15 Interesting Fun Facts About Tomatoes

Did you know that the tomato is a fruit? Botanically speaking, a tomato is considered a fruit because it is the ovary of the plant. That means that every time you bite into a fresh, juicy tomato, you’re eating a little piece of reproductive anatomy. Who would have thought? Besides being an interesting bit of trivia, this fact also has some implications for our understanding of nutrition. Tomatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals, making them not only delicious but healthy too. So next time someone tries to tell you that tomatoes are vegetables, set them straight- they’re actually fruits! Read on for more fun facts about one of the worlds favorite crops.

outdoor tomato plant in large pot
outdoor cherry tomatoes in a large pot

Are tomatoes fruit or veg?

Did you know that tomatoes are actually fruit? While we often think of them as vegetables, tomatoes are technically classified as fruits because they contain seeds.

Tomatoes come in all sorts of different shapes, sizes, and colours. In fact, there are over 10,000 different types of tomatoes!

Where do tomatoes originally come from?

Tomatoes are thought to have originated in South America, and they were first brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.

Today, tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables (or fruits!) in the world. They’re used in all sorts of dishes, from pizza and pasta to salads and soup.

What’s your favourite way to eat tomatoes?

Do you like them raw, in a sauce, or cooked in a dish? Let us know in the comments!

Try my Easy Creamy Tomato Risotto | Kid’s Favourite.

Homemade roasted tomato salsa dip

How much fibre is in a tomato?

Tomatoes are a good source of dietary fibre. One medium-sized tomato (around 200g) contains around 2g of fibre.

Dietary fibre is an important part of a healthy diet, and it can help to promote digestive health and prevent constipation.

tomato plant in greenhouse uk

How many calories are in a tomato?

Tomatoes are relatively low in calories. One medium-sized tomato contains around 25 calories.

This makes them a great food to eat if you’re trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

What are the benefits of eating tomatoes?

Tomatoes are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid.

They’re also a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to several health benefits, such as a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

Try adding some diced tomatoes to your next salad, or enjoy a delicious tomato soup on a cold day. However, you eat them, make sure to enjoy some tomatoes today!

How to keep a tomato plant healthy

Here are a few tips to help you keep your tomato plants healthy and productive:

-Water your plants regularly, especially during dry periods.

-Fertilise your plants every few weeks with a tomato-specific fertiliser (we use homemade comfrey mixture).

-Prune your plants regularly to encourage new growth.

-Harvest your tomatoes regularly, as this will encourage the plant to produce more fruit.

-Check your plants for signs of pests or disease and treat them accordingly.

Following these tips should help you to grow healthy and productive tomato plants. If you have any other tips, please share them in the comments!

How to grow tomato seeds from home

Growing tomatoes from seed is a fun, easy way to get started in gardening. Not only do you get to watch the plants grow from tiny seeds into big, healthy plants, but you can also save money by growing your own tomatoes from seed. Plus, there’s something really rewarding about harvesting your own homegrown tomatoes!

tomato seed growing in small pot

When to plant tomato seeds in the UK

One of the most eagerly anticipated gardening tasks of the year is planting tomatoes. Tomato plants are relatively easy to grow, and even a small plot can yield a generous crop of delicious fruits.

For gardeners in the UK, the best time to plant tomato seeds is from late March to early April. This ensures that the plants will have enough time to mature before the end of summer. However, it is important to wait until all danger of frost has passed, as tomato plants are sensitive to cold weather. With a little care and attention, your tomato plants will thrive and provide you with a bountiful harvest of juicy fruits.

When to plant tomato seeds in the US

Many gardeners know that tomato plants need a long growing season to produce ripe fruit, so they start their seeds indoors in late winter or early spring. However, this isn’t the best way to get a jump on the growing season. In fact, planting tomato seeds too early can actually hinder their growth. Tomato plants are tropical plants, and they need warm soil and air temperatures to thrive. If the air temperature is below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the plants will experience stress and may even stop growing entirely.

So when is the best time to plant tomato seeds in the US? Late May to early June is when most regions of the country have warm enough temperatures for tomato seeds to germinate and grow. By waiting to plant your seeds until this time of year, you’ll give your plants the best chance of producing a bountiful harvest come summertime.

What you need to grow tomato seeds

Tools you’ll need for growing tomatoes

To grow tomatoes you will need:

To grow tomato seeds, you will need:

-Tomato seeds

-A pot or tray for germination (we recommend using 10cm pots)

-Seed starting mix

-Water

-A sunny spot

How to grow tomato seeds

1. Fill your pot or tray with seed starting mix and wet it with water.

2. Sow the tomato seeds on the surface of the mix. You can sow them individually or in groups of 2-3 seeds.

3. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of mix and mist with water.

4. Place the pot or tray in a warm, sunny spot and keep the mix moist.

5. The seeds should germinate within 7-14 days

6. Once the seedlings have emerged, you can transplant them into individual larger pots

How to grow tomatoes outside

If you want to grow tomatoes outside, you’ll need to choose a sunny spot in your garden. Tomatoes love sunlight, so make sure to pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day.

You’ll also need to prepare the soil before planting. Tomato plants prefer well-drained, fertile soil, so add some compost or well-rotted manure to your chosen spot.

When it comes to planting, you can either start with seedlings or sow the seeds directly into the ground. If you’re starting with seedlings, plant them at the same depth as they were in the pot.

How to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse

If you want to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, you’ll need to choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight. A south-facing window is ideal.

You’ll also need to make sure the temperature inside the greenhouse doesn’t get too hot, as this can damage the plants. The optimum temperature for tomato plants is around 20-25 degrees Celsius.

When it comes to planting, you can either start with seedlings or sow the seeds directly into the ground. If you’re starting with seedlings, plant them at the same depth as they were in the pot.

cherry tomato plants in greenhouse uk

How to grow cherry tomatoes from seed

If you want to grow cherry tomatoes from seed, you’ll need to start them off in a greenhouse or indoors around 8 weeks before the last frost date.

To do this, fill some pots or trays with seed-starting mix and sow the seeds on the surface. Then, place the pots or trays in a warm spot and keep the soil moist.

Once the seedlings have germinated, you can transplant them into individual larger pots. When they’re around 20cm tall, they can either stay in the greenhouse or outdoors.

Cherry tomatoes are ready to harvest when they’re a deep red colour. Cut the stem just above the tomato and enjoy!

I hope this has given you some helpful tips on how to grow tomatoes. If you have any other tips, please share them in the comments!

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