Soon after germination, it's time to separate the young tomato plants and place them in a new pot.
There are a few things to keep in mind.
Because tomatoes are often planted close together when seeded, it's important to separate them as young plants so that they don't interfere with each other's growth and don't compete for the same nutrients.
This is the only way they can grow into strong, resilient plants.
For strong plants you have to prick tomatoes properly
+
The right time and choice of soil are important aspects when pricking out tomatoes.
© Shotshop/Imago
The time for pricking out is measured less in days and more in the growth or size of the plants.
At least the two cotyledons of the tomatoes should be visible, ideally another real leaf should be visible.
However, if you cannot offer the plants a suitable location afterwards, i.e. temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius and enough light, it is better to wait a little longer.
Because the tomatoes get too much heat and sun too quickly, they shoot up and don't get strong.
There are different methods for pricking the tomatoes.
It is important in all cases that pots and tools are very clean in order to prevent plant diseases in advance.
Especially with a larger number of plants, you should choose rather small pot sizes with a diameter of about ten centimeters.
A large pot is usually not necessary, as the tomatoes are transplanted again for their final location.
A loose, rather nutrient-poor soil is used as a substrate, this can also be herbal soil.
A few hours before pricking out, you should water the tomatoes again, then it will be easier and the plants will be equally well supplied with moisture.
With the handle of a spoon or pencil, make small indentations in the soil, into which the carefully separated plants are placed, holding the leaves up to the base of the cotyledons, whereby weak specimens are sorted out immediately.
Then you press the soil a little and spray the plants immediately with some water.
You can find even more exciting garden topics in our free newsletter, which you can subscribe to right here.
Water and fertilize after transplanting
Taking good care of the tomatoes after pricking out also promotes growth.
It is important that the small plants are kept sufficiently moist.
Even if you have a lot of little plants, it is best not to water them with the spray of the watering can, but rather water them from below.
You don't have to fertilize the tomatoes until you plant them out, but you can put the plants in a mixture of potting soil and normal potting soil when transplanting, which is already richer in nutrients.
Not just for preppers: you should grow ten types of fruit and vegetables
Radishes have the advantage that they are ready to harvest just a few weeks after sowing.
© Countrypixel/Imago
Potatoes, of course: Depending on the variety, they provide nutrients from spring to autumn.
Easy to grow.
© Martin Wagner/Imago
The main harvest of carrots is from June to November, and they can also be stored for a long time.
What more do you want?
© fStop Images/Imago
The perennial Jerusalem artichoke grows like weeds, fills well and is in season from October to March in winter.
© Westend61/Imago
A large green musk squash in the gardenThe musk squash can be stored for up to a year.
Depending on the variety, pumpkins are in season from August until frost.
© imago stock&people
A man hangs bunches of onions in a shed. Seed onions are considered to have a longer shelf life than onion sets.
The main harvest is from June to September.
© Cavan Images/Imago
Close-up of a white cabbage headA jack of all trades among vegetables: white cabbage can be stored and preserved for a long time.
© CHROMORANGE/Imago
A single apple hangs on a branchAnyone who chooses apple varieties that can be stored, such as Topaz or Ontario, will be supplied with vitamins for many months.
© ZUMA Wire/Imago
A columnar fruit pear tree on a house wallPears can bring a high yield from July to winter, even with little space.
Winter varieties store well.
© Nature Picture Library/Imago
A woman picks raspberriesBerries like raspberries, strawberries or blackberries may not have the longest season, but they are perfect for canning.
© Cavan Images/Imago
From a height of 20 centimeters, but at the latest when the tomato plant is 30 centimeters high, you should transplant it to its final location.
List of rubrics: © Shotshop/Imago