Yield vegetable garden Tatyana: when to sow tomatoes, planting and growing with video

When light is the enemy

– I saw that some summer residents illuminate their plants even at night.
Is this correct? – In our latitudes, the plant does not have enough light, and artificial lighting is needed if you want to get the maximum yield. But this should be done only during the daytime, and at night the lamp must be turned off, because growth occurs in the dark. During daylight hours, the plant makes maximum use of photosynthesis to harvest more energy. And at night, when energy has been accumulated and photosynthesis is completed, the “construction” of new plant organs and tissues begins, plus an increase in existing ones.

Union of Gardeners: night illumination of Krasnoyarsk will destroy trees Read more

– Are there any special secrets for planting seedlings in a permanent place?

– When planting seedlings in the ground, throw a handful of humus or ash into each hole. We take the ash that was obtained after burning dry grass and branches. It is better not to water the seedlings for a day the day before, even if they wilt. And during planting, there is no need to pour water into the hole; plant directly into dry soil. And if you water it immediately after planting, the plant will come to life within half an hour.

Peppers ripen from 90 to 140 days. It takes two and a half months from sowing to the formation of seedlings. Seedlings 25 cm high with strong, well-formed roots are planted in the ground. The plant is not planted deep into the ground - pepper loves it. The best cabbage seedlings are 35–40 days old; overgrown ones will be sick for the first 10 days. Cucumber tolerates transplantation well. Seedlings should not be overgrown. Ideally, high-quality seedlings should have 3-4 leaves and a height of at least 30 cm.

Tomato seedlings are planted on the 60th day. Sometimes, even before planting, a tomato may produce a flower cluster. From this moment on, growth stops and stepsons appear. The more there are, the more abundant the harvest. But the stepsons of the first four leaves must be removed immediately - these are the old people who will pull all the power onto themselves. When pruning, leave a centimeter stump. If you do everything correctly, you can get a good harvest from one bush. By the way, a tomato is not a bush, not a flower, but a tree. There is a giant tomato in Japan, planted back in 1953, it covers an area of 16 hectares! Now it produces 43 tons of tomatoes per year. Have a good harvest too!

Rules of care

Caring for tomatoes in buckets involves the usual steps.

Watering should occur as the soil dries out. If the buckets are dug into the ground, then you can water the space outside the container. Avoid getting water on the green part of the plants.
The room in the greenhouse must be ventilated and the air temperature and humidity monitored. Air humidity is no more than 70%, temperature is no higher than 30 degrees.
Weeds must be removed promptly.
Many varieties of tomatoes require pinching during care.
During the entire growing season, fertilizers must be applied at least three times.

It is necessary to carry out hilling. The procedure helps strengthen the root system, the stem becomes powerful, and the leaves are rich green. Since the area around the bush is small, the work will take a little time.

Mulching is recommended, although seedlings in buckets do not need this step as much. But still, mulch can reduce the risk of infection spreading, pest attack, weeds will not appear, and moisture will not evaporate. As mulch, you can choose peat, chopped meadow grass, sawdust, and straw.

The best days for planting tomatoes for seedlings according to the lunar calendar in 2020Read

To prevent a dry crust from forming on the surface of the soil, it is useful to loosen the soil, especially after watering or rain, if tomatoes are grown outdoors. Thanks to loosening, microelements and oxygen penetrate inside the plant faster.

Growing tomatoes in buckets is not complete without the pinching procedure. Pruning is necessary to increase productivity. Removing lateral, extra branches helps the plant direct all its energy to the formation of fruits, and not to the growth of leaves and stems. Tall varieties of tomatoes most often need this procedure.

If the stem stretches high up, then you need to install a peg to which the bush is tied. Sometimes low-growing bushes also need a garter. Placing a large number of fruits on branches can cause the stem to break. Thanks to the garter, light and air can freely flow to all parts of the plant.

Possible problems when growing tomato seedlings

Growing tomato seedlings is not always without trouble. It happens that young shoots stretch out, break or wither for no apparent reason. Accordingly, the question arises, what to do if:

Seedlings fall

Tomato seedlings may fail for several reasons.

The stems are twisted and the seedlings are falling

Water. Tomatoes love water, but do not tolerate stagnation. This leads to rotting of the roots, the sprouts fall and die.

Seedlings may fall due to dry or cold air. Both options are not suitable for tomatoes. They need warmth for normal development.

The plant loves fresh air, but does not tolerate drafts. You cannot place seedlings at the intersection of air flows; it is better to ventilate each room separately.

Light, the more of it, the better. Otherwise, the seedlings will stretch, bend or fall under their own weight.

The seedlings turn yellow

Most often, seedlings turn yellow due to excessive watering, poor lighting, and acidic soil. All this indicates a violation of growing conditions. To prevent seedlings from turning yellow, you need to choose the right soil, create conditions for lighting, water and feed the plants on time.

Leaves turn yellow from lack of light

It is important to choose the right container for planting; it must be of the appropriate size and have a hole for draining water. And also tomato bushes can be burned by the sun's rays

The seedlings are stretched

Before picking, tomato seedlings can stretch out. The reason for this is the discrepancy between the occupied space and the increased needs. Plants planted densely reach towards the light. You can overcome this pulling by providing them with a container that is appropriate for their age.

However, sometimes, if there is the required area and sufficient consecration, the seedlings still grow. This is due to the fact that the larger young leaves shade the lower ones. Therefore, as the upper leaves grow, the lower ones need to be removed.

This technique is effective and stops elongation for several days. This method can be repeated three times, removing one pair of lower leaves each time.

The leaves are curling

This indicates a lack of potassium. You can feed the tomatoes with any potash fertilizer that does not contain chlorine, or sprinkle ash on damp soil. If tomato leaves curl downwards, then do not worry - this is either a feature of the variety, or the central vein is ahead of the plate in growth, which is why the leaf curls.

Growing tomato seedlings is a long and rather labor-intensive process, but the result more than pays for all the gardener’s efforts.

Tomatoes in buckets: growing

Tomatoes in plastic bottles

Hilling promotes the development of a powerful root system, resulting in larger tomatoes and ripening at an earlier date. In addition, the yield increases.

It is not possible to hill up plantings placed too close to each other in greenhouse conditions or on an open ridge due to the risk of damaging the root system of the neighboring plant. Having planted tomato seedlings as densely as possible, once they reach a height of 20 cm, they can be tied up. A bucket without a bottom is placed on each bush.

Advice. If the height of the bushes exceeds the height of the bucket, it may be filled to the brim with soil. The soil should be poured into a high container, keeping two pairs of leaves above the soil. When irrigating such plantings, part of the moisture goes to the root system of the bush, and the rest goes into the inner part of the soil in a bucket.

In a warm and humid microclimate, the growth of additional roots occurs much faster, which contributes to a greater enrichment of the plant’s body with liquid and beneficial compounds. As the plant develops, the soil is added until the container is completely filled.

On a note! In this way, you can grow tomatoes both in greenhouse conditions and in open garden conditions.

Hilling in this way, unlike the traditional method, prevents the soil from scattering and washing away, and also helps create a more attractive appearance of the beds. You can use containers made of metal and plastic material.

Basic preparatory work for sowing tomatoes

Whether in a greenhouse or in an open garden bed, the soil needs to undergo a series of preparatory work that will become indispensable in practice.

Choosing a location according to crop rotation. When growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, the choice of location is practically unimportant; any place in the structure should be warm, light, moderately humidified and ventilated. But it is best to lay out the beds in sunny places, where there is no shade, the sun warms up well, and rain moistens the soil

Particular attention is paid to crops that were previously grown in the selected area. Remember, tomatoes don’t grow after corn and nightshades.

Potatoes, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes are affected by the same insect pests - larvae hide in the soil for the winter, and diseases whose spores also overwinter in the ground. We expect a good harvest in the beds after harvesting root vegetables, white cabbage, pumpkins, cucumbers and zucchini, onions. Consider and observe crop rotation.

Preparing the soil is an important point. It would be good to remove the top layer of soil 20 centimeters deep, lay dry hay instead, cover it with a mixture of humus and wood ash, and lay garden soil on top again. But practice shows that gardeners rarely remove soil from their garden beds, especially in open areas. Usually garden soil is simply dug up and fertilized. In greenhouses, if necessary, they still replace the existing soil with a more fertile one. When deep digging, last year's rotted compost, potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are added to the soil, based on the manufacturer's recommendations indicated on the packaging of chemicals. Remember, under no circumstances should you add fresh manure during spring digging - this will destroy the young plant.

Correct choice of planting material. Gardeners are especially sensitive and attentive to the choice of seeds for future plantings. Many people collect and prepare seeds themselves, selecting seed material from beautiful and large plants and fruits that are not affected by disease. This method does not require financial costs and is quite accessible, but is not always successful. Collected seeds from a hybrid plant, and most often it is tomato hybrids that produce large, tasty fruits and delight the owner, will not produce a seedling similar to the mother bush, and, moreover, there will not be identical fruits. Seeds collected from hybrid plants are not suitable for re-sowing, which gardeners rarely take into account and fail. Conclusion, it is safer in this matter to purchase seed material in a specialized store, where they will offer you the necessary hybrids with guaranteed germination and production of large fruits.

Preparatory stage for the seeds themselves. A day before sowing, the seed grains are rejected, giving preference to dense, large and beautiful grains. Selected seeds are soaked for 10 minutes in saline solution. During this time, the incomplete, remaining grains will float to the surface of the solution, and those suitable for sowing will sink to the bottom of the glass. Next, the tested seed material is disinfected in a weak solution of potassium manganese for 30 minutes and washed with warm water. Next, the tomato seeds are laid out on a wet cloth, covered and left for the grains to swell for about a day. This process is also called germination of seed material. Such manipulations are recommended for sowing seeds in a greenhouse. The swollen seeds, with sprouts already pecked, are sown in the prepared holes. And when sowing in open ground soil, the seeds do not need to be germinated; they can be sown immediately after disinfection.

Recommended temperature for tomato seed germination. In greenhouses, the recommended temperature is 20-25 degrees, in open ground at least 15 degrees Celsius. Lower air temperatures in greenhouses will stop the development of the root system and affect the early development and productivity of the future tomato bush. Higher temperatures will speed up the development of the plant, and flowering will occur earlier than expected. To maintain the required temperature in cool weather, covering material is used for growing tomatoes in open ground; in greenhouses, temperature indicators are simply adjusted.

Seedless method of growing tomatoes

It turns out that tomatoes can be grown simply by sowing in open ground. To be honest, I haven’t tried this method yet, but they say it works great. So I decided to figure it out, at the same time share it with you and, of course, give it a try!)

Varieties suitable for sowing in open ground

In order to have time to grow tomatoes and harvest, it is necessary to sow certain varieties, preferably early ripening or ultra-early ones. Varieties such as White Naliv, Alpha, Svitanok, Gnome, Grand, and other similar varieties are very suitable for this method of planting.

Variety Alpha

Seed preparation

Before planting in open ground, seeds must also be treated as for the seedling method. To do this, soak the seeds in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes. This way we will disinfect them. After this solution, wash the seeds in plain water.

Then soak the seeds in a growth stimulator for 8-10 hours. This is necessary so that the seeds germinate faster. With this method of planting, a growth stimulator is simply necessary. After all, the faster the first shoots sprout. The faster the tomatoes will grow.

Soil preparation

The soil must be prepared in advance. Seeds in open ground must be sown between April 25 and May 10, when the ground warms up to at least +12 degrees at a depth of 4 cm.

We dig up the soil well, remove the roots of weeds and add humus and wood ash. Then we dig well again and level the surface with a rake.

Sowing

In the prepared bed we make holes 3-4 cm deep, at a distance of 30 cm between holes, and about 60-70 cm between rows. Since we applied fertilizer directly to the soil, there is no need to put fertilizer in the holes. If the soil has not been fertilized, then humus and ash can be added directly into the holes. Sprinkle a small layer of earth on top and pour warm water over it well. After this, you can sow the seeds.

We sow three seeds in each hole, then sprinkle with soil and compact with the palm of our hand. This is necessary so that the seeds have better contact with the soil. After sowing, cover the plantings with film. Until the seeds hatch and the first shoots appear, the film does not need to be removed, and there is no need to water the seeds either. Because after watering the ground becomes crusty and it will be much more difficult for the seeds to break through to the surface.

Growing and care

Depending on the outside temperature, seedlings will appear in 10-20 days. When the first two leaves appear, the plantings need to be thinned out. To do this, we select the strongest and strongest sprout, and cut off the rest with disinfected scissors. Under no circumstances should you pull it out, as this will damage the root system.

Fertilizer

Three days after thinning, we fertilize. To do this, dilute 15 g of ammonium nitrate in a bucket of water. Pour 1 liter of solution under each bush. Then we mulch the soil around the plant so that the water evaporates as slowly as possible.

We feed the plants a second time during fruit growth. To prepare the solution, dilute 20 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium chloride in a bucket of water. Water the tomatoes at the rate of 1 liter of solution per 1 square meter. m. Do not forget that we apply liquid fertilizer only on moist soil.

Protection against late blight

When the plant grows a little and gets stronger, it is necessary to treat the plant to protect against late blight and other diseases. Spray the plant with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. This solution helps especially well during periods of decreasing temperature and increasing air humidity.

Possible problems when planting seeds and growing tomato seedlings

The process of growing tomato seedlings does not always go smoothly. Especially often, beginners who do not yet have the necessary knowledge encounter problems. We offer you a description and solution to the most common problems.

Seeds do not germinate (or take a long time to germinate)

If the seeds do not germinate, the problem most likely lies in their poor quality. You should wait up to 2 weeks and if after that no sprouts appear, then there is no need to waste time. It is necessary to re-seed as quickly as possible using high-quality planting material. The emergence of seedlings may be delayed due to the fact that the room is too cold. On days 7-10, the seeds will sprout only at room temperature. Try removing the seedling container from the window or moving the container away from the window glass.

The seedlings are weak and grow poorly

The reason for poor growth of tomato seedlings at the initial stage is most often poor-quality soil. It is better to make sure in advance that the seeds are sown in loose, fertile soil with neutral acidity, enriched with all nutrients. If the growth of seedlings is disrupted at the very beginning, in the future such bushes will also lag behind in development and reduce productivity.

Often seedlings stop growing after picking

It is important to carry out this procedure in the correct time frame. If you plant seedlings before 2-3 true leaves appear, they are easily injured, after which the plants will take a long time to recover

Also, tomatoes will not grow well due to lack of nutrients. The situation will be corrected by applying complex fertilizer.

Seedlings stretched out

Such a disaster can happen due to too high a temperature in the first week after germination. The stretching of seedlings can also be caused by a lack of lighting or too dense planting, excess nitrogen and potassium deficiency. In all these cases, it is necessary to adjust the conditions accordingly: install lighting, balance feeding, and timely plant seedlings. You can use a special drug “Athlete”, which inhibits plant growth. In such a situation, some summer residents pinch the crown of the central shoot. Subsequently, the bush is formed from the strongest stepsons.

After all, the seeds are not always for them. How to plant tomato seedlings in new containers?

Gardeners often use cups made from cut plastic bottles. They become old enough for picking when their first two leaves appear. Picking seedlings is the process of transplanting still young seedlings from a small container in which the seeds sprouted into larger seedling containers filled with soil mixture. Sometimes more sprouts appear than planned. Picking will help provide the plants with the necessary conditions for further growth. If there are any extra ones, we will immediately cull them, throwing away those that are damaged or lagging behind in development. Most summer residents shorten the root; their harvest is good, so as soon as the seedlings sprout (after 2 weeks) What kind of soil is needed for picking tomatoes, at what temperature?

Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse and in open ground

Tomatoes are an annual, heat-loving, self-pollinating plant from the nightshade family. When growing tomatoes, the first thing to do is to choose the right varieties

At the same time, it is important to be guided not by what you read in the latest issue of some magazine, but by what grows well among your neighbors and friends who have already checked the quality of the options

We start growing tomatoes from seedlings. It’s easier, of course, to buy it, and that’s what many do. Come to the market, ask what varieties are sold, and in response we hear - which ones do you need? It is clear that in this way they will sell you the same thing, but with a different name. Therefore, it is better to grow it yourself, then you at least know approximately what you will grow.

Methods of sowing and growing seeds

There are several modern methods of sowing seedlings, which differ from the classic version. To grow seeds, it is allowed to use specialized material and unusual containers, which contribute to the intensive development of seedlings.

In vermiculite

Vermiculite is a free-flowing substance with environmentally friendly properties. The material is designed to loosen the soil, and it is added to the ground when growing many vegetable plants. Tomato seedlings are grown in vermiculite before picking.

To prepare the substrate for planting, just pour the material granules into a small container, add water and wait about half an hour. Tomato seeds are laid out on the surface of vermiculite and sprinkled with a thin layer of earth.

In paper rolls

To grow tomatoes in rolling papers, you will need a food bag and paper. The bag folded in half is laid out on the table and 3 layers of paper are placed on top - the first and third along the top edge, the second along the bottom. This is necessary so that the growing roots do not fall between the layers, and it is easier to plant the seedlings.

Before planting tomatoes, rolled paper is moistened with a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide to stimulate seed germination. About 20 seeds are placed in one rolled-up cigarette, laying them out in increments of 1.5-2 cm. The rolled-up cigarette is kept in a plastic glass with water in a 1 cm layer.

In bags

Growing seedlings in bags is a practical and convenient option. To obtain an early harvest, tomatoes are sown in durable 10-liter bags. The substrate is prepared from a mixture of earth, vermicompost and coconut fiber. The bags are rolled up to a height of no more than 20 cm and moist soil is poured inside. Uncrushed egg shells are preliminarily placed on the bottom, which simultaneously performs the functions of feeding and drainage. As the seedlings grow, substrate is poured into the bags.

Tomatoes sown in bags are distinguished by a well-developed root system, resistance to diseases during transplantation, intensive growth and flowering, and early fruiting. Both early and late varieties can be grown in bags.

We grow strong seedlings in bags

When can you grow cilantro in the country and in the garden in open ground (planting dates and care)

Tuck the bag up to a height of 15–20 cm and fill it with moist soil. First put a layer of eggshells (uncrushed) on the bottom. Shell - feeding and drainage at the same time. Pinch the roots of seedlings when transplanting.

Add substrate to bags as seedlings grow. Tomatoes grown in bags have a well-developed root system, they practically do not get sick when transplanted, they grow quickly, bloom and bear fruit earlier. It is worth planting early varieties in large bags.

You can learn a lot about growing tomatoes on the video channel “Tatyana’s Harvest Garden.” The information will be useful not only for beginners in gardening, but also for experienced vegetable growers.

How to calculate the timing of planting seedlings

The tables below are compiled based on the recommendations of agronomists and seed producers for central Russia and Western Siberia, taking into account possible return frosts until June 1-10.

According to the natural calendar, return frosts and gusty winds occur during bird cherry blossoms. After the lilac bushes have bloomed, according to folk signs, there will be no more frosts.

If in your region stable warm days begin earlier than June 10, accordingly shift the planting and planting dates relative to the table recommendations. For example, if the last frost falls on May 25, then we carry out all work two weeks earlier than indicated in the table.

In the table, instead of specific numbers 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc., recommended periods are indicated: from the 1st to the 10th, from the 11th to the 20th, choose the exact date based on the weather, common sense and your weekend.

How to plant tomato seeds for seedlings

Before sowing, prepare the selected container - clean it of any remaining old soil, wash it with soap and soak in a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes.

Place a drainage layer of expanded clay, crushed polystyrene foam, eggshells, broken bricks, etc. on the bottom of the container.

Further actions will depend on the type of landing container selected

1. Planting tomato seeds for seedlings in common boxes

Fill the container with wet soil mixture so that it does not reach the edges 2 cm. Make grooves every 4 -5 cm, 1 cm deep. Place prepared tomato seeds with tweezers every 1-2 cm. Sprinkle soil on top and cover with glass or a plastic bag, creating microclimate with humidity 80%-90%. Next, place the box in a warm place for germination.

Common boxes allow you to save space on the windowsill when growing a large number of seedlings. But, at the same time, such a choice of container requires mandatory subsequent picking of seedlings

2.Planting tomato seeds for seedlings in separate containers

For planting, use individual cups or pots with a diameter of 10 cm and a height of 10-12 cm.

Fill the containers with soil, compact them a little and place 2 tomato seeds in the middle, in a 1 cm depression. Cover with film (glass) and place in a warm place for germination. After germination, leave one, stronger plant.

Cardboard cups that can be torn when transplanting are good for growing seedlings

3. Sowing tomatoes in peat tablets

Growing tomato seedlings in peat tablets allows you to do without picking.

To sow, place the tablets in any suitable tray and fill with water. After the tablets swell, place a seed in the middle of each and sprinkle with soil. Cover the tray with film and set for germination.

When 2 leaves appear, the roots will completely grow through the mesh of the tablet. Then the tablet is simply planted in a plastic cup, adding fresh soil to it.

Peat tablets are an excellent medium for growing tomato seedlings

4. Sowing in plastic containers (cassettes)

Recently, plastic containers with cells (cassettes) are often used for planting seeds for seedlings. They are easy to transport, they can be used repeatedly, they are easy to clean and seedlings planted in them do not require picking.

To plant, fill the cassette cells with soil or place peat tablets in them.

Sow the tomato seeds and water carefully, cover with a transparent lid or film

Plastic cassettes are another option for choosing a seating container, allowing you to avoid traumatic picking

In all cases, containers with planted seeds are placed for germination in a warm place with a temperature of 25-30°C.

The video explains how to sow tomato seeds for seedlings using various planting containers:

The first stage of growing tomato seedlings is very important. Therefore, even before germination, soil moisture must be carefully checked and condensation removed. If necessary, irrigate the soil with water from a spray bottle or open the plantings to dry.

Sometimes when there is high humidity, mold forms on the surface of the soil.

In this case, carefully remove the top infected layer and spill the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate or an antifungal drug (Fitosporin, Fundazol)

The first tomato sprouts appear after 3-4 days. Germination time directly depends on temperature:

28-32°C - 4-5 days;
24-26°C – 6-8 days;
20-23°C – 7-10 days;
less than 20°C - 10-14 days or more.

Shoots that appeared later than 5 days after the main group should be removed.

Tomato planting depth

Tomato is one of the most common types of vegetables. In order for the harvest to be good, you need to follow the rules of growing it. This is the preparation of seeds, soil, and containers for growing seedlings. The depth of planting of tomatoes is also of particular importance. How well the seedlings sprout depends on this.

Tomato planting depth

At what depth to plant seeds?

Before you start sowing tomatoes, you need to prepare a special container. Cups, cassettes or shallow boxes are suitable for this. Pour moist soil into the container and make furrows about 1 cm deep, the distance between them should be about 3 cm. If the seeds are not planted very close, then the sprouts in the future do not need to be pricked.

There is another landing option. You can place tomato seeds on pre-prepared soil and then sprinkle with a 1 cm layer of soil.

Landing Features

The depth of seed placement also depends on the plant variety. Tall varieties are planted 1.5 cm deep to help them take root better. Low-growing species can be sown to a depth of up to 8 mm. This will improve seed germination. The type of soil must also be taken into account. If it is heavy, the seeds will sprout later, and if it is fluffy, the sprouts will emerge in 2-4 days.

If you sow tomato seeds shallow, they may become bare during watering. In such a situation there are 2 options:

add 1-1.5 cm of soil;
Instead of watering, spray the seedlings with a spray bottle.

After sowing the seeds, it is necessary to constantly keep the soil moist. As the bushes grow, the amount of water is reduced.

Depth versus soil

Affects planting depth and soil quality:

If the area where the tomato bed will be located consists of rocky soils, then the plants need to be planted a little deeper. Such soil is well drained and allows moisture to pass through to the deeper layers of the soil cover.
Loams are denser and do not allow water to pass through easily. If the hole is too deep, the plant will not receive enough moisture and will soon die.
Light sandy soils are highly susceptible to erosion by precipitation and blowing of the top layer by winds. This feature of the soil causes deeper planting of seedlings. Otherwise, the root system may be exposed.

How to sow tomatoes

Sowing tomato seeds for seedlings. THE DEPTH OF SOWING VEGETABLE SEEDS IS VERY IMPORTANT! When and how to sow tomatoes for seedlings

Conclusion

In order to grow good bushes and get a high-quality harvest, you need to adhere to the rules of planting depth. Most often, this information is indicated on the back of the packet of seeds. If there are no such recommendations, then you can use the standard planting scheme.

If the tomatoes are still buried, then you should not remove the extra layer of soil or rake the hole. The lateral buds of the stem are quickly rebuilt underground. Roots grow from them, and disturbance of the soil cover will lead to their death.

The root system is injured, and the plant itself stops growing.

Secrets of balanced seedling care

The film cover is not removed until the first leaves appear on the sprouts. Everything else is based on weather conditions. When growing in a greenhouse, you can remove both the film and the bottles. When growing in a garden bed, the film is removed only when you are sure that the seedlings are already strong and the air temperature will not drop below 20 degrees Celsius. Only two strong sprouts are left in the hole, through natural selection based on external data.

Organization of watering. The soil in such beds is moistened less often than in the usual tomato plot. This is explained by the fact that the sprouts are not subject to mechanical violence during the growing process, they are not transplanted to a new place, the root system grows to the sides and the seedling itself can find the necessary moisture in the soil. But, if there is no rain for a long time, then the rows of tomatoes are still moistened using a garden watering can, irrigating in the evening. Usually water the sown seeds once a week. Avoiding stagnation of water, irrigate the soil in the hole with a spray bottle.

Pruning and pruning. Tomato bushes need thinning, regardless of the methods of their cultivation. Grown bushes must be pruned, removing lateral and excess shoots that lead to thickening, and cutting off the lower leaves. Using sharp garden scissors, cut off all the lower leaves located up to the first almost blooming cluster. Remember, it is also advisable to pinch the tops of the stems, which will lead to an increase in plant productivity.

Fertilizer application. If the soil preparation before sowing the seeds was carried out efficiently, the land was fertilized and cultivated, then additional nutrients are not required

If the grown seedlings look unwell, the leaves are faded and weak, then it is necessary to inspect the seedlings for damage by disease or insect pests. There are no signs of damage - feed the seedlings with nitrogen-containing fertilizer, which will help the development of the root system and foliage mass

Fertilizing is done with a solution on moist soil.

Loosening and hilling is an important stage in caring for tomatoes. Throughout the entire growth period, from seedlings to fruit-bearing bush, the soil around the plant is loosened and fluffed, filling the roots with oxygen. During the loosening process, sprouted weeds are removed, and the bushes are necessarily covered with earth - hilled up. Irrigation is still carried out in ditches between the rows.

Garter of tomato vines. Plants that have reached a height of 50 centimeters need a garter. Less tall stems grow independently, while longer ones are tied to installed supports. A well-fruiting bush with many ovaries may break under the weight of future fruits, and the harvest will be irretrievably lost. Wooden stakes, metal rods or trellises attached to the roof of the greenhouse on which tomato stems are suspended are suitable for installing supports.

How to properly care for tomatoes

The process of caring for tomatoes of any variety involves performing a set of actions. Without proper and timely care, plants will not produce a stable, large and healthy harvest.

Picking

Picking is carried out at the stage of formation of two leaves. A couple of days before the procedure, the seedlings are watered abundantly to make it easier to remove the seedlings from the soil. Perform picking as follows:

prepared containers for seedlings are filled with soil;
the plants are carefully removed from the common container, leaving a small lump of earth on the roots;
make a hole in the transplant pot and place the seedling in it;
the stems are deepened to the cotyledons;
The soil around the seedlings is compacted and watered.

Watering and fertilizing

Tomatoes need watering as the soil dries out. Excessive moisture can cause root rot and plant death, and insufficient watering causes the green part of the bushes to dry out. It is necessary to water tomatoes at the root, trying not to get on the leaves. The upper part of the plants can be sprayed periodically.

Tomato fertilizers are applied three times per season. The first fertilizing is applied before planting plants in open soil or in the ground, the next one - after 4-5 weeks, and the final one - 10-12 days before the expected fruiting.

Garter and bush formation

Forming a bush involves removing yellowed leaves, old branches and damaged parts of the plant, which continue to absorb nutritional components. In addition, pruning the bushes provides light access directly to the fruits and better air circulation.

Plants are tied to supports only when growing tall varieties of tomatoes. Fixing the bushes ensures their stability during strong gusts of wind and other external influences. To fix it, just drive wooden rods into the ground around the plant and tie the stems to them with thin threads.

How to properly plant tomatoes for seedlings at home

To obtain high-quality seedlings, the slightest nuances are important

It is important to select and process the seeds correctly, select convenient containers for seedlings, and follow the sowing pattern. In this case, the seedlings will be strong, will be able to grow actively and delight their owner

Selection of seeds and their preparation for sowing

For seeds, it is better to go to a large garden center or a store with a good reputation. Experienced summer residents already know that factory packaging does not always guarantee the quality of planting material, so it is better to focus on the products of large agricultural firms, where production and packaging technology is impeccably observed.

The variety must be zoned (suitable for a specific growing zone). Before purchasing, you should study information about the length of the growing season and expiration dates. Seeds released by agricultural holdings do not require processing. If you use your own planting material, it must be prepared for sowing:

To begin with, the seeds are calibrated to determine their germination capacity. To do this, pour the seeds into a saline solution (1 teaspoon per glass of water) and wait 10 minutes. Floated seeds are not suitable for sowing, as they are defective.
The seeds that have fallen to the bottom are washed in running water and then soaked for 30 minutes in a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate - this will disinfect the planting material.
You can also treat the seeds in a solution of Fitosporin and hydrogen peroxide (1 tsp peroxide per 200 ml of water).

It is more convenient to immerse the seeds in liquid by placing them in a gauze bag. After dressing, the seeds are washed in clean water and dried. If there are doubts about the quality of the planting material, it can be soaked for 3-4 hours in a solution of a growth stimulator (Epin, Zircon).

What to sow tomatoes in, choosing a convenient container

The choice of container for sowing remains with the gardener. For this purpose you can use:

disposable plastic cups;
yogurt containers;
peat tablets;
cut milk bottles;
cassette.

Those who save space on the windowsill can plant the seedlings in a common plastic container and later pick them up.

There must be drainage holes in the bottom of the container to drain excess water. It is also necessary to prepare a tray on which the cups or container with seedlings will stand.

Land for seedlings

Loose nutrient soil with a slightly alkaline or neutral reaction is suitable for tomatoes. It is quite possible to take a purchased substrate for growing vegetable seedlings. Such soil is enriched with essential nutrients and disinfected. Those who have a lot of seedlings prefer to make the soil mixture themselves in order to save money. The soil for tomatoes should include:

turf soil – 1 hour;
humus – 1 hour;
compost – 1 hour;
loam – 0.5 tsp.

When mixing the components, add 1 tbsp. l. superphosphate and 1 tsp. potassium sulfate. The soil must be heated in the oven for 20-30 minutes at a temperature of 70° C. You can also moisten the soil and put it in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, turning the dial to full power.

Sowing tomatoes in separate cups

Step by step guide:

Place a little drainage material (expanded clay, gravel, brick chips) on the bottom of each cup.
Fill the container with slightly damp soil.
In the center you will need to make a hole 1.5 cm deep and put 2-3 seeds in it. In the future, leave the strongest seedling, and cut off the weak shoots with scissors at soil level. After finishing sowing, moisten the soil with a spray bottle and cover the top with film.

Place the cups with seedlings on a common tray. In this case, the seedlings can be quickly moved from place to place, making watering more convenient.

Sowing tomatoes in a common container

The same principle is used for sowing into a common container, only in this case it will be necessary to follow the planting scheme so that in the future the plants do not interfere with each other:

Cut grooves on the surface of the soil at intervals of 3 cm.
In each row, the seeds are placed at a distance of 2-3 cm from each other.
The depth of the grooves should be 1-1.5 cm.
Sprinkle the crops with dry soil on top, then spray with a spray bottle and cover with film.

Before germination, the container should be in a warm place. This will speed up the seed germination process.

Not many people know how to pick tomatoes.

Whether the plants will take root in the new conditions and how large the harvest will be depends on the correctness of this task. By continuous sowing on the surface of the ground in a greenhouse, box, greenhouse or open ground. Picking tomatoes is an optional procedure. The first picking is done 2 weeks after planting the seeds in the ground. The best option is to pick after the first two true leaves appear, but there are several pitfalls here. Do I need to pinch the central root? Tomato seedlings: from germination to picking (video) In general, tall varieties are usually replanted 2 times, and low-growing ones - 1 time. At the very beginning of the process, we prepare everything necessary. Tool for diving.

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In open ground, cucumbers can be grown in a bed of vegetable waste.

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Methods of sowing and growing seeds

In vermiculite

In paper rolls

In bags

Video review Harvest vegetable garden Tatyana - when to sow tomatoes

You can sow tomato seeds at different times. Gardeners who have unheated spring greenhouses can sow the first tomato seeds at the end of January. From the video you can learn how to grow strong tomato seedlings in bags.

When determining the sowing time, be sure to take into account such characteristics of tomatoes as the ripening period.

Early ripening species for open ground can be sown from late March to mid-April. The same early varieties for spring greenhouses should be sown in February-March, mid-late and late varieties - in March.

When determining the date, you don’t have to make any adjustments to the lunar calendar. All a busy person needs is a little free time, a good mood, seeds, water and available materials. The health of seedlings is influenced not by the phase of the moon during planting, but by good care: fertilizer applied on time, watering, creating a microclimate.