Growing tomatoes on a balcony is rewarding. Besides their flavor and culinary uses, tomatoes can also serve as an ornamental plant in your balcony.
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. This post will teach you how to grow tomatoes on a balcony step by step.
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 option is to choose determinate tomato cultivars that are locally accessible and successfully cultivated.
For example, cherry tomatoes, these are extremely easy to grow, low care and produce lots of fruits in a growing season. Moreover, there are other alternative options. Visit a seed store, a nursery near you, or order 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. Nonetheless, it should be at least 12 inches deep and broad in diameter.
Tomatoes need direct sunlight, so arrange them on the sunniest part of your balcony.
Soil
To guarantee healthy development, plant tomatoes in good soil. You may either purchase potting soil or manufacture your own. For preparation, gather compost or well-rotted manure, garden soil, and gravel or expanded clay.
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. Additionally, add slow release tomato fertilizer to the soil so that the plants may be fed on a regular basis.
Planting Tomatoes
Get potted plants from a nursery or start your own seeds. After the threat of frost has passed and spring has arrived, sow tomato seeds. (*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. When two true leaves appear, transplant them into containers.
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 voracious eaters, so even if you’ve previously applied slow release fertilizer, you’ll need to feed them again later.
The best time to fertilize tomatoes is when there is a lot of leaf development but few fruits or blossoms, or when the plant seems lanky and the leaves turn yellow.
Fertilize less often but more frequently; this is the key to good tomato output.
Fertilize your plant once or twice a week, depending on its demands.
Apply liquid fertilizers according to the packet instructions. The optimum time is in the morning.
Use a fertilizer with a greater potassium and phosphorus concentration. For those who appreciate organic vegetables, use natural fertilizers like well-rotted manure, compost or bio-humus.
Watering
Tomatoes on the balcony need damp soil all the time since balconies are windier than conventional gardens.
Watering tomato plants on a regular basis is vital, perhaps twice a day in summer in a hot area.
Water tomatoes in such a manner that the leaves are not soaked. Wet leaves are the leading cause of blight and other fungal diseases.
Additional Tips
1. Suckers should be removed on a regular basis throughout growth because they deplete plant nourishment and impede fruiting and blooming.
2. If you’re growing tall types, you’ll need to support them with a cage or trellis; you may even tie them to the balcony rails.
3. The ideal temperature for growing tomatoes is between 50F and 95F. (10C-35C). Temperature below or above this is not very suitable for growing tomatoes.
Related Questions
-
Can you grow tomatoes on a porch?
No worries. On your porch, you can plant tomatoes. If you love the flavor of lush, fresh tomatoes but lack the room to maintain a full-sized garden, container gardening may be the answer.
-
Can you grow tomatoes on your balcony?
The quantity of sunshine accessible on the ordinary balcony is the most important. Tomatoes, according to most gardening guides, need at least eight hours in full sun every day. With just six and a half hours of light, I’ve had amazing success. Last year, I harvested 12 pounds of fruit from just two cherry tomato plants.
-
Can I grow tomatoes on a covered porch?
Tomatoes need six to eight hours of sun a day, and plants should be protected from wind. So scout around for the best spot, whether that’s your front porch, back deck or apartment patio ledge. Pots. Flower pots or other containers 14 inches or larger are required.
-
Are tomatoes better in pots or ground?
Overall, if you have the choice of growing tomatoes in the ground or in containers, plant them in the ground. Tomatoes grown directly in the soil need less maintenance. They are also less prone to catch tomato illnesses and will provide a larger crop for you.
