Tomatoes
Discover the secrets for successfully growing juicy and tasty tomatoes. Learn the best techniques for soil preparation, sowing, maintenance, thieving and harvesting so you achieve a bountiful harvest.
With the right care and attention you can grow delicious, juicy tomatoes in the Dutch climate. Find out how to properly prepare the soil, sow the seeds at the right time and keep the plants healthy by thieving, supporting and regularly watering. This way you can enjoy a rich harvest full of taste, colour and pride, straight from your own garden.
Preparation and cultivation
Soil preparation for strong plants
Start with a light, nutritious soil that drains well but does not dry out. Mix mature compost or well-decomposed manure into the topsoil and check the pH value, which is ideally slightly acidic to neutral. Loosen the soil in early spring so that the roots can develop easily. A sunny, sheltered spot is essential, because tomatoes love warmth and light. By improving the soil in a timely manner, you lay the foundation for healthy growth and a rich harvest.
Sowing and transplanting tomatoes
Sow tomatoes indoors from late February to early April in pots or seed trays with sowing soil. Keep the temperature around 20 degrees for fast germination. As soon as the seedlings have their first real leaves, transplant them into separate pots with nutritious potting soil. Water regularly, but avoid wet feet. Place the young plants in a bright spot and turn them occasionally so that they grow straight. This way you grow sturdy plants that are ready for open ground.
Harden off and plant out in the open ground
Before you put tomatoes outside, they have to get used to wind, sun and temperature differences. From mid-May, place the plants outside in a sheltered spot during the day and bring them back inside at night. After a week or two they have hardened off enough to plant in the open ground or greenhouse. Choose a sunny spot and plant them deep, up to the lowest leaves, so that they form extra roots. Water immediately and support the stems with sticks or rope.
Planting and care
Plant out at the right time
Only plant your tomatoes outside when the risk of night frost has passed, usually after mid-May. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained, nutritious soil. Place the plants deeper than they were in the pot so that they can form extra roots along the stem. Keep a distance of about fifty centimeters between the plants for sufficient air circulation. Water generously immediately after planting and apply a layer of mulch to retain moisture and limit weed growth. This way your tomatoes will grow quickly.
Care during growth
Tomatoes require regular care to stay healthy and produce well. Remove the thieves in the axils of the leaves to send the energy to the fruits. Tie the plants to a stick or rope every week so that they continue to grow straight. It is better to give small amounts of water more often than a lot every now and then, to prevent cracking of the fruits. Check for aphids and whiteflies and remove affected leaves in a timely manner. Even care prevents stress and promotes a rich harvest.
Nutrition and maintenance for strong plants
During the growing season, tomatoes need a lot of nutrients. Provide liquid tomato fertilizer or compost tea every two weeks to stimulate fruit set. Remove lower leaves as soon as they turn yellow to prevent fungal diseases and improve air circulation. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and check regularly for signs of magnesium or calcium deficiency. With consistent feeding and observation, the plants remain vigorous and produce tasty, juicy tomatoes well into late summer.
Harvest and store
When to harvest tomatoes
Tomatoes are ready to harvest when they are fully colored and give slightly when pressed gently. In the Dutch climate they often ripen from the end of July to September, depending on the variety and the amount of sun. Pick them in dry weather to prevent mold formation and use a sharp knife or carefully twist the fruit from the bunch. Let unripe tomatoes ripen indoors in a warm, bright place, but not in direct sunlight, so that they develop their full flavour and aroma.
Storing and ripening tomatoes
Store ripe tomatoes at room temperature, never in the refrigerator, because cold affects the taste and structure. Place them with the crown facing up on a tray or in a wooden box, so that they do not bruise. Unripe specimens can be left to ripen in a paper bag together with an apple or banana. For longer storage, you can dry tomatoes in the oven or process them into sauce, soup or chutney, so that you can also enjoy your summer harvest in the winter.
Processing and preserving tomatoes
You can preserve a bountiful tomato harvest in different ways. Make passata, tomato sauce or soup and freeze it in portions. Preserving in glass jars with some herbs and olive oil is also a good option. For a more intense flavour, you can halve tomatoes, sprinkle with salt and dry slowly in the oven. This way you preserve the summer taste well into the cold months and you always have a basis for delicious dishes from your own garden.
Tomato greenhouse with ventilation
A compact tomato greenhouse protects your plants against rain, wind and cold, while the ventilation openings ensure sufficient air circulation. Ideal for the Dutch climate where summers can be changeable, so your tomato plants stay warm and dry, ripen better, are less susceptible to fungal diseases and remain productive for longer during the season.
View productTomato supports with adjustable rings
Sturdy tomato supports help your plants grow upright and prevent stems from snapping under the weight of the fruits. The adjustable rings grow with the plant, which ensures optimal support throughout the season, a tidy kitchen garden and better air circulation around the crop.
View productOrganic tomato food
An organic fertilizer specially developed for tomatoes promotes strong root growth and rich fruit set. Regular feeding during growth ensures healthy plants, an abundant harvest with full flavour, natural resistance to diseases and better soil structure in the long term.
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