Nothing beats fresh tomatoes from your own garden. The following tips and tricks will help you to properly grow the apples of paradise in beds, greenhouses and tubs.

This is how the sowing succeeds

Timing and temperature are fundamental to the successful cultivation of tomatoes. Other factors are seamlessly integrated here, so that the sensitive tomato plants are well prepared for the outdoor season. How to properly sow tomato seeds:

  • Soak the seeds in chamomile tea, garlic stock or warm water for a few hours
  • Fill seed pots with peat sand, potting soil or coconut fibers
  • Spread tomato seeds 3 centimeters apart
  • sieve the light germs by a maximum of 0.5 centimetres
  • press lightly and moisten with a fine shower
  • ideally cover with foil or a glass lid

An exemplary germination temperature of 20-24 degrees Celsius lures out the tender cotyledons within 10-14 days. In the meantime, seed and substrate must not dry out and not be soaked.

Seedlings have no desire to wilt here

After germination, tomato plants speed up tremendously. Within a few days, more pairs of leaves will thrive, so the seedlings should now be transplanted as a matter of urgency. The following lines reveal how to prick out correctly and effectively prevent the young shoots from wilting:

  • Fill half of the emaciated vegetable soil or growing medium into 9 cm pots
  • first lay a drainage of pebbles or grit (€46.95) over the floor opening to prevent waterlogging
  • press a depression in the middle of the substrate
  • lift out a strong seedling with the pricking stick
  • insert it into the small depression with a steady hand
  • fill in the remaining soil up to the cotyledons, press down and moisten

So that the young plants do not send out their shoots in fear in search of light, the focus is on the location. With cooler temperatures of 16-18 degrees Celsius, it should be really bright. In this way, the tomato plants develop the desired compact, stocky habit and show no interest in stunted growth.

Properly plant in beds and tubs

The outdoor season for heat-loving tomato plants starts in mid-May at the earliest. Only sunny locations are suitable as a location, both in the bed, in the greenhouse and on the balcony. The soil is rich in nutrients, humic, permeable and fresh. Nutritious vegetable soil is ideal as a substrate for the planter. Supplement the soil with compost and horn shavings (€32.93) or another organic fertilizer.

Rain protection is essential because otherwise the risk of late blight increases. Plant individual tomatoes under a special hood or you can build a small tomato house yourself. Don't forget to provide your tomato plants with climbing aids. The innovative spiral rods, to which some varieties cannot even be attached, are really practical. Put no more than three plants per square meter.

The be-all and end-all in tomato cultivation: professional care

Once the excitement surrounding planting in the garden has been overcome, tomato cultivation now enters the constant care protocol. Everything revolves around the following work:

  • water thoroughly during the first 3 days
  • then keep the soil evenly moist
  • Never water tomato plants over the blossoms and leaves
  • the substrate surface should dry between waterings
  • Fertilize every 14 days from the second week outdoors
  • preferably work in compost or supply with nettle manure
  • use special tomato liquid fertilizer in the pot

The targeted distribution of rich mulch material is of the highest value for vital growth. Proper mulching also protects the tomato plants from the dreaded brown rot. Spread out nettle leaves, tomato leaves or withered grass clippings on the ground. A layer of straw is placed on top to minimize splashing water during watering. The layer must not be higher than 3 centimeters.

Properly stinging - this way the fruits will be plump and big

If you want to harvest a lot of small cherry tomatoes, you can save yourself the hassle. All other hobby gardeners cannot avoid this care work. The finding is based on the fact that tomato plants want to branch profusely. This costs them so much energy that they no longer have any reserves for magnificent fruit. Superfluous side shoots are removed so that they are stingy with their energy. Here's how to do it right:

  • Pinch out small shoots in the leaf axils with your fingers
  • ideally remove at a height of 3-5 centimeters
  • Pinch out tomato plants several times a week from May until harvest

tips and tricks

Growing tomatoes yourself is the ideal way to get slim. Already the daily way to the plants and the care work consumes a lot of calories. When the freshly harvested fruits come to the table every day with a paltry 18 calories per 100 grams, the pounds tumble by themselves.

Category:

Vegetable garden