Growing Instructions for Ailsa Craig Tomato Seeds

Ailsa Craig Tomato is one of tomato types that the seed corporations despise and avoid at all costs. In part due to the fact that they are open-pollinated (and hence not F1 hybrids), the seeds are as cheap as mud, and gardeners can easily preserve their own seeds from these plants. Considering the fact that F1 hybridization has yet to produce a superior-tasting tomato, there is no need to spend several hundred pounds more on premium F1 types of tomatoes.

This cultivar has been cultivated by gardeners in the United Kingdom for more than a century (see below for more information), which is sufficient endorsement in our opinion. Ailsa Craig is a tomato of the cordon variety. When growing them outside, we suggest that you keep them to a maximum of 5 or 6 trusses, depending on how much sun you receive in your part of the United Kingdom.

The Ailsa Craig Tomato’s Appearance and Flavor

As far as flavor is concerned, this type is still the one that many gardeners use to gauge how good a tomato is in comparison to other varieties. Ailsa Craig’s has a perfect combination of sweetness and acidity, as well as a rich tomato flavor that is not overpowering. When it comes to flavor, there are very few, if any, tomatoes that can compete with Ailsa Craig. Because of the texture, they are wonderful for salads but also for slicing and placing on burgers and in sandwiches because they are just hard enough.

The disease resistance of older cultivars like this is almost always excellent, and Ailsa Craig does not fail in this regard either. That’s one of the numerous reasons why it’s still being cultivated 100 years after it first appeared on the scene. The tomato’s size is precisely what we anticipate from a tomato, and the deep red, relatively thin, glossy skin gives it the appearance of being ripe.

In terms of growth, Ailsa Craig is a rather strong grower that may reach considerable heights if left to its own devices. Remember to remove any leaves that are covering any ripening tomatoes.When the first truss appears, thin down the leaves below it, and remove any fading foliage or stems that are close to the soil surface as soon as they are discovered.

The exact origins of this most popular tomato variety remain a mystery, but it is believed to have been introduced in 1908 and to have received an Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1911. He is heavily suspected to have been bred in Scotland, and more than likely in Inverness, by a man named Alan Balch.

When should Ailsa Craig Seeds be planted?

The following are the most important dates for sowing and planting Ailsa Craig seeds:

• In the second week of March, start sowing seeds in pots inside.
• Young plants should be potted up. The second week of April has arrived.
• Young plants should be hardened off. The first week of May is approaching.
• Young plants should be planted out. The third week of May is approaching.

When should Ailsa Craig’s Tomatoes be harvested?

This variety is a cordon type tomato, which means that if they are trimmed in this manner, you should be able to harvest your first Ailsa Craig tomatoes in the first week of August at the earliest.

Ailsa Craig seeds are available from practically all online seed merchants, garden centers, home improvement shops, and a number of supermarkets. Aldi and Wilkinson’s are usually the cheapest options. If you want to be certain that your Ailsa Craig seed will grow true to type (which is not often the case), we recommend purchasing it from a respected gardening firm.

Ailsa Craig tomato plants are also readily available as potted tomato plants in various sizes. When you take shipping costs into account, buying them from your local garden center is the most cost-effective and convenient way to get them.