Your tomato plants have been brought forward and are ready to be planted out by the ice saints in mid-May. From the right location to soil preparation, however, many questions arise.

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Seed to harvest - development of a tomato plant
  3. Instructions for planting tomatoes
  4. FAQ

    5. the essentials in brief

    • The timing of planting depends on the form of cultivation.
    • When planting, pay attention to the minimum distance and a suitable planting partner.
    • Tomatoes are among the heavy consumers and need a consistently high amount of nutrients.
    • To stabilize the tomato, a climbing aid should be included at an early stage.

    Seed to harvest - development of a tomato plant

    caption: From seedling to ripe fruit

    From phase two, which begins with the formation of the second pair of leaves, the plants can be fertilized slightly diluted and planted out

    The development of the tomato plant begins with sowing the seeds between March and April and cultivating them on the windowsill. The subsequent cultivation phase (1) ends with the formation of the first pair of leaves after around five to six weeks and a size of around ten centimetres. However, planting outdoors (2) should be done no earlier than mid-May after the ice saints to avoid frost damage. By then, the young plant should have reached a size of about 15 centimeters and have several pairs of leaves. After planting, the tomato (3) grows steadily up to a maximum size of two meters.

    Other milestones in tomato cultivation are:

    • flower formation: from mid-June
    • fruit formation: from June to August
    • harvest time: Duration of ripening varies depending on the variety, harvest possible from August to October

    Instructions for planting tomatoes

    There are a number of factors to consider when planting tomatoes. All the information relevant to you as a gardener is therefore clearly arranged below.

    The right time to plant out

    The right time for planting the tomatoes outside depends mainly on the chosen location and the type of planting. A basic distinction must therefore be made between specimens cultivated in the greenhouse, in pots and outdoors. However, the temperature should never drop below 10 degrees Celsius.
    In practice, the following times have proven themselves:

    • Glasshouse: with the right size already from mid-April
    • pot: in sheltered areas already from the beginning of May
    • outdoor: after the ice saints from mid-May

    The right location

    The right location is a guarantee for a rich bloom and a lush harvest. Particular importance should therefore be attached to choosing the right place for planting the tomato seedlings.

    Sun loving tomatoes

    The tomato is one of the most sun-loving plants and needs an average of seven hours of sun per day. Uniform lighting of the perennial supports constant height growth and the formation of numerous flowers. A too shady location leads to an increased formation of leaves and weak growth.

    Distances in the bed and greenhouse

    When planting out several young plants, make sure that there is sufficient distance between the individual tomatoes. The disadvantages of planting too densely are manifold and range from inhibited growth to reduced fruit development and increased susceptibility to disease. In order to provide each plant with sufficient space for its own growth, the following minimum distances should be observed.

    • Bed in the open ground: 70 to 80 centimeters
    • Bed in the greenhouse: 50 to 60 centimeters

    bed preparation

    An optimally prepared location also includes the correct preparation of the planting bed. In addition to providing all the required nutrients, the planting depth of the seedlings also plays an important role in ensuring the best possible rooting.

    Necessary nutrients

    A good supply of nutrients is the be-all and end-all for even growth and the extensive formation of flowers and fruits. Since the tomato plant is a heavy consumer in terms of nutrient requirements, a constant amount of the minerals listed below is required throughout the entire life cycle.

    Potassium (calcium). Calcium forms the basis of a balanced water balance and is an essential part of photosynthesis. The mineral promotes the formation and ripening of the fruit.

    Nitrogen. The nutrient is the main component of the plant's own proteins and chlorophyll and is necessary for the constant growth of the plants.

    sulfur and magnesium. The two substances are elementary building blocks for the production of chlorophyll. They regulate the metabolic functions.

    Phosphorus. This substance stabilizes the immune system and metabolic processes. Phosphorus promotes root and flower formation.

    implantation depth

    To help the young plants take root in the soil, the seedling should be planted at least five to seven centimeters deep. In principle, you can plant your tomato plants up to the lowest pair of leaves. In combination with a slightly sloping transplanting, rooting is optimally stimulated and greater stability is achieved.

    neighbours

    Due to the assignment to the heavy feeders, not all types of vegetables are suitable for planting together with the tomato. Due to the high demands in terms of nutrients, light and watering, tomato plants harmonize with weak consumers in particular.

    Good neighbors. Good neighbors for tomatoes include herbs like basil and savory. Strawberries, garlic and salads are suitable vegetables.

    Bad neighbors. Bad neighbors for tomatoes are beans, fennel, cucumber, peas and potatoes. The latter can be carriers of late blight and brown blight. For this reason, tomato plants should not be bed followers.

    The tomato care

    Pouring without splashing water

    The formed tomatoes consist of around 90% water, which is why the plants need to be watered evenly during both growth and ripening of the fruit. At best, a prolonged drought can cause the individual tomatoes to burst open, which in turn leads to an increased susceptibility to disease and pest infestation. When watering, you should also make sure that you only water the soil. Constant moistening of the leaves increases the development of brown rot, a dangerous fungal disease.

    Caption: Ways to water tomatoes

    A clay pot, a watering ring or an olla can be used to water the tomato plant without splashing water.

    Clay pot with a hole in the bottom. Irrigating using a clay pot with a hole buried in the ground is one of the cheapest methods. The pot used is placed at a distance of around ten centimeters from the main stem of the tomato. By filling the container with water and then slowly dispensing it through the hole on the bottom, overwatering is also avoided.

    casting ring. A casting ring is a ring, often made of plastic, that is placed around the plant. The usual price for a hoop is about five euros. The added water remains inside the mold and is only slowly released into the soil. For particularly water-loving plants such as tomatoes, irrigation using a watering ring is an option, although the problem of waterlogging and overwatering should not be ignored.

    Olla. Olla is the technical term for a clay pot that is a practical watering aid. The clay used is slightly heated during production so that it retains a porous and water-permeable consistency. After the Olla has been placed in the ground and filled with water, it evenly releases moisture into the environment. This ensures constant watering even at high temperatures without the risk of waterlogging. At around 30 euros per piece, the price is significantly higher compared to the original clay pot.

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    Fertilize

    The use of a fertilizer is just as important a component of care as watering. The nutrients promote the maintenance of a strong immune system and the development of high-quality fruit. The earliest possible time for the first fertilization is the planting out at a size of about 15 centimeters and several pairs of leaves. In addition, the amount of fertilizer should be adapted to the corresponding cultivation form.

    caption: Proven fertilizers for caring for tomato plants

    In practice, the use of organic fertilizers in both liquid and solid form has proven itself.

    Organic liquid fertilizer. The organic liquid fertilizer is usually fed to the plant every two weeks by means of the irrigation water. The pre-made special mixes are very nutritious and contain all the nutrients necessary for the growth of the tomato in the correct concentration. The liquid fertilizer also serves as an additional source of moisture and is therefore particularly recommended for potted plants.

    Horn shavings.(32.93€) The horn shavings are made from the hooves of cattle and are an excellent nitrogen fertilizer. In particular, due to the highly consuming properties of the tomato plant, they are a useful addition to a complete fertilizer. However, use should be sparing with at least two months between fertilizations to avoid the effects of over-fertilization.

    vinasse. The vinasse is an organic waste product of molasses production and is also commonly referred to as molasses stillage. The residual sugar contained serves to strengthen the soil's own microorganisms and upgrade the substrate. In addition, the liquid is characterized by a high potassium content, so that the gift is particularly useful in the event of an undersupply.

    horse manure. The nutrients contained in the horse manure optimally cover the needs of the tomato plant, which is why it can be used as a complete fertiliser. However, only stale material is suitable for working into the bed, as fresh manure releases enormous amounts of heat as it decomposes, which can lead to burns.

    lawn clippings. Lawn clippings are one of the most cost-effective ways of fertilizing as they are a by-product of regular lawn mowing. You can distribute the separated blades of grass around the plants, working them into the soil is not necessary.

    nettle manure. The nettle manure is made from an infusion of rainwater and nettle leaves. In addition to the high nutrient density of the complete fertilizer, the liquid manure also serves as a natural pesticide, but should never be administered undiluted.

    Protection

    Tomato plants are very sensitive to both rain and wind, which is why they need to be protected from the elements. While no additional measures need to be taken when cultivating in a greenhouse, specimens transplanted into pots can be placed in a sheltered place. However, tomatoes transplanted in open ground need an additional stable protective mechanism if they do not belong to the resistant varieties.

    • Tomato hood: Plastic bag that is placed over a single plant
    • Tomato house: Plastic sheeting erected over several plants using scaffolding

    climbing aids

    Since the tomato plants can reach a height of up to two meters, it is necessary to support the fruit-bearing shoots well. Depending on the variety, different climbing aids have proven themselves in practice.

    Caption: Optimum climbing aids for tomato plants

    Choosing the right climbing aid depends on the choice of tomato variety.

    tomato tower. The tomato tower is a three- to four-legged plastic frame that is placed over the tomato plant. The height of the towers varies from one meter to two meters, making them particularly suitable for tall varieties. Due to the simultaneous support of the transverse drives, additional fastening of these is not necessary.

    tomato spiral The tomato spiral is a spiral metal rod that is stuck into the ground next to the main shoot. In order to achieve high stability, the middle drive is evenly wrapped around the spiral. The side shoots are not additionally supported with this variant, which is why it is only recommended to use it for single-shoot tomatoes.

    tomato string. Using a tomato string requires attaching a hook above the planting site. A strong cord is attached to this, which in turn is looped around the main shoot of the tomato. The variant is also only suitable for single-drive specimens, whereby the maximum load should not exceed five kilograms.

    tomato scaffold. The tomato frame is a wooden frame into which the tomato is placed. Due to its compact shape, this climbing aid is mainly used in practice for wild tomatoes, which are naturally very bushy and only reach a small height.

    Capping, defoliating and pinching

    If tomato plants grow too high, they can be topped. It is also advisable to remove the lower leaves to avoid waterlogging. Removing the stinging shoots is an equally essential activity when caring for the tomato, but is not recommended for every tomato variety. The shoots that grow out of the leaf axils usually do not develop flowers or fruits, but still draw nutrients from the plant.

    caption: Pinching out tomato plants in 3 steps

    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

    FAQ

    Do tomatoes need sun?

    Tomatoes need at least seven hours of sun a day for both regular growth and the formation of flowers.

    Why aren't my tomatoes blooming?

    The lack of flowering is often due to improper care such as over- or under-fertilization or insufficient watering.

    Why are my tomatoes drooping?

    The most common cause of drooping leaves is a lack of water, which can be remedied within a few days with appropriate watering.

    How deep do tomatoes root?

    The tomato roots reach a depth of up to one meter, which is why they are botanically assigned to the deep roots.

    Can I Overwinter Tomato Plants?

    Due to the high light and heat requirements of the tomato, overwintering is hardly feasible in this country. However, if you place the plant in a bright and warm location over the winter, hibernation is basically possible.

Category:

Vegetable garden