In his latest column, Colm O’Driscoll tells us about sowing overwintering Japanese onions and chard seed, pruning woody herbs and a whole host of top tips for the fruit, vegetables and herbs in your garden. Including how a toothbrush can increase tomato yield.
Top tip for increasing tomato yield:
If you have noticed that your tomato plants are not setting full trusses of fruit, the likely cause might be a lack of pollinators. This can often occur when tomatoes are grown in glasshouses and polytunnels which limit access for pollinating insects.
A great way to boost the yields of your tomato plants is to use a sonic electric toothbrush to pollinate your tomato trusses. The sonic toothbrush has a particularly strong vibration level which simulates the buzz of a bee on the tomato flower, causing the flower to release its pollen and self-fertilise. For best results, wait until the flowers are open. Then, gently buzz each flower with the back of the toothbrush head.
However, if the vibration level is very strong, it can be enough to simply buzz the stem of each flower truss. This is a lot less time-consuming. Whichever method you choose, this is a great way to increase your tomato yield.
Don’t forget:
Sow seeds of oriental salads now (late summer) for cropping from autumn to spring.
Sow green manures into beds immediately after harvestingcrops such as potatoes and onions. This will help promote soil health.
Prune stone fruits such as plums, cherries and peaches during the summer months to reduce the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker.
Plant purple sprouting broccoli plants deeply, burying most of the stem. This will help anchor the plants as they grow tall over the winter months.
For these and lots more advice and checks for your garden read all of Colm’s column in our Late Summer Issue or subscribe today.
