Salad Tomato - Ailsa Craig

Solanum lycopersicum - approximately 25 seeds.

A classic Scottish salad tomato (indeterminate), reliable and early with great flavour.  This tomato carries the name of the granite Island off the Ayrshire coast, 'Ailsa Craig'.  It is understood to have been bred in the early 20th century by Alan Balch, who lived in Girvan at the time and later moved to the Moray coast.  When it was released, it was said to be the only tomato that could be grown outdoors in South and Central Scotland; provided that it was placed in a sunny, sheltered location.  

Growing Tips

Tomatoes will do best when grown undercover in Scotland. Sow indoors into small pots or seed flats using a heated propagator or sunny window sill in Feb/March, April can also work well. Transplant into larger pots once true leaves emerge.  Aim to transplant into final growing location after the last frost.

TIP:  Tomato plants can produce roots from their stems when in contact with the soil so when transplanting, do so nice and deep, this will help to grow sturdy healthy plants.