Full of flavor, tomatoes are perfect for adding to summer salads.
There's nothing like biting into a good, freshly picked tomato. Yum!
But how to grow your own tomatoes ?
Well, know that you don't even have to have a vegetable garden!
Indeed, tomatoes grow perfectly well on your balcony, in a pot or in a planter.
So without further ado, here are 23 gardening tips to grow beautiful tomatoes on your balcony ! Watch:
Plant your tomatoes only when all risk of frost has passed.
That is 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 during the whole month of June or even until the beginning of July.
Afterwards, the fruits will not have time to fully ripen before the cold weather returns.
Unlike other plants, tomato plants need to be planted deep .
Indeed, the deeper the planting, the more robust the root system of the tomato plant will become.
As a general rule, plant the tomato plant so that it is buried until the first leaves .
If you are growing your tomato plants in pots, or if you have limited space, opt for a determinate variety.
Determined tomato plants take less space and are more compact (about 1 meter).
Know that there is a large selection of tomatoes with determinate growth, traditional varieties or hybrids.
Likewise, don't plant an indeterminate variety if you're growing your tomatoes in containers, or if you have limited space.
Indeterminate tomato plants, on the other hand, grow continuously and become higher and taller , up to 2 meters high!
In addition, these varieties require a solid stake and constant pruning.
Ideally, determinate tomato plants should be spaced 60cm apart.
In fact, plantings that are too tight produce less fruit and favor the transmission of diseases.
Be aware that you can still go down to 45 cm minimum without risk for your tomatoes.
If you have really little space, choose a variety with small fruits, such as cherry tomatoes or cocktail tomatoes.
More compact, these varieties will allow you to reduce the spacing between each plant.
On the other hand, remember that tight planting requires more attention.
Your plants are going to need extra fertilizer and water, and you're going to have to prune any leaves that are blocking the light.
To discover: The 20 Easiest Vegetables to Grow IN A POT.
As a general rule, it is not necessary to prune the stems of your tomato plants, except when planting is tight.
If so, prune the tangled stems that obstruct light and prevent air circulation.
To improve the productivity of tomato plants, also consider removing suckers on the first 15 to 20 cm from the base of each plant.
Suckers are lateral shoots that form in the leaf axils, as in the photo above.
For a tomato plant with determinate growth, use a pot with a depth of 30 cm and a capacity of at least 20 litres .
For indeterminate varieties, which grow continuously, use even larger pots.
If you don't have a pot, you can use a bin or other container that you have on hand.
Tomato plants need to be able to extend their root system deeply.
For this, you will need pots or planters that are at least 30 cm deep , knowing that 40 cm would be a plus!
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.
Remember to put your stakes in place as soon as you plant , pushing them in about 30 cm. This way you will avoid damaging future roots.
If you grow your tomato plants on a balcony, know that you can also tie them to the railing.
Admittedly, 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 much space.
However, you can use hanging pots to grow small fruit varieties of tomatoes (cherry tomatoes, cocktail tomatoes).
The more sun exposure your plants have, the more beautiful, flavorful tomatoes they will produce!
Indeed, to grow, tomatoes need light and heat.
Thus, to maximize harvests, install your tomato plants in the sunniest part from the balcony.
The tomato is greedy and requires a soil rich in nutrients.
So choose a good commercial soil , specially developed for the cultivation of vegetables.
To discover: Put These 8 Ingredients In The Ground To Grow GREAT Tomatoes.
To promote a good harvest, do not forget to look at the acidity level of the soil.
The ideal pH is between 6 and 6.8 , that is, a slightly acidic to neutral soil.
To know the pH of the soil easily, you can use a test kit like this or use this trick.
Instead of buying chemical fertilizer, enrich the soil with fertilizing compost , such as vermicompost, also called vermicompost.
And for even more fertile soil, you can also add earthworms directly to the soil in your pots.
Pot-grown tomato plants need moist soil, so water them regularly.
The secret is to keep the soil cool and moist to the touch, but it must not be drowned!
On a sunny balcony, it may be necessary to water every day.
Watering should be done daily, preferably early in the morning .
Some advise watering in the evening, as this helps to avoid water loss through evaporation.
The problem is that watering in the evening creates a humid environment all night long around the plant, which increases the risk of fungus.
Wetting the foliage is a bad idea, as it increases the risk of fungus and mildew.
Indeed, a good watering of tomatoes is that carried out at the foot tomato plants!
To fertilize the soil and stimulate root growth, use a tomato fertilizer of 100% natural origin, like this one.
Be aware that gardeners advise increasing the frequency of applications, but using a lower amount than indicated on the package.
For example, try to use half the dose recommended by the manufacturer, but twice as often.
Once the planting hole has been dug, place 2 or 3 crushed eggshells at the bottom of the hole.
This calcium reserve will allow tomato plants to develop well.
Calcium plays an essential role in the absorption of nutrients.
Calcium also helps tomato plants better to withstand heat and to produce more beautiful fruits.
Calcium deficiency increases the risk of "black bottom", the appearance of black spots on the lower part of the fruit.
To discover: 10 Incredible Uses of Eggshells.
If your soil lacks calcium, you can also sprinkle some bone meal at the bottom of the hole 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.
Adding Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is a deadly effective way to fertilize tomato plants.
Click here to find out how to use this 100% natural fertilizer that works miracles.
To discover: 10 Simple Steps To Grow 15-30 Kilos Per Foot Of Tomatoes.
Once a month, add a layer of compost or nettle manure at the base of your tomato plants.
Click here to find out how to prepare and use nettle manure on your tomato plants.
Before 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.
