Growing tomatoes in the open field in the suburbs: how to properly care

Cultivation of tomatoes in the open field in the suburbs is carried out on beds or ridges. In this case, the earth warms up better. It also ensures efficient air exchange. Conditions are created for the vital activity of anaerobic microorganisms, which have a positive effect on the harvest. Tomato bushes planted in the beds should have access to sunlight throughout the daylight hours of the Moscow region.

Digging up the soil for planting tomato seedlings is carried out by about 30 cm. In autumn, organic matter is introduced.Pre-sowing tillage in the spring includes leveling the top layer and loosening it. The most optimal soil for growing tomatoes is light soil with a high content of nutrients.

Using crop rotation

The best survival rate of tomato seedlings in the Moscow region, and subsequently optimal harvesting performance can be obtained if tomato beds are planned after:

legumes;
cucumbers;
cabbage.

It is not recommended to plant for 3-4 years in areas where vegetables of the nightshade family (physalis, eggplant, potatoes, and also tomato) grew. Failure to follow this recommendation can lead to the emergence of specific diseases in tomatoes and the appearance of pests.

Time for planting seedlings in the beds

It is dangerous to plant tomato seedlings if the soil in the beds has not warmed up to 14-16 degrees. In the Moscow region, such ground temperatures can be expected in early May. Seedlings in containers the day before planting in the soil are thoroughly watered with water at room temperature to ensure the safe excavation of plants. If the seedlings were planted in separate peat pots, then abundant watering is not necessary.

If during the planting of seedlings the delicate roots of tomatoes are damaged, then before they are placed in the soil, the root system is soaked in a special mash. Its composition consists of a mixture of mullein water and clay. Instead of clay, low-lying peat can be used. You can even prepare such a remedy without using a container, but by mixing all the ingredients in a small hole dug in the soil. If you have to transport seedlings to the planting site, then such a talker will protect the plants from drying out.

Pay attention! It is advisable to pick up a cloudy day for planting tomatoes, otherwise the sun's rays can lead to withering of the planted plants. If this procedure is carried out in sunny time, then the tomato seedlings should be covered until the evening with a special awning.

Seedlings are planted in rows. If plants with tall stems are planted, then 60-70 cm should be left in a row between plants. Small bushes are planted at a distance of about 60-70 cm, and undersized varieties - 30-35 cm.

The hole for planting seedlings should be about 10-12 cm deep. A handful of rotted manure or compost is placed in it. Then the soil is moistened with non-cold water (about 1 liter per well). The plant is lowered into the hole so that the lower leaves are next to the soil surface.Peat pots are buried in the ground by about 2-3 cm.

This allows the root system to grow almost the entire length of the stem in the ground. Such a process is especially relevant if you have to plant weakened or dried seedlings.

When planting plants that are too long, they are deepened into the soil a little more. However, at the same time, the fact of warming up the soil to such a depth should be taken into account. If the earth is not warmed up, and besides, it has a too heavy structure, then an inclined planting of seedlings is carried out. It is usually planted at an angle of 45 degrees towards the north side. The stem placed in the hole is sprinkled with soil, and the part that remains above the surface is tied to the support. On such a stem, new roots gradually grow, which can give the plant additional nutrition.

In sunny weather, planted seedlings should be watered daily until they are fully rooted.This process in the Moscow region lasts approximately 7 days. If there is a threat of frost returning, planted tomato beds are covered with a film or other non-woven material. For this purpose, you can use sheets of newspaper or straw. On such days, the soil is irrigated in the beds, and then the process of smoke is provided, until sunrise. This helps to protect the planted seedlings from death.

Caring for planted tomatoes

Care for tomatoes, weeding them, begin only after the plants are fully rooted. The destruction of the integrity of the soil crust should be done after each watering of the soil or after rainfall. Such care on hot days is identical to mulching, as it prevents intensive evaporation of moisture from the soil. In rainy climates, this process will reduce the likelihood of fungal diseases in plants.

The first feeding of tomato seedlings begins 0.5 months after it is planted in the ground. The next fertilization is carried out after the beginning of flowering bushes. The third time they fertilize the soil at the time of the mass pouring of fruits.

Tomatoes are fertilized with bird droppings dissolved in water at the rate of 100 g per 10 liters of water. After three days of infusion, plants are watered with this liquid by adding 1 liter under each bush.

Be aware! It is recommended to carry out regular watering after feeding tomatoes so that the root system does not burn.

It is recommended to treat the plants with Bordeaux liquid twice a season. The first spraying is carried out 20 days after planting seedlings in the ground, and the next, at the beginning of the ripening period of tomatoes. To prevent the occurrence of late blight, spraying with diluted water serum (1x3) is carried out.

How to stepchild correctly and how to tie up the stems of tomatoes

Pruning of lateral shoots (stepsons) is carried out in order to maximize the growth of the main stems of the plant, as well as the ripening of tomatoes. In addition, pinching the top of the stem is carried out. In the Moscow region, you can successfully grow tomatoes when one main stem is formed in the bushes. This removes all side shoots.

Stepping is carried out by breaking off the shoots growing in the axils of the leaves on the main stem. This process should be under the control of the grower. It is necessary to carefully monitor the tomatoes, since it is optimal to break them off when the stepchildren reach 3-5 cm. But you should not remove the shoot completely, as this causes problems in the development of the plant. The stump from the stepson is left about 1 cm in size.

After the third inflorescence, the top of the stem is pinched (pinching). This is done so that the bush directs its forces to the ripening of the remaining fruits. Leave 2-3 leaves above the last brush with ovaries.

In the Moscow region, when growing tall varieties of tomatoes in open ground, the stem is necessarily tied to a support. She digs in next to the hole (on its north side) at the time of planting seedlings. The distance to the hole is left approximately 12-15 cm.

Organization of irrigation regime

Tomatoes should be watered regularly. To determine the need for watering, a hole is dug next to the plant, to a depth of about 20-25 cm.

Tomatoes are watered only under the root. You can not spray their leaves, as this can be fraught with burns, and the appearance of late blight, especially if such a procedure is carried out at lunchtime. Drip irrigation is considered the best way.

Irregular watering can cause cracking of tomatoes. This phenomenon is especially noted in hot weather. The intensity of watering during the period of fruit ripening should be slightly reduced. Because excess moisture does not allow the fruits to ripen, and vertex rot may also appear.

Harvesting tomatoes in the suburbs

Early ripening tomato varieties grown in open areas have been harvested since July. In this variety of tomatoes, the period before fruit ripening lasts only 45 days after seed germination. To speed up this period, tomatoes are cut off in an unripe form (brown). Fruits with obvious defects or with a manifestation of the disease should also be cut off.

When growing in the Moscow region varieties of tomatoes with an average ripening period or late-ripening, they can be affected by late blight due to the fact that cold dew appears in the morning.To protect plants from this, you can cover them with a film at night. If the cold season comes, and the tomatoes are not yet ripe, then they should still be cut off. You can put them on ripening, or canned green. There are many recipes for such s alting.

Tomato storage

Unripe fruits may turn red if stored in a warm room. Usually they are laid out in one layer on the windowsill. They also use a method in which the fruits are immersed in water with a temperature of 65 degrees for 2-3 minutes, and then cooled in a basin with cool water. After drying, the vegetables are laid out in special fruit boxes. Unripe tomatoes are laid out, alternating with ripe tomatoes. This method helps to speed up the process of ripening due to the fact that ripe fruits release ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening of other tomatoes.

Boxes are installed in a room with sufficient lighting. Otherwise, the tomatoes will have a weak color, and the ripening period will stretch for a longer time. If it is necessary to lengthen the period of their ripening, then the temperature in the room is lowered up to 10 degrees. Fully ripe tomatoes can be stored for up to 1.5 months, provided the storage temperature is maintained between 5 and 10 degrees.