In the proper care of tomato plants, the appropriate location takes on a central key position. The various phases in the cultivation of tomatoes require proven site conditions. Find out here what they are and how they are positively influenced.

How light and warmth bring the seeds to life

Proper sowing of the seeds lays the foundation for vital and healthy tomato plants. The interplay of light and heat is of crucial importance here. Under these site conditions, the first step of cultivation succeeds:

  • place the seed tray in the partially shaded window seat
  • temperatures of 20 to 24 degrees Celsius are ideal

As light germinators, tomato seeds need a certain amount of light right from the start. Of course, they must not be exposed to direct sunlight.

The right location for seedlings

Sowing at the right location leads to successful germination after 10 to 14 days. If the tender cotyledons emerge from the seeds, a change in the site conditions is now on the agenda. So that the young tomato plants do not wither, the temperatures have to drop and the amount of light has to expand:

  • spend the seed tray under brighter light
  • the temperatures drop to 16 to 18 degrees Celsius

At this stage, the seedlings will benefit from any ray of light they can get their hands on. The brighter the light conditions at the location, the less the small tomato plants feel like wilting shoots. Resourceful hobby gardeners now place a large mirror behind the growing pots (€16.68) or hang up special plant lamps. Nevertheless, the sensitive seedlings should be protected from the blazing midday sun.

Hardening off in a suitable location creates vigorous tomato plants

After pricking out, the question of the best location again becomes the focus of maintenance work. As the time for the final move to the bed approaches, hardening is recommended as the perfect preparation. In this way, the climate shock caused by moving from the sheltered window seat to the open air is mitigated:

  • begin hardening in the first or second week of May
  • place in a semi-shady, warm spot in the garden
  • Leave the tomato plants there during the day and bring them back inside in the evening

The best location until harvest

Assign the tomato plants to their final location in mid-May. This is how it should be in the bed, in the greenhouse and on the balcony:

  • sunny position, warm and bathed in air
  • ideally protected from rain
  • nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil
  • deep, slightly moist, calcareous loamy soil
  • nutritious, loose vegetable soil in a tub

Shading should be available in the greenhouse to prevent the temperature from rising to over 30 degrees Celsius in the summer sun.

tips and tricks

Until fruit set, tomato plants are only fertilized very cautiously with nitrogen. Otherwise, they'll grow like crazy and never even think about developing buds.

Category:

Vegetable garden