23 Tips For Growing A Bundle Of Tomatoes On Your Balcony.
Full of flavor, the tomato is perfect to complement summer salads.
Nothing like biting into a good, freshly picked tomato. Yum !
But how grow your own tomatoes ?
Well, know that you don't even have to have a vegetable patch!
Indeed, tomatoes grow perfectly well on your balcony, in a pot or in a planter.
So without further ado, here is 23 gardener's tips for growing beautiful tomatoes on your balcony ! Look :
1. Plant at the right time
Plant your tomatoes only when all risk of frost has passed.
That is to say after mid-May in most regions of France, or towards the end of April or the beginning of May in the south of France and regions with a more temperate climate.
And I see you coming up with your next question: how long can you grow tomatoes?
You can very well grow your tomatoes throughout the month of June or even until the beginning of July.
Afterwards, the fruits will not have time to ripen completely before the return of the cold.
2. Plant the seedlings deep
Unlike other plants, tomato plants should be deep planted.
This is because the deeper the plantation, the more robust the root system of the tomato plant will become.
As a rule, plant the tomato plant in such a way that it is buried until the first leaves.
3. Choose a variety with determined growth
If you are growing your potted tomato plants, or if you have limited space, choose a variety with determined growth.
Determined tomato plants take less space and are more compact (about 1 meter).
Be aware that there is a large selection of determinate-growing tomatoes, traditional varieties or hybrids.
4. Avoid varieties with indeterminate growth
Likewise, don't plant an indeterminate-growing variety if you are growing your potted tomatoes, or if you have little space.
Indeterminate tomato plants, on the other hand, grow continuously and become higher and higher, up to 2 meters in height!
In addition, these varieties require a strong stake and constant pruning.
5. Space the plants at least 45 cm apart
Ideally, tomato plants with determined growth should be spaced 60 cm apart.
In fact, plantings that are too tight produce less fruit and promote disease transmission.
Note that you can still go down to 45 cm minimum without risk for your tomatoes.
6. If you have a small balcony, grow cherry tomatoes
If you have really little space, choose a variety with berries, like cherry tomatoes or cocktail tomatoes.
More compact, these varieties will allow you to reduce the spacing between each plant.
However, remember that tight planting requires more care.
Your plants are going to need extra fertilizer and water, and you are going to have to prune the leaves that are blocking the light.
To discover : The 20 Easiest Vegetables to Grow IN A POT.
7. Remove the suckers on the stems
As a general rule, there is no need to prune the stems of your tomato plants, except when the planting is tight.
If so, prune off the tangled stems that block the light and prevent air from circulating.
To improve the productivity of the tomato plants, also think about removing the greedy ones on the first 15 to 20 cm from the base of each plant.
The suckers are side shoots that form in the axils of the leaves, as in the photo above.
8. Use large capacity jars
For a tomato plant with determined growth, use a pot 30 cm deep and a capacity of at least 20 liters.
For varieties with indeterminate growth, which grow continuously, use even larger pots.
If you don't have a jar, you can use a bin or other container that you have on hand.
9. Use pots that are at least 30 cm deep
Tomato plants need the ability to extend their root system in depth.
For this, you will need pots or planters that have at least 30 cm deep, knowing that 40 cm would be a plus!
10. Use stakes for tomato plants
To help tomato plants climb properly, some people use cages, but these take up a lot of space on a balcony.
Instead, plan for sturdy stakes, like these, that won't break under the weight of the tomatoes.
Consider putting your tutors in place from planting, pushing them in about 30 cm. This will prevent damage to future roots.
If you are growing your tomato plants on a balcony, be aware that you can also tie them to the railing.
11. Avoid planting upside down
Of course, growing tomatoes upside down is an original method to say the least ...
... but be aware that it is not the most efficient in terms of performance when you do not have a lot of space.
However, you can use hanging pots to grow berry tomato varieties (cherry tomatoes, cocktail tomatoes).
12. Choose a sunny spot
The more exposure your plants have to the sun, the more they will produce beautiful tomatoes full of flavor!
In fact, to grow, tomatoes need light and heat.
Thus, to maximize the harvests, install your tomato plants in the part the sunniest from the balcony.
13. Use a quality soil
The tomato is greedy and requires a soil rich in nutrients.
So choose a good business breeding ground, specially developed for growing vegetables.
To discover : Put These 8 Ingredients In The Earth To Grow SUPERB Tomatoes.
14. Don't forget to control the pH of the soil
To promote a good harvest, do not forget to watch the acidity level of the soil.
The ideal pH is between 6 and 6.8, that is, a slightly acidic to neutral soil.
To find out the pH of the soil easily, you can use a test kit like this or use this trick.
15. Use compost fertilizer
Instead of buying a chemical fertilizer, enrich the soil with a compost fertilizer, like vermicompost, also called vermicompost.
And for even more fertile soil, you can also add earthworms directly to the soil in your pots.
16. Water the tomato plants regularly
Tomato plants grown in pots need moist soil, so water them regularly.
The secret is to keep the earth cool and well wet to the touch, but she must not be drowned!
On a sunny balcony, you may need to water every day.
Watering should be done every day, preferably early in the morning.
Some people recommend watering in the evening, as it helps prevent water loss through evaporation.
The problem is, watering in the evening creates a humid environment around the plant overnight, which increases the risk of fungi.
17. Avoid watering the leaves
Wet foliage is a bad idea, as it increases the risk of fungi and mildew.
Indeed, a good watering of the tomatoes is that carried out at the foot tomato plants!
18. Fertilize with tomato fertilizer
To fertilize the soil and stimulate root growth, use a 100% natural tomato fertilizer, like this one.
Note that gardeners advise increasing the frequency of additions, but using less than indicated on the package.
For example, try using half the manufacturer's recommended dose, but twice as often.
19. Add eggshells
Once the planting hole has been dug, place 2 or 3 crushed eggshells at the bottom of the hole.
This reserve of calcium will allow the tomato plants to develop well.
Calcium plays an essential role in the absorption of nutrients.
Calcium also helps tomato plants to better resist heat and to produce more beautiful fruits.
A calcium deficiency increases the risk of "black butt", the appearance of black spots on the lower part of the fruit.
To discover : 10 Amazing Uses of Eggshells.
20. Use bone meal
If your soil is lacking in calcium, you can also sprinkle a little bone meal in the bottom of the hole you dug when planting.
Rich in calcium and phosphorus, bone meal is an organic fertilizer made from bone powder.
Ideal for increasing rooting and fruiting, it allows slow and regular assimilation of these nutrients.
21. Fertilize with Epsom salt
Adding Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a terrifically effective method of fertilizing tomato plants.
Click here to find out how to use this 100% natural fertilizer that works wonders.
To discover : 10 Simple Steps To Grow Between 15-30 Kilos Per Foot Of Tomatoes.
22. Add compost or nettle manure
Once a month, add a layer of compost or nettle manure to the base of your tomato plants.
Click here to learn how to prepare and use nettle manure on your tomato plants.
23. Mulch the soil to prevent evaporation
Before the temperatures get too hot, mulch the soil around the tomato plants with wood chips or leftover dry clippings.
To make your own mulch, you can also use crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, or even your used tea bags.
Your turn...
Have you tried these tips for growing beautiful tomatoes on the balcony? Tell us in the comments if it worked for you. We can't wait to hear from you!
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Also to discover:
13 Tips For Growing More, Bigger, and Tastier Tomatoes.
Put These 8 Ingredients In The Earth To Grow SUPERB Tomatoes.
