Finish the races: grow tomatoes all year round!
Tomatoes are a must on our plates, whether in salads, sauces or just snacks. But buying fresh tomatoes all year round can be expensive and not always ecological. Why not grow them yourself at home, all year round?
Step 1: Material selection
- Pot: Choose a pot adapted to the size of the plant and with drainage holes at the bottom to avoid excess water.
- Earth: Choose a soil rich in nutrients and specific for tomato cultivation.
- Seeds or plants: You can choose to sow seeds or buy plants already developed.
Step 2: Plantation
Fill the pot of soil and plant either the seeds as recommended in the sachet or the plant, making sure to bury well. Lightly drain the soil and water thoroughly.
Step 3: Regular maintenance
- Watering: Tomatoes need regular watering but without excess. Monitor the soil to ensure that it is neither too dry nor too wet.
- Fertilizers: Bring a specific vegetable fertilizer once a month to ensure good tomato growth.
- Support: Install a guardian to support the plant as it grows, to prevent it from breaking under the weight of the fruit.
Step 4: Light and Heat
Tomatoes need a lot of light to develop properly. Place your pot in a sunny and warm place, like near a window facing south.
Step 5: Size and Harvest
Make sure to remove the gourmands (small branches that grow on the leaves) to promote tomato growth. When fruit begins to ripen, harvest it regularly to encourage the production of new fruit.
Additional advice
- Use mulching to maintain soil moisture and reduce weeds.
- Check your plants regularly for any disease or parasite and act quickly.
- Experiment with different tomato varieties to diversify the flavours of your harvest.
By following these tips and taking care of your tomato plants all year round, you can soon enjoy delicious fresh and tasty tomatoes directly from your own garden, and say goodbye to last minute races!