Have you ever considered enjoying the authentic flavor of tomatoes grown by yourself? There's nothing like adding tomatoes picked straight from your garden or a pot at home to your salads and stews. Plus, the process of planting tomatoes is easier than it seems, as long as you understand the steps and tips necessary to ensure your plants grow healthy and produce juicy, flavorful fruits.
The tomato, scientifically known as Solanum lycopersicum, is one of the most popular plants in urban gardens and family gardens. Its cultivation has spread throughout the world thanks to its easy adaptation and the wide range of recipes it can be used in. If you want to learn how to plant tomatoes step by step and ensure a bountiful harvest, here's a detailed and practical explanation.
When is the best time to plant tomatoes?
Choosing the right time to plant tomatoes is critical to crop success. Ideally, it should be done in spring or early summer, when temperatures exceed 15-18°C during the day and do not drop below 10°C at night. The tomato is a plant that needs heat to develop properly., so if you sow at lower temperatures, germination is likely to be slow and growth weaker.
In areas with mild winters and long summers, you can extend the planting season until mid-July. However, if you live in a region with cold winters or short summers, you shouldn't delay it too much: Make sure your plants have time to grow before the first cold weather arrives.As a tip, plant before June 20 to ensure ripe tomatoes before the first frost in temperate climates.
Choosing the perfect spot for your tomatoes
The tomato is a plant that loves the sun. It needs at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to produce tasty fruit and avoid disease. It's best to place your plants in an open area, away from walls, tall trees, or shrubs that could shade them or restrict air circulation.
Good ventilation helps prevent problems such as late blight and other fungal diseases. In addition, it promotes stronger plants and cleaner fruits, away from soil moisture. Don't forget that tomatoes can also be grown in large pots if you don't have space in the garden. In that case, look for sunny spots and make sure the pots have a minimum capacity of 12 to 20 liters for each plant.
Prepare the soil or pot before sowing
The secret to a good tomato crop begins underground. Tomatoes prefer soil rich in organic matter, loose and well-drained. Ideally, the soil pH should be between 6,5 and 7,0, slightly acidic. If your soil is very compact, work the soil with a spade and add organic fertilizer (such as compost or aged manure), mixing it in well to improve structure and fertility.
If you have any doubts about the pH, you can take a sample to a specialized center or use a home kit. If the pH is too low, a limestone amendment will help balance it, while if it's too high, you can add sulfur or organic matter to lower it. Also, add a tomato-specific fertilizer according to the package directions, as these plants are nutrient-demanding during growth and fruiting.
For those who plant in pots, it is essential to use specific substrate for gardens or vegetables. Never reuse garden soil, as it can become too compacted and lack the nutrients needed for successful growing. Also mix some compost or special tomato nutrients into the potting soil to encourage early development..
How to plant tomatoes step by step
Sowing by seed: You can start growing in seed trays, trays, or biodegradable cups in late winter or early spring. Fill the containers with moist soil, place 2-3 seeds per hole at a depth of 0,5-1 cm, and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Maintain constant humidity and place the seedbed in a warm, bright location.
Seeds usually germinate in about 8-15 days, depending on temperature. If you have put several seeds together, when they have two true leaves (the first to appear after the cotyledons), choose the most vigorous seedling and eliminate the rest to avoid competition.
When the plants reach about 10-15 cm and have developed at least two pairs of true leaves, they are ready for final transplanting. Before transplanting to their final location (garden or pot), it is advisable to gradually accustom them to the outdoors over a period of a week: place them outside during the day and bring them back inside at night to avoid cold snaps.
Transplanting and correct planting technique
The key moment arrives: move your plants to the ground or definitive pot. Do this task on a warm day, preferably in the late afternoon to avoid heat stress. Dig a deep hole (about 20-25 cm), remove the lower leaves from the stem, and bury the plant just above the last pair of leaves you left. This stimulates the formation of roots along the stem and stronger plants.
Leave a separation of about 60 cm between plants and between rows, allowing aeration and space for development. If the variety is dwarf, you can reduce the spacing. In pots, plant only one tomato plant per container.
Gently pat the soil around the base to eliminate air pockets and water generously after transplanting. This will help the roots settle and the plant overcome the brief pause after being moved.
Supports and tutoring of tomato plants
Tomatoes tend to grow vertically and their branches can become heavy with fruit. To prevent the weight from breaking the stems or the fruit from touching the ground and spoiling, you should place supports or trellises.
There are many ways to tutor tomatoes: from reeds, mesh, to cages or wire trellises around the plant. Choose supports between 100 and 180 cm high. Place them at the time of transplant, so you won't damage the roots later.
Secure the stems with cable ties or soft raffia thread, avoiding overtightening. The goal is to keep them upright, airy, and for the fruit to develop cleanly and without deformations.
Irrigation and crop maintenance
The tomato needs water, but not too much. Immediately after planting, water well to settle the soil. Afterward, keep the soil moist but never waterlogged: Drought will cause small or cracked fruit, and excess will promote fungal diseases and root rot.
Water preferably early in the morning or late in the afternoon, wetting only the substrate and avoiding wetting the foliage. Water on the leaves can trigger diseases such as mildew or blight. If you have a drip system, it will be easier to maintain constant moisture without puddles forming.
During the first few days after transplanting, it may be necessary to water daily.; then adjust the frequency according to the climate and the soil's drainage capacity. The important thing is that the surface does not dry out completely or remain waterlogged.
Weed regularly to prevent weeds from competing for light and nutrients. Take advantage of this opportunity to mulch the soil with straw, pine bark, or compost, helping to retain moisture and preventing the growth of unwanted weeds.
Fertilization and special care
Tomatoes are nutrient-demanding plants, especially when they are in full production. Apply organic fertilizers rich in potassium and phosphorus at the beginning of flowering, and repeat every 3-4 weeks during the summer according to the instructions for the chosen fertilizer. Avoid excess nitrogen, as this will cause excessive foliage and few fruits.
Prune the lateral shoots (suckers) that grow in the axils of the main branches, except in certain (dwarf) varieties where it is not essential. Removing these shoots helps the plant focus its energy on fewer, but larger and higher-quality fruits.
Pests and diseases: prevention and treatments
Like all crops, tomatoes are susceptible to certain pests and diseases. It's a good idea to check your plants while they're watering to detect signs of trouble early.
The most common pests:
- Tomato worm: They are large and green, with stripes and spots, and can quickly defoliate the plant. They can be removed by hand or treated with specific products.
- Fruitworm: Moth larvae that pierce the fruits. Eliminate affected fruits and use organic insecticides. if the plague is serious.
- Alticinos: Small beetles that jump from leaf to leaf, creating tiny holes. To control their presence, use sticky traps or insecticides approved for urban gardens.
- Snails and slugs: They devour leaves and fruit on humid nights. Spread physical barriers (ashes, eggshells) or slug-repellent granules around the plants if the problem is severe.
Common diseases: The most common are late blight, mildew, and blossom end rot (brown spots at the base of the tomato due to a lack of calcium).
To prevent them, avoid wetting the foliage, rotate crops each year, and remove plant debris at the end of the season. If you detect symptoms of disease, remove and destroy the affected parts and apply organic preventative treatments such as horsetail decoctions or copper in more severe cases.
Harvesting tomatoes
Now comes the most rewarding part: harvesting your own tomatoes. Harvesting is done when the fruits reach their final color (red, yellow, pink, depending on the variety) and are firm but soft to the touch. If they're not fully ripe, you can leave them at room temperature for a few days to finish ripening, never in the refrigerator.
To harvest without damaging the plant, cut the fruit with scissors or gently twist it until it comes off. Don't pull on the fruit, as you can break entire branches. Harvest often, as picking ripe tomatoes stimulates new fruit production and prevents disease development.
Time required and level of difficulty
Growing tomatoes is not complicated and is within the reach of anyone, even without prior experience. From sowing to the first harvest, it usually takes between 70 and 90 days, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
In total, between preparing the soil, transplanting, staking, watering, and monitoring, you will invest about 5 to 9 hours throughout the season. Most of the time is spent preparing the soil and transplanting, as maintenance only requires a few minutes a day.
In terms of difficulty, growing tomatoes is considered an easy task (level 2 out of 4). It's an excellent choice for those who want to get started with urban or family gardening, enjoy the process, and savor the results of their care on the table.
Growing tomatoes step by step is an experience that brings much more than delicious fruits; it also brings learning and personal satisfaction. If you follow these tips and dedicate a little care to your plants, you'll have quality, healthy, and flavorful tomatoes for much of the year. Get started and become an expert in the art of growing tomatoes at home. Nothing tastes like something planted and harvested by your own hands!