Tomatoes warmed by the sun, freshly harvested, are a little taste explosion. But you don't have to have your own garden to grow tomatoes. You can also grow varieties specially bred for this purpose on the balcony and be rewarded for your efforts with rich yields.
What tips are there for growing balcony tomatoes?
Special space-saving varieties such as Balcony Star, Primabell, Gold Nugget or Tumbling Tom Red are suitable for growing balcony tomatoes. You need a planter with 10-15 liters of soil, tomato fertilizer and regular watering with lukewarm, lime-free water.
The right planter
Tomatoes have a high nutrient requirement, which must be met on the balcony, despite the limited substrate available. The bucket or balcony box should therefore hold at least 10 to 15 liters of soil.
Only use vessels with a water drainage hole that you cover with a piece of pottery. A drainage layer made of expanded clay ensures good water drainage. Use special tomato soil as it is tailored to the needs of the plants.
Which varieties are suitable?
You can grow balcony mats yourself from February or purchase young plants from specialist retailers.
The following varieties are very suitable:
- Balkonstar produces many small fruits that ripen quickly.
- Primabell is only 25 centimeters tall and can also be cultivated in a balcony box.
- Gold Nugget scores with extremely aromatic, golden-yellow tomatoes.
- Snowberry grows to about one meter high and requires a climbing aid. With its countless, bright red fruits, this balcony tomato is a feast for the taste buds and the eyes.
- Tumbling Tom Red is ideal if you don't have enough space for tubs. It thrives hanging and fits beautifully in a hanging basket.
Many varieties of cocktail tomatoes, whose height is around two meters, can also be cultivated on the balcony in a sufficiently large pot. Spiral-shaped tomato sticks provide the necessary support.
Care and watering tips
Tomatoes must be watered regularly with lukewarm, lime-free water. Since waterlogging quickly leads to root rot, be sure to tip away any excess liquid that collects in the saucer.
The nutrients are ideally supplied with special tomato fertilizer. Until the first fruit appears, it is sufficient to add the product to the irrigation water every 14 days. Fertilize weekly after flowering.
Balcony counters do not have to be exhausted. If you save yourself having to cut out unnecessary shoots, the tomatoes will just stay a little smaller. However, there is nothing to be said against this care measure, in which the newly formed side shoots between the trunk and leaves are pinched off with your fingers.
Tip
When watering, be careful not to wet the leaves and fruits, as moisture on these parts of the plant promotes tomato diseases.