How to grow tomatoes in pots on the balcony?
I have a south-facing balcony and I'd like to try growing tomatoes in pots this summer. I've never done gardening before, so I'm not sure which varieties to choose and how often to water them.
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I started growing tomatoes in pots two years ago when I was too lazy to make a proper vegetable garden, and I gotta say it was easier than I thought. Get smaller varieties like cherry tomatoes or datterini that grow well in pots, put them in a container that's at least 20-30 liters with good soil, and water when the soil is dry to the touch - in summer on a south-facing balcony like yours probably means every day or almost, especially when it gets hot. The important thing is that water doesn't pool, otherwise the roots rot, and a south-facing balcony is perfect because tomatoes are like crazy for sun, maybe even too much if it gets to 40 degrees and they haven't developed fruit yet.
The south-facing balcony is perfect for tomatoes, you'd better go with dwarf or determinate varieties like cherry tomatoes because they need less space and grow well in pots - the classic "Pachino" ones work fine too if you can find them. As for watering, with this July heat you'll probably have to water almost every day, but the secret is to touch the soil before giving it water - if it's still moist wait, otherwise you risk rotting the roots; I use pots that are at least 20-30 liters and put a saucer underneath to retain some moisture. Oh, and remember that tomatoes in pots need fertilizer every two weeks or so because the soil gets depleted quickly, so once you see the first flowers you can start giving them some.
Tomatoes in pots are pretty straightforward if you follow a few tips. The most important thing is getting large pots, at least 40-50 liters per plant - lots of beginners mess this up and use pots that are too small, then complain that they don't grow well. A south-facing balcony is perfect, you'll get all the sun you need. For varieties, go for determinate types like cherry tomatoes or small cherry varieties, they grow compact and are less demanding than those giant indeterminate ones. Cherry tomato types like "Sweet 100" or the classic "Ciliegino" work great, they produce for months and are hardy. Fill the pots with quality potting soil, don't skimp on this because it's really the foundation of everything.
About watering: in July like right now, with the heat, we're talking about once a day, preferably early morning or evening. Check the soil with your finger - if it's dry 2-3 cm below the surface, water it. On a south-facing balcony it can happen that in summer, on the hottest days, you might need to water twice a day, especially if it's windy. Don't water the leaves, just the soil, otherwise you're encouraging fungi and diseases. Once the tomatoes start fruiting, add some fertilizer (a generic tomato one works fine, every 2-3 weeks), that way it keeps the production going.
Don't forget to put in a support or a cage so the plants grow vertically - they take up less space and allow for better air circulation. By August you should already see the first fruit starting to appear if you planted seedlings now. It's one of those things that once you start, it becomes a passion, fair warning! If you have any questions as they grow, just write.
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