Our vegetable plants are bred for good pest and disease resistance, but may still be susceptible to common problems. We recommend using companion plants as a natural means of pest control. These attract the predators which feed on pests like aphids and caterpillars. These can also be picked off by hand if you see any on your plants. All young plants are at risk from slugs and snails - if you see the telltale slimy trails, surround your plant with a barrier of copper wire, fine gravel or crushed eggshells, which they cannot cross. Plants should always be spaced well apart to allow air to circulate - this prevents fungal diseases like downy mildew.

Tomatoes are thirsty plants! Water the plants regularly to keep the ground constantly moist. If you are unsure, feel the soil with your hand. If it feels dry up to a fingernail deep then you can give the plant a watering. During very hot, dry spells you may have to water up to twice a day.

Tomatoes need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to crop at their best

Thrives in any well-drained soil. If your soil is particularly clay-heavy and/or often becomes waterlogged then you can improve the drainage by adding in plenty of organic matter such as garden compost as well as some perlite or gravel.

From the time the flowers appear, feed your tomato plants with a tomato fertiliser every two weeks. You can also improve your soil's nutrient content by mixing in some well rotted manure or compost before planting.