Stake large cordon varieties grown as single-stemmed plants. Bush tomatoes are more compact and may or may not need support. It depends on how large they are and whether the stems are strong enough to keep the crop.

Different types of tomatoes need different pruning. Check the seed package or plant label to know which type you are growing. Cordon tomatoes require pinching every few days to increase fruit production.

Pinch out the side shoots growing between the main stem and leaves. Bushy or trailing varieties do not require any pinching.

Regular watering is essential for tomatoes. Lack of water causes fewer, smaller fruits and nutrient deficiencies. Too much can affect the flavour. Uneven watering also can cause splitting and blossom end rot. Water the base of the plant and avoid the leaves.

Weekly feeding tomatoes with a liquid feed makes a big difference to crop quantity and quality. Use the Evergreen Levington Tomorite, the country's favourite liquid feed enriched with seaweed extract.

Regularly remove any dead or yellowing leaves on your tomato plants to improve airflow and control disease.

In late summer, cut off the main stem of cordon varieties to avoid wasting energy on the late fruiting. Leave four fruit trusses on outdoor plants (six on indoor plants), then pinch out the growing tip.

Tomatoes start to ripen from mid-summer onwards, depending on the variety and weather conditions. The greenhouse tomatoes usually start cropping earlier than those outdoors and last well into autumn. At the end of the season, keep the green tomatoes in a warm, dark place to ripen.