Ash for tomato seedlings: how to insist and fertilize at home

Vegetable or wood ash is introduced into the soil for tomatoes, which contains a complete set of chemical elements necessary for plants. Ash is used as a fertilizer not only in the garden, but also at home, as a top dressing for seedlings. Ashes are added to the composition of the soil mixture in a dry form, or diluted in water to obtain a liquid fertilizer. Even a single application of ash top dressing gives a tangible effect.

Ash for tomato seedlings

Ash is a unique fertilizer due to the presence of phosphorus and potassium in a form easily digestible for plants.It also contains calcium, iron, magnesium, sulfur, zinc. The exception is nitrogen, which is volatilized during combustion. But at the initial stage of the formation of the root system and stem, tomatoes need a sufficient amount of phosphorus and potassium.

With the emergence of shoots, phosphorus plays a decisive role, contributing to the intensive growth of roots. A complete root system will ensure further successful growth, earlier flowering and accelerated fruit ripening.
For full development, young tomatoes need potassium, which is involved in the process of stem formation. Traditionally, nitrogen-potassium fertilizers are used. But an excess of nitrogen at the initial stage of growth leads to fattening of plants, pushing back the timing of fruiting and increasing the chances of diseases.
Each element in the composition of the ash fertilizer affects the development of tomatoes. Copper improves the process of respiration, enhances protein and carbohydrate metabolism.Manganese affects the absorption of carbon dioxide. Calcium is involved in metabolic processes, affecting its speed. According to scientists, a valuable product contains about half of the elements that make up the periodic table.

Using ashes for top dressing, you do not have to fear for an excess of chlorine and the consequences associated with its influence. Ash does not contain chlorine. The impact of fertilizer in general has only a positive effect.

Attention! The best in composition is the ash obtained from the burning of sunflower tops, buckwheat plants, pine and birch wood.

Types of dressings for seedlings

Fertilization begins at the stage of soil preparation for tomato seedlings. If you prepare the soil substrate yourself, then the ash will add the necessary nutrients to its composition. Her presence will make the earth looser.In addition, the ash has an alkaline reaction, bringing the acidity of the soil to neutral values.

Use the following recipe, which is suitable for indoor and greenhouse use.

For this mix:

peat 60%;
humus 30%;
river sand 10%.

For 10 liters of the mixture add superphosphate - 30 g, urea and potassium sulfate - 15 g each; and 1 glass of wood ash. Such a substrate will provide plants with a complete complex nutrition, until transplantation to a permanent place.

If it is not possible to independently prepare the soil, then the plants are fed twice during the seedling period. The first feeding is carried out two weeks after the emergence of shoots.The second 10 days before transplanting tomatoes to a permanent place. The purpose of top dressing is to provide plants with a set of nutrients during periods of stress.

Ash is poured into cups for plants or diluted in water and applied to the soil as a liquid top dressing. How to feed the seedlings the gardener chooses himself.

Important! Ash is a light and voluminous product. 500 g of ash powder is placed in a 1 liter jar, 250 g in a half-liter jar, 100 g in a faceted glass, 6 g in a tablespoon.

How to make liquid feed?

Preparing a solution of ash for seedlings of tomatoes is quite simple. The ash is sieved to remove foreign matter. It is advisable to use soft water. Ash powder is poured into a container and filled with water. For 100 g of fertilizer, 5 liters of water are required. The solution is stirred, in this state it is infused for 3-4 hours and used for irrigation.Consumption depends on the size of the container in which the seedlings are planted:

pour 1 tbsp into 200 ml cups. l. solution;
into 500 ml pots pour 2-3 tbsp. l. ash top dressing;
for liter pots you need 4-5 tbsp. l. solution.

The soil must first be moistened. After fertilization, the surface is mulched with a layer of earth 0.5-1 cm. Liquid top dressing is very effective, quickly absorbed into the soil and becomes available to plant roots.

Is too much ash dangerous?

It is quite difficult to accurately determine the composition of self-prepared fertilizer. The percentage of chemical elements varies, and depends on the composition of the raw materials from which the ash is obtained. In any case, there is no need to worry that the plants will receive an excess of nutrition.

Tomatoes take a lot of nutrients, minerals from the soil. Even with the full composition of the soil, you have to feed the plants additionally. If the fertilizer is bought in a store, then the manufacturer indicates the composition. In this case, it is easy to calculate the rate.

Saturation threatens plants only if several types of fertilizers are used at once. Using the ashes as a fertilizer on its own, you should not worry about too much mineral nutrition.

Fertilizing tomatoes during the growing season

Ashes for tomatoes are used throughout the growing season. In order for plants to make the most of this valuable fertilizer, it is used in the following ways.

Ash is brought in at the time of preparing the soil for digging. Add from 700 g to 1.5 kg, depending on the acidity of the soil.
When planting seedlings in a greenhouse or open ground, ash is applied directly to the hole. Under one bush contribute 3 tbsp. l. ash powder, which is sprinkled on top of 5 cm of soil.
As an ordinary fertilizer, the consumption varies between 100-150 g per square meter. area meter. The ash powder is scattered on moist soil, followed by loosening and watering.
Tomatoes are well perceived liquid top dressing, which is prepared at the rate of 100 g of ash powder per 10 liters of water. The solution must be infused for 3-5 hours and used in the proportion of 0.5 l for one bush of tomatoes.
Ash-infused solution can be used for foliar feeding. To do this, planed laundry soap is added to it.

There are many ways, and they can be used to feed tomatoes in protected or open ground.

Uses

When growing tomatoes, the ashes are used not only as fertilizer:

At the initial stage, the seeds are kept in an aqueous solution infused with ash powder. This allows you to nourish the tomato seeds with a supply of trace elements.
Because of its strong alkaline reaction, ash is used to alkalinize acidic soil and to improve its structure, looseness and breathability.
Also, protective properties are attributed to ashes by applying powder to moistened plant leaves. Taking ash powder, tobacco and laundry soap in equal proportions (50 g each), prepare an aqueous solution in 10 liters of water, which is sprayed with green parts of plants. This tool protects tomatoes from pests and even powdery mildew.

But still it is wiser to use a valuable product as a fertilizer. Its unique composition will provide tomato plants with the necessary mineral nutrition.