AILSA CRAIG TOMATOES
The roots of this most common tomato variety remain largely a mystery, although it is believed to
have been first introduced in 1908. Almost probably bred in Scotland and more than definitely in
Inverness by Mr Alan Balch, named after the Scottish Island, Ailsa Craig is the distinctive domeshaped island-rock that rises dramatically from the Firth of Clyde.
Tomato Ailsa Craig is a semi-green, early ripening variety which produces bright red, medium-sized
fruits. Very popular with amateur growers and renowned for its flavour. This variety has been
cultivated by UK gardeners for more than a hundred years and this is a strong suggestion for us.
Ailsa Craig is a form of tomato cord. When growing outdoors, we will suggest restricting them to 5 or
at most 6 trusses based on how much sun you get in your part of the United Kingdom.
A crop of Ailsa Craig tomatoes takes approximately 15 weeks from the seed to the first harvest.
While you can sow seed from late December in a heated greenhouse, it is more common to sow in
an unheated greenhouse or in a kitchen window in March/April to plant in April/May.
It gives medium-sized green back fruit of ideal size and form early in the season with excellent deep
red colour and is ideal for indoor or outdoor cultivation. The fruit weights between 70 to 90 grams.
Heavy crop and a reliable performer.
Timing:
Because they cannot survive any degree of frost, the timing of outdoor sowing and planting is the
key to effective tomato development. Where the seeds are sown under cover or indoors, the goal is
to sow the seeds in such a way that they hit the stage to be transplanted within three weeks of the
last frost date. Tomato seedlings take about seven weeks from sowing to the transplant stage. For
example, if your last frost date is early May, the seeds should be planted at the beginning of April to
encourage transplants at the end of May.
Position:
Tomatoes need a position of full light. Two to three weeks before planting, dig the soil and add as
much organic matter as possible. The best soil used for containers is half a potting compost and half
a soil-based form of loam: this gives the soil some weight.
Sowing:
Plant about 3mm (1/8in) deep in small pots with the seed beginning from the compost. Holding the
water lightly and wet before germination occurs. Tomato seeds typically germinate within 5-10 days
when stored at an optimal temperature range of 21 to 27°C (70 to 80°F). Place in a location that
absorbs a lot of light and a cooler temperature (60 to 70°F) as soon as they emerge; the south-facing
window should work.
Transplantation:
When the plants grow their first true leaves, and before they become root attached, they can be
transplanted into 20cm (4in) larger containers. Young plants are very tender and vulnerable to frost
damage, as well as sunburn. I cover my young plants by putting a big plastic milk jug, separated from
the bottom, into a miniature greenhouse. Based on the components of your manure, you will need
to start fertilizing. If you fertilize, do so very, very sparingly with a weak dilution. Transplants to their
final location when they are around 15cm (6in) long. Two or three weeks before that, the plants
should be hardened.
Planting:
Right before the tomato plants are transplanted to their final position, 5cm (2in) from the planting
position push a hard stake into the dirt. The stake should be at least 30cm (1ft) deep in the earth and
1.2m (4ft) above ground level-the deeper into the ground the greater the protection. As the plant
grows, tie it to the help stake in the main stem-check past ties to ensure that they do not cut
through the stem as the plant grows.
Dig a hole 45cm (18in) away in the bed at the same depth as the pot and the water if the conditions
are dry. Remove the plant from the jar, leaving the root ball as undisturbed as far as possible. Place
it in the hole and fill the soil around the plant. The soil was expected to be a little deeper than it was
in the pot. Loosely connect the stem of the plant to the support stake using the soft garden twine –
give some leeway for future growth.
Cultivation:
Constant supply of moisture is important, drying times greatly increase the probability of fruit
splitting. Feed with a liquid tomato fertiliser (high in potash) starting when the first fruits begin to
form, then every two or three weeks until the end of August. In September, feed with a general
fertilizer (higher in nitrogen) to help the plant support its foliage.
Over watering can help to yield greater fruit, but the flavour may be diminished. In addition,
fracturing and cracking can result from uneven and unnecessary watering.
Pruning:
When the first fruits begin to emerge, pinch out the side shoots between the main stem. Also
remove lower leaves which display some signs of yellowing to prevent infection.
Harvesting:
Pick as soon as the fruit is mature, this would also enable the production of more fruit. Harvest all
the fruit as soon as the frost threatens to ripen on the window sill.
SUMMARY CHARACTERISTICS OF AILSA CRAIG TOMATOES
THE GROWTH TYPE: Cordon
F1 OR OPEN-POLLINATED: open pollinated.
WHERE TO GROW: Outdoor is really nice, it can also be grown in a greenhouse.
USE: salads, burgers and general consumption. Ok, cuts.
Face COLOUR/TEXTURE: Red shiny skin with a creamy texture.
FLESH COLOUR: Red color:
TASTE AND TEXTURE: great tasting tomato with a texture that is juicy but maintains its form.
STORAGE: Can be picked green, very well ripened on a window sill.
TOMATO Scale: normal size of tomato.
CROPPING REGULARITY: yields a strong yield on a regular basis.
AWARDS: None
Unique FEATURES: a fantastic taste.
Tomato Ailsa Craig Sowing Guidelines
When to Sow Seeds: Mid February to Early May
Germination Temperature: 18C +
Cover Seed: Lightly
Time to Germinate: 7 Days
Frost Hardy: No
Spacing Between Plants: 50cm
Growth Habit: Cordon
Plant Height: 180cm +
BUYING AILSA CRAIG SEED IN THE UK
Seeds for Ailsa Craig are available from nearly all online seed traders, garden centers, diy shops and
some supermarkets. Perhaps the cheapest are Aldi or Wilkinson's. If you want to make confident
that your Ailsa Craig seed is true to the form (not all) we would recommend that you buy it from a
trustworthy gardening firm.
Ailsa Craig is also commonly distributed as pot-grown tomato plants. With postage in mind, it is
definitely the cheapest and fastest way to buy them from the nearest garden center.