split. If it is at the end of the season and they are not ripening hang some banana skins in the greenhouse or pick them and put them and place them in a draw with a banana.
Shirley Tomato Pests and Diseases
As with most tomatoes, Shirley tomatoes are still prone to be affected by pests and diseases. These include:-
Shirley Tomato Pests:-
The pests which are common to affecting Moneymaker tomatoes are:-
- Aphids
- Leaf Beatles
- Slugs
- Snails
All bugs can be prevented from attacking your crops.
Shirley Tomato Diseases:-
Sungold tomatoes can be affected by late blight this is when the disease is spread by soil that has been hit by the water and splashed onto the plants. When watering makes sure you are careful and don’t have too much pressure on the hose or watering can. If you were to spot any plants that have been affected by blight remove them immediately as it can kill crops overnight if not controlled.
Purchase Shirley Tomato Tomato Plants and Seeds
Here you can purchase your Shirley tomato seeds and plants though our website. The links will take you to Amazon so you know it is safe to purchase.
Seeds:- The link below you can purchase Shirley seeds these are the best ones worth growing where you will have great success.
Plants:- Here you can purchase Shirley tomato plants that are already growing so it saves you the hassle of sowing the seeds:-
Shirley Tomato Questions
Here you will find some of the common questions asked about Shirley Tomato Plants
What is a Shirley Tomato Plant
Shirley Tomatoes are an early, short-jointed type producing large trusses that give heavy yields of good-shaped Tomatoes
What colour is Shirley Tomatoes?
Shirley tomatoes are red in colour
What do Shirley Tomatoes taste like?
Shirley tomatoes are a medium sized tomato that are sweet to taste and soft red skin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, growing Shirley Tomatoes can be a deeply rewarding gardening endeavor. With their disease resistance, consistent fruiting, and delicious flavor, they are an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you can look forward to a bountiful harvest of these delightful tomatoes. Whether enjoyed fresh, in culinary creations, or as a healthy snack, Shirley Tomatoes are sure to be a satisfying addition to your garden and table. Happy gardening, and may your efforts yield a plentiful and tasty crop!
