Not everyone has access to a spacious garden. If you don't have one or are limited in terms of size, you have to get creative to grow vegetables. Fortunately, there are varieties that also thrive in planters, so you can use the little outdoor space for the others. But even if you live in an apartment in the city, you don't have to go without what you've picked yourself. For example, you can easily grow tomatoes on the balcony. But for them to thrive, you need the right support as well as rain and sun protection. We summarize everything important about these points.
Growing tomatoes on the balcony – protective measures for the plants
Now that we have covered the most important things about the location, pot size and care of the tomato plantsin another postAs we have explained, today we are dedicating ourselves to protecting plants:
- Trellis with a supporting function: Since they grow quite high, they need to be made more stable with a support (the wind can blow quite strongly, especially on the balcony). Which ones are best for containers and stable enough when growing tomatoes on the balcony?
- Sun protection: Although these are sun-loving plants, in mid-summer it can quickly become too much of a good thing. That's why they need a little protection from the summer sun.
- Rain protection: What tomato plants don't like is rain. A certain amount of rain protection, which is often already provided by sun protection, can help.
Support the balcony tomatoes
The only type of tomato that could survive without a support is the bush tomato, as it grows more in width than in height. If you support tomatoes in the pot, it not only protects the plant from twisting when it becomes heavier (at the latest when the tomatoes are growing). Even in strong winds, tomato plants in pots are at risk and must therefore be protected. What can you use to support tomatoes?
In principle, this depends on the pot size you have chosen. In most cases, the balcony plants can also have the same models as the outdoor plants: rods made of bamboo (or other wood), plastic or metal (15, 20 or 30 cm thick, depending on the material). There are straight models, but also spirals and ladders. Espaliers are available with an attached plant box. A climbing tower holds plants up to 2 meters high and obelisks for flowers also work well. Just browse around in the hardware store.
If this type ofTrellis for tomatoesIf the balcony isn't for you, you can simply stretch cord, rope or wire. To do this, screw eyelets into the house wall and/or ceiling if necessary. You can also use the railings to tie things down. Here is an example: The tomato pots are arranged in a row. A rope runs horizontally above them at a height of 2 meters. Now let ropes hang vertically from this rope on each plant and tie them to the stem below the first row of leaves. The balcony tomatoes can now grow on these hanging ropes. Guide them by tying them at intervals.
Grow tomatoes on the balcony and protect them from the sun
Should tomatoes be in the sun or the shade? The fact that thePlants need sun protection, raises doubts. The fact is, however, that tomatoes absolutely need sun in order to produce juicy, bright red fruits. However, the strong midday sun in summer can be hard on the plant and even young plants that have just been put outside can burn quickly (if they have not been hardened through acclimatization first). What can you do when growing tomatoes on the balcony?
- Putting plants in the shade during hot times is quite inconvenient, especially if they are not placed on coasters with wheels.
- Put up a sun sail or parasol if there is enough space on the balcony.
- Thin, fine-mesh nets are also well suited for larger plants that are used to the sun. They can stay up all summer because they let in just the right amount of sunlight while also allowing wind to pass through (so stronger gusts don't rip your sun protection away). To be on the safe side, you can also remove the net during the less hot hours of the day to give the ripening fruits more sun.
Rain protection for tomatoes on the balcony
No matter which tomatoes you choose for your balcony, they all need protection from the rain. Since most balconies have a roof, this is usually sufficient protection as long as the tomatoes are on the wall of the house, for example. Otherwise, you can also use the following:
- Insert bamboo sticks into the pots (you can also use the supports) and attach simple foil. You can tie the other corners of the film to the wall of the house using hooks. This allows you to protect several plants at once, which is practical if you grow a large number of tomatoes on the balcony.
- If you grow a manageable number of tomatoes on the balcony, tomato covers are also well suited to protect them from moisture. It is intended for individual specimens and is placed over the plant to create the effect of a greenhouse. However, as soon as the sun appears, the hoods must be removed as they heat up quickly.
- A good alternative to the hood is the tomato hat, which also has holes. This allows air to circulate during use.
Would you also like to grow cucumbers on the balcony? Take a lookin this articleover!
