Category: News

Before 2014 we were producing tomatoes between March to early December but now we are harvesting all year round. Additionally, over the last five years, we have also started growing different colour varieties of tomatoes. But how is this possible?

Here are 5 facts about how we grow tomatoes:

Fact 1– We use hydroponics to grow the crops. The plants are suspended on hanging gutters and we manage the plants vertically in what is called a high wire crop. Our most recent glasshouse is 7m tall!

Fact 2– With all year round production we do heat our crops in the UK . However, to remain efficient and sustainable we use steam and hot water biomass boilers and have CHP engines to help power the lit crops.

Fact 3– All our sites have reservoirs that collect rain water. With filtration and sterilisation equipment used we recirculate solution in closed systems to ensure we are efficient with this resource.

Fact 4– An Integrated Pest Management approach to control pest and disease is used. Introductions of natural predators in the crop helps to reduce crop stress and leaf damage.

Fact 5– All leaves and waste from the plants is used in the Anaerobic Digestors or composted.

Learn more about how we grow our crops here at R&L Holt by visiting our What We Do section. 

Learn more about our tomato varieties we grow here at R&L Holt with our top 5 ‘did you know’ facts… 

Tomato variety of this month is Yelorita!

Did you know…

1- This cherry on the vine type has a beautiful appearance with very uniform neat trusses.

2- A special unique flavour which is delicious on its own.

3- You can always spot them in the supermarkets due to their yellow, not red appearance. 

4- This variety is great to eat cold in dishes such as salads. 

5- The texture of this tomato is crisp and fresh which adds to its unique flavour. 

Have you eaten Yelorita tomatoes before? 

Throwback to 2015… 2nd in the World Tomato Grower Competition

One of our proudest achievements to date was when we were selected as runners up at the Fruit Logistics Show, in Berlin. The trade show housed more than 2,600 exhibitions and attracted more than 62,000 visitors from more than 140 countries. 

Due to our traditional growing methods, natural pest control and bumble bee pollination, we were shortlisted to the top ten growers in the world. We were then invited to stage to answer questions about our family run business. 

Following this we were placed 2nd in the world competition, plus we were runners up in both Best Business Innovation and Salad Grower of the Year. 

As family tomato growers, we are still extremely proud of this achievement.

Learn more about our tomato varieties we grow here at R&L Holt with our top 5 ‘did you know’ facts… 

Tomato variety of this month is Piccolo!

Did you know…

1- We first started to trial this variety over 20 years ago and at Hornsfield Nurseries this has been the main type for 18 years.

2- Piccolo is most popular variety in Northern Europe.

3- They are sweet, but not sugary, slightly acidic taste with intense long lasting distinctive flavour and aroma.

4- This variety is great to eat with warm or cold dishes. 

5- Piccolo variety are a cherry on the Vine type of tomato.

Is this your favourite type of tomato? 

Sunday 9th January, saw 200 runners take part in our annual Fladbury Festive 5 fun run. The weather was on our side and the atmosphere was great amongst all competitors. All runners also enjoyed the extra addition in their goodie bags this year, our ‘Strabena’ tomato from Sandylands lit crop!

Thank you so much to everyone who took part and made the day happen.

Here is a link to the results https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/2QS

“The race is not possible without the most amazing team – UKA race officials, WMAS, community first responders, venue owners, tomato growers, the entry and timing company, Fladbury community, friends and family. But especially race director Julie Cross who made the race happen again today. Together we seem to have made a lot of runners happy and raised some money for FOF & Alzheimer’s Research UK. Thank you.” Louise

New Year, New You? Are you on a health kick this January? Well let’s explore some of the top health benefits tomatoes provide us.

• Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C and vitamin K
• Tomatoes are a good source of fibre
• Tomatoes help to lower the risk of heart diseases, particularly for middle aged men
• Tomatoes are considered a great contributor to healthy skin
• Tomatoes help to protect the inner layers of our blood vessels, decreasing the chances of blood clots

So if your new years resolution is to get healthier then start incorporate tomatoes into your diet! Plus they are super tasty. 

Learn more about our tomato varieties we grow here at R&L Holt with our top 5 ‘did you know’ facts… 

Tomato Variety of this month is Duelle!

Did you know…

1- Duelle tomatoes are a baby plum snack variety

2- Are high in flavour and crunchy in texture 

3- Are perfect on their own or accompanied in both warm or cold dishes

4- Have a high yield potential

5- Are attractive in appearance making them very popular

Are you a fan our Duelle tomatoes? 

ONE- Not all tomatoes are red

Did you know… not all tomatoes are red! They can come in a variety of colours including; yellow, pink, black, white and even purple. Here at R&L Holt our Yelorita variety of tomatoes are yellow. This type is a cherry on the vine tomato with a beautiful appearance and unique flavour. 

TWO- Tomatoes are a fruit

You may have this debate with your family and friends… “Are tomatoes a fruit or vegetable?”. However, we can confirm that they are a fruit. This is because a fruit is defined as an edible part of a plant containing seeds. 

THREE- The word tomato is Spanish 

In the English language, the word tomato actually comes from the Spanish word ‘tomate’ 

FOUR- There are over 10 thousands tomato varieties 

Here at R&L Holt, every season we have a trial area which can consist of 30 types all with different features, from colour, shape and size. However, there are actually over 10 thousand varieties, plenty for us to trial. 

FIVE- Tomatoes are known to help support a healthy heart

The fruit contains anti- inflammatory properties that are linked to supporting general heart and brain health. 

Noticed a shortage in tomatoes this Winter? Heres why…

Our winter crops are well underway and there is Piccolo, Yelorita, Roterno, Elegance and Strabena available from Sandyland Nurseries.

However, there are fewer winter crops that have been planted this year because of the high energy costs. It is not just in the UK but throughout Europe. The reason is that supplementary lighting is required to produce at this time of year and if you’re not generating on site or using low energy lighting such as the LED lights then it is a huge challenge.

It is challenging times for all growers in the UK. We are all committed to improving our efficiencies by using less energy, therefore less carbon, and more sustainable materials.