The fruits come in various colors and sizes–red, orange, brown and yellow, pear-shaped or round and also the tangy aroma of their leaves is amazing. Learn ‘how to grow tomatoes on a balcony‘ step by step in this article.
What Type of Tomatoes are Suitable for Balconies
Good news is that all the tomato varieties are suitable for container gardening, but there are limitations like you can’t grow tomato varieties that spread and become too tall (indeterminate ones) on your balcony (don’t blame us, if we believe balconies are small). The best idea is to choose determinate varieties of tomatoes that are locally available and grown successfully.
For example, cherry tomatoes, these are extremely easy to grow, low care and produce lots of fruits in a growing season. Besides, there are many other varieties available. Go to a seed shop, check out in your nearby nursery or buy online!
Growing Tomatoes on a Balcony
Tomatoes on the balcony should be planted in well-drained, stable pots. Keep in mind that a large amount of fruit and stems can cause toppling of plastic or other lightweight pots in the wind.
Although the container size depends on the tomato variety, you’re growing. But it should be a minimum of 12 inches deep and wide in diameter.
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Tomato requires full sun so place them in the sunniest position of your balcony.
Soil
Plant tomatoes in fertile soil to ensure favorable growth. You can buy a potting mix or make your own. Obtain compost or well-rotted manure, garden soil, and gravel or expanded clay for preparation.
While preparing the soil, remember it should have to be well drained, permeable, slightly acidic (pH 6-6.8) and loamy, tomatoes don’t thrive well in heavy soil. Also, mix slow release tomato fertilizer to the soil so that the plants will receive nutrition from time to time.
Planting Tomatoes
Either buy potted plants from the nursery or prepare your own seedlings. Sow tomato seeds when the risk of frost passes and spring arrives. (*If you live in a warm frost free sub-tropical or tropical climate you can plant and grow tomatoes year round). Seeds will germinate quickly within 5-10 days. Transplant them in containers when two real leaves form.
Tomato seedlings should be planted deeply to the level of the first leaf, to generate deep and additional roots and increase the collection of nutrients by the plant.
Tomato Plant Care
Fertilizing
Tomatoes are heavy feeders, even if you’ve already applied slow release fertilizer you’ll still need to feed them later.
Best time to fertilize tomatoes is when you’ll see a lot of foliage growth but fewer fruits or flowers in comparison or the time when the plant looks leggy and leaves turn yellow.
Fertilize in less amount, but more often, it is the secret of high yield of tomatoes.
Fertilize once in a week or two according to the needs of your plant.
Apply liquid fertilizers according to the packet instructions. Morning time is best.
Be sure to choose a fertilizer with a higher content of potassium and phosphorus. For those who appreciate organic vegetables, use natural fertilizers like well-rotted manure, compost or bio-humus.
Watering
Tomatoes on the balcony constantly need moist soil as balconies remain windier than regular gardens.
Regular watering of tomato plants is essential,even twice on a dry, windy day in summer in a hot climate.
Water tomatoes in a way that it’ll not soak their leaves. Wet leaves are the leading cause of blight and other fungal diseases.
Additional Tips
1. Remove suckers time to time during growth as they drain the nutrition of plants and prevent fruiting and flowering.
2. If you’re growing tall varieties, you’ll need to support them: use cage or trellis, you can also tie them to railings of your balcony.
3. The best temperature for growing tomatoes is when it ranges between 50F to 95F (10C-35C). Temperature below or above this is not very suitable for growing tomatoes.
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