Tomatoes: How to Grow Them in the Garden and Pots

Sow between February and March, transplant from early April to late May, and harvest from July to late September. Tomatoes , a king of our cuisine that began to be used in Italy as a condiment only in the early 19th century, are a hit if grown well. Starting with good sun exposure, away from potatoes and peas , and well-sheltered when temperatures drop. Belonging to the Solanaceae family and a symbol of the Mediterranean diet and Italian culinary tradition, tomatoes are a veritable powerhouse of health benefits as well as a highly versatile vegetable in the kitchen, perfect for preparing countless recipes, from sauces to savory pies . Able to prevent certain forms of cancer and degenerative diseases, as evidenced by several studies, tomatoes are a food native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Latin America. Rich in water, they are therefore very low-calorie, perfect for those following a low-calorie diet.

Properties and benefits

In particular, tomatoes contain vitamins, fiber, and important minerals such as iron, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, and calcium . A powerful antioxidant thanks to the presence of lycopene and vitamin C, tomatoes also aid digestion, stimulate the appetite, and regenerate tissue. Eaten raw, they have a hypoglycemic effect, especially when combined with raw onion in a meal such as a salad . Therefore, they are a useful food for diabetes and hyperglycemia: they stimulate the liver thanks to their acidity and vitamin C, which leads to increased sugar consumption.

Controindicazioni

Although it is a food that presents itself as a real goldmine of important properties for health, tomatoes can be the cause of possible allergic reactions, even very strong, if one cannot tolerate histamine and solanine , a substance present above all in green tomatoes , even if in ripe tomatoes and with cooking, the allergenic power decreases.

How to grow tomatoes

Easy to grow: tomato plants generally produce fruit about 40 to 50 days after planting . If you don't have a vegetable garden or a garden, you can also grow tomatoes in pots : simply grow the seedlings in the sunniest corner of your balcony or terrace. Harvest takes place in summer but in some cases can continue into autumn. Here are all the useful tips for growing tomatoes in your garden or in pots on your balcony.

Sowing

Tomatoes are sown in warm seedbeds during January and February , followed by transplanting in March, April, and May. The ideal solution is to use several pots containing 3-4 seeds as seedbeds. Sowing in seedbeds allows for easy selection of the strongest seedlings.

The transplant

If you want to start growing from seedlings, wait until April. After purchasing them from nurseries or consortia, arrange them in the ground or pots in rows spaced at least 12 centimeters apart. Try to plant them at least five centimeters deep, and don't forget to add organic fertilizer or compost . When choosing seedlings, opt for the " Pachino " or " San Marzano " varieties, which are perfect for making sauces and salads.

Oats

Since tomato plants are climbing plants, after planting them, tie each one to a stick so they can grow upright and hold the fruit-bearing branches aloft. During the growing season, remove any leaves that grow between the stem and the leaves to allow the plant to grow better. Water at least once or twice a week , preferably after sunset during the coolest hours of the day.

• If you grow in a pot, choose one with a diameter between 20 and 30 centimetres and avoid water stagnation in the saucers.
• Always remember to place the pot in a sunny, sheltered spot. Remove weeds periodically, and as soon as the plant reaches 40 cm in height, attach appropriate supports.
• As regards instead the watering, draw a groove for the water to flow through.

Growing tomatoes isn't difficult, but it does require a few simple precautions to avoid wasting their flavor and authenticity. First, remember that they need sun, water, and natural fertilizer . Throughout the year, earth up the plants and remove the lower branches: they receive little light and don't produce anything significant. Furthermore, in direct contact with the soil, they are a breeding ground for insects and fungi. Always keep garlic and marigold plants near your tomatoes : they're low, unobtrusive, and antibacterial.

What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes?

The best fertilizer for tomatoes is natural . Manure or mature manure. The correct dose of this super-natural fertilizer is four kilos per square meter. Compost can be used instead of manure.

How to Increase Tomato Production

Read also:

• Artichokes: how to grow them and when to harvest them
• How to grow ginger in a pot
• How to grow courgettes
• How to grow spinach in the garden or in a pot
• Growing pumpkins in the garden or in a pot
• How to grow cauliflower
• Growing cucumbers in the garden, on the balcony, and in a pot
• Growing cucumbers in the garden, on the balcony, and in a pot