This film is part of Free

Tomato Growers

A Ferring glasshouse is the location for R G H Burbridge's fascinating film about the cultivation of tomatoes - all grown under a West Sussex sun

Amateur film 1971 6 mins

From the collection of:

Logo for Screen Archive South East

Overview

This short film, by R G H Burbridge, introduces Mr & Mrs John Boyles, who ran a market garden in Ferring, West Sussex, where they grew tomatoes. Inside one of their vast glasshouses, we see thousands of tomato plants sown in rows. The thirsty plants are watered via nozzles while hot air keeps them warm. The plants then grow to a great height. Soon the Boyles have to use stilts to tend the tall plants and start picking the still green tomatoes, which are then boxed ready for market.