Organic Tomato Seeds 'Koralik'

‘Koralik’ tomatoes benefit from an early start under cover, allowing plants to establish before being moved outdoors.

Seeds can be sown from January through to March in seed trays or small pots filled with a good-quality organic seed compost. Tomatoes require warmth to germinate, so aim for temperatures of 18–21°C. Germination typically takes 7–14 days.

Once seedlings are established, pot them on into 7cm pots burying their full stems, leaving only the top leaves showing. They can then be grown in cooler conditions, around 10°C, to encourage strong, compact plants. Seedlings should be potted on when the roots can be seen through the bottom of the pot.

Plants can be transplanted from April to May, once the risk of frost has passed. ‘Koralik’ can be grown indoors or outdoors, in a greenhouse, grow bag or sheltered bed. Space plants around 60cm apart, or allow three plants per grow bag. Ensure consistent watering and try not to let the plants dry out as this can cause blossom end rot.

Harvesting usually begins in June and can continue through to October, depending on growing conditions. Fruits are best harvested once fully coloured and slightly soft to the touch.

Regular harvesting helps keep plants productive through the season. Tomatoes can be enjoyed fresh, added to salads, or used in cooking straight from the plant.

Pre-soaking: Tomato seeds can be soaked in a diluted seaweed fertilizer solution of 2-24 hours to aid germination and promote healthy root development. 

Seed compost: When sowing, a small amount of frass soil improver can be mixed into seed compost or added to planting holes when potting on. This supports steady early growth without encouraging soft, leggy plants.

During the growing season: As plants begin flowering and setting fruit, regular, gentle feeding can help maintain balance. Liquid seaweed fertilizer can be applied every couple of weeks, watered into the soil or used as a foliar feed during periods of active growth.

Frass can be applied as a surface dressing through the growing season, watered in to support soil structure and long-term soil health.

Young tomato plants should be protected from frost and cold winds, particularly when grown outdoors early in the season.

Good airflow around plants helps reduce the risk of disease, and avoiding overcrowding supports healthy growth. As with many tomatoes, consistent watering helps prevent stress and uneven fruit development.

Tomatoes can be affected by whitefly, aphids, red spider mite and also potato blight. For greenhouse pests use a biological control if required.

Blight shows as brown patches on the leaves and it can spread to the fruit. Remove affected leaves and be careful not to transmit it from the potato patch to the greenhouse on muddy boots.

Solanum lycopersicum

Tomatoes belong to the species Solanum lycopersicum, a warm-season crop traditionally grown for its fruit. Varieties range widely in size, habit and flavour, from large beefsteaks to compact cherry types like ‘Koralik’.

Bush tomatoes differ from cordon varieties in that they form a self-supporting plant, producing a fruitful harvest over a shorter period. This makes them particularly well-suited to containers and smaller growing spaces.