How to choose your vegetables and growing tomatoes in your garden

You can grow different and attractive tasty vegetables on your balcony and patio. There are certain vegetables species that have a natural decorative look when cultivated in large containers. The following paragraphs will give you some examples of vegetables you can grow as well as the best methods of growing them.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes originated from South America and the Andes region. They thrive in warm sunny positions and are very sensitive to frost. There are tall-growing stick tomatoes and low-growing bush tomatoes. Small yellow flowers appear in open clusters at the end of spring. After about two months the flowers develop into small green fruit which turns yellow, orange or red.

Tomatoes love warmth, sunlight and less windy conditions. Fungal diseases will not form in a dry position.

Propagation

Tomato seeds can be sown in the first month of spring at temperatures around 20`C. The seeds should be sown thinly to enable strong seedlings to form. When the first leaves are horizontal then prick out the small plants and plant them just below their seed leaves in pots with a diameter of 10 cm.

Discard plants with damaged seed leaves. The seedlings should be placed in a right and warm position. Place the young plants in containers with a capacity of 5-10 liters. The seedlings should not be planted too deep to prevent decay of the stalks. When there is no more frost then stand the tomatoes outside.

Care or Tomatoes

Tall growing tomatoes should be tied to a stick or a climbing frame. It is good practice to encourage one shoot to grow, pinching out any lateral shoots that might appear in the leaf axils. Low growing bush tomatoes must not be tied up or pinched out. Old, unhealthy yellow leaves should be removed constantly. Irrigate and fertilize at regular intervals. Keep the leaves as dry as possible to discourage foot and root rot.

What tomato varieties are suitable for growth in a large container?

  • Tall growing varieties such as Harzfeuer, Tigarella, Goldene konigin and Hellfrucht

  • Bush tomatoes for example Balkonstar and Patio

  • Beef tomatoes such as Master, Pyros

  • Cherry tomatoes for example Red Robin , Gartenperle, Minibel and Tumbler

  • Pear tomatoes yellow pear shaped.

  • Egg shaped tomatoes : Roma and San Marzano

  • Bush tomatoes and cherry tomatoes are best suited or hanging containers.

Harvest

Tomatoes should be harvested when they are fully ripe and when you want to eat them. They should be juicy and firm to cut and have a high content of sugar, fruit aid and vitamin C. Tomatoes should never be stored in the fridge. Store in temperatures between 12-15`C. Tomatoes can be used in salads, soups and sauces. Avoid consuming tomatoes that are not yet ripe as they contain solarin which is very toxic.