SEEDSMEN READY FOR TOMATO TIME

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27795, 21 October 1955, Page 9

SEEDSMEN READY FOR TOMATO TIME

Many home gardeners regard Labour Day as an important date on their planting calendar for tomatoes. From this week-end until early November most home tomato crops will be planted, although because of the especially good season many gardeners with sheltered plots have planted them already. One seedsman in Christchurch has been selling plants at the rate of 300 dozen. a week since the beginning of September. Today, thousands of dozens of plants will be out for sale, most of them tall and medium varieties. Dwarf kinds are becoming increasingly popular, but because their success depends on a warm, dry season and there are the problems of the fruit touching the ground, the bigger plants are easily holding their own. Four years ago a frost resistant strain, Russian Red. was put on the market While this type still appears to be more disease resistant than others, it seems to have become acclimatised and succumbs to late frosts. . Most large seed shops are prepared to meet today’s expected demand with at least 300 to 400 dozen plants. No shortage of tomatoes or other plants is expected. One firm, to meet the increasing demand, has ordered 50 per cent, more plants from its nurseries than last year. Last month it sold 37.000 dozen plants of all kinds.