Guernsey Tom

Guernsey Botanical Trust’s team at Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden have celebrated Guernsey’s legendary tomato industry by introducing the heritage tomato ‘Nisbett’s Victoria’ (NV) to their garden and interested public.  As part of Visit Guernsey's Heritage Festival for 2015, April 7th that year saw the launch of Guernsey Botanical Trust’s Heritage Tomato Festival. This was sponsored by Waitrose and held at the National Trust of Guernsey’s museum in Saumarez Park.    ‘NV’ has presented us with some head-scratching dilemmas from its name, to its quirky growth behaviour.  Nisbett’s Victoria is also referred to as Nesbitt’s or Nisbitt’s Victoria so NV’ is our next safe bet! Later that year, in October, a competition for the best tomato chutney was held which included the Guernsey Tom and formed part of our Autumn event, Spooky Souper Saturday.

At the time of writing, most seeds have germinated and young plants are well established.  Looking at our very well established plants here at the garden, we have discovered a problem.  The plant is too fruity for its own good!  Radical pruning is required to enable the plant to fruit in a reasonable period of time.

With the help of Matthew Kerr, a VWKG Volunteer Gardener from Grow Ltd.,  we’ve produced a short video which shows you how to take the secateurs to your NV, for best fruiting results.  The advice has made a big difference to our plants and those who’ve already followed the advice.  If you’re secateur-shy,  it will seem quite savage and deserves an X certificate, but it works!  You Tube VWKG Advice