With a little care, tomatoes thrive both in the bed and in the pot on the balcony. In order to plant the plants correctly, specific requirements are required. We explain the central key factors for profitable cultivation.
What conditions are important when planting tomatoes?
To plant tomatoes successfully, they need a sunny location, nutrient-rich soil, climbing aids and protection from rain. Plant the tomatoes in the ground with a distance of at least 80 cm and cotyledons already grown.
When do tomatoes move outdoors?
From mid-May it is warm enough outside for tomatoes to be planted. Until then, careful cultivation takes place behind glass so that the young plants start the season with an impressive growth lead. This is how the location in the garden and on the balcony should be:
- location spoiled by sunshine
- likes to be surrounded by air without cold drafts
- nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil, fresh and slightly moist
- In the planter, high-quality pot substrate or special vegetable soil
Plant the tomato plants in the soil up to the cotyledons at a distance of at least 80 centimeters. For refined varieties, make sure that the thickened grafting area is still visible. The young plants will kick into high gear when you enrich the substrate with compost and horn meal. Water daily for the first three days after planting. Also find out about fertilizing tomatoes.
Trails ensure stability
So that the tendrils of tomato plants do not crawl along the ground, they are given support. Place climbing aids, such as tomato sticks or trellises, in the ground and tie the first shoots to them. Parallel to further growth, the increasingly longer tendrils are guided up their support.
Protection from raindrops is the be-all and end-all
Tomato plants are threatened by merciless late blight throughout the entire season. Since the fungal spores multiply explosively in humid conditions, rain protection in the bed and on the balcony is essential. Where you don't have your own greenhouse, a tomato roof is useful.
Tips & Tricks
Wherever you plant tomato plants, always place some fresh nettle leaves in the planting hole. In the warming earth, the leaves rot quickly and release valuable nutrients to the roots for a vital start to the outdoor season.
