Perhaps the tomato crop, belonging to the Solanaceae family (pepper, aubergine, potato) is the most popular in the urban garden because it is commonly consumed (20 kg per person per year). However, and contrary to what normally happens, it is not the most suitable crop with which to start in the horticultural world due to its difficulty … семена на домати розов дар
It is a demanding crop in nutrient, irrigation and sun.
A wide range of pests and diseases are associated with it.
It involves more specialized tasks such as trellising or pruning secondary shoots or topping.
Tomato Cultivation (How to grow red tomatoes Momini sulzi)
Tomato Requirements
Watering: frequent and regular, more than spaced and in large quantities. Better drip irrigation to avoid the appearance of fungus.
Nutrients: it is a voracious plant, so it is a demanding crop that requires a fertilizer rich in compost.
Substrate: 20 l volume for culture in containers.
Its sowing is delicate, since among the nightshades it is the one that can be sown earlier, with the risk of suffering the effect of night frosts, that is why to avoid problems we resort to a protected sowing.
After a week the seeds germinate, and when the plants reach 18-20 cm they are transplanted into a pot, where they will remain at least 2-3 weeks in the open air before transplanting them to the definitive medium, so that they acclimatize and harden.
The definitive transplant usually occurs 2 months after sowing, when the risk of frost disappears. At this time, the stems are buried up to the first leaves (if it has grown a lot in height, the stem can even be bent a little to bury it more and have more adventitious roots) with a distance of 40 -50 cm between plants.
It is a large plant (there are varieties of indeterminate growth), which has to support the considerable weight of its fruits, which, in turn, cannot touch the ground because they rot, so an essential task is the trellis, tie the stems to canes of about 1.5 m that will serve as a guide and support, always tying them below each bouquet, since it is the area that has to bear the most weight, and with some slack to that the stem is not strangled.
In addition, a secondary stem with its own growing stem emerges from each axilla from which a leaf starts. To concentrate the energy it is necessary to prune these shoots, leaving 2-3 that will be as a reserve in the event that something happens to the main stem, and because the leaves will also protect the fruit from an excess of sun. Here you can see more information about tomato pruning.
Other auxiliary tasks are to help the natural pollination of the bees by going over the flowers with a brush, or to prune the oldest leaves at the bottom, once the tomato plants have developed the third bunch of lores, to avoid the attacks of powdery mildew and Red spider.
If we comply with all the tasks and demands at approximately 3 months we will be able to pick our first tomatoes.
The Most Favorable Associations
Garlic, celery, onion, lettuce and carrot.
They are compatible: chard, basil, cabbage, spinach, peas, beans, leek and radishes.
On the other hand, the tomato is incompatible with the cucumber and the potato.
Pests and Diseases of the tomato crop
Aphids Remedy: to prevent it, it can be associated with basil, but for direct control, potassium soap and vegetable insecticides can be used.
Red spider. Remedy: to prevent the horsetail decoction can be sprayed on leaves.
White fly. Remedy: spray the underside of the leaves with 1% potassium soap with rain or distilled water.
Mildew. Fungus that appears in the form of gray or black spots that end up drying the leaves. Remedy: remove affected areas, use horsetail decoction as prevention.
Caterpillars (tuta absolu, heliotis). They can cause damage to fruits, stems or leaves. Remedy: follow-up to avoid its proliferation, and in case of manual collection or application of bacillus if we have many plants.
Virus (tomato tan) Remedy: antiviral varieties are used to prevent their appearance, but they are hybrid varieties.
Tomato cracking. Damage from uneven watering that can be a gateway for fungi.
Fruit Ironing. Damage produced by an excess of sun that does not entail any damage to consumption.
Main Tomato Varieties
Most of the existing varieties refer to the characteristics of the fruit. Currently, the hybrid varieties selected by multinationals proliferate, in which conservation, appearance and resistance to diseases and pests are more important than their organoleptic qualities, which is triggering a loss of local varieties, and therefore of biodiversity and agricultural culture .
HOW TO GROW TOMATOES IN THE GARDEN: A COMPLETE, SIMPLE AND PRACTICAL GUIDE
APRIL 8, 2019POSTED BY: PELLEGRINICATEGORY: NEWS 38 COMMENTS
how to grow tomatoes in the garden
The tricks for growing tomatoes in the garden: from sowing to harvesting
Summer is coming … and so is the tomato season! The king of vegetables cannot be missing from the home garden.
In addition to being indispensable for our table, thanks to its numerous types and numerous uses in the kitchen, tomato plants are the ones that give the most satisfaction; and then you want to put the satisfaction of cultivating it directly and picking it up with your hands?
So here are some tips on how to grow tomatoes in the garden.
The main types of tomato in Italy
There are many varieties of tomatoes, so the first thing to do is to choose the one you prefer as a flavor or that you know you use most often in the kitchen.
Here is a list of the main varieties of tomatoes that we find in Italy:
• to grow vine tomatoes
It is the most „common“ tomato and can be found on the market all year round. This variety is excellent for many uses but gives its best in long cooking.
how to grow vine tomatoes
It can also be used:
to make a tasty tomato soup
to season the pizza
to make excellent preserves
raw for bruschetta and capresi
• grow San Marzano tomatoes
The pulp of this tomato remains „firm“ and this characteristic makes it especially suitable for use in tomato sauce and sauces (it is perfect, for example, for meat sauce).
how to grow san marzano tomatoes
• grow beefsteak tomatoes
This tomato remains sweet and compact. It has a thin skin, which does not require peeling. Excellent in salads.
grow beefsteak tomatoes
• grow salad tomatoes
As you can guess from the name, this variety is so called because it is „salad“. It should be harvested when it is half ripe, still green, to capture it at the peak of its flavor which remains a bit more sour than other tomatoes.
grow salad tomatoes
• grow cherry tomatoes
Typical of the Sicilian region, these tomatoes are very sweet, have a full taste and a firm and fragrant pulp. They are mainly used raw for cold pasta, bruschetta and as a topping for pizza and focaccia.
grow cherry tomatoes
• grow cherry tomatoes
This tomato is small, round and very sweet. Perfect for cold appetizers, cheeses, salads and for drying.
grow cherry tomatoes
How to grow tomatoes in the field
The ideal soil and climate for tomatoes
1) The ground
First of all, locate the area of your garden where the sun beats the most: that’s where you’re going to plant your tomatoes.
Since the tomato is a fairly „greedy“ plant it needs a lot of light and heat. Furthermore, the land where you will put your tomatoes must be properly prepared to accommodate the seedlings: a fundamental condition for having a plant that grows healthy and lush with fruit.
So, work the land well and let it „air“; then, enrich it with nutrients and organic substances: mature manure is very good about 2.5 kg per square meter; try to keep the land well drained so as not to have stagnant water that tend to favor plant diseases.
2) The climate
Sun and heat are the basis for growing tomato plants.
This vegetable needs a temperature of at least 15/20 degrees to germinate, while temperatures below 5 degrees stop growth.
how to grow tomatoes in the right soil
How to sow tomato plants
The sowing period for tomatoes varies from mid-February to about mid-March, when temperatures have stabilized.
The operation is very simple: just make a small hole in the ground (deeper than wide), put 2/3 seeds for each hole, cover with earth and fertilizer then moisten everything.
Between one hole and the next, leave a space of about 50-100 cm, because this space will then serve you to pass, water, remove the weeds and collect. In very hot areas, the space between one plant and another can also shorten to 25-50 cm so that they shade each other.
While the tomato plant can handle high temperatures very well, this is still a good way to prevent burns.
how to sow tomato plants
How tomato plants are transplanted
If, on the other hand, you have seedlings already sprouted and ready to transplant, no problem:
make a hole in the ground and throw in some fertilizer
take your plant and remove the first lower leaves, the lower ones. It is important not to bury these leaves as they could rot and compromise all the work.
carefully remove the plant from the container trying to extract everything in a single block so as not to damage the roots
place it in the hole, bury a little more d the plant halves in the ground with soil and loam and wet slightly
compact the soil around the base of the plant.
How to water tomatoes
At this point we can start watering. The ideal would be to water twice a day: one early in the morning and the other in the evening after sunset.
But if you are unable to water the tomatoes constantly, remember this general rule: tomatoes need few but fundamental care but it is important that the soil is always moist (not soaked) and watering is more frequent in the hottest periods.
How do you water tomatoes? Be careful not to throw water directly on leaves and fruits, but direct it only to the ground at the base of the plant. A trick is to apply straw or dry grass around the plant when the plant has reached a certain height.
This is a great way to keep the soil moist during the dry season and not let weeds grow.
How to fertilize tomatoes
Fertilization is important both in the sowing / transplant phase and in the growth and production phase of the plant.
It should be done every 7-10 days. We recommend natural fertilizers full of organic material for organic fertilization and respecting nature.
The time of growth of tomatoes
Your beautiful tomato seedlings will sprout in about a couple of weeks, while the first tomatoes will be ready to harvest after about 2/3 months.
During the growth of the plant there are some small tricks not to be neglected to help the plant grow.
growth of tomatoes
Once the tomato plant has reached a certain height, it needs support. Use poles or cages for tomatoes, roughly 120 cm high, driven 30-60 cm into the ground next to the stem of each plant. To direct the development and growth of the plant, you will have to fix it to the pole with a special wire, as it grows, taking care not to over-tighten.
Also remember that periodically pruning must be carried out (also called “sfemminellatura”). This consists in manually eliminating the shoots that develop in the „axilla“ of the leaves, that is, at the junction between the stem and the lateral branches.
How and when to harvest tomatoes
As we said, the tomatoes will be ready for harvesting in about 60-80 days.
If you will use tomatoes to make the preserves, the harvest must be done when fully ripe, with a beautiful red tomato; while for your table it can be harvested even earlier, a green-pink tomato.
HOW TO GROW TOMATOES: USEFUL TIPS
Belonging to the Solanaceae family and a symbolic food of the Mediterranean diet and of the Italian food tradition, the tomato is a real concentrate of beneficial properties for health as well as a very versatile vegetable in the kitchen, perfect for the preparation of many different recipes, from savory pies sauces. Able to prevent some forms of cancer and degenerative diseases, as evidenced by various researches, tomatoes are a food native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Latin America, rich in water and therefore very dietetic, perfect for those who follow a low-calorie diet.
PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF TOMATOES
In particular, tomatoes contain vitamins, fibers and important minerals such as iron, zinc, selenium, phosphorus and calcium. Strongly antioxidant thanks to the presence of lycopene and vitamin C, the tomato also promotes digestion, stimulates the appetite and regenerates the tissues. Consumed raw, it has a hypoglycemic effect, especially when combined with raw onion in a meal such as salad. A useful food therefore in case of diabetes and hyperglycemia: it acts by stimulating the liver thanks to its acidity and vitamin C and this leads to a greater consumption of sugars.
READ ALSO: How to grow artichokes, a food rich in properties important for health
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF TOMATO
Although it is a food that looks like a real mine of important properties for health, the tomato can be the cause of any allergic reactions, even very strong, if histamine and solanine, a substance, are not tolerated. present mainly in green tomatoes, although in ripe tomatoes and with cooking, the allergenic power decreases.
TO DEEPEN: How to grow strawberries on the balcony
HOW TO GROW TOMATOES IN A POT OR IN THE GARDEN
Simple to grow: in general, the tomato plant produces its fruit about 40 or 50 days after sowing. If you don’t have a vegetable garden or a garden, you can also grow tomatoes in pots: just grow the seedlings in the sunniest corner of the balcony or terrace. The harvest takes place in summer but in some cases it can last until autumn.
FIND OUT MORE: How to grow ginger in pots
HOW TOMATOES ARE GROWN
Here, then, are all the useful information for growing tomatoes in the garden or in pots on the balcony:
SOWING
The sowing of tomatoes is carried out during the months of January and February in a warm seedbed, and then transplanted in the months of March and April. The ideal choice could be to use some jars as seedbeds in which to insert 3-4 seeds. Sowing in seedbeds allows you to easily select the strongest seedlings.
THE TRANSPLANT
If, on the other hand, you want to proceed with the cultivation starting from the seedlings, wait for the month of April. After purchasing them in nurseries or consortia, arrange them in the ground or in pots in rows spaced at least 12 centimeters from each other, try to bury them at least five centimeters deep and do not forget to add organic fertilizer or compost. As for the choice of seedlings, orient yourself more towards the “Pachino” or “San Marzano” varieties, perfect for the preparation of sauces and salads.
THE CULTIVATION
Since the tomato plants are climbers, after having buried them, tie each of them to a stick in such a way that they can grow in a vertical position and keep the branches with the fruits raised. During the growth period, remove the leaves that grow between stem and leaf to allow the plant to grow better and water at least once or twice a week, preferably after sunset during the coolest hours of the day.
HOW TO GROW TOMATOES IN POTS
If you are growing in pots, choose one with a diameter between 20 and 30 centimeters and avoid water stagnation in the saucers.
Always remember to place the pot in a sunny and sheltered corner from the wind. Periodically eliminate the weeds and, as soon as the plant reaches 40 cm in height, apply the appropriate supports.
As for watering, draw a groove in which to let the water flow.
From sowing, which can be left to professionals, to weather protection, there is no shortage of tomato cultivation techniques and tips. Watering, planting, pruning… Détente Jardin reveals 11 secrets to growing your tomatoes like a real pro. Good advice to take to achieve good harvests this year.
dj112_tomato-basket
Different varieties of tomatoes
Diversity above all! Put the odds on your side and trust the multiplicity.
Growing multiple varieties of tomatoes
What a pleasure to enjoy good tomatoes for several months. Try out several varieties, sizes, shapes, colors and tastes. You multiply the chances of enjoying yourself!
When to plant beef heart tomatoes?
Particularly appreciated for their generous flesh, beefsteak tomatoes are one of the favorites of gardeners. This early variety is sown under shelter from March-April and transplanted once the risk of frost has been eliminated. Usually this is around mid-May.
How long does it take for tomatoes to grow?
From sowing to harvest, it takes at least 4 months, or even 5 months if the sun is discreet. Most of the time, the first harvests take place at the end of July, August being a generous harvest month for tomatoes.
Commercial plants or „house“, who wins?
Store-bought plants: we can’t get more practical because we only buy them when we are ready to plant them. But they can be expensive (up to 4 € a piece!) And the diversity is not always there, especially if you decide a little late.
dj112_plants-tomate
Tomato plants
When sowing, remember to label them with the names of the varieties, it will be easier to locate them later.
„House“ plants: they are more economical and you will have access to a greater diversity. But making your own tomato plants requires material and care … A veranda or a bright space behind a large window are the minimum conditions to make it worth your while.
Shelter, tomato insurance?
dj112_bache-tomate
Plastic skirts to protect tomato plants
Perforated plastic skirts or transparent plastic roofs do not make tomatoes invincible against downy mildew. However, they delay the onset of problems and prevent a wet episode from ruining your crops. Use in addition to other techniques, in particular a treatment with sulfur every 15 days, as soon as the temperature rises above 20 ° C. Also remember to space your plants well, leaving 60 cm between two.
And in the north or in the shade?
dj112_poignee-tomate
White Wonder Tomato
The homeland of the tomato is Italy, land of sunshine. But if you try tomatoes with white-yellow fruits, like ‘White Wonder’ (opposite), you won’t need full sun, as long as the plants are well cared for. These tomatoes are very sweet and sweet. The smaller the size, the less light and heat the tomatoes need: if you are gardening in an unfavorable situation, therefore favor varieties with a small size.
Last advice: select an early variety, with a so-called fixed habit, which grows before the freshness returns, after August 15th. You will need to make your own plants.
Size: not systematic
dj112_tomato-pruner
Pruning tomato plants
Prune without fail: suckers that form in the leaf axils of varieties with indeterminate habit, as well as the leaves that touch the ground. Also remove the first flower in varieties with very large fruits (often deformed).
On the other hand, there is no need to prune the cherry tomatoes, the shape of which naturally forms a bush. Varieties with a fixed habit (the early ones) do not need pruning either). The so-called „cocktail“ tomatoes do not cut either
What is the best fertilizer for my tomato plant?
At the bottom of the planting hole, incorporate an organic fertilizer rich in potash, respecting the dosage indicated on the packaging. You can use nettle manure, guano, bone powder, crushed horn or comfrey. Bury 20 cm of the stem (even if it means placing the plant at an angle in the hole) so that roots appear underground on the base of the stem is really a plus.
Another tip is to use the lunar calendar to plant your tomatoes.
How to grow cherry tomatoes in pots?
dj112_pelle
Organic pozzolan fertilizer added when planting tomatoes
A little pozzolana at the bottom of the pot guarantees good drainage.
In a pot, we pray vilégie compact varieties with fixed habit or cherry tomatoes, the pot may not be sufficient for other varieties. Choose a container that is large enough, at least 40cm deep, so that their roots can spread. Line the bottom of the container well with a draining element, such as pozzolana (above). Cover with a mixture of potting soil and compost and consider installing a stake. Water copiously when planting, then keep the soil cool. Above ground, the substrate dries quickly, watering must then be very regular. Be sure to empty the saucer well after each watering to prevent the roots from bathing in stagnant water.
Did you know ?
Tomato pruning waste can be cuttings. Replant the cut shoots, burying them a third of the way. Cherry tomatoes will have time to yield before fall.
Double grafted tomatoes
You will find grafted tomato plants in the garden center. On these plants, the top of one plant (the scion) has been „welded“ to the root system of another plant (the rootstock). The rootstock gives disease resistance and vigor, so you choose
the graft for the quality or flavor of the fruit. You can graft two varieties on the same rootstock (like Cornabel and Gourmandia, photo below). More expensive, they are also more efficient.
dj112_cornabelgourmandia
Cornabel tomato
The characteristics of tomatoes vary a lot from one variety to another (here Gourmandia and Cornabel)
The yields are higher (around 70% more vegetables), and the harvest period, longer (a week earlier … and a week later), the varieties are chosen from among the tastiest and the plants are more resistant . These plants tolerate beginner mistakes and the vagaries of the weather.
Water them, but spare the foliage
There are several ways to water tomatoes (hose, watering can, drip), but the most important is not to wet the foliage (risk of disease development, mildew). Remember to water them regularly, every day in high heat – space the waterings if the soil is very humid. And you can mulch the base to allow the soil to retain a little moisture (limited evaporation); this makes it possible to space the waterings a little.
Bet on a greenhouse
cold_house_tomates
Growing tomatoes in greenhouses
Ventilate the greenhouse regularly to avoid pests
The advantages of the greenhouse
The greenhouse makes it possible to fight against the n ° 1 enemy of the tomato: downy mildew! But yes, those brown spots that appear on fruits and leaves that end up drying out. The mildew quickly gains ground and infests all the tomato plants if we do not react, crops gone up in smoke … water and we greatly limit the appearance of this dreaded disease. In addition, it is hotter, the fruits ripen earlier and faster!
When to plant tomatoes in a greenhouse?
In a greenhouse, we sow in February and plant in April, which saves a little time, depending on the region.
Some rules to follow
Be careful to ventilate your greenhouse regularly, as this may cause other pests such as whiteflies to appear. Without natural watering, you have to think about making more regular water supplies than in the ground. The same goes for fertilizers, such as in pots, it is worth being careful that the tomatoes do not lack nutrients. The tomato is self-fertilizing, the pollen falls into the pistil thanks to pollinators and the wind. Remember to stir your flowers which will be less used than in the ground.
Keep a certain spacing between the tomato plants
The planting distance varies between 70cm and 80cm between each foot and each row. Such a distance avoids creating an atmosphere conducive to the development of fungal diseases.
Companionship and associations of tomatoes
carnations_inde_plantes_amies_tomatoes
Marigolds: friendly plants for tomatoes
Carnations bloom between May and October, perfect for the vegetable garden!
Good neighbors
India roses and marigolds protect tomatoes from early blight, nematodes, white flies and aphids. So think about installing these pretty flowers nearby! Regarding the main threat of late blight, laboratory tests have shown that Chinese chives fight the fungus that causes this disease. Tomatoes, on the other hand, ward off cabbage fly, flea beetle, woodworm, cruciferous moth and asparagus fly.
Associations to avoid
Tomato roots affect the germination of fennel, leek, pepper, carrot, lettuce, escarole, and melon seeds.
Want to grow more tomatoes, bigger and better tasting? Whether you are a beginner in the vegetable garden or a past master in the art of gardening, our tips for growing tomatoes will help you increase your yield and produce much better tasting tomatoes. Tips on seed packets or plant labels tell you how to plant them, but they don’t tell you how to care for them properly. Nor do they give you the tips that have been discovered by experienced gardeners for decades to grow beautiful tomatoes this summer. Summary Many gardeners are looking for tips for growing tomatoes because their plants are not producing as much as they would like. Usually, the main problem is that the cultivation techniques used are not suitable. Luckily, here are 13 tips that will help you grow more tomatoes, bigger and better tasting in no time! 1. Create a stronger root system by planting tomato plants deeper When planting tomato plants, plant them as deep as you can without the leaves touching the ground. By burying the plant deeply, the stem will have more contact with the soil and produce more roots. Better roots help to increase the moisture content. The foot thus has more roots to draw water. The root system also allows the plant to „anchor“ into the soil. He will strengthen her. This prevents it from bending and being damaged by storms or strong winds. This tip helps strengthen tomato plants. 2. Prune the lower leaves to promote growth and prevent disease Once your plants are well established in the soil, remove the lower leaves to increase rapid upward growth. The lower leaves are unnecessary, as they do not capture the sun and do not photosynthesize enough. This is why it is necessary to favor the upper leaves which will soon gain the upper hand over the others. When your plant is about two feet tall, remove all leaves from the lower half of the plant. Use pruning shears to avoid damaging the stem. Removing these leaves will also prevent diseases coming from the soil and coming up through the leaves. The tomatoes will grow faster and there is a better yield. 3. Cut out the „suckers“ to produce more tomatoes As you can see in the photo, the „suckers“ are the stems that grow between the central and the main stem. They should be pinched as soon as they start to develop, as they do not produce fruit. Do this on feet that are at least 80 cm. Gourmets are not good for your tomato plant because they increase the shaded area and reduce the amount of sun on your plants. As a result, tomatoes develop less well and may lack that characteristic sweet taste. Some tomato growers do not practice this step. It is not essential, but we know that it promotes the production of fruit, sweeter and healthier. Be aware that you can turn these suckers into new tomato plants. You just have to make cuttings. Growing tomatoes from cuttings is an effective way to expand your garden without having to buy plants in the store. It’s natural and you know where it comes from! 4. Mulch your tomato plants to prevent disease and conserve water Mulching around tomato plants conserves water and helps warm the soil. It also promotes a healthier root system. Mulching also helps prevent soil diseases by minimizing the plant’s contact with the soil. 5. Keep snails and slugs away with copper Snails and slugs can quickly devastate your tomatoes if you don’t use the right repellents. To avoid using harsh chemicals near your tomatoes, lay copper strips or copper pipes around the tomato area. The copper will create a chemical reaction that prevents slugs and snails from invading your tomatoes. You can also use duct tape like this around the pots. To discover: Tired of Snails Who Eat Your Flowers? Here’s the Repellent They’ll Hate! 6. Stake your tomatoes By using tomato stakes around your plants, you prevent them from tipping over. It is a kind of cage to support the tomato plants, to make them climb and protect them from strong winds. Tomatoes upright experience less stress on their stems. They can thus better raise sap and nutrients for better fruit. Perfect for having a lot of tomatoes on one plant! If you che Find a tomato stake, we recommend this one. 7. Give Them Space When you transplant the tomato plants that you have germinated from seeds, remember to leave at least two to three feet between each plant. They will thus take better the sun which will also reach the lower part of your tomato plants. Photosynthesis is promoted and you get healthier plants and better tomatoes. Ideal for making your tomatoes fat! 8. Avoid Crunching Tomatoes When it is hot, tomatoes sometimes crack and split which promotes rotting. This proves that the tomato is not getting enough water. See tip # 10 below for how to water them properly. 9. Use Epsom Salt to Prevent Yellowing of Leaves Epsom salts have been used by generations of gardeners to boost tomatoes, promote growth, get stronger stems, prevent yellowing of leaves, and prolong life. growing season. Epsom salt can be applied to the soil at planting or as a watering during the growing season. When planting, add the Epsom salt to the soil, burying it in the earth using a soil scraping instrument. Put a tablespoon in the hole. For Epsom salt sprinkles, add a tablespoon of Epsom salt to 3 liters of water. Apply to young plants. After the initial supply at planting, continue watering with Epsom salt using one teaspoon per 3 liters of water every two to three weeks. By using Epsom salt, your tomato plants will have the necessary magnesium and sulfate to support the production of healthy, strong plants. This is a super effective trick to boost your tomatoes! You can save quite a bit of money by using Epsom salt instead of magnesium or sulfate … If you are looking for cheap Epsom salt, we recommend this one. 10. Water your tomatoes properly Watering your tomato plants regularly may seem obvious. Indeed, we water all our tomato plants without thinking that there was a way forward. Yet, it could well be that you are not doing it the right way. Tomato seedlings should first be watered from the bottom. This prevents the water from splashing and spreading disease. Then, when watering your adult tomato plants, water them slowly so that the water penetrates well into the soil. Avoid running the water. Water them deeply, taking your time. The more water penetrates into the soil, the more the roots will be able to receive it. It also keeps the soil moist and thus prevents the plant from drying out. After watering, check the soil by digging. You should have at least six inches of moist soil, but know that more is even better. If the soil is not moist enough, continue watering. Once you’ve been doing this for a week, you’ll have a better idea of how much water is needed to keep your feet well watered. 11. Control nematodes with marigold Plant marigolds or marigolds near your tomatoes. Perfect for adding touches of color and volume in the vegetable garden. But in addition, marigolds have another advantage: they repel nematodes. Nematodes cause deformations of stems, roots and fruits. They prevent the flow of nutrients and carry other diseases. Plant these flowers near the base of your tomato plants. Their scent and foliage prevent nematodes from attacking your tomatoes. They will thus be in Olympic form! 12. Improve the taste of your tomatoes with garlic Want to improve the taste of your tomatoes? Use garlic. Plant garlic bulbs near your tomato plants to improve the taste of your tomatoes, but also to reduce parasitic fungi. The overall quality of your tomatoes is also quickly affected. If you don’t feel like planting garlic in the middle of your vegetable garden, mix a few crushed garlic cloves with 3 liters of water and water the soil. You will get the same effect. 13. Alternate Tomato Growing Areas Like most crops, the tomato planting area should change every 2 years. Tomatoes should not be grown in the same place for more than 3 years in a row. You can run them every year if you have the space, if not every 3 years at most. This will give you better returns. After three consecutive years of growing tomatoes in one place, the soil becomes less fertile. And the tomato plants will be less productive. Your turn…
Don’t be late – 10 commandments to grow tomatoes
Tomato seedlings start growing well in the spring. Grab instructions here for a successful harvest season.
A jar of oat milk makes a good pot for tomato seedlings, for example.
Author’s image
Annabella Kiviniemi
annabella.kiviniemi@iltalehti.fi
3/24/2019 at 3:20 PM (modified on 3/28/2021 8:22 AM)
The tomato season begins. If you want to grow your own tomatoes, start growing seedlings in early April at the latest.
We have put together a guide to help you succeed in growing tomatoes from the start.
1. Select the type correctly
The sweetness, color and taste of the tomatoes vary according to the variety. Make sure you have the right variety and growth method, as shrub tomatoes and open tomatoes, for example, are treated differently.
Shrub tomato is a small-sized variety that can be planted in the open or in pots. The open tomato crop is harvested on the balcony and in the garden or in an unheated greenhouse. Ampoule and potted tomatoes are suitable for the balcony and terrace.
2. Start planting seedlings in time
Allow a couple of months for growing the tomatoes. Sow the seeds in a seed box or small pots in early April. Place the tomatoes to germinate in a warm place of about 25 degrees, for example in a bathroom with underfloor heating.
Cover the sowings with a perforated fruit bag or kitchen wrap and spray to keep them moist. When the seeds germinate, take the plantings to a bright place.
You can plant a trout that has grown taller deeper so that only the leaves remain visible. You can plant a trout that has grown taller deeper so that only the leaves remain visible.
You can plant a trout that has grown taller deeper so that only the leaves remain visible. MOSTPHOTOS
3. Transfer the seedlings and fertilize properly
Once the leaves have appeared on the seedlings, transfer them to their own plant pots. You can plant a trout that has grown taller deeper so that only the leaves remain visible. First, water the seedlings with water only and start fertilizing when a new leaf has entered the seedling. Prefer water-miscible irrigation fertilizer.
4. Be awake in late spring
Be awake in late May and plant tomato seedlings in the greenhouse or out in early June. If tomatoes are planted out, one must be sure that there will be no more night frosts. First, get used to the seedlings gradually to get outside.
The trout can be planted when the first bunch of flowers has developed. A long-stemmed trout can be planted deeper than usual, bending the stem horizontally under the soil. Leave the leaves on the surface.
Plant tomato seedlings in late May in a greenhouse or out in early June. Plant tomato seedlings in late May in a greenhouse or out in early June.
Plant tomato seedlings in late May in a greenhouse or out in early June. MOSTPHOTOS
5. Skip the previous sections and buy the manufacturers
If you can’t grow the seedlings yourself, you can also buy them ready-made, as they are sold in markets and garden stores. When buying seedlings, make sure the variety is right for you.
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6. Support the tomatoes
Tomato seedlings grow quickly and the stem can sometimes break. Especially if you are growing tall tomato varieties, support the tomatoes on support sticks.
Support the frame tomato on the grille, string or long support stick. Note that the fragile shaft must not be tied so that the surface of the shaft rubs. So always make a loose bandage and knot on the support side. The bush tomato can handle one or two sticks.
Tomato seedlings grow quickly and the stem can sometimes break. Tomato seedlings grow quickly and the stem can sometimes break.
Tomato seedlings grow quickly and the stem can sometimes break. TATJANA ROMANOVA
7. Water regularly
Tomato thrives best in a drained pot. Water it regularly, as it is important to keep the substrate moist. If necessary, add fertilizer for vegetable plants once a week.
On hot days, plants consume up to three to four liters of water. In cloudy weather you should water less. Prefer to water in the morning and do not use too cold water.
8. Remove thieves and leaves properly
Regularly remove thieves, ie shoots that grow from leaf blossoms. Shrub tomatoes are an exception, from which thieves are not removed.
To speed up the ripening of the tomato, fold the lower leaves off when the first Bunch is ripening. Remove leaves once a week and up to two leaves at a time. Be careful not to remove them from above the ripening bunch.
Ensure a succulent crop. If the air is too humid, plant diseases will spread more easily and the fruit may crack. Ensure a succulent crop. If the air is too humid, plant diseases will spread more easily and the fruit may crack.
Ensure a succulent crop. If the air is too humid, plant diseases will spread more easily and the fruit may crack. MOSTPHOTOS
9. Remember pollination
A tomato will not bear fruit if its flowers do not dust. Pollination in the open air is often successful, but in the greenhouse the situation is brought nen. Vibration to ensure adequate dusting. A small movement is enough.
10. Ventilate the greenhouse
If the bunches are growing in a greenhouse, ventilate the greenhouse to allow the humidity to drop and the room to cool. Ventilate in early summer during the day. In June-July, you can keep the doors of the unheated greenhouse open at all times.
If the air is too humid, plant diseases will spread more easily and the fruit may crack.
Sowing a tomato
In February – March – April, sow one or two tomato seeds in clean plastic pots. Cover the seeding thinly with sand or peat. Mark the varieties. Use clean, unfertilized seedling mulch or growing peat as the growing medium. Keep the seedlings moist and protect them with gauze until germination. You can also sow more tomato seeds in a shallow container.
Germination temperature of tomato seeds
A suitable germination temperature is 22-25 degrees. After the seeds have germinated, move the seedlings to a bright place, about 18 degrees, for example on a windowsill.
If natural light is still scarce, you can use plant light as an aid. With exposure, the seedlings grow into tanak. Sufficient exposure time is usually 14 to 16 hours per day.
Start fertilizing with a mild solution fertilizer when the tomato seedlings have two pairs of leaves.
Planting and training tomato seedlings
When the roots reach the walls of the pot, plant the seedlings in larger pots. When there are two pairs of leaves in the seedlings, the school, ie move each tomato seedling to its own pot without damaging the roots. The lowest pair of leaves comes just level with the soil and is plucked off after planting. When the pot becomes small, move the tomato seedling to a larger pot again. If the stem is very long, you can plant the trout deeper than before, as the tomato will also grow new roots on its stem.
Plant the tomatoes in their final place of growth in a greenhouse or warm place outdoors only after the risk of frost has subsided. The temperature should not fall below ten degrees. The right time is when the first bouquet of flowers is opening.
Towing of tomato seedlings
Stubborn tomato seedlings before planting out by walking them for a couple of hours a day for a couple of weeks, initially in the shade or protected with gauze, later in the sun.
Plant them outside or in a greenhouse when the night temperature is at least 8 degrees.
Tomato growing medium and growing place
A good medium for tomatoes is a nutritious, phosphorus-rich, compost-enhanced and limed garden with a pH of 6-7. Use nutritious garden soil or growing bags.
Ordinary stem tomatoes thrive best in a pot of at least ten liters or planted in a well-nourished bench.
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The tomato requires a sunny, warm and windproof place. The ideal daytime temperature for tomato growth is 20-24 degrees and the nighttime temperature is 16-18 degrees. Excessive coolness slows growth. Many varieties need a little help with frosting or glasses, especially if the summer gets cold.
Tomato care and fertilization
Watering the tomato
During the hot season, the tomato needs a lot of water, as is the strongest growth in July-August. However, the tomato does not like wet soil but needs even moisture. The earth must not dry out. As growth progresses, remove the lower leaves of the stem tomato.
Supporting the tomato
The growth of tomato seedlings can be facilitated by various subsidies. Tomato support can easily be done yourself or buy the support ready in the store.
Tomato fertilization
During the growing season, give the tomato fruit or berry or other low-type irrigation fertilizer once a week. If the tops are intensely green and throbbing, it may be a sign of excessive fertilization. Pale leaves and poor growth are signs of nutrient deficiency.
If there are few flowers in the tomato and they wither, it may be due to excessive nitrogen fertilization. Then check the quantity and quality of the fertilizer.
Tomato pollination
To ensure that the tomatoes are pollinated, it is advisable to shake the seedlings, ie lightly tap the bunches of flowers daily. Dusting can also be assisted with a pre-paint brush. Especially in the greenhouse, pollination aids improve yields.
However, the success of pollination is also affected by temperature. Pollen is best released at 17-23 degrees. If the temperature drops below 15 degrees, the pollen will no longer germinate. Heat above 27 degrees, in turn, impairs the success of pollination.
Tomato thieves
Keep an eye out for tomato thieves from the start. Thieves are shoots that grow from the branch of the trunk and leaf. Snap them out of everything except ampere and shrub tomatoes.
Tomato Peeling
The tomato should be pruned in late summer when the seedling is tall enough or there are enough bunches. The raw leaves get better light when you cut off about a third of the trout leaves when they are topped.
Ripening and cracking of tomatoes
Tomatoes ripen a couple of months after planting.
The cracking of tomatoes in the fall is due to a decrease in the concentration of the soil. The situation can be remedied by increasing potassium-fertilizing fertilization. Concentrations of fertilizers are indicated on the packaging.
Tomatoes can also crack suddenly as the weather quickly changes from sunny to very cloudy. In this case, the humidity rises so high that the plants are unable to evaporate sufficiently and too much liquid accumulates in the fruit. Irrigation can be reduced considerably in late summer.
The autumn halls will stop cultivating in September-October. At the end of growth, green tomatoes can be collected from the crop inside post-ripen on a flat surface.
Tomato is not suitable for crop rotation. It works best when new seedlings are planted year after year in the same place. The crop stays healthy when fertilized with compost with tomato’s own litter. Compost, horn chips, bone meal and composted chicken manure can be added to the medium already in the autumn after harvest.
Examples of tomato varieties
Choose a tomato variety according to the place of growth. Different varieties are suitable for potting and open field than for greenhouse cultivation.
A warm wall or balcony also goes for tomatoes. Always consider a warm, bright and sheltered growing place for tomatoes grown outdoors.
For example, tape the name of the variety to the tomato support so you can check how each variety is grown.
To the open air
‘Danish Exports’ / ‘Bonner Beste’: Round Fruit Tomato. A popular, early and reliable variety for the home gardener.
‘Diplom F1’: Early, large-fruited, disease-resistant. Organic seed production.
‘Outdoor Girl’: An early bush tomato. Round, almost medium-sized, red and tasty fruit.
To the greenhouse
‘Gardeners’ Delight ’: A framed, large-fruited cherry tomato. In the reputation of the best tomato in the world. Strongly growing.
‘Moneymaker’: A medieval, fruity and tasty old English variety. Solid, deep red fruit. Strongly growing.
‘Cuor di Bue’: Old Italian trunked tomato. Large, sweet, firm and heart-shaped fruit.
To the balcony
‘Balconi Yellow’: A very sweet cherry tomato. Fruit yellow. Shrubby growth method, thieves are not removed.
‘Chocolate Cherry’: Aromatic, fruity cherry tomato. Chocolate brown streaks on dark red fruit.
‘Hundreds & Thousands’: Hundreds of sweet, grape-sized fruits. Suitable for ampoules and pots. Long harvest season. минерални цени торове