Content
Growing tomatoes in Siberia has its own characteristics that must be taken into account when planting this crop. The region is characterized by unpredictable weather and frequent temperature changes. To get a good harvest in open ground, tomato varieties are carefully selected, the soil is prepared and fertilizers are applied regularly.
Variety selection
For planting in Siberia, varieties are selected that can withstand the conditions of this region. This includes tomatoes that are resistant to spring and autumn cold snaps. In open ground, plants must be able to withstand severe temperature changes. Most of these varieties were developed as a result of selective breeding.
The following varieties of tomatoes are selected for planting in Siberia:
- Ultra early ripening – a compact bush producing medium-sized fruits. Tomatoes ripen 70 days after germination. The plant does not require special care and adapts well to external conditions.
- Demidov – a mid-season variety that forms standard bushes. The fruits have good taste and ripen after being picked from the bush.
- Siberian heavyweight - an early ripening variety up to 80 cm in height. The fruits weigh 0.4 - 0.6 kg, so the plant is tied up during fruiting.The low yield of these tomatoes is compensated by the large weight of the fruit.
- Abakan pink – a medium-late ripening variety that is distinguished by long-term fruiting. The plant requires staking and the formation of 2 stems. The height of the tomato is 80 cm. The variety is valued for its high yield and taste.
- Kemerovo – an early ripening variety that requires 100 days for the first fruits to ripen. The height of the bushes is up to 0.5 m. The plant does not require the formation of a bush and pinching, and tolerates difficult weather conditions well.
- Barnaul Cannery – an early-ripening, low-growing variety that produces dense, round-shaped fruits. Fruiting lasts 2 months. The variety is intended for canning.
- Nobleman - a mid-early tomato that produces the first harvest 100 days after germination. The height of the bush does not exceed 0.7 m. The average weight of the fruit is 0.2 kg, some specimens reach 0.6 kg.
Soil preparation
Cultivation of soil for planting tomatoes begins in the fall. During this period, you need to remove the remains of the previous crop and carefully dig up the soil. Planting can be done in places where zucchini, cucumbers, beets, corn, carrots, and legumes previously grew.
Tomatoes prefer neutral soil, which has good moisture and air permeability. Compost, ash, and humus must be added to the soil.
Plantings should not be exposed to excessive moisture. Otherwise, plant development will slow down and fungal diseases will appear.
In spring, mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil to a depth of 20 cm.It is recommended to use up to 10 g of urea, 50 g of superphosphate and 15 g of potassium chloride per square meter of beds.
For planting tomatoes, the beds are located from north to south. At least 1 m is left between the beds, and up to 0.7 m between the rows. Sides up to 5 cm high must be made. The beds can be divided into sections up to 0.5 m, in each of which two bushes of plants are planted.
Obtaining seedlings
To grow tomatoes in open ground in Siberia, tomato seedlings are first formed, which are then transferred to a permanent place.
At the end of March, the seeds need to be soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes. If plant seeds float, they are not used for planting.
The remaining material is then wrapped in a damp cloth and left for several days. Seeds that are most active can be planted in small containers with soil.
For seedlings, it is better to use purchased soil. If the soil is taken from the garden, then it must first be calcined in the oven or microwave for 10 minutes. Additionally, before planting, the soil is disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate.
The top of the container can be covered with film to provide young plants with high humidity and temperature. To germinate, tomatoes require temperatures above 25 degrees. If the soil is dry, it needs to be watered abundantly.
The first shoots appear after 4-6 days. If necessary, additional lighting is equipped. The length of daylight hours for tomatoes is 16 hours. On a sunny day, when the air warms up, the seedlings are taken out to the balcony.
A distance of 40 cm is left between the bushes. Planting is done on a cool day, when there is no wind and direct sunlight.
When transferring tomatoes to open ground, the stem is buried 2 cm, which promotes the formation of new roots in the plant. If there is still a possibility of spring frosts, then the plantings are covered with film or special material.
Rules of care
Proper care of tomatoes allows you to get a good harvest in the Siberian climate. Plants require regular watering, mulching or loosening the soil. The supply of nutrients is ensured by feeding tomatoes. Particular attention is paid to protective measures aimed at combating diseases and pests.
Organization of watering
When growing tomatoes, you need to ensure a moderate supply of moisture. Its excess negatively affects the development of plants and provokes the spread of diseases.
Tomatoes can tolerate short-term drought. In such a situation, moisture is introduced constantly, but in small parts. With intensive watering, cracking of the fruits will occur.
It is not recommended to water the plantings with cold water from a hose. It is better to fill the containers with water in advance and leave them to warm up in the sun. If necessary, add warm water to them. Watering the plants is carried out in the morning or evening.
In open ground, tomatoes are watered after the moisture has been completely absorbed. Do not allow the soil to dry out. The frequency of watering is adjusted taking into account precipitation. On average, tomatoes are watered once a week.
Low-growing plants need 2-3 liters of water, while tall tomatoes may require up to 10 liters.It is not recommended to water the plants for the first 2 weeks after planting.
In a large area, you can install drip irrigation. For this purpose, a pipeline system is used to ensure a uniform supply of moisture to the plants. The drip system allows you to monitor water consumption for tomatoes.
Loosening or mulching
After each watering, the soil is loosened. The procedure helps warm the soil, improves the penetration of moisture and nutrients. This deletes weeds, interfering with the normal development of tomatoes.
The first loosening is carried out immediately after planting the tomatoes. Then the procedure is repeated every 2 weeks. The depth of soil loosening is up to 3 cm.
Together with loosening, you can hill up tomatoes. Hilling up promotes the growth of the plant root system and strengthens the plantings.
Mulching consists of creating a protective layer above the soil surface. This procedure increases productivity, accelerates fruit ripening, and protects the root system of tomatoes from moisture loss. Mulched soil does not require loosening and weeding.
The organic layer retains heat and moisture for the plants, providing additional nutrition for the tomatoes. For these purposes, mowed grass that is thoroughly dried is suitable. Periodically, the mulch layer will rot, so it needs to be updated.
Fertilizer application
Regular feeding provides tomatoes with useful substances responsible for the growth of green mass, the formation of ovaries and fruits.
Tomatoes require fertilizer at the following stages of development:
- after planting;
- before flowering begins;
- when the ovary appears;
- during the process of fruit ripening.
The first fertilizing is carried out two weeks after transferring the plants to open ground. A solution is prepared for it, consisting of superphosphate (40 g) and potassium sulfate (10 g). The components are dissolved in 10 liters of water, after which the tomatoes are watered at the root.
The treatment is repeated until inflorescences appear on the plants. When the tomatoes begin to set, you can prepare a yeast supplement. To do this you will need 10 g of dry yeast and 1 tbsp. l. sugars, which are mixed and left for several hours. Then water is added to the resulting mixture in a ratio of 1:10 and the plants are watered.
During the fruiting period, solutions containing phosphorus are prepared. For 5 liters of water you will need 1 tbsp. l. superphosphate and liquid sodium humate.
You can feed tomatoes with an ash-based solution. A bucket of water will require 0.2 kg of wood ash. The solution is infused for 5 hours, after which it is filtered and diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3. The resulting product is watered at the roots of the plants.
Foliar treatment
Foliar feeding will help speed up the supply of nutrients. Mineral and organic substances are used for its preparation.
During the flowering period, tomatoes are sprayed with a solution containing boric acid. Take 1 g of boric acid per liter of water.
Another spraying method is to use superphosphate. For 1 liter of water, 2 tbsp is required. l. of this substance. The product is infused for 10 hours, after which it is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10.
Between treatments take a break of up to 10 days.Foliar treatment should be alternated with root application of fertilizers.
Protection from diseases and pests
Violation of the rules for planting and caring for tomatoes contributes to the development of diseases and the appearance of pests. The following rules will help protect plants in Siberia in greenhouses and open ground:
- avoid dense plantings;
- compliance with crop rotation;
- timely watering and fertilization;
- preventive treatment.
Tomatoes are susceptible to late blight, powdery mildew, brown and white spot. Most diseases are spread by fungi in high humidity environments.
When the first symptoms appear, the plants are treated with fungicides: “Fitosporin”, “Quadris”, “Ridomil”, “Bravo”. In rainy summers, it is recommended to treat plantings every two weeks for preventive purposes.
To prevent tomato diseases, you can use traditional methods. One of them is spraying plants with a solution containing 1 liter of milk, 15 drops of iodine and a bucket of water. The product prevents the penetration of harmful microbes into plant tissue.
The greatest damage to plantings is caused by aphids, whiteflies, mole crickets, and spider mites. To protect against insects, insecticides are used - “Zolon”, “Sherpa”, “Konfidor”.
Folk remedies are actively used to combat insects. Between the rows of tomatoes, you can sprinkle a little wood ash, which additionally supplies the plants with useful minerals. Between the rows of tomatoes you can plant onions and garlic, which repel pests.
Conclusion
For cultivation in Siberia, varieties are selected that are resistant to cold snaps and temperature changes.Most of these varieties are bred specifically for this region, so the plants are adapted to harsh conditions. Choose a well-lit place for planting. High yields of tomatoes can be achieved through proper soil preparation, fertilization and watering.
The video tells about growing tomatoes in Siberia:
