In this article we will talk about how to properly plant tomatoes in open ground, discuss the timing of planting different varieties, and also find out whether the planting method can affect the yield.
When warm spring days arrive, many gardeners begin to prepare their seedlings for planting in the ground. This is a very responsible matter that requires patience and effort.
Necessary conditions for growing tomatoes
In order to get a good harvest of tomatoes in the future, you need to select seeds and plant them for seedlings. Take care of it, dive, and only then plant it in the beds. Moreover, you cannot make mistakes when planting, otherwise you may not get a big harvest of tomatoes.
Growing tomato seedlings
When and how to plant seedlings in a greenhouse or open ground in the spring?
All plants are influenced by lunar phases. Because of this, experienced gardeners monitor them and read the recommendations of the lunar calendar . This process allows you to grow vegetables and fruits that will not later be affected by diseases and will give a good result when harvested.
If you are planting tomato seedlings in a heated greenhouse, then begin work at the end of March. Tomatoes should be planted in open areas when there are no longer frosts on the soil. The favorable time is different in different regions: somewhere in mid-April, somewhere at the end of May, the first part of June. There is no single-digit period, since the weather is different every year.
What size should seedlings be for planting in the ground?
It is better to plant in open ground:
It's great if you have a greenhouse. Thanks to it, you can get a large harvest of tomatoes at the beginning of summer. Especially when the greenhouse is heated. After all, vegetable seedlings are planted in it already in early April. And on ordinary days - in the second half of April.
When planting plants, pay attention to the temperature conditions of the ground and air. The earth should warm up to 13-16°C, and the air should not be less than 21°C.
It should be noted that climatic conditions are different in different regions, so there can be no talk of uniform dates. In some places you can safely plant tomatoes in open areas at the end of April, but in others only in June.
It is necessary that during picking the seedlings undergo culling and the strongest plants are presented for planting.
Preparing the greenhouse and soil for planting tomato seedlings
Preparing tomato seedlings for planting in the ground
- After 4-5 permanent leaves appear, water less often, avoiding waterlogging and wilting of the seedlings. Overmoistening and lack of light lead to stretching of seedlings.
- About 2 weeks before planting the seedlings in the ground, we harden the seedlings. If it is in a greenhouse, then we open the greenhouse windows during the day, or take the seedlings outside in the sun during the day. The air temperature should not be lower than 18 degrees.
- 5 days before transplanting tomato seedlings into the ground, it must be sprayed with a solution of boric acid.
- After hardening the seedlings, they take root well and will withstand adversity caused by the weather.
What is the importance of proper watering of tomatoes?
Tomatoes are by no means the most moisture-loving crop; moreover, to thrive, they need fairly dry air (the plant is, in principle, quite drought-resistant), so tomatoes need to be watered on time and correctly.
Due to lack of moisture, tomatoes will lag in growth , during the flowering period they may shed their ovaries , and during the period of fruit filling they simply will not be able to gain the declared weight (especially large-fruited varieties).
And violation of the given watering regime , namely uneven watering (sometimes dry, sometimes wet, sometimes dry, sometimes wet) will certainly lead to cracking of your tomatoes .
Also, improper watering of tomatoes, namely its lack , is the main reason for curling of leaves in tomatoes . Due to lack of moisture, the plant is forced to curl its leaves to reduce the evaporation of moisture from their surface.
Actually, in the case of hot and dry air = very low humidity, as well as insufficient watering, leaf curling will be an inevitable reaction of the plant to lack of moisture.
This can be especially common when growing tomatoes in a greenhouse.
At the same time , if there is excessive watering during the period of ripening and coloring of fruits, they may take too long to ripen and/or become watery (they will not gain sugar).
Important! In addition, increased soil and air humidity are a favorable environment for the proliferation of fungal diseases, i.e. for an outbreak of the same late blight .
Thus, proper watering is the key to obtaining a high-quality tomato harvest.
Reminder! Optimal conditions for successful cultivation of tomatoes, in which the tomatoes will grow well and bear fruit abundantly:
- air temperature - +23-28 degrees during the day and not lower than +15-20 degrees at night;
- air humidity - 50-60%;
- soil moisture - 70-80%.
By the way! The site has a detailed article about the rules for growing tomatoes in a greenhouse .
At what distance between bushes should I plant tall and short tomatoes?
It’s a pity when the owner has grown the seedlings to perfection, but due to incorrect technology for planting tomatoes, the yield is not what it could be. Here it is important to choose the right scheme for planting fruit trees and carefully observe the distances between tomato bushes.
It also doesn’t hurt to take into account all the above requirements for different varieties of tomatoes. Because there are tall crops that require greater distance between rows and neighboring plants. For tomato bushes, a gap of 25-30 centimeters from each other is enough. Tall ones will need about 40 centimeters of distance and it is advisable not to let them run on the ground, but to tie them up. Also make sure that they do not intertwine with each other.
With a combined planting scheme, place tall bushes in the middle and low-growing bushes at the edges of the bed. This way you will provide convenient access to all tomatoes, it will be easier for you to water them and process them in the future.
IMPORTANT : If you plant tomatoes too close to each other, they will suffer from various diseases and infect neighboring bushes. The air between plants must pass well so that moisture does not accumulate. Dense plantings can limit the plant's light.
Scheme for planting tomatoes in open ground
Irrigation features
When developing an irrigation system, it is advisable to consider the following principles:
- Proper moisture is the basis for good yield.
- The culture does not tolerate excess or lack of moisture.
- Watering is carried out as the soil layer dries.
- Each irrigation should be plentiful, the recommended frequency is once a week, subject to dry and hot weather.
If during the period from the beginning of the formation of the ovaries to the end of the filling of the tomatoes, the bush experiences a lack of water, the flowers may fall off, and the emerging fruits will be very small. As the tomatoes grow, they will crack. Is it possible to prevent this? It is enough to follow these recommendations.
Square-cluster method of planting tomatoes: diagram
This type of planting of tomato seedlings is suitable for both low-growing plants and tall ones, where it will be important to cultivate row spacing. More precisely, keep the soil loose and remove weeds.
In this situation, each tomato bush is planted at the vertices of the corner of the square, due to which the number of seedlings in each row decreases. In this case, they do not save on the planting area, but if savings are necessary, then two or three bushes are planted as if in a nest right next to each other.
It’s good that using this scheme you can reduce the time for processing tomatoes by 15 working days and reduce labor by half. Thanks to the square planting pattern, fruit yield increases, because processing row spacing using mechanized means is not particularly difficult. Tomatoes suffer less from fungal diseases. After all, they are located at a decent distance from each other. The hole shown in the diagram is needed for high-quality watering.
Square-cluster method of planting tomatoes
Watering tomatoes in open ground - features
The watering rules common to all tomatoes are often difficult to implement in an open ground garden bed. It is easy to adhere to a clear schedule for greenhouse tomatoes, but ground tomatoes directly depend on the weather.
- Tomatoes tolerate temperatures up to 3°C only if there is sufficient soil moisture. Due to the active evaporation of moisture from the leaves, the bush itself copes with overheating.
- Excess moisture leads to outbreaks of fungal diseases, fruits crack, bushes drop flowers, ovaries and fruits. Result: the quality of the harvest is below standard, the fruits are watery and tasteless.
Tape method of planting tomatoes: diagram
If you need to plant a lot of tomatoes on one site, then it is better to choose the strip-nesting method of placing bushes. The advantage of this scheme is that nearby tomatoes are more resistant to aggressive weather factors.
With this method, the soil is cut into special furrows, the distance between which is 180-210 centimeters. Bushes are planted on opposite sides of such furrows. When plants begin to grow, they have 0.3 square meters for this. With this planting, it is easy to carry out mechanized processing of plants and destruction of weeds.
Ribbon scheme for planting tomato seedlings
Checkerboard method of planting tomatoes: diagram
The checkerboard method is ideal for low varieties of tomatoes. Such seedlings should be planted several stems per hole. Plant plants in two rows. Leave a distance between them of 55 centimeters or a little more. If the owner decides to plant the bushes in one stem, then it is better to plant the plants closer to each other. It is enough to leave a distance between rows of 35 centimeters.
Tall varieties with this scheme are planted at a distance of 45 centimeters between plants and 65 centimeters between rows.
The bushes are planted in a checkerboard pattern in strictly rows, as in the diagram in the image below. Plants in the second row are planted as if in squares on a chessboard. Just be sure to maintain row spacing to make it convenient to water and process growing tomatoes.
If you are planning a mechanical method of processing bushes, then make rows (passage between tapes) of 1.5 meters, otherwise one meter is enough.
Various tomato planting schemes
How to determine the need for irrigation?
This can be done very simply. Where you watered the soil, dig a small hole in the ground. Collect the earth in your palms and squeeze it a little in your hands. If the earthen lumps are compressed and then easily crumble, it means that the soil moisture is sufficient. If the soil is dense and absorption is slow, it can be further accelerated using garden tools.
For example, if you pick up a pitchfork and make punctures in the rows, the water will be absorbed much faster. And the result can be seen next week. The seedlings will become juicy. However, here you need to try and do this operation at least three times. Tomatoes love wet soil , and very hard soil will only worsen their condition.
Diaper method of growing tomatoes
This method is suitable for transplanting tomato plants during a dive. The picture below shows step-by-step instructions for this process.
Growing tomato seedlings from diapers - step-by-step instructions
Picking tomato seedlings
Planting tomato seedlings - two in one hole: technology
As mentioned above, two seedlings in one hole do not break off, make the plant lush, and do not interfere with each other at all. In order for the seedlings to become well established in this way, they should be planted in prepared soil.
Add 100 g of ash, 10 g of urea, 150 g of mullein, a little sawdust, 20 g of superphosphate to each hole. Then take two stems, bend them slightly and cover them with soil almost up to the top clusters of leaves, so the root system of the tomatoes will be strong. Water the plants only at the roots, try not to spray on the leaves. Plant parsley or marigold flowers next to the bushes, this way you will protect the seedlings from cabbage weed (mole cricket) and other pests.
Rules for watering tomato seedlings
There are certain rules for watering tomato seedlings:
- The soil should be moistened by 85-90%, since tomatoes, although moisture-loving, do not tolerate excess moisture. To prevent excess moisture from accumulating, drainage holes must be made at the bottom of the container.
- For irrigation, use rain or melt water at room temperature; it is better to settle or filter water from the tap.
- It is best to water the seedlings in the morning or evening.
- Moisture should not get on the leaves, otherwise burns from sunlight and disease will occur.
- You should not water the soil by spraying, as it will be difficult to assess the moisture content of the lower layers.
- It is best to pour water into a tray with seedlings. This way you can control the level of soil moisture, and a crust will never form on its surface.
- Liquid organic fertilizers are added to the water once a month.
How to properly transplant tomato seedlings into a hole: technology
If you are not an expert in vegetable growing, then don’t worry. Planting seedlings will not be difficult after these tips. One hour before the start of the process water the seedlings so that the roots do not break off when you transfer them to the beds. Also try to pull out the root of the stems along with the soil, and not tear the root system.
How to plant tomato seedlings correctly
The plant can be carefully placed in the hole on its side , so the root will be stronger. It is advisable that the seedlings be buried deeper in the ground, then in the heat the bushes will not fall to the ground until the root system is strengthened.
Rules for planting overgrown tomato seedlings
A little humus is poured into and the soil is compacted so that the plant stands and does not fall after replanting. Watering is initially carried out at the root of the plant. When the tomato bush grows, install pegs and tie the stems so that they do not spread along the ground.
If it’s already hot outside and the sun is baking in earnest, then plant seedlings in the evening , in cloudy weather ; you can plant tomatoes at any time of the day .
Planting seedlings in holes
How often to water tomato seedlings on the windowsill
The main rule is that tomatoes are moistened evenly. Alternating periods of relative drought and abundant irrigation will weaken already tender seedlings, reduce the quality of seedlings, and in the worst case, cause their death.
Watering begins immediately after sowing. Tomato seeds should be planted in moist soil, sprayed with a spray bottle, and covered with cellophane or glass. Then place in a warm place and wait for germination.
Condensation forms on the surface of the shelter, which is removed daily when ventilating containers with tomato seeds. When it is not there, then it is time to moisten the substrate. If you water improvised greenhouses too much, some or all of the seeds will rot right in the ground.
After germination
Watering tomato seedlings is carried out 3 days after germination. The spray bottle is no longer used - the moisture should not fall on the leaves, but under the root. To do this, you can take a watering can with a long spout, and when there are few seedlings, a 20 cc syringe.
Before picking, you should water the tomatoes carefully, trying to wet not all the soil, but only the grooves with the seedlings, which will reduce the risk of developing blackleg. How many times a week to do this will be determined by the condition of the substrate. It should be moistened to approximately the depth of the first phalanx of an adult's index finger.
There is no single correct, clear schedule for how to water tomatoes. In rooms with seedlings, temperature and humidity may vary.
Even purchased substrate from different manufacturers is not the same in composition and structure. It can be made on the basis of peat or treated soil, with the addition of coconut fiber, perlite, and sand. This means that the moisture capacity and drying time change. So in some conditions you will have to water every other day, in others – once a week.
A day after irrigation, the substrate between the rows is loosened with a toothpick or other convenient method. Watering tomato seedlings is done in the morning, at least before lunch, and never in the evening. The pre-picking phase of tomato development occurs at the end of winter or beginning of spring. Seedlings grown at home usually stand on the windowsill, where the temperature drops significantly at night. Evening watering can lead to the development of putrefactive processes.
Read also: What temperature is needed for tomato seedlings.
After the pick
Tomatoes are picked in the phase of 2-3 true leaves in separate containers. The substrate should be moist, but the seedlings need to be additionally watered with a small amount of warm water. This will ensure good adhesion of the spine to the ground.
Tomatoes are watered for the first time on the 5th day after picking. The vegetative phase of development begins, the crop needs a lot of water to ensure growth processes. The root goes deep and can obtain moisture not only from the upper layers of the substrate, but also from the bottom of the seedling containers. They must have drainage holes to ensure the drainage of excess water collected in the trays.
How often you need to water tomato seedlings is determined by the condition of the soil and seedlings. The average figure is 1-2 times per week.
The lower the temperature and less light the tomatoes get, the less often they moisten the soil.
Picked tomatoes, like seedlings, are best watered in the first half of the day. Especially if the temperature drops in the evening.
Chinese way of planting tomatoes: technology
The method used gives good yield. To grow good tomatoes, you need to ensure high-quality sowing; for this, observe the following features:
- Sow when the Moon is waning in the sign of Scorpio. Be sure to treat the seeds with solutions to protect them from various diseases.
- Carry out the pick in a month at the same phase of the Moon.
Seed treatment details
- First of all, soak them in a damp rag, then place them in an extract of ash substances. The process should take about three hours. Place them again in a humid environment with the manganese solution for 15 minutes.
- Now leave them for half a day in a solution with Epin. Next, harden for 24 hours in a bag on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.
- Only after all the above procedures are your seeds ready for sowing in pots with soil mixture. Before sowing, the soil should be watered with a hot solution of a mixture of water and manganese.
- To create an ideal environment for germination, the pot is covered with polyethylene, then placed in a dark place near heat sources in the room.
- After five days, the polyethylene is removed and the pots are moved closer to light sources. The plants should already appear above the surface of the earth.
- After a month, a pick is made on the waning moon. You will need to transplant the seedlings into other glasses, moisten them a little, cover them again with polyethylene and place them in a dark, warm place for three days.
- Then remove the polyethylene and transfer the glasses to the windowsill. You cannot use soil from the garden with humus - the tomatoes will not develop as expected. For seedlings, use soil from an amateur gardener's store.
- When warm spring arrives, seedlings are planted in open areas of soil. Such seedlings are very stable, and even in rainy weather they will not be affected by late blight.
IMPORTANT : After planting tomatoes in the ground, after some time, when they take root, you should remove the stepsons and arrange the plants (tie them up, point the stems up so that they do not grow on the ground).
If you are planting tall varieties, it is advisable to plant two stems in one hole. This way they won't break off. Even after rooting, get rid of the lower leaves, stepsons and excess flower brushes. Leave only the first 6-7 brushes. Otherwise, the fruits will take a long time to ripen and you won’t see large tomatoes.
Which planting method is best to use for a greenhouse and open ground: tips
Previously, various types of planting tomatoes have already been considered, both for greenhouses and open ground, taking into account the height of the plants. Therefore, the gardener himself must choose the necessary method, or rather the scheme for planting tomatoes, depending on the conditions, irrigation systems, and size of the area.
The best way to plant tomatoes is lying down.
Option for planting tomatoes lying down
The main thing is that each plant is provided with the necessary amount of sun, moisture and air circulates between the stems, so that bacteria and harmful microorganisms that lead to tomato diseases do not accumulate.
Medium-sized tomatoes are usually planted at a distance of 55 centimeters from each other. Low-growing tomatoes are planted at a distance of 45 centimeters from each other. Also leave a convenient passage between plants for watering and processing tomatoes.
Planting tomato seedlings in strong winds on the site
How to save overgrown seedlings
How to feed tomatoes in the hole during and for the first time after planting in a greenhouse or open ground?
Immediately after planting tomatoes, compost should be added to the hole to strengthen the roots; urea is used to grow the bushes. It is necessary to water the plants with a solution containing urea a week after planting the seedlings; water the tomatoes a second time with this composition (10 liters of water - 25 g of urea) two weeks later.
If tomatoes receive an overdose of compost, they may not have fruits , but the stem and leaves will be strong and dark green. The flowers will fall off.
During the development of late blight, plants are treated with copper sulfate and other preparations.
How to fertilize tomato seedlings
Feeding scheme for tomato seedlings
How to water tomatoes at different stages of development: brief features of watering
As tomato bushes grow and develop, their watering should also change.
As a rule, tomatoes are watered according to the following scheme:
- At the beginning of the growing season (from planting to flowering), it is enough to pour 2-3 liters under one bush (the approximate soil moisture should be about 70%).
- With the beginning of flowering and fruit filling (increase in size), watering will need to be increased 2-3 times, i.e. up to 5-10 liters (approximate soil moisture should already be about 80%).
Important! Lack of moisture during the flowering period can cause flowers to fall off, and during the fruiting period, tomatoes simply will not be able to gain weight.
- When the tomatoes begin to ripen and turn red, the watering rate should be reduced by half (to 3-5 liters), otherwise the tomatoes will ripen longer and become watery.
Tested by experience! The less moisture the tomatoes receive during pouring, the sweeter they are. Moreover, excessive watering can cause fruit cracking .
However, it is worth understanding that under no circumstances should you refuse to water at all during this period.
Video: how often and how much to water tomatoes
When to water tomatoes after planting them in open ground or a greenhouse for the first time?
Immediately after planting the seedlings, they should not be filled with water. One watering every few days is enough; between waterings the soil must be irrigated. The soil should not be allowed to dry out; it is advisable to moisten it regularly. For details on watering, see here .
Watering seedlings
What to do if tomatoes grow in a greenhouse?
At the same time, I’ll also mention about greenhouse tomatoes. Under these conditions, irrigation is carried out no more than once weekly, otherwise the leaves of the bushes will curl. Irrigation should be plentiful - about a bucket of liquid under each bush. The optimal water temperature is from 18 to 22 degrees. In order for moisture to quickly penetrate the soil layer, it should be pierced with a fork in several places.
After work, it is advisable to open the windows and doors to allow ventilation. Three weeks before harvest, moisture stops, which can speed up the ripening of the fruit.
These recommendations will help maintain the health of the bushes and get a bountiful harvest. I think if you share this article with your friends, they will only thank you. And don’t forget to subscribe: I will tell you a lot of interesting things, my readers.
Marina Makarova
How long does it take for tomatoes to take root after planting?
In order for the root system to strengthen and the tomatoes to get used to open ground, it takes at least about a week after transplanting. Only after this period should you water the tomatoes. And after two weeks it is necessary to carry out hilling to the entire height of the stem - but no more than 10 centimeters.
Agrotechnical techniques for planting tomato seedlings in the ground
When picking, the lower third of the main root of the plant is removed. This is done in the phase of appearance of 2-3 true leaves, no later, otherwise the plant will not take root well after picking. We deepen it within 1 cm of the cotyledon leaves. During picking, water the soil for replanting with a solution of potassium permanganate at the rate of 0.5 g per 10 liters of water. We throw out sick and weak plants.
Pinching is also very useful for the future harvest.
The benefits of pinching tomatoes
When the plant grows to 25-30 cm in height, the top is torn off so that 3-4 side shoots are formed.
Construction of a drip irrigation system in a greenhouse
The irrigation system in a greenhouse must be not only efficient, but also economical. This is exactly what drip irrigation is. The advantage of this method is that the watering process is completely automated and does not require much effort on your part. Drip irrigation will also protect tomato seedlings from late blight. And as you know, this is the most common disease in tomatoes.
Building such an irrigation system is not at all difficult. The pipes are installed according to the principle of a conventional mechanical irrigation system. In this case, water will flow to the plants through a special drip-type hose. All these hoses are connected to a water source. Drip tapes or hoses must be placed at a distance equal to the width of the row of tomatoes. If these are tall tomatoes, then the row spacing will be 1 meter, and if they are low-growing, then 40–50 cm.
This system carries out dosed watering of tomatoes. Moisture reaches the plants through special holes in the drip tape. If you place the hoses correctly, the water will penetrate directly to the roots of the tomatoes. Some people bury the tape 4–5 cm into the soil. In this case, you can be sure that the upper part of the plants will not get wet. To 100% protect the leaves from irrigation, you should turn the drip tape with the holes facing down.
Important! Due to the fact that drip irrigation is aimed specifically at watering the root system, tomatoes will not suffer from late blight in the future.
And this disease, as is known, can be caused by moisture on the upper part of the plant.
The system is installed immediately before planting tomato seeds or seedlings. First, a test run of the drippers is carried out, and only after that the hoses can be buried in the soil. A test run is also carried out so that it can be seen where the holes are, since it is in these places that we plant tomato seedlings.
If you are going to deepen the hoses, then before installation, make furrows in the ground into which you will bury the system. Next, check the hoses and plant the plants. And after that you can fill the furrows with earth. Any sealed barrel or box can be used as a watering container. A large plastic container will also work. Some, in general, do without a container and connect the system directly to the water tap.
Important! Water with a large amount of mineral salts is not suitable for drip irrigation of tomatoes, as salt particles can clog the hoses and holes.
Advantages of a drip irrigation system
Many gardeners use drip irrigation on their plots. This popularity of this method is due to several advantages:
- Economical water consumption. The liquid goes directly to the roots of the plants.
- Does not require physical effort. Watering is carried out automatically. All that is required of a person is to make the system itself and turn it on from time to time. You can even make the device fully automated. To do this, install a special timer that will count down the time and begin supplying water to the tomatoes.
- Tomatoes do not suffer from late blight. Usually, when growing tomatoes, gardeners have to spend money on preventive measures against this disease. It can appear on wet parts of plants and spread quickly. Thanks to the supply of water to the roots, the stems do not get wet, and therefore the tomatoes do not suffer from late blight. Thus, healthy plants will produce a more generous harvest. And at the same time, the vegetables will be environmentally friendly, since no chemicals were used to grow them.
- Simplified feeding process. If you are going to add any nutrient mixture to tomatoes, it is not necessary to water each plant separately. Fertilizer can simply be added to the container for supplying water to the greenhouse. Then the fertilizer will be delivered through hoses to each tomato bush.
What to do with tomato seedlings in open ground in case of frost or extreme heat?
Unfortunately, even in the last month of spring there are frosts. This negatively affects the growth of tomato seedlings and can even cause their death. To prevent this from happening, you should first cover the beds with polyethylene before frost. To do this, you need to study weather forecasts online.
Also, so that the tomatoes do not bake from the heat, they are covered with a special net, which slightly shades them from direct sunlight.
How to protect tomatoes from frost?
When planting, you can use homemade bags made of thick paper. Old wallpaper will do. It is necessary to cut a rectangle with a width of 20-25 cm according to the height of the seedlings and a length of 90-95 cm. We sew this rectangle along the width on a typewriter to make a cylinder. We strengthen the cylinder above the plant with 3 pegs. We install pegs inside the cylinder so that they tension the cylinder and thus prevent it from flying away under gusts of wind. The cylinder will protect the seedlings from wind and light frosts.
Basic rules for watering tomatoes
Water is very important for tomato seedlings. It is thanks to it that tomatoes receive the nutrients they need for growth. Improper watering can harm plants or even kill them. So you need to figure out how often you need to water tomatoes, and what features of the seedlings to take into account.
Important! In order for tomato seedlings to produce a good harvest, the soil must be 80–90% saturated with moisture.
To check the amount of moisture you do not need any complex devices. It is enough to simply take a lump of soil from the bed at a depth of about 10 cm. The lump should form easily and also easily disintegrate when pressed. If the soil is too crumbly or very dense, you need to reconsider the frequency of watering and accordingly reduce or increase the amount of water.
Water is essential for all living things and plants. Without it, nothing living could simply exist. When caring for tomatoes, you need to take into account the age of the seedlings, as well as the characteristics of the soil. In this case, you must follow some rules:
- Overwatering can cause the soil to become too compact. Stagnant water also threatens to increase soil acidity.
- The amount of water must be calculated so that it lasts until the evening of the next day. It is better to water the plant again later as needed than to pour too much at once.
- You can determine when it is time to water the seedlings by looking at the surface of the soil around the plants. If it is darker than the soil in the garden bed, then there is enough moisture for now. If it is completely dry and the soil has become a uniform color, then it is time to water the tomatoes.
- Within a day, the soil should dry completely. If this does not happen, and the soil near the tomatoes is wet and dense, then the amount of water for irrigation must be reduced.
In order for tomatoes to feel comfortable after planting in the ground, you need to strictly follow the watering rules. But at the same time, they may differ depending on where and how the tomato seedlings grew. Therefore, when buying young seedlings, you should ask the seller about the conditions under which they were grown. For those who prepare tomato seedlings themselves, it will be easier for them to choose the right care for the sprouts. Seedlings that grew in a warm room or greenhouse need hardening. To do this, boxes with tomatoes are taken outside before planting so that they can get used to the wind and direct sunlight.
Advice! Hardening is very important, because without it, tomatoes will get sick when faced with new conditions.
The amount and abundance of watering directly depends on the following factors:
- quality of seedlings;
- physical characteristics of the soil;
- weather.
Unhardened tomato seedlings will need shading for the first time after planting. Such sprouts require less moisture since they are not exposed to the scorching sun. After transplanting into open ground, hardened seedlings are watered once a day. One tomato bush will need approximately 2-3 liters of water. The best time for watering is morning. In this case, before the heat sets in, the plant will receive the necessary nutrients and will be able to cope with the high temperature. If the soil is completely dry by evening, the plants can be watered again; now one sprout will only need 1–2 liters of water.
Important! Remember that too much water will make the soil too dense and the seedlings will not be able to get the oxygen they need. The soil should be slightly moist, not wet.
Why tomatoes die after planting in the ground: reasons
Like all living things, tomatoes tend to get sick. The development of various diseases can be influenced by environmental factors.
Fungal diseases can spoil not only the foliage, but also the root system of the tomato. The fungus is caused by:
- Late blight . Appears on the foliage as dark brown spots. It penetrates the plant through air masses and soil. If you treat the seeds with potassium permanganate, you will significantly reduce the risk of all sorts of diseases.
- Blackleg disease affects the tomato stem itself. Then it is destroyed. To prevent the soil from becoming a pathogen, treat it with copper sulfate even before planting seedlings.
- Leaf spot (white). With this disease, the stem acquires a brown tint. Again, treating the soil with potassium permanganate saves you from disease.
- The roots of the plant are affected by fusarium wilt if the soil and tomato seeds are not disinfected when planting them.
If you do not follow all the subtleties of growing tomatoes, then the plants are affected by viral infections (mosaic, aspermia, etc.). It is very difficult to treat such diseases, but they can be prevented. It is enough to follow all the rules for planting tomatoes and processing seeds and plants.
