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Outdoor tomatoes care for them. How to properly plant tomatoes in open ground

DIY garden

Gardeners who are unable to construct greenhouses and greenhouses on their plots are forced to plant tomatoes in open beds.

In a warm climate, tomatoes grow well, bear fruit without the need to arrange a protective shelter for them. In regions with colder climates, plants need temporary cover with a film. Vegetable growers prefer the seedling method of planting tomatoes, which allows for a shorter growing season, which makes it possible to count on a quick harvest.

Planting tomatoes in an open garden has certain pros and cons. Plants growing in open ground are stronger and have increased immunity. Tomatoes feel uncomfortable in conditions of high humidity, but in an open space a favorable atmosphere is created for them, excluding the development of many dangerous diseases of nightshade crops.

Unfortunately, the cultivation of many valuable ones requires knowledge: how to transplant tomato seedlings into a greenhouse, since the bushes will simply die in the garden without shelter. On an open bed, it is not possible to adjust the humidity, soil temperature, which is why the growth of tomatoes is slower. The crop yield indicators in the greenhouse are much higher. Often, the fruits do not have enough time to fully ripen, which forces summer residents to pick them while still green.

A competent choice of varieties is the key to success

To succeed in growing tomatoes in beds, you should give preference to proven, specially bred varieties that are resistant to weather "surprises": the onset of sudden frosts, rains, lingering clouds, heat, drought.

In most cases, vegetable growers choose crops with early, medium-early ripening for planting in open beds.

Optimal will be low plants of the determinant type, which do not need pinching and shaping. Also, indeterminate varieties are suitable, demonstrating the formation of compact, non-branching, non-stretching bushes.

In order not to run into trouble later, it is advisable to carefully study the manufacturers' annotations published on the seed bags. It will be a win-win to buy seed products, on the packaging of which there is a note about its suitability for planting in open ground. This does not mean at all that the seeds must be sown directly on open beds, since in our latitudes summer residents prefer to first get strong, healthy seedlings, suitable for subsequent planting in the garden.

Growing seedlings at home

For the subsequent receipt of excellent bushes, you will need to perform the correct sowing of seeds in prepared containers with soil. In order for the transplanting of tomato seedlings in March to be successful when diving, you need to carefully remove the seedlings from the old container, trying not to damage their delicate roots. Plants are placed in new containers, from which a third of the root length is previously pinched off.

Experienced gardeners, who recommend when to transplant tomato seedlings into pots, insist that bushes with 3 true leaves are suitable for such a procedure. Often the time of this event is calculated according to the lunar calendar. For a procedure such as transplanting tomato seedlings in March, favorable days are chosen in the waxing moon phase.

Dates of planting in open ground

The vegetable grower should definitely find out: when to plant tomatoes in open ground with seedlings in order to plan the timing of the procedure in advance. Planting of Sents on a permanent bed is carried out in the period: mid-April - mid-May. The timing must be done with an eye to the climatic conditions of your area. When deciding when to plant tomatoes on a garden bed, it is worth considering that the rapid rooting of plants, their growth is noted in conditions of air temperature from + 15 ° С, when the soil warms up to + 10 ... + 12 ° С.

In order to prevent the death of tomatoes planted in the garden in mid-April due to a possible return of frosts, it will be necessary to provide the plants with a temporary shelter in the form of a transparent film, which will be removed in the first June decade after the establishment of warm weather.

Often summer residents are interested in when to transplant tomato seedlings according to the lunar calendar to the garden? Such worries are fully justified, since the plants planted during the growing moon are considered to be stronger. The same can be said for pre-produced. A vegetable grower who knows when to plant tomatoes according to the lunar calendar will surely get beautiful bushes suitable for growing in the beds.

In the old days, transplanting tomato seedlings to a permanent place in the garden was carried out with an orientation towards rowan flowering. During this period, cold, inclement weather gives way to warm, sunny. Looking through the folk calendar for transplanting tomato seedlings to a garden bed, you should pay attention that at this time the probability of frost return is minimized.

Preparing the soil in the garden

The gardener will not be mistaken if he prepares the garden soil in the fall. The priority is the choice of a sunny site. In order to prevent tomato infestation with late blight, an annual change of planting site is practiced. The choice of a site where potatoes were planted before is not encouraged. The best predecessors of tomatoes are considered: carrots, corn, legumes, beets.

In the fall, it is practiced to add rotted manure to the soil (bucket / sq. M). If this was not done, a week before planting the seedlings, you can add humus, wood ash to each hole. Also, during this period, it is worthwhile to cultivate the land with copper, to dig up the site.

Having decided when to transplant tomato seedlings to the garden, you need to prepare the holes for the plants in advance and pour them with warm water. The depth of the pits is calculated based on the height of the bush. Also, the volume of each groove should be sufficient to deepen the soil pouch of the bush.

Preparing seedlings for planting

Having decided in time when you can plant tomato seedlings in the garden soil, you should start preliminary preparation of the seedlings. 14 days before the planned planting, you will need to take out the seedlings to the balcony for hardening. A similar procedure is carried out at an average daily temperature not lower than + 13 ° C. Initially, the plants are taken out for a short time. Then the time of their stay in the open air increases to a day.

Tomato planting technology

A vegetable grower who has decided when to plant in the beds must certainly water the bushes an hour before the planting procedure. When planting, you need to take turns carefully removing the plants from the containers, trying not to disturb the earthen lump formed around the roots. The bush descends vertically into the hole. A small amount of compost is poured into the hole, followed by filling, tamping the soil.

After the performed manipulations, the bushes are watered with water (1 - 2 l / plant), and then the pegs are installed. When planting low-growing varieties, 0.5 m high stakes are sufficient. Medium-sized plants need fixation to pegs from 0.8 m in height.

A summer resident who is interested in when to plant tomato and pepper seedlings in the beds should know that it will be optimal to hold such an event in the evening. Gardeners living in regions with always cloudy weather should prefer a day planting.

Planting schemes for tomato seedlings

When deciding how to properly transplant tomato seedlings to a garden bed, it is worth deciding in advance on the layout of the seedlings.

Here the variety, height, as well as the method of irrigation of plants play an important role. The main criterion is to provide the bushes with sufficient lighting. If tomato seedlings are transplanted into a greenhouse, it is also worth observing the recommended schemes for placing seedlings in the ground.


Square-socket circuit

This scheme will be preferable when planting tall plants, since it provides the convenience of processing row spacings, makes it possible to maintain a loose state of the soil, and facilitates the removal of weeds. Studying how to properly plant tomato seedlings, according to this scheme, you need to take into account that seedlings are determined in the corners of squares 70 x 70 cm. Planting is done in a "nest" of 2 bushes.

Ribbon-nesting scheme

The advantage of this scheme is the ability to plant more seedlings on the site, which makes it possible for young plants to better endure bad weather. The vegetable grower will need to cut the soil into furrows for irrigation with an interval of 1.4 m. Tomatoes are planted on the sides of the trenches with the allocation of a plot of 0.3 square meters for one plant.

Band-row scheme

The use of a strip scheme involves the digging of furrows of 30 cm with an interval of 80 - 90 cm. Seedlings are planted at a distance of about 45 cm. The advantage of this scheme is the creation of conditions for the most simple irrigation.


Checkerboard landing pattern

The choice in favor of such a scheme requires planting seedlings in a checkerboard pattern on both sides of the dug trench. This will allow any plant from the second row to be placed between two bushes from the first. The spacing between trenches is about 1.5 m.

Outdoor plant care

After planting tomatoes in a permanent place of growth, it is not recommended to water them until the bushes take root. It takes 8-10 days for the plants to adapt, after which the start of the irrigation period is allowed. Watering the bushes should be done at the root, trying to avoid wetting the leaves.

The second half of the day is considered the most successful time for watering. During this period, the roots of tomatoes absorb moisture better. Too early in the morning, excessively frequent watering during the period of growth, flowering can negatively affect the health of the crop. After the beginning of the formation of fruits, it is worthwhile to increase irrigation, trying to maintain soil moisture at a certain level.

The wilting of individual bushes indicates that the culture does not receive enough light from the sun. There is no need to water the plants with signs of wilting more often; it is better to try to free up space around them to improve illumination.

After irrigation, it is necessary to loosen the soil surrounding the bushes, uproot the weeds. The earth is loosened to a depth of about 8 - 12 cm to ensure the saturation of the root system with oxygen, warming up the inner soil layers.
Over time, it is worth reducing the depth of loosening to 4 - 5 cm. This procedure must be performed with utmost care to avoid damage to the roots.

The vegetable grower will need to huddle the plants in a timely manner: at least 2 - 3 times during the season. Such activities ensure the saturation of the soil with oxygen, stimulate the development of roots, and affect the improvement of tomato nutrition. Hilling grooves in the ground help retain water in the soil.

Tomatoes planted in garden beds need periodic feeding. During the season, about 4 stages of crop feeding are carried out. The first procedure is performed 3 weeks after disembarkation. The next one is performed during the beginning of flowering of the second flower brush. The third - when the third brush blooms. The last feeding should be carried out at intervals of 3 weeks after the third.

A gardener who platinum planting tomatoes in open beds should know that in order to get a plentiful, high-quality harvest, he will have to work hard. However, the result is worth it. There is no need to be afraid of difficulties. A competent approach will definitely lead to success. The planted plants will delight you with many excellent fruits - tasty, juicy and very healthy.

Planting tomatoes in open ground is the only option for gardeners who do not have greenhouses and greenhouses. In warm climates, tomatoes feel good without additional shelter; in cooler planting areas, cover with foil. In the open field, tomatoes are grown in seedlings, this allows you to shorten the growing season and get a faster harvest.

Planting tomato seedlings in open ground

Growing tomatoes outdoors has certain advantages:

  • tomatoes grow stronger, are highly immune;
  • tomatoes do not tolerate excessive air humidity poorly; open space guarantees a more favorable atmosphere;
  • outdoor maintenance eliminates many dangerous nightshade diseases.

Among the disadvantages of open ground:

  • some valuable varieties of tomatoes can only be grown in a greenhouse, they die in open beds;
  • more difficult to regulate soil moisture and temperature;
  • outdoor tomatoes grow more slowly;
  • the latest ovaries do not have time to develop before frost;
  • the yield of tomato in open beds is lower than in greenhouses;
  • the fruits on the bushes do not reach the state of physiological ripeness, they have to be picked green.

Which varieties to choose

For growing in beds, specially bred, the most productive varieties and hybrids are suitable. They must be resistant to weather extremes: sudden frosts, drought, heat. Usually early and mid-early tomatoes are planted in open ground, later varieties do not have time to ripen before frost. Among the varieties and hybrids, you can find a variety of options, they differ in color and shape of the fruit, pulp density, size. nuances of taste.

For open beds, low determinant bushes that do not need pinching and shaping are more suitable. Indeterminate plants, planted in unprotected ground, grow more compact, do not branch or stretch. Tomatoes in the open field need to be fastened, and you need to tie up not only the stems, but also branches with heavy fruits.

For open ground, the following varieties of tomatoes are suitable:

  1. Black Prince. A very productive variety of Russian selection, tomatoes are red-brown, large, with a rich sweet taste. The bushes are resistant to late blight, scab and other dangerous diseases.
  2. Korneevsky Red and Korneevsky Pink. Large-fruited varieties with a pleasant sweet taste. They are resistant to diseases, require obligatory tying and formation of a bush.
  3. Altaic. There are options with red, pink, honey-yellow fruits. All of them are cold-resistant, easy to care for. The bushes are compact, neat, the yield is very high.
  4. Bells of Russia. A promising variety of Russian selection, resistant to short-term frosts and droughts. Fruits are pink, medium-sized, of a beautiful elongated shape. Tomatoes are good for canning.
  5. Bullfinch. The bushes are compact, standard type, very unpretentious. The yield is good, the tomatoes are juicy, tasty, suitable for canning or making salads.
  6. Martha. High-yielding mid-season hybrid of Russian selection. Drought-resistant, rarely affected by pests, bears fruit until frost, has excellent keeping quality.

Most of the varieties suitable for open ground are bred by Russian breeders. They are perfectly adapted for regions with a temperate or warm climate; in cooler areas, it is recommended to cover the plants in the first days with a film. The most productive varieties and hybrids require particularly gentle care and abundant feeding.

To avoid any unpleasant surprises, choose seeds that clearly indicate on the bags that they are suitable for outdoor use. It should be borne in mind that it is not necessary to sow seeds directly on the beds, it is preferable to grow seedlings at home, moving them to a greenhouse when all the seedlings develop and get stronger.

How to grow strong seedlings for open beds

Growing tomatoes in the open field means sowing seeds for seedlings earlier. Sowing usually begins in late February or early March. The seeds should not be too old, the best yield is demonstrated by sowing material 2-3 years ago. Before planting, the seeds are disinfected in an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide, and then placed in a liquid growth stimulator for 12 hours. Seedlings intended for open beds should be especially strong, preparatory manipulations should not be neglected.

Soil preparation begins 10-14 days before sowing. Tomatoes prefer light, nutritious soil based on sand or black soil. It is advisable to use the soil in which the grown tomatoes will be planted. Before planting, it is thoroughly loosened, plant residues and other foreign inclusions are selected. For disinfection, the soil can be spilled with an aqueous solution of copper sulfate or potassium permanganate. Such treatment kills harmful microorganisms and insect larvae, tomatoes are less sick. The soil for seedlings can be calcined in the oven or frozen. After processing, it is mixed with an equal amount of humus, possibly adding a small portion of sand.

The yield of tomatoes depends on the nutritional value of the soil. Humus, wood (preferably birch) ash must be added to it. It is possible to add fertilizers (for example, superphosphate or potassium sulfate). Urea is not worth adding, it stimulates the abundant growth of tops to the detriment of fruiting.

Seeds are sown in deep pallet containers or individual containers. Planting in small pots allows you to do without picking, which slows down the growth of seedlings and injures the root system. Tomatoes develop well with plastic or paper cups, peat pots, and self-rolled structures.

Taking care of seedlings is easy. Immediately after sowing, the containers are covered with foil and placed in heat. For successful germination, the seeds are buried 1.5-2 cm. After the seedlings emerge, the seedlings are placed in bright light. It must be protected from drafts and direct sunlight. You need to water the seedlings with warm soft water: settled, thawed or rainwater. To prevent the soil from eroding, it is convenient to use a spoon or spray bottle. If necessary, add a little more earth to the cups.

After unfolding two true leaves, the tomatoes, planted in a common container, dive into separate pots. If the seeds were sown in individual containers, picking is excluded. The transplanted seedlings are fed with an aqueous solution of a complete complex fertilizer. The second feeding is carried out before moving the seedlings to the beds. Such preparation makes the seedlings strong and strong, perfectly stimulates their immunity.

2 weeks before transplanting, the seedlings begin to harden. They are taken out onto the balcony or veranda, first for an hour, then for two. Gradually, the walks are lengthened; in good weather, tomatoes are spent outside all day. Hardening prepares tomatoes for life in the open field, the plants do not stretch, they get stronger, the greens become bright.

Planting low-growing tomatoes in open ground (video)

Transfer to soil: sequence of actions

It is important to choose the right site for the successful cultivation of tomatoes. Tomatoes love bright, but diffused light; in dense shade, their growth stops. It is important that water does not stagnate in the soil, this can lead to unpleasant consequences: black leg, root, apical or gray rot. On the beds for growing tomatoes, you can sow green manures in advance, enriching the soil with nutrients. Their role is played by lupine, legumes, mustard or alfalfa. You should not plant tomatoes in areas that were previously occupied by eggplants, potatoes or other members of the nightshade family.

Planting tomatoes in open ground begins when the soil is completely warmed up. Its temperature should not fall below 15 degrees, night frosts are undesirable. Usually, the soil reaches this temperature towards the end of May. It is possible to speed up the heating of the soil by covering the tomato beds in advance with two layers of thick plastic wrap. It not only contributes to the rapid heating of the soil, but also prevents the growth of weeds.

A week before planting, the soil must be thoroughly loosened, clearing it of plant residues. Then add humus or peat to the ground, dig it to the depth of a bayonet shovel and cover it again with foil. Under the polyethylene, the soil will maintain the desired level of moisture, the tomatoes will start growing faster after transplanting. Tomatoes are planted in the ground in warm, but not too hot weather, preferably in the morning. After planting, the film must be removed from the beds, and the soil must be dug up again.

Tomatoes ready for planting should be strong, not overgrown. Presence of at least one flower brush and 6-7 strong leaves is desirable. It is important to make sure that the seedlings are not sick and are not affected by pests. Detected aphids or thrips must be removed even before transplanting by treating the seedlings with soapy water or insecticides.

Planting is carried out according to a scheme that depends on the height and spreading of the bushes. A space of at least 60 cm remains between especially tall plants, more compact bushes can be planted after 40-45 cm. Planting rules also depend on the characteristics of the variety. You can plant tomatoes in open ground using the trench method, leaving a row spacing of about 70 cm.

Some varieties prefer planting in holes. The distance between them should not be less than 40 cm, superphosphate or birch ash is laid out in advance in the holes. You can understand how to plant seedlings from detailed master classes by experienced gardeners. Beginners need to proceed with caution, relying on intuition and common sense.

Before planting, the seedlings must be inspected. In overgrown tomatoes, 2-3 bottom leaves are removed, this allows you to slightly deepen the seedlings, preventing them from stretching. The seedlings move into the hole along with the earthen lump, the overgrown roots can be gently pinched. The roots should not bend, they should be placed freely. Tomatoes in peat pots are placed in the hole along with the container, the peat walls must be cut beforehand so as not to restrict root growth.

After planting, tomatoes should be watered with warm water. The hole is covered with earth, the surface is compacted with hands. The soil is sprinkled on top with a thin layer of peat. After peat mulching, there is no need to water the plantings, otherwise a crust will form on the soil, which prevents normal air exchange. Particularly thermophilic varieties can be covered with foil for 1-2 days.

Immediately after planting, the tomato stalks are raised and tied to pegs dug in advance near each hole. If you dig in the stakes later, they can damage the roots. Another mounting option is tying to trellises. This option is especially good for tall, indeterminate varieties. You need to tie up the tomatoes with soft shreds or special adhesive tape; convenient plastic clips are also suitable. You cannot use wire or fishing line, hard material can cut delicate tomato stems.

You can understand how to plant tomatoes correctly after watching a thematic training video.

Such mini-films are ideal for novice gardeners, they announce in detail the sequence of actions, allowing you to avoid most common mistakes. Usually in the video they tell how to plant tomatoes correctly, explain the subtleties of preparing open ground, the technology of growing tomatoes by varieties, the features of watering and feeding. Video tutorials provide answers to all the typical questions of novice gardeners.

Planting tomato seedlings (video)

Rules for caring for tomatoes in the beds

Caring for tomatoes outdoors is no different from growing tomatoes in greenhouses. The technology for growing tomatoes is almost the same. The only exception is that tomatoes do not need ventilation. When it gets cold, the planting can be covered with a film, but this technique is necessary only in areas of risky farming or when planting very capricious varieties.

Growing tomatoes in the open field, you need to be prepared for weather extremes. Outdoor care includes proper watering, feeding, timely weed removal. To save yourself from the need to constantly destroy weeds, the soil under the tomatoes can be mulched with peat, sawdust, and sunflower seed husks.

Agrotechnology for growing tomatoes depends on the variety. Before planting tomatoes, it is important to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of a particular variety, detailed descriptions are on each seed bag. You can watch thematic videos about caring for a particular variety. Experienced gardeners willingly publish the secrets of agricultural technology in specialized magazines, post them in their own blocks, and give recommendations at specialized fairs.

Tomatoes in the open field need timely, but excessive watering. It is important to monitor precipitation, natural moisture is usually not enough. Only warm water is used for irrigation, cold water causes shock to plants, bushes can throw off ovaries. After transplanting tomatoes into the ground, after 10 days they are watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate to prevent rot, viruses and late blight.

The yield of tomatoes depends on the nutritional value of the soil. The first feeding is carried out 2 weeks after planting in the ground. It is better to use a complete complex fertilizer with a high content of phosphorus and potassium. Superphosphate or potassium sulfate is suitable, preferably in the form of an aqueous solution. After fertilization, the tomatoes should be watered abundantly, washing off the nutrient solution from the stems and leaves. This will help avoid scalding and accelerate the absorption of the fertilizer into the soil.

Industrial insecticides help with insect pests. They perfectly destroy thrips, spider mites, whiteflies. Washing the stems and leaves with a warm soapy solution saves you from aphids. Naked slugs are collected by hand; spraying the plantings with a solution of ammonia will help prevent their appearance.

Tomatoes get sick much less often outdoors. In late blight epidemics, the bushes are sprayed with copper-containing preparations, they can be bought ready-made or made on their own by mixing warm soapy water with a small amount of copper sulfate.

Transplant problems

It is not difficult to understand how to properly plant tomatoes in open ground. But even a perfectly performed transplant does not guarantee immediate survival. Plants can wither and turn yellow, they slow down growth or stop flowering. You should not be upset, the adaptation of seedlings can be accelerated.

It is important to ensure that the plants receive sufficient sunlight. Seedlings grown in individual pots take root faster and start growing immediately. Very frail seedlings can be fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers that increase the growth of green mass.

For better survival, young tomatoes are recommended to be sprayed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or a special non-toxic phyto-preparation. The ideal option is Fitosporin, which enhances the defenses of plants and stimulates their growth. The advice of experienced gardeners and agricultural technicians will help you learn how to grow healthy and strong tomatoes.

The opinion of gardeners

Usually gardeners are unanimous in their responses to this method of growing tomatoes. Their reviews agree that growing tomatoes in the open field requires a lot of attention and careful selection of varieties. Many amateurs recommend planting some of the bushes in a greenhouse, and placing others in open beds. This approach will help to extend the period of fruiting; in case of unfavorable weather conditions, there is no risk of being left without a crop.

Much also depends on climatic conditions. In warm regions, even varieties intended for growing under film are planted in the ground, but in areas with cold and short summers, it is better not to risk it. Breeders offer a sufficient number of productive varieties suitable for outdoor use. At the same time, gardeners note that the fruits do not always fully correspond to the image in the photo, it is worth preparing for this in advance.

In open field conditions, it is more difficult to protect plants from pests: aphids, naked slugs, thrips, Colorado beetles. But tomatoes are less likely to suffer from late blight and viral diseases, in general they are stronger and more resilient. The place of cultivation does not affect the size and weight of the fruits; correct and timely pinching of the bushes is much more important. Confirmation of the words of amateur gardeners can be found in numerous video presentations and photos demonstrating an excellent harvest.

Planting tomatoes in open ground (video)

When choosing how to plant tomatoes to maximize the yield, do not limit yourself to thinking about greenhouse designs. Tomatoes grow and ripen well in the open field. You don't have to wait for them to turn red on the bush. The fruits can be picked in a state of technical ripeness; they ripen successfully at room temperature. Experienced gardeners will gladly share ideas on how to grow tomatoes, their advice should not be ignored.

Estimate

Many gardeners and garden lovers like to plant tomatoes. This culture is interesting and requires different methods of care. Tomatoes have always been valued for their beneficial properties among the people. This vegetable can be found in the daily diet of people from all over the world, in recipes in cafes and restaurants. With the development of vegetable growing, new varieties and methods of growing these delicious vegetables appear.

Tomatoes prefer indoor ground, nevertheless, they are successfully grown outdoors.

In the open field, planting and caring for tomatoes in our territorial latitudes is proceeding with great success, since the growth of tomatoes occurs at certain temperatures in which they are comfortable. On average, this is 20 degrees.

Rules for successful planting and growing tomatoes in the open field

In order to get a good harvest of tomatoes, several rules of growing and care should be followed:

  • choosing the right place for planting tomatoes;
  • selection of soil;
  • correct disembarkation and timing of the process;
  • proper watering and other care.

Subject to all the nuances on these points, care will contribute to a large and high-quality harvest. Let's consider each of these points in more detail.

Choosing the right place for planting tomatoes in open ground

Each novice or experienced gardener will help to grow the right number of bushes of this plant without loss by choosing the right place for planting. This should be done, taking into account some of the nuances. First the location of future bushes in the perimeter of good lighting, that is, for tomatoes you need to allocate a place where direct sunlight is unhindered. This factor is one of the most important for growing ripe fruit.

You should also take into account the fact of the previous plant that grew in that place. It is not recommended to choose a place for planting tomatoes in open ground, where corn, potatoes and other representatives of the nightshade were previously located. There is no need to plant tomatoes in places where manure has recently been fertilized. This is the whole list of the main nuances for planting tomatoes. If their early predecessors are spinach, legumes, root crops, then this can only be beneficial for the growth of tomato bushes.

What should be the soil for tomatoes?

The growth of tomatoes and the yield from bushes that were planted in the open field will directly depend on the soil. Experienced gardeners are advised to deal with this issue since the fall, after the foliage has fallen from the trees. Dig up this place, making a mixture of leaves and earth. Over time, the soil will be saturated with all the nutrients from natural humus and will be ready for use.

Open ground means constant changes in weather conditions

For tomatoes that are planted in open ground, the acidity of the soil must be taken into account. The peculiar properties for its definition are oxalis, horsetail and sorrel. Their good growth will mean that the place is more acidic. To reduce the indicators, pieces of chalk or charcoal are placed in the soil. Fertilization should be done in the fall.

Correct planting of bushes and timing

Growing tomatoes in the open field should be done taking into account the correct planting. You can do this with both seeds and seedlings. The former can be used for landing in warm regions. When using such material, the following problems may arise:

  • low speed of germination and growth;
  • too fast germination;
  • long time of growth and ripening of fruits.

The last point depends directly on the climatic conditions in which tomatoes are grown. Insufficient heat and sunlight can slow down the growth and vegetation process.

Because of such a large number of risks, growing tomatoes in the open field is best done with seedlings. The seedlings will be ready to plant when the first leaves appear. On average, at that time, its size should be from 20 cm. It is not recommended to use long seedlings. This can lead to breakages and other problems.

Landing dates

Landing dates directly depend on weather conditions. The drier and warmer the spring, the better for vegetables. Usually, in our territories, planting is carried out from the end of April to the beginning of June.

The landing itself should be carried out by making small holes in advance. Special solutions are poured into them or charcoal is added. Most often, fungicidal and potassium permanganate solutions are suitable for such tomato bushes. Sometimes onion tincture is made. Chop onion and garlic, mix with water, let it brew.

You need to mix fertilizers in the holes and fill well with water

This fertilization, combined with droppings, is an excellent start for the growth of a strong and tall tomato bush. The soil must be moistened before this, since the seedlings should not be watered for several days after planting. The seedlings themselves are placed in the resulting holes at a distance of up to 70 cm from each other. Some gardeners advise placing the seedlings in a checkerboard pattern and at different angles.

Tomatoes pollinate themselves. They have pollen, which contains a large amount of useful and nutritious substances, which is able to serve the neighboring bushes. Sometimes help from humans or insects is required. The best way is to attract bees. This can be done easily. Plant honey plants (basil, mustard, rapeseed, etc.) between rows or bushes. These plants can even change the taste of tomatoes, adding spice and sweetness to them.

Self-pollination can be slowed down if weather conditions are disturbed (more often it is a sharp drop in temperature at night or an increase in the daytime) due to the peculiarities of the structure of the pistil. If its size is large, then pollen will not fall on the stamens. But even these problems can be dealt with: you need to tilt the buds down and shake them. The best time for artificial pollination is from 10 to 14 hours at a temperature favorable for tomato growth: 27 C.

Pollination is one of the main conditions for obtaining a good harvest

Immediately after the pollination process is over, you should immediately water the seedlings. Experienced gardeners recommend sprinkling the buds. This should be done in order to strengthen the displaced pollen on the plant. Otherwise, it will crumble, and efforts on this matter will be in vain.

Top dressing of young bushes

Sometimes, to get a good harvest and ensure good growth of the bushes, gardeners do top dressing. More often for these events, nettle is used, which has already begun fermentation and ash. Sometimes special tablets are used to feed the plant. Usually, it is advised to do it several times in one season.

Banana is a popular form of top dressing. It is very nutritious and beneficial for the growth of tomatoes. Banana blend is rich in calcium and phosphorus. It is made from ordinary peel by baking in an oven and then grinding. After cooking, the resulting flour is packaged in bags and used as intended. This fertilizer should be sprinkled on the soil at the roots no more than 2 times a month. These activities, in combination with pollination, make it possible for a large and high-quality crop to appear.

Some tomato lovers use recipes of folk origin as fertilizer.

Proper watering of tomatoes

For several days, it is advisable not to give the seedlings to the volumetric effect of moisture, watering. This should be done only in cases when the weather is hot during the first days after planting. If you neglect this advice and forcefully water the tomatoes, then there will be a risk of infection of the bushes with diseases of a fungal nature.

After the tomatoes have taken up and settled down, it is necessary to water them carefully so that water does not fall on the leaves, and during flowering periods - on the flowers, since they can be easily knocked down, and subsequently the harvest will suffer. To strengthen the inflorescences, you can add special mineral fertilizers to the water. The resulting liquid itself should not be lower than 20 degrees.

It will be correct to water tomatoes in the morning.

Tomato care

Care for these seedlings should be carried out regularly, until the crop is completely ejected. These activities consist of:

  • correct hilling and mulching;
  • correct removal of leaves;
  • garters of grown bushes.

Let's consider each of the points in more detail. Let's start with hilling.

Hilling

To grow a large and healthy tomato, hilling must be done. Hilling makes it possible to strengthen and increase the root system of the bush, increases the ingress of minerals from the soil to the plant. Mulching is aimed at long-term conservation of water in the earth. Tomatoes will be grateful for this event on especially hot days and will reward them with a high-quality harvest in the future.

Stepping

Leaves and stepchildren are removed so that the tomato does not grow in the leaf axils. This problem occurs more often on large plants. Stepsons should be removed when they reach an average length of 4 cm or more. This event allows you to correctly form a bush so that over time there are no problems with overloads and the amount of harvest. It is better to do it in the morning, leaving a process a couple of millimeters long.

Tying

This method is required. Designed not only to protect the bush from damage, but also for good growth and development of the fruit. Since in an upright position, more light falls on the tomatoes. A variety of supports, nets or trellises are used for tying. Each of the methods is suitable for specific varieties and sizes. The net is used for lower bushes.

Tapestry garter method

This method works best for medium-sized plants. Among the people, its application has found many fans due to its simplicity and convenience. The main advantage of this method: facilitating the care of tomatoes, harvesting and extending the period of fruiting. When using trellises, bushes are much less likely to get sick with infections.

The trellis method of growing tomatoes has become one of the mandatory agricultural practices, which allows you to consistently receive a harvest.

To use this maintenance method, it is necessary to place a large number of posts more than a meter high on the site. It is advisable to dig them in close to each other. This will give the structure more rigidity and reliability. On these supports, the places for the nails should be marked, to which the horizontal parts of the structure are nailed.

You can use the trellis method for its intended purpose in a few weeks, when the seedlings will stretch up. At this moment, the ends of the plants are tied with a thread or fishing line to the horizontal slats. Subsequent actions won't be a hassle. It is enough just to follow the emergence of new stepsons and the growth of the plant and tie them up in a timely manner. This method is used when growing tomatoes in greenhouse conditions.

Not all tomatoes are tied. Low-growing or dwarf varieties have been bred and are popular. The structure of the trunks allows them to grow without support.

Ripening outdoor tomatoes

This method is carried out when the crop is harvested before the fruit is fully ripe. Tomatoes are placed in a well-ventilated area and laid out in no more than 4 layers. This method is called more correct and high quality. For quick ripening, weather conditions are used. Tomatoes are laid out in one layer and left to lie in the sun, in bright light. The main thing is that the air temperature does not exceed 26 degrees. To slow down ripening, the crop is placed in a dark and cool room. Some gardeners use the bush ripening method.

Many gardeners have faced a problem when, using the old experience, you plant a new one, and as a result, the harvest leaves much to be desired. And here it is not a matter of planting or skills, but in the differences between varieties and, as a rule, in the variability of the weather. Therefore, in this article we will talk about how to properly plant tomatoes in open ground, discuss the timing of planting varieties of different early maturity, and also find out whether it can affect the harvest.

Conditions for growing tomatoes, what tomatoes need for a rich harvest

Regardless of the variety, early maturity or the height of the bush, tomatoes require certain conditions, on which the resistance to pests and diseases depends, as well as the productivity and quality of the fruits.

Let's start with the temperature. In order for the tomato to grow well and quickly gain green mass, a temperature of + 16-20 ° C is required. For the correct development of the fetus, a temperature of 15 to 35 ° C is needed.


Light. Lighting plays an important role, since its lack leads to stretching and deformation of the aerial part of the tomato. To achieve good yields, tomatoes should be planted exclusively in open areas that are best lit by the sun.

Humidity of air and soil. The scorching sun quickly dries up the earth and reduces the humidity of the air. So that the plants do not feel "thirsty" soil moisture should be within 60-75%, and the air humidity is 45-60%. Therefore, it is recommended not only at the root, but also to install a sprinkler in the areas.

Top dressing. All of the above factors will not help increase productivity if the soil on the site is infertile. Of course, you can lay out a round sum and bring black soil to the site, but the same tomatoes will be pulled out of the fertile soil all the years in three or four. Therefore, the best option is.


You need to make complex fertilizers that contain the lion's share of phosphorus, and. These elements help both at the stage of rapid growth and in the process of fetal formation. If you are growing on a plot, then after harvesting the pods, use the aboveground portion along with the rhizome for the tomato plot. Plants tolerate much better than artificial ones.

Important! In the case of using peas in the form of top dressing, nitrogen must be reduced or excluded from fertilizers, since its leaves, stem and especially the roots contain a large amount of nitrogen.

Do not forget to regularly remove from the site, which not only "take" nutrients from tomatoes, but also attract a variety.

When is the best time to plant tomato seedlings outdoors

It is no secret that picking, depending on the variety and ripening rate, is carried out at different times - as required by the specifics. And if you always planted the late ones, then you will have to "get used to" more than one year to the mid-ripening and early-ripening ones. In order to avoid oversights, we will find out what time frame different varieties require.


Early varieties of tomatoes

To begin with, it is worth finding out which varieties are considered early. Early tomatoes include those varieties that begin to bear fruit earlier than 105 days after sowing. That is, you can get full-fledged (without chemicals and GMOs) fruits of tomatoes in early summer, which are used both for salads and for conservation or further processing.

Important! There are ultra-early varieties that mature in less than 85 days. When purchasing seeds of these varieties, you should carefully read the recommendations on the package.

When are early tomatoes planted outdoors?

Tomato, after sowing for seedlings, sprouts in 5-6 days, which means that this period is not added to the total number of days indicated on the package. It is necessary to plant seedlings in open ground 45-50 days after germination.

The fact is that, depending on the region, the average daily temperature varies (a temperature of at least 13 ° C is suitable for seedlings), therefore, it makes no sense to indicate exact dates, since even in one region the weather can present "surprises".


Therefore, sowing seedlings of early varieties should be carried out with the expectation that a week before the proposed pick in the open ground outside the window there is warm, dry weather, and at night the temperature does not drop below 10 ° C.

Important! Do not follow ingrained myths that say that the sooner you plant tomato seedlings in open ground, the earlier the harvest will be. If the temperature drops below zero for at least an hour at night, the seedlings will freeze completely.

It turns out that it is necessary to plant tomatoes in open ground at a time when the return of frosts is impossible. For the southern regions, this period is from April 15 to May 1, for middle regions - from May 1 to May 15. If you are not 100% sure that a cold snap will not come, then cover the seedlings with a film overnight.

Mid-season tomatoes

Now let's talk about when to plant mid-season tomato seedlings in open ground. Mid-season tomato varieties yield a harvest 110-115 days after germination... Therefore, they need more time to develop in the garden.

Such varieties of tomatoes in most cases are quite tall, which means that they need a sufficient amount of nutrients and sun. It is necessary to transfer seedlings to the ground 55-60 days after germination. It is for this reason that mid-ripening tomatoes are picked later than early-ripening ones.

Planting of seedlings of mid-season tomatoes in the ground is carried out in May, from 1 to 15. However, such terms are suitable only for the southern regions. If you live in the middle lane, then you need to dive seedlings no earlier than June 1.


Important! The picking of seedlings of mid-season tomatoes in more northern regions is carried out later, so there may be a need to stop the growth of seedlings (water less, lower the temperature, use growth regulators).

Late varieties

Let's talk about when to plant late-ripening tomato seedlings in open ground.

Late-ripening varieties, like early-ripening ones, are divided into several subcategories: late-ripening and very late. The former give a harvest in 116-120 days after germination, the latter will delight you with juicy fruits no earlier than 121 days... It is necessary to transfer seedlings to open ground 70 days after the appearance of the first shoots, since these varieties take a long time to gain green mass.

Important! Cultivation of late-ripening and very late varieties is suitable for the southern regions, since in the northern climate the number of "warm days" is not enough for the full-fledged ripening of the crop.

Planting late-ripening tomatoes in the ground with seedlings can be carried out based on the statistical data, which are described in the table below. Analyzing the table, we can conclude that if you, for example, want to grow a very late variety "Giraffe", which begins to bear fruit 140-160 days after the first shoots, then you need to live in latitudes that correspond to points 3 and 4.


Subtracting 70 days, during which the seedlings will develop, there is still the same amount, and it is simply impossible to guess the exact beginning of the term "warm" and its end. It is for this reason that growing late tomatoes in northern latitudes is simply not profitable.


Thus, the time of planting late-ripening tomatoes in open ground can not be guessed, but calculated, referring to statistics. It can be used for other varieties, but it is still the most useful for the later ones, since we still have a small “corridor” for gaining green mass, ripening and collecting finished products.

Features of picking tomatoes

Having learned about the timing of the picking of various varieties, let's talk about the scheme and how the planting of tomato seedlings of various ripening periods in open ground is carried out.

Disembarkation is best done on a cloudy day; if it's sunny outside, wait for the evening. During the night, the plant will grow stronger and calmly transfer the scorching rays of the sun to the next day.


The tomato is a capricious vegetable. He loves light and warmth, and does not tolerate excess moisture and strong winds. Therefore, planting tomatoes in open ground must follow certain rules. And then you will collect many tasty, healthy and beautiful fruits from your garden.

How to properly plant tomatoes in the ground?

If you want to know how to plant tomatoes correctly, then, first of all, you need to choose a place for planting. Since tomatoes prefer bright sun, the area for them should also be well lit and located on the leeward side. In addition, the soil should be prepared. It is better if it is a mixture of peat, humus and sod land with the addition of river sand. The quality of the crop and its quantity will depend on the correct planting of tomatoes in open ground.

Planting tomatoes in the ground with seedlings

Tomato seedlings should have well-developed roots. Their optimum height should be about 25 cm. Before planting, the plants should be well shed with water. When taking it out of the container, try to keep the earthen lump on the roots of the tomatoes as best as possible. This will help them to acclimatize well in new conditions. There are several methods of planting tomatoes in open ground with seedlings. Here are the most interesting ones.


Planting tomato seeds

If you decide to grow tomato seedlings on your own, then you should learn how to plant tomatoes with seeds. To do this, you must first germinate them. This can take anywhere from 2 days to 1.5 weeks. Before sowing, holes are made with a diameter of 40 cm. They must be shed with a pink solution of potassium permanganate. Sprouted seeds are evenly distributed over the hole, mixed with dry seeds. With recurrent frosts, those seeds that have been germinated can freeze, and dry, while still in the ground, are better preserved.

After 2-3 leaves of the plant appear on the shoots, it is necessary to thin out and leave only the strongest of them. The second thinning should be done when 4-5 leaves appear. Before performing the last thinning, the seedling hole must be well shed with water. In each hole, 3-4 plants must be left, and the extra ones are transplanted to where the seedlings are weak or disappeared altogether.


Distance between tomatoes when planting

Many novice gardeners are interested in how far to plant tomatoes. This may depend on the variety of tomatoes. Between bushes of low-growing tomatoes can remain up to 40-50 cm, and the distance between rows is 50-70 cm. Tall plants should be planted less often from each other. In addition, early varieties can be planted with an interval of 35 cm, medium - 40 cm, and late - 45 cm.


Tomato planting dates

If we plant tomatoes in the ground, then the timing in different regions with different climatic conditions may differ. It depends on the temperature of the ambient air as well as the soil. Since the tomato is a thermophilic plant, it can be severely affected by spring frosts. Therefore, tomato plants should be planted only when the air temperature no longer drops below + 15 ° C. For planting tomatoes in open ground, it is better to choose a cloudy evening. During the night, the seedlings will get stronger and the sun will not destroy them.

Caring for tomatoes after planting

It's time to learn how to care for tomatoes after planting. After all, if you do not provide proper care, then the plants can get sick, the flowers and ovary can fall off, the yield will decrease, and the taste will deteriorate. Therefore, it is very important to carefully monitor the condition of the plants, to timely and correctly respond to any changes in their appearance. Particular attention should be paid to fertilizing and tomatoes, hilling plants, loosening the soil under them and their timely.


How to feed tomatoes after planting?

Each owner strives to grow an excellent harvest of tomatoes. However, for this you need to know what fertilizers to apply when planting tomatoes. Experienced gardeners advise to carry out four root dressings of these plants during the season. There are several options for different feeding.

  1. The first time tomato seedlings are fed 21 days after planting them in open ground. To do this, take 1 tbsp for 10 liters of water. a spoonful of fertilizer New Ideal and 1 tbsp. spoon of nitrophoska. Pour half a liter of solution under one plant.
  2. The second time the tomatoes can be fed during the opening of the second flower cluster. Use the following composition: 1 tbsp. a spoon of Agricola-Vegeta, 1 tbsp. spoon of superphosphate, 1 teaspoon of potassium chloride or sulfate. Pour 1 liter of such fertilizer onto one bush.
  3. After the blooming of 3 flower clusters, the third feeding is carried out. They use such a solution for her: 1 tbsp. spoons of sodium humate and 1 tbsp. tablespoons of nitrophosphate in 10 liters of water. For 1 sq. m of the garden we use 5 liters of funds.
  4. We fertilize the tomatoes for the last time 14 days after the previous feeding. Prepare a solution of 10 liters of water and 1 tbsp. tablespoons of superphosphate, pour out 10 liters of such a solution 1 sq. m beds.

How often to water tomatoes after planting?

Another important question that worries all gardeners is when to water the tomatoes after planting. When planting tomato seedlings in the ground, we must water each bush well. Therefore, for some time after planting, it does not need watering. Depending on the rainfall in the spring, tomatoes can be watered after 2 weeks. If the weather is dry, you can start watering earlier.

When watering, try to pour water under the root of the plant, without getting on its leaves, as this leads to. For the same reason, it is undesirable to carry out sprinkling of a tomato. It is best to water them in the afternoon. After planting and before fruit setting, watering should not be frequent: you should only moisten the ground. But with the beginning of the ripening of tomatoes, their need for water immediately increases. From this time on, the plants should be watered regularly and often.


What can you plant tomatoes with?

Correct crop rotation of vegetable crops is the key to a good future harvest. This planting of tomatoes in open ground avoids many diseases that are transmitted from related plants. In addition, if you grow one crop on the site for a long time, then the soil fertility drops sharply, and you will not be able to get the expected harvest on such depleted soil. Therefore, it is so important to know what you can plant tomatoes with.

Can cabbage be planted next to tomatoes?

The neighborhood of some vegetables can increase yields and protect against diseases and pests, while other plants can oppress and hinder the normal development of neighbors. How to plant tomatoes so that other companion vegetables help you get a great harvest? All varieties of cabbage can be planted next to tomatoes: white cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli. But kohlrabi is an undesirable neighbor for a tomato.


Can I plant eggplants with tomatoes?

If you want to know how to properly plant tomatoes in open ground, then do not forget to ask which vegetables get along better with tomatoes. Experts do not recommend choosing eggplants, potatoes, fennel and even dill as neighbors for tomatoes. But garlic, carrots, onions will be excellent companions for tomatoes. And the spicy herbs sage and mint, marigolds and calendula will not only protect against pests for tomatoes, but also become a wonderful decoration for your garden.


Can I plant tomatoes and peppers?

Both tomatoes and peppers belong to the nightshade family. These vegetables need the same conditions for development and fruiting, and the care for them is similar. Therefore, when the question arises of how to plant tomato seedlings and what vegetables can grow nearby, you can safely choose pepper as neighbors for tomatoes. The yield of both plants will not suffer from such a neighborhood, and sometimes it can even increase due to similar care.