They thrive just as luxuriantly in beds as they do in pots or flower boxes. Cocktail tomatoes are the favorite among the tomato varieties. No wonder, because they are very easy to plant. This is how it works in the hobby garden.

When is it time to plant cocktail tomatoes?

Native to South America, cocktail tomatoes only thrive at temperatures of 13-15 degrees Celsius. A level of 20 to 24 degrees Celsius is ideal. Therefore, the starting signal for the planting time in our regions is after the ice saints, from mid-May.

Do cocktail tomatoes tolerate a partially shaded location?

All tomato varieties are true sun worshipers. Cocktail tomatoes only need a place in the semi-shade during cultivation on the windowsill and to harden off before planting outdoors. The baby tomatoes only deliver a rich harvest in sunny locations with a slight breeze from time to time. Rain protection is essential at the location, either under a tomato canopy or in the greenhouse.

What is important when planting?

In addition to the sunny light conditions, the soil conditions are also important at the chosen location. The soil should be rich in nutrients, interspersed with busy microorganisms, fresh and slightly calcareous. Correspondingly, nutritious vegetable soil based on compost can be used as a pot substrate. In view of such optimal conditions, planting cocktail tomatoes is easy:

  • Make small pits in the bed at a planting distance of 60-80 centimetres
  • Lay out a drainage made of potsherds in the bucket or balcony box
  • Insert young plants up to just below the first pair of leaves
  • install a trellis without damaging the root ball
  • Water plentifully without wetting the foliage
  • ideally mulching with grass clippings, nettle leaves or straw

When does the harvest time for cocktail tomatoes begin?

If the weather cooperates, the harvest time for cocktail tomatoes begins at the end of July/beginning of August. With a little luck, you can snack on juicy, sweet mini tomatoes well into October. It is important to ensure that the fruits are completely colored. If cocktail tomatoes are still green, they contain toxic solanine.

tips and tricks

Cocktail tomatoes are not only undemanding in terms of planting. Thanks to their bushy, stable growth, they save the hobby gardener the time-consuming exhaustion.

Category:

Vegetable garden