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One of the most important and responsible stages in growing tomatoes in open ground is planting seedlings. The future harvest depends on whether the tomatoes are planted correctly. Preparing tomato seedlings
To increase the number of successfully established plants, it is advisable to harden off tomato seedlings before planting in open ground. To do this, about two weeks before planting, it is necessary to create conditions for tomato seedlings similar to those in which they will grow. The ideal option is to take tomato seedlings out into the open air, gradually increasing the residence time. Adaptation can take up to 10 days, during which time the tomato seedlings get used to sunlight and temperature changes. If frost is not expected, you can leave tomato seedlings outside overnight.
Hardened tomato seedlings differ from greenhouse seedlings in the color of the leaves - they acquire a purple tint. This should not be a cause for concern, the tomato is not sick, it is a reaction to bright sunlight. Transplanting tomato in open ground does not cause any complications in this case.
Tomatoes are heat-loving plants, at low temperatures the root system ceases to function normally, immunity decreases, and seedlings become vulnerable to various fungal diseases.
A day before planting, it is advisable to flood the tomato seedlings; it is easier to remove the tomato from liquid soil without damaging the roots. You should not be afraid of the negative impact of waterlogging - nothing catastrophic will happen in such a short period.
If tomato seedlings were grown in cups, they are replanted with the root system preserved. In this case, on the contrary, watering the tomato is stopped a week before planting. It is easier to remove a dried earthen lump from the cup without damaging the roots.
Before transplanting, you can treat tomato seedlings with special plant stimulants. Their action is based on increasing the amount of phytohormones in tomato leaves, which reduce the impact of stress factors on the plant. Potassium fertilizers also help increase the endurance of tomatoes; as a rule, they are sprayed on the leaves a day before planting.
Planting dates
Planting tomatoes in open ground begins when the soil warms up to 15 degrees at a depth of 40 cm. If tomato seedlings are planted earlier, it will be difficult for the root system to begin recovery, since at low temperatures the absorption of nutrients stops. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can destroy tomatoes.
Planted too early in unheated soil, tomatoes can be affected by various fungal diseases, such as late blight.The root system develops slowly, and the supply of nutrients to the green parts of the tomato is difficult. The productivity of such tomatoes can be significantly reduced.
Popular observations claim that you can navigate when planting tomato seedlings by birch leaves. If all the leaves on the birch tree have already blossomed, it means the ground has warmed up enough and you can start planting tomato seedlings. In the southern regions, people pay attention to the singing of cicadas. When the chattering becomes loud and continuous, the seedlings begin to be planted.
In any case, when deciding when to plant tomato seedlings in open ground, you need to take into account weather conditions. In the same area, suitable conditions for planting tomatoes in the ground can vary significantly.
In most Russian regions, planting tomatoes in open ground begins in the first half of May. It is advisable to take care in advance of covering the tomatoes in case of frost. This is necessary not only for the northern regions, but also for the southern ones, where the weather is unpredictable and the occurrence of return frosts in May is not uncommon, especially in mountainous areas.
Age of tomato seedlings
The ideal age of tomato seedlings for planting in the ground depends on the characteristics of the variety. Early ripening tomatoes can be planted when the seedlings reach the age of 30 days, late varieties of tomatoes are planted at the age of 45 days.
The timing may differ by 5 - 7 days; this will not have much impact on the further development of tomatoes. The main thing is a well-developed root system, thanks to which the tomato’s growth of green mass will not be delayed.
It is often impossible to accurately determine the age of purchased tomato seedlings.In this case, you need to pay attention to the appearance of the tomatoes. Properly grown tomato seedlings have a short, thick trunk with 6 to 8 leaves. The roots of good tomato seedlings are approximately half the size of the stem. The leaves should be bright and may have a bluish tint, this indicates that the tomato seedlings have been accustomed to sunlight.
If it is impossible to strictly adhere to the recommended timing for planting tomatoes in the ground, it is better to plant a younger plant than an overgrown one. A young plant adapts more easily; it will take a little time to restore the root system.
Planting overgrown tomato seedlings has some features. It is advisable to replant such seedlings without disturbing the earthen ball. The hole for planting overgrown tomato seedlings is dug deeper than usual, taking into account the large root system and long stem. The plant is planted vertically in the ground, deepening the stem part by about a third. Some gardeners plant such tomatoes at a slight angle, citing the fact that in this position the tomato forms a more branched root system.
Soil preparation
Preparing the soil for planting tomatoes begins in the fall, after the last harvest has been harvested. The soil is cleared of stems and leaves and complex fertilizers are applied. After that they dig up.
Many gardeners prefer to dig their garden when the weather is consistently frosty. During digging, insect larvae hidden in the soil are brought to the surface, where they die from low temperatures. The roots of perennials also freeze weedy plants.
To improve the health of the soil, it is advisable to sow green manure, for example, alfalfa, in the beds every few years.They enrich the soil with nutrients, reduce the amount of harmful salts, and reduce the content of pathogenic agents.
Soil acidity is important for healthy tomato development. In highly acidic soils, plant roots have difficulty absorbing nutrients. All parts of the tomatoes experience starvation and plant growth stops. To determine the acidity of the soil, you can purchase special test strips. They are sold in many gardening stores. If the soil reaction turns out to be acidic. It is necessary to add special substances to the soil that will reduce acidity. One of the most accessible is lime.
For normal growth, tomatoes need the following substances:
- Nitrogen;
- Magnesium;
- Boron;
- Potassium;
- Calcium;
- Iron.
You can apply ready-made complex fertilizers; the application rates for tomatoes are usually indicated in the instructions. The convenience of this method is that it is easy to dose nutrients; if the recommended standards are observed, it is impossible to add excess fertilizer.
Despite this, many gardeners prefer to make do with natural nutrients, such as peat, humus, manure, and ash. When using organic fertilizers you need to be careful; excessive application of manure can cause excess nitrogen in the soil.
Organic fertilizers need to be applied in the fall so that the chemical elements have time to penetrate the soil. When introduced in the spring, they will only have nutritional value for the next year.
Mulching tomato seedlings
Mulch is a dense layer of organic or artificial material that covers the soil around plants. The main purpose of mulch is to protect the soil from drying out. In addition, a dense layer of mulch prevents the growth of weeds.Correct use of mulching materials makes caring for plants much easier; there is no need to loosen the soil, since there is no soil crust, there is no need to weed, and the number of waterings is halved.
Cover the soil with mulch immediately after planting tomato seedlings. This coating allows the seedlings to adapt faster, because the soil under the mulch has constant moisture. The most common mulching materials are:
- Straw;
- Sawdust;
- Mown grass;
- Black polyethylene film;
- Cardboard.
Despite all the benefits of mulch, it must be used carefully, especially in northern regions. Covering with dense material reduces the soil temperature by 2 - 4 degrees; in the cold or rainy season, plant roots can rot. In this case, it is necessary to remove the mulching material and allow the soil to dry.
Rules for planting tomato seedlings
To plant tomatoes, it is advisable to choose a sunny area that is located on a slight hill. The site should not be in a damp place; tomatoes do not tolerate excess moisture well. It is advisable to create a good drainage system to protect tomatoes from heavy rains.
The best predecessors for tomatoes:
- Legumes - beans, peas;
- Green crops - parsley, celery, cilantro;
- Root vegetables - beets, carrots;
- Cereals.
Undesirable plant tomatoes After potatoes, it also belongs to the nightshade family and shares diseases with tomatoes. Previously, it was recommended to plant tomatoes after cucumbers, but new research shows that this statement is wrong.
The holes are dug in advance and watered immediately. So, the soil will warm up deeper, the roots of the tomatoes will develop better and faster.
In such beds, the soil warms up faster, including due to the organic matter placed at the bottom of the bed. This method is not suitable for southern regions, as the tomato root system overheats.
The distance between the dug holes is determined taking into account the size of an adult, well-developed plant. For low-growing tomatoes, 30-40 cm between bushes is enough; they are planted in two rows in a checkerboard pattern. Between the beds you need to leave a gap of at least 50 cm.
It is advisable to plant tomato seedlings in open ground in the evening or in cloudy weather. You cannot plant tomatoes on a hot sunny day or in strong winds.
Tomato seedlings are placed in a hole, deepening the tomato trunk by a third, and immediately watered. The soil around the seedling must be pressed tightly so that there are no air cavities left. You can sprinkle the planted seedlings with mulch to prevent a soil crust from forming after heavy watering. The mulch layer should be at least 2 cm.
Carefully following the recommendations will help reduce the hassle associated with growing tomatoes in open ground and ensure a good harvest.
