Tomato growers Richard and Laura Holt chose to mark British Tomato Week with the opening of their new six-acre block of heated glasshouses.

Located at Badsey, Worcestershire, the development has cost the growers £1.5 million and will concentrate on the production of premium priced varieties, such as Piccolo and Santa Baby Plum, using the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT).

Richard Holt said he was attracted to the growing method, which was first used in the 1970s by Dutch growers, and he maintains it is more economic than rockwool.

With the plants in waist-high hanging gutters, there is greater ease and economy in picking and trimming, he said.

“Installation is similar to other systems, but there are immediate advantages, such as using less water and less fertiliser,” said Holt. “In fact we estimate NFT is about 60 per cent cheaper once it is up and running, and easily managed.”

An extra, but separate, suspended heating system in each block also counteracts temperature variations at cooler times of the year. It also helps the plants to grow and the fruit mature.

R & L Holt Ltd, which supplies Sainsbury’s, already has a four-acre site at Sandylands Nursery at nearby Offenham, where it grows classic and vine tomatoes. Since the company purchased the site in 1979 it has been completely rebuilt, but, with increased demand, there was a need for extra space.

The new Hornsfield Nursery, which is being managed by their son Roland, provided the answer, although it took several months to get planning permission for the development.

A local petition resulted in the structures having to be re-sited, with restrictions on propagation and the use of lights, while weekend working was banned.

“We were faced with the cost of transporting workers weekly from Holland and Yorkshire,” said Laura Holt.

Building took five months and a reservoir has been created to supply the facility’s vital hydroponics system.

Fruit will be graded and packed centrally by Evesham Vale Growers two miles away at Blackminister when the first crop is picked at the end of June. In a full season, however, it will supply from March to December.

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