Tomatoes: How to Grow Them in the Garden and Pots

Sowing between February and March, transplanting from early April to May, harvesting from July to late September. tomato, a king of our cuisine that began to be used in Italy as a condiment only at the beginning of the nineteenth century, does not disappoint, if grown well. Starting from a good exposure to the sun, away from potatoes and peas and well-sheltered when temperatures drop. Belonging to the Solanaceae family and a symbolic food of the Mediterranean diet and Italian culinary tradition, tomato It is a real concentrate of beneficial properties for health as well as a very versatile vegetable in the kitchen, perfect for the preparation of many different recipes, from sauces savory piesCapable of preventing certain forms of cancer and degenerative diseases, as highlighted by several studies, tomatoes are a food native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Latin America. Rich in water, they are therefore very dietetic, 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. Strongly 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 a meal such as salad. onion raw. A useful food therefore in case of diabetes and hyperglycemia: it works by stimulating the liver thanks to its acidity and vitamin C and this leads to a greater consumption of sugars.

Controindicazioni

Although it is a food that presents itself as a real goldmine of important properties for health, Tomatoes can cause allergic reactions, even very strong ones, if you cannot tolerate histamine and solanine., a substance present especially in the green tomato, although in ripe tomatoes and with cooking, the allergenic power decreases.

How to grow tomatoes

Easy to grow: generally, The tomato plant produces its fruit about 40 or 50 days after sowing. If you don't have a garden or a garden, you can also grow tomatoes in pots: you just need to grow the seedlings in the sunniest corner of the balcony or terrace. Harvest takes place in summer but in some cases can continue until autumn. So, All the useful tips for growing tomatoes in the garden or in pots on the balcony.

Sowing

Tomatoes are sown during the months of January and February in warm seedbeds., and then transplant in March, April, and May. The ideal solution would be to use several small pots containing 3-4 seeds as seedbeds. Sowing in seedbeds allows you to easily select 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 in pots in rows spaced at least 12 centimetres apart. try to bury them at least five centimetres deep and don't forget to add organic fertilizer or compost. As regards the choice of seedlings, orient yourself more towards the "Pachino" or "San Marzano”, perfect for preparing sauces and salads.

Oats

Since tomato plants are climbing plants, after planting them, tie each of them to a stick so that they can grow upright and keep the branches with the fruits raised. During the growth period, remove the leaves that grow between the stem and the leaf to allow the plant to grow better and 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.

La tomato cultivation It's not difficult, but it requires a few simple precautions to avoid wasting their flavor and authenticity. First of all, remember that they need sun, water, and natural fertilizerDuring the year, earth up the plants and remove the lower branches: they receive little light and produce nothing significant. Furthermore, in direct contact with the soil, they are vehicles for insects and fungi. Always keep plants of this type near your tomatoes. garlic and marigolds: they are low, not bulky and antibacterial.

What is the best fertilizer for tomatoes?

Il migliore fertilizer for tomatoes it is that designManure or mature manure. The correct dose of this super natural fertilizer is four kilos per square meter. Instead of manure, you can use compost.

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