Domakihub How to Grow Tomatoes at Home: A Simple Guide
From seedling to harvest, the essentials for sweet, healthy tomatoes on any Greek balcony or garden.
Reviewed by Domakihub garden pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Few things beat a sun-warmed tomato picked from your own pot or garden, and the Greek climate is almost made for it. The video above walks you through the whole journey visually, while this article breaks it into clear steps you can follow on a balcony in Athens, a village garden, or a holiday rental terrace. Whether you grow one pot or a full row, the basics are the same and surprisingly forgiving.
Why tomatoes thrive in Greece
Tomatoes love heat, light, and a long growing season, all of which Greece offers in abundance. With sowing in early spring and transplanting after the last cool nights, plants ripen steadily from June through autumn, exactly when you want fresh salads on the table.
The main local challenge is not cold but heat and dryness in midsummer. Consistent watering, a little afternoon shade in the hottest regions, and good soil go a long way toward avoiding cracked fruit and stressed plants.
Choosing the right spot and variety
Tomatoes need at least six to eight hours of direct sun, so a south or west-facing balcony, terrace, or garden bed is ideal. For pots, pick a container of at least 20 to 30 litres per plant so roots have room and the soil does not dry out within hours.
For containers and small spaces, compact or bush (determinate) varieties are easiest. For a garden bed or large pot with support, vining (indeterminate) types like the classic Greek salad tomato reward you with fruit all season. Cherry tomatoes are the most beginner-friendly and forgiving of all.
Five steps from seedling to harvest
- 1
Start with a healthy plant or seedling
The simplest start is a sturdy young seedling from a nursery or garden centre, ideally about 15 to 20 cm tall with a thick stem and deep green leaves. If you prefer growing from seed, sow indoors in late winter and keep the tray warm and bright until plants are strong enough to move outside after the last cold nights.
- 2
Plant deep in rich, well-draining soil
Use good-quality potting mix or compost-enriched garden soil. Plant the seedling deep, burying the stem up to the first set of leaves, because tomatoes grow extra roots along the buried stem and become far sturdier. Space plants about 40 to 60 cm apart so air can circulate and reduce disease.
- 3
Water consistently, not constantly
Aim for deep, regular watering that keeps the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water at the base in the morning rather than over the leaves, and in midsummer Greek heat that may mean daily watering for pots. Irregular watering is the main cause of cracked fruit and blossom-end rot, so steadiness matters more than volume.
- 4
Support and prune for fruit, not leaves
Tie vining plants to a stake, cage, or trellis as they grow. For indeterminate types, pinch out the small shoots that appear in the joint between the main stem and a leaf branch, the so-called suckers. This channels the plant's energy into fruit instead of excess foliage, which is the core lesson of the video above.
- 5
Feed, then harvest at peak ripeness
Once the first flowers set fruit, feed every week or two with a tomato fertiliser higher in potassium to boost flavour and yield. Pick tomatoes when they are fully coloured and slightly soft to the touch for the best taste. Harvesting regularly encourages the plant to keep producing right through the season.
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FAQ
- Can I grow tomatoes on a balcony without a garden?
- Yes. A sunny balcony or terrace with six or more hours of direct sun is perfect. Use a large pot of at least 20 to 30 litres per plant, a compact or cherry variety, and water consistently since pots dry out faster than garden beds.
- How long until I can pick my first tomatoes?
- From a young seedling, most varieties produce ripe fruit in about 60 to 80 days, depending on the type and the weather. Cherry tomatoes are usually the fastest, while large beefsteak types take a little longer.
- Why are my plants tall and leafy but have few tomatoes?
- This usually means too much nitrogen or no pruning. Switch to a potassium-rich tomato feed once flowers appear, pinch out the side shoots on vining plants, and make sure the plant gets full sun. That redirects energy from leaves into fruit.