Tomatoes are nightshades adapted to warm conditions. A lot of attention is required for a seedling to grow into a magnificent perennial. Especially before planting out, hobby gardeners should consider a few aspects to promote plant health.
Tomatoes need to get used to the outdoors slowly
hardening conditions
If you prefer tomatoes on the windowsill, the seedlings will grow under protected and controlled conditions. They are not yet adapted to the outdoor climate, so if they suddenly move to the bed, they will suffer a growth shock. A gentle acclimatization increases the stability of the plants, makes them more resistant to cold and has a positive effect on growth.
time
The vegetable plants are allowed to migrate into the garden between the end of April and the end of May. An optimal time for orientation is the ice saints, after which the risk of night frosts is significantly lower. Use this period as a guide and watch the weather forecast. Ideally, the outside temperatures should not fall below ten degrees at night, while at least eight degrees are ideal during the day.
location
A sheltered spot on the balcony or patio prepares the young plants for outdoor conditions. A shaded area that is as light as possible protects the leaves from burns. The tomatoes should not be exposed to rain or drafts.
Put the tomatoes outside
The familiarization phase extends over a week and requires little effort. Immediately after hardening, you can plant the plants at their destination. Polytunnels (€11.46) are a good alternative to greenhouses as they protect tomato crops while still providing adequate light and ventilation. Cords can be easily stretched on the poles, on which you can tie the plants up.
How to proceed:
- Put tomato plants outside for a few hours in the morning
- Extend the habituation time each day
- at the end of the week the plants migrate to a lighter place
build a rain shelter
If you can't find a suitable outdoor space, you can stretch foil between a frame made of four bamboo sticks and place it diagonally over the potted plants. Clip the foil cover with clothespins so you can roll it up and down if needed.
planting
Dig planting holes in a row about 60 to 80 centimeters apart. The holes correspond to twice the volume of the root ball. Loosen the vegetable plants from their pot and remove the cotyledons. Since these grow very close to the surface of the earth, there is an increased risk of rotting.
Plant the tomato a little deeper in the soil so that additional roots develop at the base of the stem. Fill the gaps with a mixture of compost and soil and press down the substrate well.
tips
Water the young plants daily for the next three days. This allows the substrate to settle and the roots to get optimal contact with the ground.