It is generally understood that tomato plants need full sunshine. This is not the case. These tomato plants were grown in a part of the garden which only receives direct sunshine for 2 hours first thing in the morning. This planting demonstrates how tomatoes will climb for the light (here 2.5 metres).
The plants, Yellow Perfection, Yellow Pear and Alicante were left over plants planted late in the year. They are located against the north-east facing wall of the garden (used for herbs) which is in semi permanent shade. The suncalc.net website programme shows sunrise, midday and sunset for a garden.
This side of the garden is opposite to the raised bed where the main tomato crop is grown. In theory, tomatoes should not produce in this location. However, heirloom varieties particularly are inclined to manage better in less exposed positions. Tomatoes should not be considered as requiring full on sunshine.
Alicante is an English variety indeterminate (keeps growing) type tomato producing medium sized fruit. It is a development of the Moneymaker type tomato. Yellow Perfection is also an English heirloom variety producing bright yellow fruit. It is an excellent tomato for shaded gardens and poor weather summers.
This late harvests (several weeks after the last harvest) shows how shaded spots in the garden can be used to produce a late crop of tomatoes, partly slowed down by their growing situation. The tomatoes, mainly green, are firm and solid and will change colour in the bowl over the next few weeks.
(suncalc.net)
