Advantages of drip irrigation in a greenhouse
Arrangement of watering tomatoes in a greenhouse using the drip irrigation method has a number of advantages and disadvantages, namely:
- Water saving - water consumption will be significantly optimized, water only waters the root system space.
- Labor savings - watering occurs automatically. The whole task of a person is to build it and periodically turn it on and off. For complete automation, you can install a programmable device that will release water through drip hoses at specified hours.
- Lack of late blight in drip irrigation beds. The spread of this disease usually occurs through wet green parts of plantings. Avoiding wet stems and leaves will ensure healthy tomatoes without the use of herbicides. The consequence of plant health will be an increase in yield and an improvement in its quality. Tomatoes not treated with chemical protection agents will produce an environmentally friendly tomato harvest.
- Refusal to use chemical methods of protection in the fight against late blight. If necessary, plants can be fertilized through a drip irrigation system by adding a nutrient solution to a common container, from which water flows through hoses.
Automated irrigation systems
When installing a controller (timer), the system is fully automated. That is, it will not be controlled by a person by turning a crane, but by special equipment. At the specified time, it will turn the water on and off.
Automatic watering timer
Large enterprises install systems with a high degree of automation - such devices are capable of monitoring soil moisture, ambient temperature and even humidity.
To install automatic watering on a private property or in a country house, it is enough to purchase a simple device that allows you to set up watering at a given period of time. That is, at a certain time the tap will open and water will be supplied to the system. After it expires, watering stops.
Installation of such equipment is not difficult. The timer, equipped with fitting couplings on both sides, is inserted anywhere in the pipeline. It can also be connected to a pump to control water intake.
System installation
Tomatoes die from late blight, which occurs due to excess moisture; they grow poorly and set on dry soil. Having installed drip irrigation in the greenhouse, you need to hope for a harvest of large and red vegetables. The arrangement process consists of stages:
- Laying hoses along the intended location for seedlings or seeds.
- Connection to water supply.
- Adjustment of jet height and distance between dropper holes.
Watch a video on how to make drip irrigation yourself.
Tall varieties of crops are placed a meter apart from each other; only the roots are watered, without affecting the leaves and stems of the plant. Before installing the system, do a test run. Seeds are placed in wet holes and if the irrigation is functioning normally, the hoses are placed in the hole and covered with soil. Water can come directly from the tap or be poured into a container made from a container or box.
Planting tomatoes
Tomato seeds are treated in a solution of potassium permanganate or salt and sprayed with a special preparation that contains beneficial microorganisms. Such actions can prevent plant disease.
The seeds are lowered to a depth of 2 cm into the soil, lightly pressed down and sprinkled with earth. When the bush is low, the distance between seedlings should be no more than half a meter.
Advantages of drip irrigation of tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse
The costs of arranging irrigation will be repaid by the harvest of sweet and juicy tomatoes. Large shiny fruits will delight you with their aroma and unique taste. When drip irrigation in a greenhouse occurs, warm and soft water will flow from the barrel to the roots of the plant. This method of irrigation eliminates the appearance of late blight, since it forms on wet leaves and stems. With this method, the above-ground part remains dry, and the roots of the tomatoes are saturated with moisture.
The advantages of drip irrigation of tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse include:
- reducing water consumption;
- possibility of programming irrigation time;
- no chemical treatment.
If you install an automatic device, the system will turn off on its own and restart after a certain period of time.
Hydration rules
Some gardeners often do not know how many times a week it is better to turn on drip watering of tomatoes in a greenhouse. People start to worry when they realize that something is wrong with the plant:
- leaves become stained;
- the stem dries up;
- the root rots;
- there are no flowers or ovaries.
This phenomenon is observed if the crop is affected by late blight. This happens both with frequent moisture and with a lack of irrigation.
The rate of drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse depends on the stage of their development:
- The soil under the seedlings is only sprayed.
- Before starting the dive, the land is not irrigated for 2 days, after the process - for three days.
- Seedlings in pots are placed in moist soil.
- The seedling container must have drainage.
- For an adult plant in a greenhouse, two waterings per week are sufficient.
The most useful way to irrigate tomatoes is to use rainwater. It heats up in the sun, has less salts, and cold watering often ends in the death of the bush.
The time for drip watering of tomatoes in a greenhouse must be found in the morning. The container in which rainwater is stored must be covered with a lid, since evaporation will lead to excess moisture. Because of this, the leaves will begin to curl and turn yellow, and the ovary will begin to crumble. Summer residents grow various vegetables in greenhouses and open ground. Cabbage needs a lot of water. Drip watering of cucumbers should be done much more often than tomatoes.
During the period of planting tomatoes, the bushes are irrigated every day, but so that the roots do not rot, which often happens if water stagnation occurs. When the crop enters the active growth phase, the soil is moistened once a week. If fruit sets, the plant is watered twice as often. When tomatoes ripen, the roots are irrigated after 10 days.
Drip watering of flowers will not interfere with any of their species; it is most suitable for those growing in large pots or tubs. The system is easy to construct with your own hands.
Share your experience of watering tomatoes in. And also watch a video about automating irrigation on the site.
Types of irrigation organization
How to water tomatoes in a greenhouse? There are several ways to organize watering tomatoes in a greenhouse:
Manual
This method is most suitable for small buildings . Using simple devices - watering cans or hoses - water is poured strictly to the root .
When watering with a hose, water often comes from a well and a water supply system, so there is a danger of hypothermia of the roots . The disadvantage of watering with a hose is the inability to control the amount of liquid per plant.
It is more advisable to organize manual watering from a watering can with settled water . To do this, it is better to place a barrel next to the greenhouse, which is filled with water in advance to heat it.
ATTENTION. If a barrel of water is placed directly in the greenhouse, be sure to cover it with a lid or plastic wrap. An open container of water in a greenhouse creates excessive air humidity, which is harmful for tomatoes.
Drip
Its organization is effective in large greenhouses , since manual watering in this case requires a lot of time and effort. It is better to simplify it by building a drip irrigation system in the greenhouse. The advantages of such irrigation are obvious:
- water goes directly to the roots without evaporating from the surface and without increasing air humidity;
- eliminates the risk of water droplets getting on the leaves, stems and flowers of plants;
- watering can be carried out at any convenient time;
- the soil is not washed away and does not become salty.
In order to organize drip irrigation of tomatoes, a special system is installed in the greenhouse to ensure the flow of moisture through special pipes to the roots . Such a system can be purchased ready-made in specialized stores or installed independently. The advantage of such watering is the additional possibility of fertilizing plants.
If it is not possible to build a drip irrigation system, you can use a very original and simple method - drip watering tomatoes in a greenhouse using plastic bottles. To do this, bottles with holes are dug into the ground next to the tomato bushes with their necks upside down. Water is poured into a bottle and gradually flows through small holes to the roots. Since one tomato plant in a greenhouse requires up to 5 liters per watering, it is better to use plastic bottles of the appropriate size.
Another option for homemade drip irrigation is to dig a tube into the ground, onto which the bottle is placed upside down. A hole is made in the bottom to fill in water. The filled bottle gradually delivers water through the tube to the roots.
Auto
Most often, this method is used in industrial greenhouses , since at the household level its cost is too high. But if the owner can afford such a structure on his site, then its use is most optimal .
Installation and operation
Despite the differences in application, there are many similarities in the installation of drip irrigation devices.
Before installing a drip system in a greenhouse as the main method of irrigation, you must carefully study the rules for installation and use of the structure. Proper connection guarantees long and uninterrupted operation of the drip irrigation system.
First, let's look at the connections of a catif type device.
Before watering tomatoes in a greenhouse, you should secure the device in the hose yourself. This is done as follows: holes of the required diameter with necessarily smooth edges are cut in the hose. Next, proceed to the installation of the droppers themselves. Installation requires sufficient effort. It is necessary to achieve a tight fit of the tube, so it is better to entrust this work to strong male hands. After installation in all holes, the irrigation system is ready for use.
Supertyphoid is established in the same way. The tube, which will be responsible for the flow of water to the tomatoes, is placed on the outlet of the device. A special end, designed to direct the flow of water to the required place, is put on one side of the tube. It is placed in the soil near the plant that needs to be watered. The kit includes a special holder used if the additional tube is too long.
An important advantage of the supertif type dripper is the presence of a special device for branching water flows in 4 different directions. Three tubes with special tips installed on such a device will allow you to water 4 tomato bushes at once at the same time.
Features and Benefits
The use of drippers for irrigation allows you to ensure uniform flow and movement of water at any point in the system by creating the same pressure. You can set the volume of water that flows from the structures yourself.
The droppers are placed directly next to the beds, so the liquid is directed in even streams directly to the roots.
Installing such a system in a greenhouse with your own hands is not an insurmountable task and does not require special skills and abilities. Using the system in greenhouse conditions solves the problem of weed removal due to the direction of water flows strictly for their intended purpose.
For long and trouble-free operation of the system, the liquid must be cleaned using a filter.
Drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse as an irrigation method has evolved from devices built into the hose to droppers that are located inside the hose. These are so-called compensation systems that make it possible to organize irrigation in areas with difficult terrain.
The main types of drippers today are catif and supertif. Their differences are that catif is used in elastic hoses with a wall thickness not exceeding 1.5 cm, and supertif allows you to organize high-precision watering of several bushes using a special device for branching water flows.
Rules for drip irrigation of tomatoes
The sale of vegetable crops is now very common in the consumer market. Planting and growing tomatoes is especially revered among farmers. But, like any plant, the bush requires proper care and attention; crops are especially in dire need of irrigation. Drip irrigation of tomatoes is one of the most effective irrigation systems, which allows you to correctly and timely add the necessary moisture to the soil and supply vegetables with nutrients.
Rules for drip irrigation of tomatoes
Description of the method
The advantage of the method is its functionality; it not only irrigates the soil, but also frees you from the grueling manual application of liquid into the soil. Another benefit is the fact that with the help of drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse, you can do the work twice as fast, while the water gets to all the beds in the right quantity. With the help of such a system it is very easy to maintain the required watering regime.
If you grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, drip irrigation is the best solution for you, just like in open ground. The system is designed to water vegetable crops, house plants, and flowers in the garden. Thanks to the automatic watering system, water is distributed only to the necessary plants, which prevents the growth of weeds.
Rules for crop irrigation
In order for drip irrigation of tomatoes to bring the expected benefits, you should follow the general irrigation recommendations when growing vegetable crops in a greenhouse. Tomato species grow well in moist soil, but the air must be dry. Therefore, it is not recommended to aerate the soil immediately after irrigation - these manipulations will dry it out and will not have the desired effect. The best way would be to fertilize the soil with freshly cut grass; such actions will retain moisture.
Rules for adding liquid:
- You should water under the root system, the main thing is to make sure that you do not wash the rhizome with your actions;
- to avoid diseases, try to prevent the leaves and stems from getting wet in the greenhouse, as this may create excessive humidity;
- all water procedures should be carried out in the morning;
- the liquid must be heated to 22-24 °C;
- improper care can lead to excessive evaporation of moisture through the leaves, which will lead to the death of the plant;
- vegetable crops require abundant but not frequent application of liquid to avoid dampness and suppuration.
It is optimal to carry out the water procedure several times a week. For each bush you will need about 4 liters of water.
Irrigation systems
You can make a drip irrigation system yourself
Dripper systems for watering vegetables can be of different types.
- Katif is a device for irrigation on an industrial scale, made from a hose with an elastic structure, the width of the walls should be no more than 15 mm.
- Supertif is an external dripper with a flow rate of up to 2 liters per hour, which is designed for irrigating several beds at once. Such a device can be installed on steep slopes and not worry about excess fluid consumption.
- Also, in your personal garden, you can do without any devices and make a system with your own hands, for example, with plastic bottles. To do this, you need to take a bottle, make several holes in it with an awl at a distance of 3-4 cm from the bottom and dig the container to a depth of 10-12 cm upside down between the plants.
- Automatic irrigation system Signor Tomato - drip tape, which is designed for 100 m of beds. It runs on a battery and does not require recharging with electricity because it is powered by the sun.
With each of these systems it is quite easy to maintain the irrigation regime, which is so necessary for growing shrubs and mature crops.
Katif and Supertif
The method of installation and operation of Katif and Supertif droppers is very similar. In order to make an irrigation system, we will need to insert droppers into the hose with our own hands:
- make holes of the required size;
- make sure that the holes are level;
- make sure that all the tubes fit well into the holes.
A distinctive feature of the Supertif installation is that the hose is inserted onto special supports and located around the perimeter of the garden. Such a system is capable of watering tomatoes in four directions at once. Depending on how much water you need for irrigation, you can choose devices with different capacities.
Installing a homemade dropper
To make an eco-sprinkler for tomatoes in open or closed ground, you can use ordinary plastic bottles. In this case, you will do without automation and save a lot of money.
Types of drippers for irrigation
An automatic drip irrigation system consists of hoses (sleeves), containers, adapters, controllers (optional) and a dropper system. It is through the last element that water seeps into the plant. There are several types of droppers:
- External devices. The dropper is attached to the outside of the hose. It passes water through itself, regulating the pressure. You can independently adjust the device to allow liquid to pass drop by drop (water flow rate 3-6 liters per hour) or in a trickle (up to 20 liters per hour). You can stop the flow of fluid completely by closing the dropper cap. Non-adjustable external sprinklers are available for sale. Water passes through them by gravity. Such devices are used in small areas.
- Submersible drippers. A plastic hollow pin (peg) is stuck into the ground. Water flows from the hose through a flexible tube into a “peg”, from where it directly seeps into the soil to a depth of 10-20 cm. Water consumption ranges from 1 to 2.2 liters per hour. Up to 4 submersible drippers can extend from one point on the hose, which allows you to nourish several plants.
In a small garden you can do without drippers; just lay a special tape with holes in it on the beds with tomatoes.
Will this method work for cucumbers?
It is necessary to water cucumbers correctly so that they grow intensively and produce a bountiful harvest. Cucumbers love high air humidity and high air temperatures. The roots do not absorb water from the soil well and, if there is too much water in the ground, they rot and die.
This is why watering cucumbers through plastic bottles is so important. Especially if gardeners cannot live in the country all the time, and cucumbers are rather capricious plants that constantly require moisture. When there is a lack of moisture, the leaves of cucumbers curl and bend.
Cucumbers are very moisture-loving, so use 5-liter bottles to water them. Also, for watering cucumbers, it is better to place bottles horizontally so that there are a large number of holes.
Watering through plastic bottles helps the growth of new roots in the bushes, since they grow deep into the soil when searching for water. Because of this, cucumber yields increase and their ripening season is extended.
If, when planting cucumber seedlings, you want them to grow more intensively and become stronger, then add nutritional yeast to the water. But the crop also requires watering from a watering can, since cucumbers love high humidity in the soil and air.
Hanging bottles
Not everyone likes this method:
- hanging containers and devices for hanging them clutter the greenhouse space;
- dripping water erodes the soil near the roots;
- water gets on the leaves and there is a danger of sunburn;
- there is damp soil around the roots and weeds grow;
- The humidity level in the greenhouse increases, creating the preconditions for late blight disease.
It is recommended to hang bottles very close to the ground to reduce negative effects.
Hanging bottles
General recommendations for soil moisture
It will be useful for inexperienced gardeners to watch a video on how to properly water tomatoes. But not every dacha has the opportunity to watch a video at the moment when you need to water the tomatoes in the greenhouse. Therefore, it would not hurt for beginners in gardening to have a small reminder with them on how to water seedlings and moisten tomatoes in a greenhouse:
- Moistening the soil under the seedlings is done by spraying, trying not to get water on the plants;
- There is no need to water the tomatoes 2 days before picking;
- planting seedlings in seedling pots is done in moist soil; after picking, the tomatoes are not watered for another 3 days;
- planting and growing seedlings involves abundant soil moisture once a week;
- pots for seedlings must have good drainage so that excess liquid does not linger in the ground;
- when seedlings are planted in a permanent growing place in a greenhouse, you need to ensure that there is dry air in the shelter and the soil is moderately moist;
- It is enough to water tomatoes in a greenhouse 2 times a week.
If such a reminder is located in the greenhouse, the question of how often to water plants at different stages of growth can always be quickly refreshed in memory.
How often should you water tomatoes in open ground?
Watering tomatoes in open ground is not as easy a procedure as it might seem at first glance. This matter has its own characteristics and nuances. Tomatoes love warmth and sunlight, but not heat!
Watering frequency
The frequency of watering a tomato plant outdoors depends on how quickly it dries out. You need to moisturize it abundantly, once a week - this will be enough, provided that there is no rain. If there is any precipitation, you need to do this less often. There should be enough liquid in the ground after the start and before the tomato stops pouring. If you do not water tomatoes in open ground on time, they will become small, and even worse, they may even fall off the ovaries. They don’t need to be irrigated often, but the main thing is to do it correctly.
And when the tomatoes have developed and grown, the lack of moisture in them can cause them to crack.
After planting, tomatoes do not need to be moistened frequently.
In open ground there is also no need to pour water often. The right thing to do is to do this less often, but with plenty of water. This is the basic rule that must be followed immediately after planting. But if it is done often and in small portions, this is not correct, and besides, such watering can negatively affect the fruits.
If there is intense heat during the day, it is better to water the tomatoes after it subsides, literally before sunset. Since at night the liquid is well absorbed by the root system of the plant.
By the appearance of the plant, you can determine with the naked eye whether it has enough moisture. If it is deficient, the leaves will become darker and wilted. When the fruits begin to set, the amount of water when watering will need to be increased.
The best way to water
This method is very easy to set up with your own hands. Plastic bottles will make your life easier. When using this method, productivity increases. It also has a beneficial effect on the preservation of fruits and plants from the disease blossom end rot. It will be correct if you add literally two or three pinches of ash per ten liters of liquid to the water for irrigation. Also, for a good harvest, you can sprinkle the ground around the plants with ash.
If you find a hard crust on the surface of the earth, be sure to loosen it immediately. This often happens after heavy watering or after a rainstorm. And if there is mulch of cut grass on the ground near your plants, then it is not necessary to loosen the soil every time.
When watering, the stream of water should be directed to the place where the plant is planted, that is, at the root. Never direct liquid onto leaves or fruit. If droplets of water remain on the leaves, this will damage them. As a result, late blight spores can germinate.
Tap water is very hard and can affect the acid balance and soil temperature. You can water in the morning, the main thing is to monitor the water temperature.
What water to water
What kind of water to water the tomatoes also plays an important role. After planting plants in open ground, water them every week, once or twice. A sufficient quantity is approximately five liters for one bush. The most ideal option for watering tomatoes is rainwater.
Gardeners recommend infusing water for irrigation in containers, and then adding fertilizers in the form of manure or weeds. This will make the water much softer.
Video “Watering tomatoes”
In the recording, an experienced gardener talks about the proper watering of tomatoes grown in open ground.
plodovie.ru
Signs of excess and lack of moisture
Tomatoes are moisture-loving plants, but they can be drought tolerant. During the growth period, seedlings are watered abundantly, but before flowering and fruiting, the amount of water must be reduced to prevent plant rotting.
You can determine whether seedlings receive enough water by external signs. Lack of moisture will affect the condition of the foliage: the tips of the upper leaves will begin to dry out and curl.
Excessive irrigation will cause the plant to rot. This process can be recognized at the initial stage by the lower part of the stem and foliage. Experts recommend immediately stopping watering the seedlings or reducing water consumption to a minimum.
During the period of fruit ripening, due to the large amount of moisture, tomatoes may begin to crack, which will make the plant susceptible to various diseases. Excessive water content in the root system can lead to late blight, a disease that can destroy the entire crop.
Rules for watering tomatoes after planting in a greenhouse
Tomatoes in a greenhouse especially need moisture to absorb nutrients dissolved in the soil. First, let's talk about the rules and subtleties of watering: what humidity and temperature of water, soil and air are comfortable for tomatoes so that they grow healthy and produce a generous harvest.
Temperature-humidity regime
The watering regime for tomatoes in greenhouses, especially polycarbonate ones, largely depends on the temperature and humidity of the soil and air
It is also important to properly regulate the temperature of the irrigation water.
Soil and air humidity
The optimal conditions for growing tomatoes in a greenhouse are:
- soil moisture at 90%,
- air humidity is about 50%.
It is these conditions of soil and air humidity that will ensure normal growth and development of the tomato plant, as well as protection from various fungal diseases.
Air temperature
To ensure the best development of tomato plants in protected ground, it is important to regulate the air temperature:
- during the day – no higher than +20- +25 ˚C,
- at night – not lower than +17- +19 ˚C.
The influence of high temperatures on the development of tomatoes:
- If the temperature in a greenhouse with tomatoes rises to +28 ˚C, this can cause very active plant growth processes, and accelerated and often ugly formation of the ovary will occur.
- If the temperature reaches +30 ˚C, the tomatoes may stop blooming completely, and the pollen itself will become fertile; at this temperature, ovary shedding is often observed.
- At temperatures in the greenhouse of +40˚C, tomato plants may die.
Therefore, it is so important to maintain the optimal temperature in the greenhouse with tomatoes, including through proper and timely watering. ______________________________________________________________
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Soil temperature
The soil temperature in the greenhouse where tomatoes are grown is no less important than the air temperature.
- If the soil temperature suddenly drops to +10 ˚C, the tomatoes will poorly absorb moisture, and, consequently, the nutrients dissolved in it, and the process of complex plant starvation will begin.
- If the soil temperature in the greenhouse drops to +5˚C, the tomato bushes may begin to wilt and eventually die.
On the other hand, overheating the soil in polycarbonate and film greenhouses with tomatoes is also dangerous |
— If the soil temperature rises above +28 ˚C, the root system will lose the ability to absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil, and the process of complex starvation of tomatoes will begin, accompanied by withering of the plants.
Water temperature
Correctly selected water temperature for watering tomatoes will allow plants to better absorb nutrients, reduce stress and prevent damage from fungal diseases.
- Do not water tomatoes with ice water or cold water - this can lead to plant stress and cause complete inhibition in their development, literally stupor.
- Water the tomatoes with water heated to just above room temperature - approx. +23- +24 ˚C.
Required microclimatic indicators
How to water correctly, the frequency and volume of water must be determined based on the microclimatic conditions of the greenhouses. The air in summer has a humidity of approximately 60 to 80%. Only on very hot days can the humidity be lower and reach 40%. During summer showers alternating with hot weather, air humidity can approach 90%.
If watering of tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse is not organized correctly, then the humidity can significantly exceed the permissible value, which has a detrimental effect on the tomatoes. The peculiarity of tomatoes is that their above-ground part prefers dry air, and the roots require a sufficient amount of water to ensure the growth of stems. Therefore, optimal conditions should be created in the greenhouse by choosing the correct irrigation regime.
An excess amount of water, which forms stagnation at the level of the root system of tomatoes, causes rotting of the roots. But if there is not enough water in the soil, the foliage becomes dehydrated, causing the plants to overheat, which can lead to the death of the entire bush.
Note! If tomato leaves curl relative to the central vein, forming a kind of “boat,” then this is a clear sign of insufficient soil moisture. .
The calculation of the number of tomato waterings in a greenhouse is carried out in such a way that they provide ninety percent soil moisture and 50% air humidity. This ratio allows the bushes to develop normally, and at the same time, protects the plant from infection by fungal bacteria. To maintain an optimal microclimate in the greenhouse, tomatoes are watered every 3-7 days, based on the level of temperature and air humidity.
When irrigating tomatoes, it should be taken into account that each bush needs 4-5 liters of water, which should only flow into the soil to the root system of the plant, and so that drops do not fall on the foliage. On a sunny day, a drop of water acts as a lens, projecting the sun's ray and increasing its power many times over, causing a leaf burn. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out irrigation early in the morning or in the evening, so that the moisture has time to be absorbed into the soil without creating a greenhouse effect during evaporation.
Remember! Watering tomatoes with cool water stresses the plant. The optimal water temperature for irrigation should be no less than +23–+24 degrees.
See also
Description of the tomato variety Axiom f1, its advantages and cultivationRead
Why the watering regime is different - the subtleties of the structure of a tomato
Experienced summer residents have long noted one pattern - the watering regime for tomatoes is strikingly different from the agricultural technology for growing the same cucumbers. Why? It's all about the deep differences in the structure of these plants. So, let's look at the basic anatomy of a tomato:
- The root system of this representative of the nightshade family has a tap structure. This means that a tomato has deep roots in the ground and can draw moisture from further layers of soil than, for example, a cucumber. Thanks to this feature, the tomato can be content with rare but very abundant watering.
- Tomato leaves are smaller than cucumber leaves, which means less moisture evaporation when grown. In addition, tomato leaves are characterized by an uneven surface; they are completely covered with hairs to retain moisture and effectively regulate the temperature of the plant.
- Tomato fruits have a glossy, smooth surface and thin skin. Because of this, they crack easily with sudden changes in watering regime.
The agricultural technology for growing different varieties of tomato is different.
How to water tomatoes correctly
Tomatoes will develop if the soil underneath is moist and the air is dry. Therefore, watering methods in which a stream of water is sprayed over a long distance are not suitable for them. Drip irrigation is ideal for tomatoes, since it follows the basic rules of plant care. Other rules worth considering:
- Regardless of the planting location, water the tomatoes at the root, but the soil should not be washed away;
- make sure that between waterings the foliage does not sag or curl, and that it remains dry during the procedure;
- It is best to water the plants in the morning;
- on cool days, heat the water, and on hot days its temperature should be about 23 degrees;
- uneven watering leads to evaporation of moisture and an increase in temperature in the greenhouse; in open ground it is less dangerous;
- During fruiting, watering should be plentiful and infrequent.
Ideal water for irrigation is collected during rains, but during drought it is almost impossible to stock up on it, so you can use regular or settled water. Tomatoes do not need to be moistened often; watering 1-2 times a week is ideal; in hot weather it is advisable to increase the amount of water.
20 days before harvest, watering should be reduced so that the fruits turn red faster. The soil must be loosened so that the water goes down to the roots. Loosening immediately after watering is prohibited; it is better to do this before the soil is moistened. In the greenhouse, after watering, it is necessary to open all the windows so that the humidity does not increase.
Features of watering tomatoes in a greenhouse
The main distinguishing feature of tomatoes from other plants is that root watering is more suitable for them. Therefore, in the greenhouse they try to prevent the air from becoming waterlogged so that there is no moisture on the bushes.
Water should not get on the leaves and fruits.
Now let's look at the features of watering under different conditions and for different methods.
At different stages of development
The first important irrigation recommendations depend on the tomato growth stages. Each will have its own differences, which are very important for a healthy plant.
- When planting, tomato seedlings need to be watered generously: up to 5 liters of water per hole. After this, the plants are left for 1-1.5 weeks to take root.
- Subsequently, active growth of seedlings begins. During this period, the frequency of watering tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse, greenhouse made of frames or other material will be 2 times a week. Up to 3 liters of water is poured under each bush.
- The frequency of watering during flowering is reduced to once every 7 days, but the abundance is increased to 5 liters. As soon as the ovaries appear, they again switch to 2 times a week, but slightly reduce the abundance.
- The next stage begins when the tomatoes begin to turn red. During the ripening of fruits and during the fruiting period, they switch to the watering regime once every 7 days. The amount of water also needs to be reduced to prevent cracking of the fruit.
Depending on the watering method
The usual method is based on the use of a hose or a simple bucket and ladle. The hose needs to be moved around the greenhouse, which often leads to mechanical damage to the bushes. Therefore, this must be done very carefully and carefully.
The bucket and ladle is a fairly convenient and simple method, but in this case you need to carry the container with liquid a lot and constantly bend over. However, it is difficult to do without this method during fertilizing.
Advantages of drip irrigation:
Moisture comes directly under the roots and does not evaporate
Which is very important, since the air humidity in the greenhouse does not increase. Water does not get on leaves, stems and fruits
Watering can be set up in advance and carried out at any convenient time. In the beds, the soil is not washed away and it is prevented from becoming salty. For small greenhouses and in the absence of funds for drip irrigation, you can use ordinary plastic bottles
The lids are removed and the bottom is cut off, after which one is buried at each bush with the neck up. Watering is done directly into the bottles. The water is distributed evenly and goes directly to the roots of the plants.
For small greenhouses and in the absence of funds for drip irrigation, you can use ordinary plastic bottles. The lids are removed and the bottom is cut off, after which one is buried at each bush with the neck up. Watering is done directly into the bottles. The water is distributed evenly and goes directly to the roots of the plants.
One of the most convenient is the channel irrigation method. To do this, grooves are made around all the beds or the beds are organized higher in advance. A plastic hose with holes is placed in them or water is simply poured evenly.
Depending on the weather
In hot weather, you need to be especially careful that drops of water do not fall on the leaves and stems of plants. This can cause burns and further death. You can choose any time for watering, but it is better to do it in the middle of the day, since the temperature of the water and soil will be approximately the same. This factor is very important for tomatoes.
If it is cold, raining or in cloudy weather, it is recommended to water in the morning before lunch. After which the greenhouse must be ventilated so that all excess moisture evaporates during the day. Otherwise, there will be a high risk that the plant roots will begin to rot. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to carry out these procedures in the evening.
Video: Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse
An extensive video lesson from the channel “Garden, vegetable garden with your own hands”, which provides complete information on how to properly water tomatoes in a greenhouse - how much water and how to determine the need for watering.
How to make drip irrigation with your own hands from plastic bottles?
If you like to grow vegetables and other crops in a greenhouse or in open ground, then you probably know what an important part of plant care is irrigation. The soil needs to be moistened, and besides the usual standard watering, for example, from a hose, there are other, more effective methods. We are talking about organizing drip irrigation
We are talking about organizing drip irrigation
What is most important is that the water goes directly to the plants, not cool, straight from the well. And heated by the sun's rays, gradually feeding the bush
We are talking about organizing drip irrigation. What is most important is that the water goes directly to the plants, not cool, straight from the well. And heated by the sun's rays, gradually feeding the bush.
Of course, you can purchase a special system, buy cones for watering, connect everything to the water supply system and sunbathe in peace on the lawn. However, such a purchase will not cost you a lot, so we recommend using available materials. Plastic bottles have been and remain a faithful assistant to the summer resident. We have already told you how to make flowers from plastic bottles.
Now comes the turn of more practical actions, namely do-it-yourself drip watering from plastic bottles for cucumbers. This cost-free watering option for a dacha has helped more than one hundred summer residents save their harvest. After all, in the summer the sun can be merciless; gardeners and gardeners come to the aid of ingenuity and simple recipes from the “do it yourself” category.
There are several options for organizing watering using plastic bottles. Moreover, containers can be of different volumes - from 1.5 liters to 5 liters. Accordingly, water will flow out of one and a half liter bottles faster than from five liter bottles. It all depends on the hole you make in the container - the thinner it is, the better.
Option 1. The container is buried next to the plant
Everything ingenious is simple. This is exactly what this drip irrigation system is about. Here, too, there are 2 options - the hole is made either in the bottom or in the cap of the bottle. The hole should be thin so that the water does not drain out quickly. It really can pour out in a couple of hours.
Therefore, without wasting time, bury the bottle either bottom or neck down. Depending on the location of the hole. There is one small trick - you also need to make a hole on the opposite side of the bottle so that the water is pushed out with the help of air, and the bottle does not shrink.
There can be as many of these buried bottles as you have in your garden bed. This method is suitable not only for cucumbers, but also for peppers, tomatoes, eggplants and other moisture-loving crops. The main thing is that the roots of the plant are not too long and thin. Also make sure that the part of the bottle that is in the ground is located above the root system and feeds it with water.
Another modification of using this method is to drop the bottle upside down and cut off the bottom to make it easier to fill with water.
Option 2. A container with several holes buried in the ground
Make several holes in the bottle (about 10) and dig the container 2/3 into the ground.
Place the bottle between two plants for more efficient irrigation.
Option 3. Hanging bottle watering
In order to organize drip irrigation in a greenhouse using plastic bottles with your own hands, you can use this method.
You will need a structure to hold the water bottle on. For example, a crossbar between two sticks can serve as a support for attaching bottles. Make a hole in the lid and hang the bottle over the plant.
Also, the design can be individual for each bush.
In the same way, you can make a watering system from cut bottles to make it convenient to pour water.
Option 4. Watering using nozzles
Gardening stores sell a special nozzle in the form of a tip, which is attached instead of a lid.
The nozzle should be stuck into the ground, so there is no need to make any holes in the lid. This method is also used for watering indoor plants.
Features of watering tomatoes in open ground
We water tomatoes in open ground rarely, but abundantly - about twice a week. How to water tomatoes in hot weather? Here it is customary to proceed from the climatic characteristics of the area, since in different regions the heat occurs at different times. Seedlings just planted in the beds need moist soil, so they should be watered more often. We adhere to the same regime when setting tomato fruits. And in between, we water as usual - twice a week.
As in greenhouse conditions, tomatoes in open ground do not like “soul”. So you only need to water the spaces between the rows of plants, avoiding moisture getting on the leaves and stems. As for the water, it must be heated, ideally to the temperature of the soil. For example, if the earth has warmed up to +24⁰, then the water temperature should be approximately the same.
When to water tomatoes? Early morning or evening, before sunset. In hot weather, it is better to postpone watering, but in cloudy weather, watering time does not matter. After all, in the absence of sun, moisture cannot evaporate before it is absorbed into the soil. Watering should be alternated with loosening - tomato roots need access to air.
Useful video
You can see the organization of simple and effective watering of tomatoes in a greenhouse more visually in the video:
To get a high yield of tomatoes in greenhouse conditions, you need to provide this plant crop with proper care. High-quality watering is one of the main requirements for growing a good and fruit-bearing crop. Without timely watering, tomatoes grow small, dry, with thick skins, which is not at all the result that every summer resident strives for. How to organize proper watering of tomatoes in a greenhouse and with what equipment.
Drip watering of lettuce.
It is divided into two main groups: leaf and cabbage.
Temperature and day length affect lettuce growth. It prefers moderate temperatures. Seeds germinate at temperatures +7° - +24°. The optimal temperature for growth is +13° - +16°. At temperatures above +21° it begins to bloom. Lettuce prefers short daylight hours; if the daylight hours exceed 12 hours, it begins to bloom.
Watering should be done every 3 days. On hot days, it is preferable to use pulsed irrigation to maintain high humidity. If there is excess moisture in the root zone, rot may form. The total amount of water depends on the type of soil.
Planting pattern:
- The beds are 1.2 m in size. 4 rows per bed, 30 cm between rows, 30 cm between plants in a row.
- One drip tape per two rows, 0.3 m between droppers. Any type of tape is suitable.
Irrigation. Frequent irrigation cycles in hot weather, several times a day for light soil, every 1-2 days for heavy soil.
Subsoil irrigation
This type of irrigation differs from conventional drip irrigation only in the depth of the water supply. A similar method has been known since ancient times - pottery pipes were used for this. Today it is used both on large farmlands and small summer cottages.
Installation of an underground irrigation system
Water is supplied to the roots of the plant using tubes equipped with holes. Since the top layer is practically not moistened, a crust does not form on it, and the soil does not require constant loosening.
Another advantage of the method is that it minimizes the loss of moisture used in the evaporation process. Subsoil irrigation allows you to maintain a more favorable air and thermal microclimate in the beds.
1Same as in the previous case, to install the system you will need a storage tank (barrel) with a tap to shut off the water. To create pressure, it is installed at a height of 1-2 m.
2You will also need 20-40 mm PVC pipes and connecting elements (tees and adapters).
3 In the pipeline, round holes of 2-3 mm or slot-like holes of slightly smaller width (1-2 mm) and a length of 5-10 mm are made every 20-40 cm.
4Water consumption should be small - 0.1-0.3 liters per day. This requires minimal pressure.
5To protect against small particles of debris that can clog the system, filters are installed at the beginning of the pipeline (inside the barrel). You can use either mesh, sand or gravel.
6The depth of laying the pipeline in the ground is 20-30 cm. The minimum distance between them is 40-90 cm. It is not worth laying the pipes higher, otherwise water will seep out and the soil will quickly become crusty.
7Since on heavy loamy soils water flows both into the depths and to the sides, the distance between adjacent pipelines can be made a little larger. On loose sandy soils, when moisture passes mainly deep, the distance between adjacent pipelines should be minimal.
8This parameter largely depends on the type of crops being irrigated. So, for strawberries, whose roots go shallow, the distance between the pipes is 40-60 cm. For watering trees, it is 70-90 cm.
9The distance for specific crops can be determined experimentally. Bury one or two pipelines next to the bed and after a couple of days dig with a shovel in 2-3 places. The soil in this place should be slightly moist.
10On dry sandy soils, so that precious moisture does not go to great depths, a film 10-20 cm wide is laid under the pipes.
11Water must be supplied to the humidifier pipes under low pressure at a water flow rate of 0.1-0.3 l/s.
12To prevent the holes in the humidifiers from becoming clogged with debris, soil particles or silt, you need to supply water to them through mesh, gravel or sand filters.
13 Just like a conventional drip system, an underground (subsoil) irrigation system can be equipped with a pump and timer to provide automatic water supply at a given time.
When using underground irrigation systems, it is advisable to use special herbicide-impregnated hoses. It does not allow plant roots to penetrate the entrance holes.
How often should you water tomatoes in a greenhouse?
The frequency of watering tomatoes is directly related to their life cycle: at its different stages, the crop’s need for water changes.
- How often should you water tomatoes in a greenhouse? How many times?
- How often and how much to water tomatoes: video
- Using bottles
- During landing.
If we add up the amount of water supplied to the planting hole and watering after planting the seedlings, then its consumption will be about 5 liters per bush. After planting in the greenhouse, the plants are not watered for a week.
- During the growing season.
At the stage of active growth of tomatoes, watering should be abundant (so that the soil is moist at a depth of 15 cm), but infrequent - it is enough to carry out this activity 1...2 times a week.
- During flowering.
Watering at this stage becomes moderate, but more frequent - 2...3 times a week. After each water supply, you need to ventilate the greenhouse for 1 hour. This approach will allow you to regulate the air humidity inside the structure.
- During fruiting.
When the fruits begin to fill, the crop is watered abundantly (3...4 liters - for low-growing varieties, for indeterminate varieties with two trunks - up to 10 liters for each bush). The recommended frequency of watering is 1…2 times a week. To prevent high humidity and condensation from occurring in the greenhouse, you can mulch the soil under the tomatoes, for example, with a layer of mowed grass in a layer of at least 5 cm. An excess of water, as well as a lack of it, will negatively affect the quality of the crop: with excessive watering, the fruits will lose their characteristic taste, and in the second case, the tomatoes will be small.
- 2 weeks before final harvest.
When the tomatoes are already filled with water on the very top last clusters of the bushes, stop watering them.
Watering the crop should be carried out at certain intervals: long breaks provoke stress in tomatoes, and at the fruiting stage - cracking of the fruits.
How many times
Above were general recommendations on the frequency of watering tomatoes in a greenhouse. Of course, this figure may change depending on weather conditions.
So, for example, in cloudy rainy weather, watering should be done infrequently and moderately, but in persistent heat, tomatoes should be watered 3...4 times a week.
The type of soil in the greenhouse also plays an important role here: sandy and light soils quickly allow moisture to pass through, and therefore watering is carried out more often, while heavy clay soils, on the contrary, retain water, so in order to avoid waterlogging, watering should be done moderately and not too often.
Features of the microclimate of greenhouses
Before determining how often and correctly to water tomatoes in a greenhouse, let’s look at the features of the microclimate created inside greenhouses.
Air humidity in summer is approximately 60-80% . The exception is too hot and dry periods, when humidity drops to 40% . In this case, hot weather can alternate with rain, and then the humidity reaches 90% .
If watering in a greenhouse is improper, these indicators can be even higher, and this is detrimental to tomatoes. A feature of this crop is its requirement for moisture in the soil , but it prefers dry air for the successful development of the above-ground part. These are the conditions that need to be provided to tomatoes in the greenhouse with proper watering.
Both too much and too little watering are harmful to tomatoes . If there is too much moisture in the soil, the roots are unable to absorb it and begin to rot. Lack of moisture leads to active dehydration of foliage, and plants can overheat and die.
IMPORTANT. If you notice that the tomato leaves have begun to curl along the central vein, it means they lack moisture.
Methods of watering tomatoes
The most common ways to water tomatoes are:
1. Using plastic bottles. This is the simplest and most economical way. You should dig one plastic bottle without a lid near each bush, and the bottom of the bottle should be cut off. In this case, water will flow in equal quantities purposefully to the roots.
2. Using a hose. This method is traditional. The disadvantages of this method are the inability to determine the dosage of water and the possibility of breaking the plants when stretching the hose over a long distance.
3. Using a bucket and ladle
It is important to choose a ladle of the required dosage. The downside is the need to carry heavy buckets
4. Use of drip irrigation. In this case, you are completely freed from physical activity. The introduction of moisture into the soil depends on the specified settings.
General rules for organizing irrigation
Let's start with the fact that there are general recommendations regarding watering tomatoes in open ground, as well as in a greenhouse.
First of all, I would like to note that this vegetable crop fully develops exclusively in moist soil, but at the same time it prefers dry air.
To ensure quality watering of tomatoes, it is not recommended to loosen the soil immediately after irrigation. It is better to mulch it with mowed grass. This will retain moisture in the soil for a long time and prevent its rapid evaporation.
Water only in the root zone
Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate or any other building material is carried out under the root system, trying not to erode the soil. It is also extremely undesirable for moisture to get on the foliage system.
It is forbidden to water the foliage - only in the root zone
How often should you water tomatoes in a greenhouse? This process is recommended to be carried out in the morning or evening. And the temperature of the water used for irrigation should be within 22-25°C. Therefore, in the cool season, do not be lazy and heat the water to the specified values. This approach will help improve the ripening process of the plant and increase the number of ovaries.
Daytime irrigation of seedlings can lead to foliage burns (especially in summer), which will reduce possible fruiting.
When a vegetable begins to bear fruit en masse, during this period it is necessary to provide the crop with abundant, but not too frequent watering. Regular, but not abundant irrigation leads to disruption of the normal development of fruits and to a decrease in yield. At this stage, it is best to use drip irrigation when growing tomatoes and cucumbers.
Drip irrigation in a greenhouse
In the case when your greenhouse shelter is built from polycarbonate fabric, moistening is carried out twice a week. If we talk about the rate of watering tomatoes in a greenhouse, then it is 5 liters per bush.
It is highly undesirable to use tap water as a liquid. For these purposes, either liquid that has been left standing for three days or rainwater is excellent.
VIDEO: How to water tomatoes and help pollinate tomatoes
Frequency of soil moisture
The frequency with which water is applied to the roots of a plant of this group largely determines its absorption of nutrients and microelements and, accordingly, fruiting. When vegetation grown in greenhouse conditions receives all the necessary microelements, and humidity levels reach 90%, this will ensure a timely and high harvest
How to properly water tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse? First of all, it is worth noting that irrigation activities are carried out no more than twice every 7 days.
Increasing the frequency of liquid application promotes leaf curling. Hence the deficiency of microelements that the plant receives through the leaves and, as a consequence, a decrease in the rate of seedling development and a decrease in the volume of fruiting.
Many gardeners place a water reservoir directly in the greenhouse structure, which leads to an excess of humidity. Of course, this makes the irrigation process easier (there is no need to run far to fill containers with water). In order to eliminate such consequences, experienced gardeners cover the tank with plastic film.
If, after carrying out such moisturizing procedures, you notice that moisture is absorbed into the ground too slowly, you need to pierce it in several places. Many experienced specialists combine the processes of ventilation and irrigation, which has a beneficial effect on the development of vegetation.
Liquid application stops exactly 20 days before harvest. This will speed up the ripening of the fruit.
Do not forget about the need for ventilation and access to sunlight. Photosynthesis is the most important condition for plant nutrition, for which the sun is responsible.
Related reading: Greenhouses with sliding roofs
Irrigation options
Adding liquid to moisturize this vegetable crop can be done in several ways:
- Watering tomatoes through plastic bottles. This method is simple and cost effective. To implement it, you need to dig a plastic bottle of any capacity with holes made with an awl near each bush. Water is poured into the open neck, which is used solely to moisturize the root system.
Convenient and economical watering
- Through hoses. The most common option, but during the ripening period of seedlings it is extremely difficult to adjust the amount of water. And after the procedure, a crust remains on the soil. And besides, there is a possibility that the plants will be damaged while pulling the hose.
Tomatoes are watered at the roots without eroding the soil.
- Using a bucket and ladle. This method is excellent for organizing an irrigation procedure during seedling fruiting. But at the same time you need to choose the right volume of the bucket. Disadvantages: the need to carry a heavy bucket.
- Drip irrigation mode for tomatoes. The most suitable option for introducing moisture. It allows you to regulate the volume and frequency of soil moisture. And besides, there is no need to walk around with a heavy bucket or carry a hose. Disadvantages: waste of money.
Reading with this article: How to make drip irrigation in a greenhouse
Organization of irrigation at different stages of seedling growth
Soil moisture during tomato growing depends on the stage of plant development.
Sprinkling of seeds
The first application of moisture is carried out at the emergence of seedlings. The procedure is performed on the second day after most of the sprouts have hatched. At this stage, it is best to spray and try to do it so that the drops do not fall on the sprouts themselves.
Even small sprouts should be watered at the root
The following moisturizing activities are carried out regularly and carefully. Drying and waterlogging of the soil is not acceptable. Once a month, the liquid is saturated with organic fertilizers.
Irrigation of seedlings after picking
Two days before the picking, the seedlings are watered for the last time. This helps keep the ground moderately moist during this procedure. The first watering after picking is carried out after four days.
In order to improve the growth of the root system, pots for pre-growing sprouts are placed in trays. This approach will stimulate the elongation of the rhizome and its full development. After the first application of liquid to the soil after picking, the moisture saturation schedule is reduced to once every 7 days.
How to determine excess or waterlogging of the soil
To organize the correct application of moisture, it is necessary to understand how moist the soil is at the time of the procedure.
Vegetable crops do not tolerate waterlogging of the soil, as well as its drying out. Therefore, it is very important that the tomatoes receive the strictly required amount of moisture.
If the foliage of the seedling curls along the central vein and resembles a “boat” in appearance, this indicates a lack of moisture in the soil. In this situation, you need to add liquid to the ground, lightly loosen it and mulch it.
Read with this article: Mulching beds: criteria for choosing mulch
Mulched soil
When the stem of a plant and fruits crack, this indicates the presence of excess liquid in the soil. If the problem is not solved, this will lead to a decrease in yield and a deterioration in the taste of tomatoes.
Now you know how to properly water tomatoes in a greenhouse. Using the tips described above, you can grow good seedlings and get a high yield.
VIDEO: Tomatoes - watering, garter
Many novice gardeners are concerned about proper watering of tomatoes in a greenhouse: how often it should be done, how much water to use, what time of day is best to do it. These are very important questions, on which both the quantity of the harvest and its quality depend.
Soil preparation
To grow crops in winter, you need to warm up the soil; for this, polyethylene insulation is made. The depth of the layer should be at least half a meter and instead of soil, the bottom is covered with humus, and soil is poured on top. The soil is loosened by placing worms in it.
A 50 cm path is left between the beds, on which tiles or boards are laid. On a plot one meter wide, 2 rows of vegetables are planted. Pipes are installed into the greenhouse and run at a depth of two tens of centimeters.
The second heating method involves using a black polyethylene sleeve. Water is poured into it, the temperature of which increases significantly from the sun's rays.
Basic methods
The process of watering crops in a garden can be carried out using different methods, and they largely depend on the size of the plot, the size of the beds, the free time of the summer resident and his financial capabilities. The simplest way to water the beds was and remains a hose, thanks to which it is possible to add the required amount of moisture without using expensive equipment. Despite the convenience, this method also has disadvantages such as erosion of the soil, excessive waste of liquid and uneven moistening of the plantings in the garden bed. After moistening the area with a hose, you need to loosen the soil and collect it into small mounds near the base of the bushes. Hilled plants will retain soil moisture longer, which means the number of waterings per week can be reduced.
There is another inexpensive but effective way to water tomatoes, which is done through plastic bottles. The technique is very simple: you need to prepare plastic containers in quantities that match the tomato bushes. 2-4 holes are punched in the lids, and the bottom is cut off. The bottle itself is buried about halfway near the bush. To prevent the holes in the nose from getting clogged, you need to wrap this part with a nylon sock or tights. The bottles are filled with water, which gradually seeps into the soil, nourishing the roots. Thanks to this watering option, tomatoes receive a source of stable moisture and can actively grow and develop.
Drip
One of the best options for watering any garden crop is drip irrigation. Thanks to the system of uniform, constant introduction of moisture into the soil, plants develop better and faster. To be able to water tomatoes in this way, it is necessary to install pipe distribution and specialized mechanisms on the site, thanks to which you can regulate the degree of water supply, set the operating time, if necessary, or completely turn off the system. Despite a number of advantages of this irrigation method, not all summer residents choose it, since it requires quite significant financial investments to purchase and install the system. Further use of elements of a drip irrigation system will not be expensive, but the start-up fee makes many people think about alternative methods.
The drip irrigation system has shown itself to be especially effective in greenhouse conditions, when watering is carried out without human presence, and there is no risk of over-moistening the soil or affecting the humidity level in the room too much, but the plant receives the desired moisture and can fully develop.
Into the hole
Summer residents who do not want to spend time and money on installing a drip irrigation system, purchasing hoses and installing other watering options can choose a simple and reliable method in which water is delivered to the tomatoes using a watering can. To prevent moisture from spreading throughout the entire bed, a hole is made near each bush after planting - a depression into which water and fertilizers are later poured.
The method is very simple and quite effective, since you can accurately calculate the amount of water for each bush and use fertilizers in the moistening process. The only downside is the need to carry a heavy watering can many times until all the bushes are watered. If the garden bed is small, then this option can be very convenient.
Arychny
To find something between drip irrigation and watering into a hole, you can use the ditch method. Its peculiarity is that between the rows of tomatoes it is necessary to make a depression into which water will be supplied during the watering process. The depth of the trench should be about 10 cm so that water does not leak out and spread over the bed. The advantage of this method is its ease and the ability to well nourish the soil on the site.
Sowing tomato seeds
Planting tomatoes.
High-quality seed material is selected for sowing. The seeds are treated with an antiseptic (salt solution) or sprayed with mikosan or other product containing effective microorganisms to prevent diseases and strengthen future plants.
If the seed material is of high quality, there is no need to plant two seeds per hole and then pull out one of the plants. Place one seed on the ground and use a pencil to push it down to a depth of 2 cm. Sprinkle it with earth on top. Make the distance between planting holes in a row 50 cm for low-growing tomatoes, and 80-90 cm for tall plants.
Schemes of the future system
The drip irrigation scheme using plastic bottles is an extensive network of water pipes, which is responsible for supplying liquid to the rhizomes of plants. The bottle design is quite simple - first, liquid is supplied from the main source of water into a barrel, after which it is distributed into bottles using tubes and gets to the bushes.
Modern schemes can be improved and made automatic. This will help determine the optimal dose of watering for each bush. To do this, drip systems are equipped with special rain sensors that determine whether water needs to be supplied to the plants or not.
Many gardeners advise using bottle watering, as it is many times more effective than manually moistening the soil.
How to water tomato bushes planted in a greenhouse through plastic bottles
Prepare 1.5 liter plastic bottles; 2 l or 5 l. You also need a very thin nail or awl to make holes. And also take old nylon tights.
Arranging a watering system using bottles
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
Advantages:
- Watering is easy to do with your own hands.
- It's cheap, almost free.
- The time you spend watering is greatly reduced. Pour water into the bottles once, and as much water will be absorbed as the earth needs.
- Moisture goes directly to the roots of plants.
- Less water is wasted, since it is not poured around the plants, but is absorbed directly by the roots. As a result, by reducing the amount of moisture used, crops receive more of it than with conventional watering.
- Weeds do not grow around the plants, since the soil there is not watered and it is dry.
- A dense crust does not form on the soil, so there is no need to constantly loosen the soil after watering.
There is no high humidity in the greenhouse, and therefore practically no condensation accumulates. Because of this, tomatoes are less susceptible to late blight, gray rot, and various viral and bacterial diseases that appear with increased humidity. Also, due to increased humidity, tomatoes become less sugary and more watery, and crack.
- You can also fertilize bushes through bottles. Fertilizers are saved because they are absorbed by the roots.
- Moisture and fertilizers reach plants through the roots faster.
- If you don’t have the opportunity to constantly travel to the country, then your tomatoes will always be watered this way.
- Autonomy. Unlike other drip irrigation systems, where there must be a water supply, here you only need water.
- Water does not reach the green parts of the plant, so they do not suffer from sunburn, which can form when the wet parts of the plants are exposed to direct sunlight.
- Water has the same temperature as air. This is very good, because from water whose temperature is below 20 degrees, the crop can become sick with black foot. Or the plant will be affected by other diseases caused by fungi.
- If any bottle fails, it is easy to replace, that is, the system is easy to repair.
- Thus, you provide the crop with systematic and uniform watering. Newly planted seedlings really need constant watering, and in this way you provide them with continuous watering.
- This method is universal, as it can be used both in a greenhouse, hotbed, and in an open area.
Flaws:
- Placing a bottle under a bush can damage the roots. But to eliminate this drawback, you can dig in bottles along with planting seedlings. That is, before placing the seedlings in the hole, dig the bottle a little further away.
- Such a system is difficult to create over large areas, meaning it is not suitable for industrial growing of tomatoes.
- Still, there is some probability of clogging the holes in the bottles with soil.
- Since the system is quite primitive, it is also necessary to water the plants from a watering can.
This is interesting: Installation of electric floor heating: let's look at all the nuances
The best way to water tomatoes - types of feeding
The main purpose of feeding tomatoes is to saturate the plants with nutrients to obtain good fruit yields. This can be either fertilizing the soil or foliar feeding. In addition, an important task of every gardener is to combat crop diseases. To do this, it is better to choose not chemical preparations, but proven “folk” remedies.
Watering tomatoes with yeast: nutritional supplement
Regular baker's yeast contains minerals, organic iron and various trace elements. To feed tomatoes, you need to prepare a special solution - take a kilogram of yeast per five liters of water. Before watering, this solution must be diluted again with water (1: 100). Fertilizing is carried out in the spring, when the plants are actively growing. However, ash must be added along with fertilizing, since yeast tends to absorb potassium from the soil.
How to get rid of onion flies forever - the best ways here
Watering tomatoes with iodine with milk: a universal remedy
A solution of raw milk with iodine will reliably “scare off” many garden pests. This product must be applied as a spray, after which the leaves are covered with a thin film of lactose and milk sugar. This repels insects and prevents the entry of diseases. Recipe for iodine-milk solution: water (4 l), milk (1 l) and iodine (15 drops).
How to water cucumbers correctly so that they don’t turn yellow or taste bitter, see here
Properly organized watering of tomatoes is an important part of care when growing crops. Follow our recommendations, and you will be guaranteed abundant harvests of fragrant red fruits.
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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.
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Watering tomatoes with bottles - video master class
Watering tomatoes from bottles is one of the types of drip irrigation, which is based on the use of ordinary plastic bottles and a little labor of your own hands.
How to organize watering tomatoes from bottles? The video shows in detail the process of making such a homemade watering system.
Watering tomatoes with bottles
Automatic irrigation system
- an excellent option for large polycarbonate greenhouses, in which tomatoes are usually grown on an “industrial” scale. The installation of such equipment can be entrusted to specialists or done independently, based on a previously drawn up planting plan in the greenhouse. However, if you have a small greenhouse and grow tomatoes “for yourself,” then it is better to choose a less expensive method of watering tomatoes.
How often to water tomatoes in a greenhouse
After planting, the seedlings need to be watered abundantly - up to five liters per plant. Then you can “forget” about watering for about a week. How do you know if tomatoes need moisture? Pay attention to the top layer of soil. If the soil is dry, then it’s time to water the seedlings - because young plants have roots that are too weak to absorb liquid at depth. Tomato seedlings are usually watered once or twice a week.
When the bushes begin to bear fruit, the volume of water can be gradually increased. However, experienced gardeners do not recommend getting carried away, since high humidity in the greenhouse can provoke the development of late blight and other fungal diseases.