While tomatoes are often associated with warm Mediterranean climates, you can successfully grow them outdoors in Ireland with a little planning. The key is choosing the right site, protecting your plants from unpredictable weather, and timing your planting carefully.
1. Choose the Best Varieties
For outdoor growing in Ireland, focus on early-maturing, hardy, and open-pollinated or heirloom varieties that can handle cooler, wetter summers. Some good outdoor choices include:
-
Gardener’s Delight tomato – a reliable cherry tomato that ripens quickly.
-
De Berao tomato – bred for short, cool summers; produces early fruit.
-
Boulette de Touraine tomato – a flavourful, small-fruited heirloom.
These varieties perform well in Irish gardens and are less likely to succumb to cool, wet conditions.
2. Timing is Everything
Irish weather can be unpredictable, so timing is crucial:
-
Start seeds indoors in late February to early March.
-
Harden off seedlings in late May, gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.
-
Plant outdoors only after the risk of frost has passed, usually late May to early June.
Starting indoors and hardening off ensures your plants are strong enough to handle the cooler nights and occasional rain.
3. Location and Soil
Select a sheltered, sunny spot for your tomato patch, ideally against a south-facing wall or hedge to maximise heat and protection.
-
Tomatoes thrive in well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost.
-
Avoid low-lying, waterlogged areas where roots can rot.
-
Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and keeps soil temperatures stable.
4. Support and Protection
Even outdoors, tomatoes benefit from support:
-
Use stakes, canes, or small cages to keep plants upright and prevent sprawling.
-
Consider temporary cloches, horticultural fleece, or plastic tunnels during cold snaps or heavy rain to protect flowers and young fruit.
5. Watering and Feeding
Irish summers can be wet or dry, so adjust watering accordingly:
-
Water at the base of the plant to prevent leaf diseases.
-
Feed with organic tomato fertiliser or seaweed feed every 2–3 weeks once flowers appear.
6. Pests and Diseases
Growing tomatoes outdoors increases exposure to pests and diseases:
-
Blight: Regularly inspect leaves, remove any affected growth, and ensure good airflow.
-
Aphids: Encourage natural predators like ladybirds or use organic insecticidal sprays.
-
Slugs and snails: Protect seedlings with copper tape, crushed eggshells, or organic slug pellets.
7. Harvesting
Tomatoes grown outdoors may ripen a little later than greenhouse crops, but the flavour is exceptional:
-
Pick when fruits are fully coloured and slightly soft.
-
Harvest regularly to encourage more flowers and fruit set.
-
Overripe fruits can be used for sauces, soups, or freezing.
Tip: Outdoor tomatoes often develop stronger flavours due to the fluctuating Irish weather — a little rain and cool nights can enhance sweetness and aroma.