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The full development of tomatoes is largely ensured by fertilizing. Organic fertilizers are considered the safest and most effective. They are of plant, animal, household or industrial origin.
Organic feeding tomatoes is a mandatory step in plant care. To increase productivity, it is recommended to alternate several types of fertilizers. Organic matter is completely absorbed by the root system and above-ground parts of plants, strengthens the immunity of tomatoes and stimulates their growth.
Benefits of Organic Fertilizers
For full development, tomatoes require an influx of nutrients. Particularly important for plants Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Nitrogen allows the formation of green mass of tomatoes, while phosphorus is responsible for the development of the root system. Potassium increases plant immunity and improves the taste of fruits.
Organic feeding of tomatoes has the following advantages:
- safe for humans and the environment;
- improves soil composition;
- activates the activity of beneficial microorganisms;
- includes accessible and inexpensive substances.
Organic fertilizers are applied in natural form (compost, Bone flour) or diluted with water to obtain a solution (mullein, “herbal tea”). Certain products are used for spraying tomatoes (wood spray Ash).
Stages of feeding tomatoes
Organic fertilizers for tomatoes can be used at any stage of their growth. Substances are introduced into the ground before planting, they are used for watering and foliar treatment.
Tomatoes require feeding at the following stages of development:
- after landing at a permanent place;
- before flowering begins;
- during the formation of the ovary;
- during fruiting.
7-10 days should pass between procedures to avoid oversaturation of plants with microelements. The last feeding of tomatoes is carried out two weeks before harvest.
Organic fertilizers for tomatoes
Organic matter has a beneficial effect on soil and plants. Fertilizers based on it saturate tomatoes with useful substances, stimulate their growth and fruit development.
Application of manure
Manure is the most common fertilizer in garden plots. This is a natural source of useful elements for tomatoes - nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon.
For the garden, rotted manure containing a minimal amount of ammonia is used. There are also no harmful bacteria in it, since they die during the decomposition of manure components.
The solution is infused for 14 days, after which it is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2. Tomatoes are watered at the root after planting in the ground, during flowering and fruiting.
Bird droppings are an effective fertilizer for tomatoes.It is applied to the soil before planting in an amount of 3 kg per square meter.
During the growing season of tomatoes, you can use the infusion chicken manure. For 1 sq. m requires up to 5 liters of liquid fertilizer for tomatoes.
If tomatoes receive excess nitrogen, they direct vital forces to the formation of stems and foliage. Therefore, it is necessary to observe the dosage of substances containing this element.
Peat for tomatoes
Peat is formed in wetlands and is used to create a nutrient medium for tomatoes. The composition of peat includes carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. This combination of components helps create the porous structure of this fertilizer.
Peat is an essential component of the soil mixture for tomato seedlings. Additionally, dolomite flour or chalk is added to it to reduce acidity. Before planting, you need to sift the peat to remove large fibers.
In the greenhouse peat absorbs excess moisture and, if necessary, gives it to the tomatoes. This substance also neutralizes the activity of harmful microbes.
The land is enriched with peat in the first year, then its condition is assessed. When a white coating appears, peat feeding is stopped for up to 5 years.
Extracts containing a whole range of useful substances are obtained from peat.Peat oxidate is especially useful for tomatoes. This substance activates plant metabolism, improves seed germination, strengthens the immune system and increases the yield of plantings.
Feeding with compost
For the garden, the most accessible organic fertilizer is compost, obtained from plant residues. Weeds and household waste needs to go through several stages to turn into fertilizer for tomatoes.
First, the plant material is left for some time so that it warms up and becomes enriched with useful elements. Compost contains microorganisms that contribute to the decomposition of plants. They need access to oxygen, so the pile is stirred periodically.
Compost includes food waste, the remains of any vegetables and fruits, ash, and shredded paper. It is recommended to make a layer of straw, sawdust or manure between the layers of plants.
Compost is used to mulch the soil. Additionally, cut grass or sawdust is added to it. Thus, the structure and breathability of the soil improves, and moisture loss in the greenhouse is reduced.
"Herb tea"
The so-called herbal tea can be a source of nitrogen for tomatoes. It is obtained by infusing various herbs.
An effective remedy is nettle infusion. To prepare it, fill the container 2/3 with fresh chopped herbs, then add water. The product is left in this state for 2 weeks.
The addition of mullein and wood ash will help increase the effectiveness of the infusion. The product must be used within 2 weeks after preparation.
Herbal infusion is made from the weedswhich are crushed and filled with water. You can add dolomite flour to the final mixture (up to 1.5 kg is required per 100 liters of solution). Instead of weeds, straw or hay is often used.
Fertilizer sapropel
Sapropel is extracted from the bottom of fresh water reservoirs, where organic remains of algae and aquatic fauna accumulate. This substance acts as a natural filter and purifies water from various impurities.
The composition of sapropel fertilizer includes bacteria that act even in the absence of oxygen and a high degree of pollution.
The substance is applied as a ready-made fertilizer or combined with mineral subcortex. Fertilizer can be purchased in packaged form. If the sludge is extracted independently, it must be thoroughly dried and sifted.
The fertilizer retains its properties for up to 12 years. As a result, the quality of the soil improves, the yield of tomatoes increases, moisture is better retained and harmful microorganisms in the soil are eliminated.
Sapropel is suitable for any type of soil. Fertilizer grade A is universal; grade B is used for acidic soils, and grade B is used for neutral and alkaline soils.
Humic preparations
Humates are mixtures consisting of salts of various acids and microelements. This natural fertilizer is formed from organic deposits. To feed tomatoes, choose water-soluble humates, which are supplied in the form of granules or liquid suspension.
Other types of fertilizers are applied to the soil 3-5 days after using humates. If the soil is fertile and the tomatoes develop without deviations, then this fertilizer can be abandoned. Humates are especially effective as emergency feeding.
Humates have the following effects on the soil where tomatoes grow:
- improve air penetration;
- promote the development of beneficial microflora;
- inhibit harmful microbes;
- increase the ability of plants to transport useful components;
- neutralize toxins and heavy metal ions.
For watering tomatoes, prepare a solution with a concentration of 0.05%. For 1 sq.m of soil, 2 liters of fertilizer are required. Treatment is carried out after planting and is repeated every 2 weeks. Another option is to spray tomato inflorescences with a similar solution.
Green fertilizers
One of the most accessible types of organic fertilizers is green fertilizers for tomatoes or green manures.
This includes a group of plants that are planted in the area where tomatoes are planned to be grown. Green manure must go through a full growing season, after which they are buried in the ground.
For each type of crop, certain green manures are selected. The following green fertilizers are used when growing tomatoes:
- white mustard - helps prevent soil erosion and the spread of weeds;
- phacelia – eliminates soil acidity, prevents fungal infections;
- Pancake week radish – saturates the upper layers of the soil with useful substances;
- lupine – saturates the soil with nitrogen, repels pests;
- vetch – accumulates nitrogen, increases tomato yield by 40%;
- alfalfa – reduces the acidity of the soil, accumulates nutrients.
Green manure saturates the soil with nitrogen and draws useful elements to the surface. Plants are harvested before they outgrow. Otherwise, the process of their rotting will be too long.
Wood ash
Wood ash serves as a source of potassium for plants, calcium, sodium and magnesium. These microelements have a positive effect on the development of tomatoes and help against various diseases and pests.
Ash is added to the soil two weeks before planting tomatoes. For each well you need 1 glass of this substance. Fertilizer is used after the soil has warmed up to 15 °C.
Subsequently ash can use throughout the entire tomato growing season. It is introduced into the surface layer of the earth, after which it is sealed by loosening.
To obtain a solution, you need 2 cups of wood ash per 10 liters of water. The product is infused for three days, then the sediment is filtered and the liquid is used for irrigation.
Fertilizing with ash is necessary when tomatoes lack calcium.This is expressed in a change in the color of the leaves to a lighter color, curling of the foliage, falling of the inflorescences, and the appearance of dark spots on the fruits.
Bone flour
Bone meal is formed from ground animal bones and contains large amounts of animal fat, phosphorus, calcium and other trace elements. This substance is required by tomatoes during the formation of the ovary after using components containing nitrogen.
Due to bone meal, the taste of the fruit improves, and the substance itself decomposes within 8 months. An alternative to this feeding is fishmeal, which has a lower cost. It contains more nitrogen and phosphorus, so it is used throughout the entire growing season of tomatoes.
Tomatoes require up to 2 tbsp. l. bone meal for each bush. Instead, you can put raw fish before planting the plants (roach or crucian carp are suitable).
Conclusion
Organic matter serves as the main source of nutrients for tomatoes. Plants require nutrition at every stage of development. The advantages of organic fertilizers include their safety, environmental friendliness, and the presence of a full range of minerals, amino acids and other useful substances.
