Where can I attend a short course (less than 12 months) on the growing of tomatoes for sale on a small plot?

Answer 1

Look for a commercial horticulture course. That will give you the agricultural and the commercial side of things. There are some horticultural colleges, also standard Further Education colleges. Be aware that UK horticulture is fiercely competitive especially for small producers. Its tough competing against Spain, Mexico and other countries with more sun.

Answer 2

Call your County's extension office and ask them if they are offering any vegetable growing courses or if they have any publications. It wouldn't be a lengthy course--just a few nights a week for a few weeks if that long. As other posters suggested, you can get all the info you need from books. Also do some research on line. The only issue I have had with tomatoes is blossom end rot, where there's a big black dry rotted end on the tomatoes. It's caused by uneven watering. Applying lime will help prevent that as well as even watering; in other words, don't let the ground get really dried out for any period of time. We have a crab compost product in our area--it's called Chesapeake Blue--that's real good for tomatoes as well as the environment. Good luck on your venture.

Answer 3

check out Mother Earth News(.com)There just happened to be a recent article about growing heirloom tomatoes!
Also, a mail order company called Totally Tomatoes, they also sell heirloom pepper seeds and lots of other interesting plants. Its all seed + I've had awesome luck with their products/info!
I got tomatoes to grow really well in really bad conditions, in an Oak forest w/about 1/2 the needed sunlight, using these methods.
as far as selling them goes, as long as you keep it on a very small scale, you may only be required to use a sale tax license, check with your are chamber if commerce. also, sell at farm markets, you'll probable do well, and pick up some new ideas!

Answer 4

12 months to learn how to grow tomatos??! No wonder education is up the spout in this country!

Answer 5

Best place to get advice is down your local allotments, there will be plenty of nice old men (and women) willing to give good advice. Any of the RHS gardening books will also provide you with all the knowledge you need.

Answer 6

You don't need to go on a course - all they need is loads of water and sunlight and the centre stems nipping out when they get to a certain height to make them bushy! Buy a good book.

Answer 7

All you need is a good gardening book.

??And a licence to sell ?? (Perhaps)