How to grow tomatoes successfully A complete guide to growing tasty, plentiful tomatoes in the garden

Tomatoes, the undisputed star of the vegetable garden, can be grown both in the open ground and in greenhouses for tasty harvests. With sunny exposure, rich soil and regular watering, you’ll have juicy fruit all summer long. Master the basic techniques and discover the secrets of generous production.

The secrets of successful vegetable garden planting

When and how to plant tomatoes in the garden

Successful planting starts with good soil preparation. Enrich the soil with mature compost or decomposed manure, incorporating it to a depth of 30 cm. An addition of nettle purin will stimulate future root growth.

Choose a mild, windless day to set up your plants. Dig holes 20 cm deep, burying the stem up to the first leaves. This technique encourages the development of a powerful root system.

Orienting rows north-south maximises sunlight. Place your stakes as soon as you plant, 3 cm from the base, to avoid damaging the roots later. A natural mulch around the plants will preserve moisture and limit the growth of unwanted weeds.

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The secrets of good daily maintenance

Careful monitoring of your plants promotes optimum growth. Morning watering at the foot of the plants, without wetting the foliage, prevents the development of mildew. Keep the soil fresh but never soggy.

Regular removal of suckers, these small shoots between the stem and branches, strengthens the vigour of the plants. A monthly contribution of natural fertiliser, such as comfrey purin, supports fruit production.

Gently tie the new shoots to the stakes with soft ties. Remove yellowed or diseased leaves as soon as they appear to preserve the health of your plants. Growing them in combination with basil or marigolds will naturally protect your tomatoes from pests while giving your garden a lovely scent.

Interview Nicolas Toutain Chef Jardinier du Conservatoire de la Tomate au Château de la Bourdaisière

Optimising cultivation in the greenhouse or in the open ground

The ideal greenhouse temperature is between 20 and 28°C for optimum growth. Remember to air your greenhouse daily at the hottest times to avoid condensation and fungal diseases. A thermometer will help you monitor these essential parameters.

In the open ground, mulching with straw or dead leaves protects the roots from temperature variations. In the greenhouse, opt for an automated drip system to maintain constant humidity without wetting the foliage.

Crop rotation takes on its full importance in the greenhouse:change the location of your plants each year or opt for growing in pots on raised supports. This method limits the risk of disease while maximising the space available.

In a nutshell on growing tomatoes

Well-prepared planting is key

Choose a sunny location and prepare rich, acidic soil

Regular maintenance ensures healthy plants

Water sparingly and prune carefully to prevent disease.

Maximise yield with natural methods

Combine crop rotation and natural fertilisers for abundant harvests

How to get a generous harvest

To maximise your production, adopt the“3 strategic pruning” rule. Remove the ends of the main stems at the end of July to concentrate energy on the existing fruit. Limit each plant to 5-6 bunches for fleshier tomatoes.

A sprinkling of wood ash at the foot of the plants naturally enriches the soil with potassium. This age-old trick encourages the formation of more tasty and more numerous fruit.

Theheart of beef tomatoes give their best yield with a spacing of 70 cm between each plant. For themore compact cherry varieties, 50 cm is enough. A well-tended plant can produce up to 5 kg of fruit over the season.

Prefer harvesting the fruit at the “turned” stage: when the colour starts to appear. This method guarantees perfect ripening and stimulates the production of new flowers.

Control the distance and space between plants

Good spacing ensures optimum air circulation around the plants. Indeterminate varieties require 60 to 90 cm spacing, while 45 to 60 cm is sufficient for determinate ones.

Organising the plants in a staggered pattern makes the most of the space while maintaining good aeration. This arrangement creates equilateral triangles between each plant, ensuring uniform exposure to the sun.

Greenhouse growing requires a more generous spacing of at least 80 cm between rows. This distance makes it easier for you to move around during daily maintenance and reduces the risk of moisture-related diseases. An alternating row arrangement increases productivity on a limited area.

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