The appropriate location plays a key role in the proper care of tomato plants. The different phases in the cultivation of tomatoes require suitable location conditions. Find out here what these are and how they are positively influenced.
What location do tomato plants need for optimal growth?
The ideal location for tomato plants is a sunny, warm and airy location with protection from rain. During the germination phase, tomatoes should be in partial shade at 20-24°C, after germination they should be kept brighter and cooler at 16-18°C. Nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil and slightly moist, calcareous clay soil are important in the bed, greenhouse or pot.
How light and heat bring seeds to life
The correct sowing of tomato seeds or the correct planting of the young tomato plants lays the foundation for vital and he althy tomato plants. The interaction of light and heat is of crucial importance here. Under these site conditions the first step of cultivation is successful:
- place the seed tray in the partially shaded window seat
- temperatures of 20 to 24 degrees Celsius are ideal
As light germinators, tomato seeds require a certain amount of brightness right from the start. Of course, they must not be exposed to direct sunlight.
The right location for seedlings
Sowing in the right location results in successful germination after 10 to 14 days. If the delicate cotyledons emerge from the seeds, a change in the site conditions is now on the agenda. In order for the young tomato plants not to rot, the temperatures must fall and the amount of light expand:
- spend the seed tray under brighter light
- reduce the temperatures to 16 to 18 degrees Celsius
In this phase, the seedlings benefit from every ray of light they can get hold of. The brighter the lighting conditions at the location, the less likely the small tomato plants are to have rotting shoots. Resourceful hobby gardeners are now placing a large mirror behind the growing pots or hanging up special plant lamps (€79.00 on Amazon). However, the sensitive seedlings must be protected from the blazing midday sun.
Hardening off in a suitable location creates strong tomato plants
After pricking out, the question of the best location again becomes the focus of the maintenance work. As the time for the final move into the bed approaches, hardening off is recommended as the perfect preparation. In this way, the climate shock is mitigated by moving from the sheltered window seat to the open air:
- start hardening off in the first or second week of May
- place in a partially shaded, warm place in the garden
- Leave the tomato plants there during the day and bring them back into the house in the evening
The best location until harvest
In mid-May, assign the tomato plants to their final location. This is what it should look like in the bed, in the greenhouse and on the balcony:
- sunny location, warm and surrounded by air
- ideally protected from rain
- nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil
- deep, slightly moist, calcareous clay soil
- nutritious, loose vegetable soil in the bucket
There should be shading options in the greenhouse to prevent the temperature from rising to over 30 degrees Celsius under the summer sun.
Tips & Tricks
Tomato plants are fertilized very cautiously with nitrogen until fruit sets. Otherwise they will grow like crazy and not even think about developing flowers.
