Who doesn't enjoy a fresh tomato from the garden, a bowl of delicious tomato soup, or the perfect tomato passata? Tomatoes are incredibly versatile fruits that can be used in countless dishes. They brighten up any summer table. Homegrown fruits truly taste better than store-bought ones, as they are cultivated with great love and dedication. In this guide, you'll learn everything about caring for tomatoes and how to get the most out of your tomato plants.
Tomatoes in the garden or greenhouse
In the past, you absolutely needed a greenhouse to successfully grow tomatoes, but that's not always necessary these days. With our hot and often dry summers, our outdoor climate is very suitable for growing tomatoes in the open air. However, if it's a wet and cold summer, the greenhouse will certainly save you. Know that both options are possible and that there are also specific varieties that are more resistant to diseases, such as late blight or the tomato blight. If you don't have space for a greenhouse or are still considering buying one, you can also place the tomato plants under a simple shelter. This protection is often sufficient for the fruits and the plant. Or why not plant the tomatoes in large pots? Depending on the weather, you can move them, which will ensure optimal growth.
There are many different opinions about watering. While some gardeners water almost every day, others only water once every three weeks. We can be clear about this: watering every day or every other day is really not necessary. In fact, it makes the tomato plants very lazy, causing them to stress immediately if you forget to water once. However, if you water every one to two weeks, you force the plants to root deeply and draw water from deeper in the soil. Of course, you need to build this up gradually, so the plants get used to it over time.
- When planting out the seedlings in the garden or greenhouse, give them a generous splash of water immediately.
- During the first week, water every two to three days.
- Afterwards, reduce it to once a week.
- Do the plants show no signs of stress or drought? Then you can postpone this for another week and gradually reduce it.
Always water at the base of the plant and not over all the leaves. For example, bury a terracotta pot or Olla next to the plant, allowing you to water directly and giving the water time to seep into the ground without increasing humidity in the greenhouse or border.
Removing tomato suckers
Tomatoes are vigorous growers. Naturally, they sprawl across the ground, weaving themselves over and between everything. However, in our climate, this isn't practical due to the rain and cooler temperatures. That's why we let them grow upwards here, supporting them with a climbing structure or sturdy stake. While a tomato plant will grow neatly upwards, it produces small shoots in the leaf axils that drain energy from the plant. These axillary shoots, better known as "suckers," are best removed. If you don't, the plant becomes very bushy.
- The tomato plant dries out less quickly, giving fungi a greater chance to strike.
- The energy goes into forming the suckers and less into forming fruits.
- The plant grows faster and stronger without suckers.
Did you know you can also grow a new tomato plant from a large sucker? Once the sucker is about 10 centimeters tall, you can plant it in a P9 pot. After a while, the sucker will form roots, and you can plant it in an empty spot in the border. After some time, you'll have a full-fledged tomato plant.
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In this video, Angelo teaches you all about pruning and propagating tomatoes.
Tips for a bountiful tomato harvest
Regularly tie up tomatoes. The weight of the tomatoes can cause the plant to snap, and part of the harvest may be lost.
Regularly check the plants. This way, you can quickly intervene if necessary with diseases and pests.
Regularly prune the plant.
Shake the flowers of the plants. Tomatoes are self-pollinators, but in a greenhouse, this can sometimes be tricky due to the lack of wind. So, tap the stake or string the plants are growing on every day. The shaking releases pollen in the flowers, allowing them to be pollinated.
Avoiding diseases and pests in tomatoes
Unfortunately, tomato plants can also be plagued by diseases and pests. The most common issues with tomatoes are blossom end rot, tomato blight, and whitefly. Fortunately, there are several actions you can take to prevent or remedy these diseases. Always ensure adequate air circulation, for instance. If the tomatoes are in a greenhouse, make sure the windows and doors are open day and night in dry weather. With good air circulation, the plants dry faster, giving fungi no chance. Notice overlapping leaves, leaves touching the ground, or growing against the greenhouse window? Feel free to prune them a bit shorter or cut them off entirely. Keep the plant airy, which again ensures sufficient air circulation.
Also plant basil, marigolds (Tagetes), or calendulas (Calendula) near your tomato plants. The scent of these plants will deter pests, like the whitefly. And let's be honest, fresh basil with a juicy tomato is heavenly.
