After sowing and pricking, there is the planting of the tomatoes: You can find out what you need to know about the location and time in this guide.
If you want to plant tomatoes at home, you have the choice between two options: Either you grow the tomatoes yourself from seeds or you get an early seedling that you only need to plant.
Although the former method involves more work, you often have a larger selection of varieties for seeds than for seedlings. Either way, it must be decided where and when the tomatoes should be planted .
Season: when is the time to plant tomatoes?
Regardless of whether they are self-grown or pre-grown young plants from the garden center: Tomatoes should not be planted outside before the last frost. The young plants cannot stand the cold and could die. Therefore the rule of thumb is: Tomatoes only come into the garden after the ice saints . This means that from around mid-May or early June you can start growing your vegetables outdoors.
The same applies to planting on the balcony : As a precaution, wait until mid-May or until there is no longer any risk of frost before placing the tomatoes there. Should you still fear frost, you can also put tomatoes under foil or a special tomato hood. These only need to be provided with air holes so that mold does not form.
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The situation is different, however, if you own a greenhouse: thanks to the glass roof and side walls, you hardly have any problems with external weather or frost. That is why tomatoes can be planted here from mid to late April . If you have sown and grown the tomatoes in the house beforehand, you should make sure that they have always been exposed to a temperature of 18 to 24 degrees. However, there is often a lack of space in the greenhouse, which is why the recommended crop rotation is difficult here. For this reason, varieties grafted on wild tomatoes are most suitable for the greenhouse.
Apart from the time frame, you should also note that your tomatoes are at least 30 to 40 centimeters high when planted out and the first flower umbels have formed. Before the tomatoes come outside, you can also get used to the plants or harden them somewhat . For example, place them occasionally during the day in a partially shaded spot on the balcony, terrace, or in a sheltered location in the garden.
Find out here : You must pay attention to this when sowing tomatoes.
Planting tomatoes in a greenhouse, in a pot or on the balcony: which location is best?
As already mentioned, both the greenhouse, the pot or the balcony are suitable as a location for tomatoes. If you plan to grow the tomatoes outdoors, good light and heat is important for good development. In some cases, the blazing sun does not cause any problems, but those who are too happy with the radiation risk sunburns. It is therefore important that the tomatoes get some shade every now and then and are watered sufficiently.
Since tomatoes are heavy feeders , nutrient-rich soil is the be-all and end-all. It is also important that the soil is loose and that it is a humus-rich substrate. Coarse components such as pieces of bark should be avoided. Soils with less nutrients are only suitable if they are regularly fertilized with garden compost, horn shavings or horn meal . In addition, tomato plants thrive best on a slightly acidic to neutral soil.
Also interesting : you have to pay attention to these things when pricking the tomatoes.
When choosing the location, however, the type of tomato also plays a role: There are also small bush and vine tomatoes, which have an overhanging shape and are therefore ideal for the balcony. There they usually have enough shade if the sun gets too bright in summer.
Instructions: How to plant tomatoes
If you want to lift the tomato plants out of the pot and put them in the ground, you should dig a sufficiently large hole. Depth is particularly important here, because the plant should be placed so deep that the top of the bale is later five centimeters below the ground . So the plant can still form roots above the bale of pot and also has a better stand. If it is refined tomato plants, the bale of pot should still be easily visible on the surface of the earth.
A suitable fertilizer always helps the tomato plant - after all, it drains enormously from the nutrients from the soil. Therefore, you should always ensure that there is sufficient manure and compost in the bed. You should also work the soil with tomato fertilizer, compost from horse manure or beef manure and nettle manure before setting the tomatoes . Once the tomatoes have been planted, you should not start watering them yet. A few days without water stimulates the growth of the roots.
Read here : How to sow peppers at home.
What is also important: a climbing aid . Except for bush tomatoes, all varieties want to grow upwards and therefore need a spiral rod made of aluminum or stainless steel . These can be easily cleaned and reused after they have been attached. To do this, you should clean the sticks with high-proof alcohol every year before removing them to remove fungal spores.
The climbing aids also come into the soil when planting out. The main shoots of the tomatoes should be guided through the spirals so that they are fixed.
How far away are tomatoes planted?
Minimum distances are extremely important when planting tomatoes. This ensures sufficient air circulation in the earth, and excess moisture evaporates more quickly. Weeds are also easier to remove at longer distances. Therefore, a distance of at least 50 to 60 centimeters within a row is usually recommended. A distance of 80 to 100 centimeters should be kept between the rows.
Find out more : How long can cucumbers be sown?
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