May 7, 2025, 4:48 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Tomatoes are true divas in the vegetable garden when it comes to their spot. For them to grow robustly and produce many delicious fruits, the right location is crucial. Sun, air, and a bit of protection from rain—these are the conditions in which they thrive. myHOMEBOOK gardening expert Franka Kruse-Gering shares what characteristics the perfect spot for tomatoes should have.
The right location is crucial for healthy tomato plants and a bountiful harvest. I’ve learned this from experience, as tomatoes are true sun lovers, sensitive to moisture, and require specific conditions to reach their full potential. Providing them with the right spot from the start lays the foundation for robust growth and flavorful fruits.
1. Plenty of Sun for Plump Tomatoes
Tomatoes are true sun fans—the more sun they get, the better they grow and the tastier their fruits become. A bright, warm spot in the garden or on the balcony is ideal for them. If they are too shaded, they often remain stunted, produce fewer flowers, and the fruits don’t develop properly or taste bland. In my opinion, a sunny location gives them exactly what they need to grow strong.
However, I must warn you that too much sun can sometimes have the opposite effect. In this case, more is not better. If tomatoes are too warm at their location and it’s also dry, they can suffer from heat stress. They take a “heat break.” Growth stops, flowers drop, and they don’t produce new ones.
2. Don’t Leave Them in the Wind
Standing in the wind can be unpleasant for us humans, and tomatoes don’t like it either. Strong or constant wind means one thing for tomatoes: stress. The plants have to constantly fight against it, which costs energy that they then lack for growing and fruiting.
My advice: pay attention to wind protection, especially for young plants, as they can bend or break due to wind. Additionally, continuous ventilation dries out the soil faster, and the leaves lose moisture more quickly. Moreover, constant movement from the wind increases the risk of plant injury. If stems collide or rub against each other, wounds can allow fungal spores or pests to enter the plant.
Just because tomatoes dislike a windy location doesn’t mean they don’t need a well-ventilated spot to grow well. The perfect location should be well-ventilated but not drafty.
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3. Find a Covered Location for Tomatoes
Tomatoes like it dry—at least from above. A roof over their heads protects the plants from rain, and that’s more important than you might think: If leaves and fruits are constantly wet, the risk of fungal diseases like the dreaded late blight increases significantly. With a simple tomato roof, an overhang on the balcony, or even a slanted tarp, you can protect the plants from moisture. This keeps them healthier longer—and you have a much better chance of a rich, unspoiled harvest.