Sun-ripened tomatoes from our own cultivation are no longer a dream, but within reach. The following instructions show step by step how hobby gardeners plant tomatoes correctly in beds and on the balcony.

Nothing happens before mid-May

The young plants that you have brought up yourself or bought ready-made only tolerate the local climate from mid-May. After the ice saints have moved out, there is no longer any fear of ground frost, so that at least the temperatures can no longer damage the tomato plants, which are sensitive to the cold. The thermometer should no longer fall below 15 degrees Celsius.

Choose location carefully

Native to the sun-drenched regions of South America, tomatoes are only conditionally suitable for cultivation in beds and on the balcony. The choice of location is therefore of central importance for successful cultivation. Tomatoes feel particularly at home in these locations:

  • sunny and airy, but without cold drafts
  • protected from rain under a roof or in a greenhouse
  • nutrient-rich, humic soil, fresh, moist and calcareous

Plant correctly - explained step by step

Before the tomato plants are planted in the ground, some preparation is beneficial. The bed soil is thoroughly weeded and deeply loosened. As a starting fertilizer, work in mature garden compost and horn shavings (€32.93) or another organic fertilizer. Then it starts:

  • Dig planting holes with twice the volume of the root ball
  • enrich the excavation with compost
  • keep a planting distance of 60-80 centimeters
  • place the potted young plants in the ground up to the lower pair of leaves and press down
  • Put a trellis in the ground next to each tomato plant and tie on the first tendrils
  • finally water and mulch

Experienced hobby gardeners place a few nettle and comfrey leaves in each planting pit. In addition, they place each root ball in a container with water before untamping, where it is allowed to soak until no more air bubbles rise.

Instructions for planting in a bucket

Once you have found your favorite type of tomato for the balcony, the appropriate pot volume will be determined automatically. As a substrate, we recommend good commercially available vegetable soil, which you can enrich with compost, horn shavings (€32.93) or another natural fertilizer. Proceed as follows:

  • create a drainage of crushed potsherds over the floor opening
  • Fill in the substrate halfway up the pot and make a well in it
  • Unpot, plant and water the tomato plant

Except for hanging tomatoes, the installation of a climbing aid is generally recommended. In this way, you protect your plants from wind throw at all times, even on the balcony.

tips and tricks

If pots or climbing aids are used repeatedly in the bed and on the balcony, they should be meticulously disinfected. Expensive disinfectants are not required for this purpose. You can also safely remove pathogens and insect eggs with hot soda water or spirits.

Category:

Vegetable garden