While your tomato seedlings can be grown until mid-May after the ice saints, you can already be active in the garden. In this article you will find out which measures are involved in tomato care and how you can start next year.

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. The four most important care measures
  3. Successful harvest the following year
  4. FAQ

    5. the essentials in brief

    • Climbing aids allow the tomato plant to grow upright and support the sometimes very heavy weight of the fruit.
    • Removing stinging shoots gives the plant more energy to produce flowers and fruit.
    • Watering is very important for the tomato: if you stand in the sun, you are very thirsty.
    • As a heavy feeder, it not only needs a lot of water, but also nutrients that are subsequently supplied via fertilizer.

    The four most important care measures

    Tomato care is not a science. If you only heed the four most important measures, even garden beginners will collect their first aromatic tomatoes this summer. In this way, climbing aids and scissors ensure upright and fruit-bearing growth. Watering and fertilizing require regularity and the right amount, but you quickly get the feeling.

    climbing aids

    To ensure that the tomato plant does not grow just above the ground or collapse under the weight of its own fruit, climbing aids are irreplaceable from rearing to harvest. Unlike Virginia creeper, for example, which climbs walls and fences by itself, tomatoes need a little help to get started.

    There is a suitable climbing aid for every variety. The price, the effort (do-it-yourself) and longevity are other factors that influence the selection of the right tools. Four classic climbing aids that have proven to be stable and effective are presented below.

    caption: Climbing aids for tomatoes

    Tomato tower, tomato spiral, tomato cord and tomato framework are the most commonly used climbing aids.

    tomato tower. The light towers, obelisks and pyramids made of plastic provide the safest support due to their stable construction. Tomato towers are suitable for outdoor and potted tomatoes that grow over a meter in height.

    tomato spiral The tomato spirals, which have proven to be particularly effective for tomatoes outdoors, are more massive and somewhat more expensive. Mostly made of stainless steel, the twisted climbing aids will be used for years to come.

    tomato string. With the tomato string, you can grow stick tomatoes inexpensively and sustainably. However, the place of use is limited, because in order to let the tomato plants grow skywards on a string, a roof or a crossbeam over the plants is necessary - ideal for the greenhouse.

    tomato scaffold. In order to give tomato plants such as the bushy wild tomato as much space as possible in width, the use of a tomato framework is recommended. Funnel or sun-shaped skeletons allow stable growth in all directions.

    max out

    Many classic tomato varieties are bred in such a way that they grow very quickly and constantly produce new shoots. In order to promote the development of the red fruits in a targeted manner, so-called stinging shoots should be removed regularly after planting. These only form leaves and deprive the plant of important nutrients without bearing fruit themselves.

    Stingy shoots grow from the axils between the trunk and growth shoots. The stingy shoots can be easily removed with your fingernails or a knife. From June, the plant should be searched from bottom to top for these tugging shoots about once a week.

    1. First look for the stingy shoot, 2. Grab the young shoot with your index finger and thumb, 3. Carefully snap off the shoot with your fingernails

    pour

    Tomato plants love the sun and are therefore very thirsty. A continuous water supply is therefore essential. As with everything in life, the same applies here: the right measure. Too much water (especially in the tub) can lead to waterlogging and too little moisture will cause the plant to dry out. Tomatoes usually need to be watered every day, preferably at the same time.

    We generally recommend watering with a gentle jet or a spray that moistens the soil as close to the ground as possible. Tomato leaves are extremely sensitive to moisture and splashing soil, which can lead to disease. You can find special utensils for this in specialist shops so that watering is also successful for beginners.

    caption: Tools for watering tomatoes

    There are several ways to water tomatoes without splashing water

    Clay pot with a hole in the bottom. In order to water tomatoes inexpensively and without splashing water, small clay pots with a diameter of approx. 12 cm can be buried next to the tomato plant. This is how the plant is watered. The roots grow in the direction of the clay pot. The method is very suitable for tubs and pots.

    casting ring. Casting rings (10-20 euros) are constructed in such a way that the plant in the middle is surrounded by a moat like a castle. The advantage is that you always have a good view of the water level and can simply top up. At the same time, the special construction keeps snails and other predators away.

    Olla. Ollas (30-50 euros) are planted in the immediate vicinity of the tomato plants, with only the neck protruding. The water is then added to the vessel. From there, the liquid seeps further into the ground when the ground becomes dry. Olles is available in different sizes. The more water an Olla can hold, the longer and the more plants in the area can be watered.

    our recommendation
    Bio Green watering ball Hydro Max -S, terracotta, 14 x 14 x 19 cm, HM-S
    28.87 EUR To the product

    Fertilize

    Tomato plants are heavy feeders. This means that they draw an above-average amount of nutrients or minerals from the soil. Modern breeds in particular can hardly do without a supply of nutrients. Therefore, tomatoes should be regularly supplied with suitable fertilizer. The location and the variety should be taken into account.

    The important minerals nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, calcium and sulfur are added to the soil using organic fertilizers such as liquid manure, horse manure or horn shavings (32.93€). Inorganic fertilizers such as blueseed should be used cautiously and in moderation as they can also cause harmful oversupply.

    Successful harvest the following year

    Once you have grown tomatoes in your garden, you will want to continue enjoying them next year. With the right location and a good neighborhood, you always create a place for the plant to feel good. Green manure after the harvest season helps the soil become fit again for the following summer.

    The choice of location

    Tomatoes are very picky when it comes to where they grow. A warm, sunny spot should be chosen for a high-yield harvest. The south wall or the south balcony, for example, provide the necessary six to seven hours of sun and also protect against wind and rain. The latter is anathema to tomatoes and often leads to disease if left unprotected.

    For the reasons mentioned, the greenhouse provides the best growing conditions. But outdoors, tomatoes also like to grow in tubs and beds if they are cared for appropriately. You should pay attention to a nutrient-rich soil and a local pH value of 6-7. Well-ploughed, loose soil is also recommended.

    Glasshouse outdoor pot
    time early to mid-May Mid-May after Ice Saints Mid-May after Ice Saints
    distance 60 cm 60 cm one plant per pot
    implantation depth Slightly deeper (5-8 cm) than in the nursery pot Deeper (8-15 cm) than in the nursery pot The base of the stem should be well covered

    neighbours

    Good neighbors bring joy - also for tomatoes. The targeted cultivation of mutually compatible plants is a proven tradition in agriculture. A colorful greenhouse, bed or even a large container with several species not only looks prettier, but also brings effective benefits.

    On the one hand, the additional plants protect the soil from direct sunlight, which counteracts drying out. On the other hand, the right neighbors protect against diseases, snails and the like. Good neighbors are usually weak consumers in order to prevent an undersupply of minerals.

    Good neighbors. Good neighbors include lettuce, garden cress, basil, chamomile and parsley. Onions and garlic also get along well with tomatoes. Because of their long roots, carrots also loosen up the soil and marigolds attract bees, repel pests and bring color to the bed.

    Bad neighbors. Potatoes transmit the dreaded brown rot to the tomatoes and should therefore be kept as far away as possible. Other bad neighbors are generally heavy consumers like cabbage; but peas, fennel and cucumbers should also not be planted in the immediate vicinity.

    FAQ

    How big do tomato plants get?

    The size of tomato plants mainly depends on the variety. Bush tomatoes grow up to 50 cm high, the balcony star reaches about 60 cm. Stick tomatoes, on the other hand, can grow to be more than two meters tall and wild tomatoes can also grow a meter wide.

    Why do my tomatoes have lots of leaves but no fruit?

    The fact that tomato plants produce many leaves but no fruit can be attributed to various reasons. Incorrect rearing can cause lasting damage to the plant. More likely, however, is a wrong location or too many miserly shoots. Both inhibit the energy for fruit formation.

    Why do tomatoes burst on the bush?

    Bursting tomatoes can usually be traced back to too much water when the ambient temperature is low. The plant absorbs more water than it can evaporate. On the other hand, too much sun exposure can cause the skin to crack. Regular watering in the morning or evening and sun protection when it is too hot can help.

    When can I harvest tomatoes?

    Most varieties ripen in August to early September. The most striking feature "red" is only partially a sufficient factor for the best time to harvest. A pressure test should be decisive: Ripe tomatoes give way. The pressure test is also more precise than the eye for yellow, green and black tomatoes.

    Can tomatoes be planted in the same place every year?

    Basically yes; if the soil has been supplied with sufficient nutrients in the course of tomato cultivation and is not depleted. After the harvest season, it is recommended to give the soil some rest with a green manure. This enriches minerals and loosens the soil.

Category:

Vegetable garden