Tomatoes in bags: step by step cultivation in open field and greenhouse

Growing tomatoes in bags can be done both in open ground and in a greenhouse. The bags in which the seedlings are planted are chosen from polyethylene, large sizes. They are filled with a nutritious soil mixture, which can be bought in speci alty stores or made at home. Growing tomatoes in bags requires a certain approach - it's not as easy as it seems at first glance.

Principle of planting tomatoes

Not all gardeners know how to grow tomatoes in bags. Tomatoes grow better than other vegetables and bear fruit in different containers.It is very convenient to move tomatoes from one place to another without damaging the root system or shoots, but peppers or cucumbers break easily when moved.

Initially, seedlings can be planted in small bags, with a volume of 25 - 30 liters. Each should be filled with compost - 20 kg per container. Growing tomatoes in bags has an advantage: usually tomato seedlings are not planted in open ground until the end of spring frosts, and so tomatoes can simply be transferred to heat in May, and put back on the site after the end of cold weather.

When moving the bags from place to place, there is some risk that they may tear at the bottom, where a drainage hole is made, which is necessary so that excess moisture comes out and the root system of vegetable plants does not start to rot.

An important nuance is the choice of color. Dark attracts sunlight, the soil will heat up, which will adversely affect the root system and the condition of the tomatoes as a whole. In this case, the tomatoes will not form inflorescences well, and it will be necessary to water more often.

Experts recommend using white sugar bags - they are more durable than ordinary polyethylene bags. Another advantage of such containers is the presence of natural holes for moisture to escape.

Planting and caring for tomatoes

When growing low-growing tomatoes, the bags are filled with nutrient soil mixture by 1/3, for tall varieties it should be filled by ½. Then the tomatoes in the bags are carefully placed in the greenhouse, tightly to each other, the upper part of the bag should be turned outward.

Planting seedlings is carried out step by step as follows:

Pour the prepared (or self-prepared) nutrient mixture into the bag.
Seedlings are carefully transplanted from the container to a permanent place - 2 - 3 plants can be planted in each bag, depending on their height.
From above, the root system is covered with soil, the neck should be at ground level. The soil is carefully compacted.
The planted seedlings are watered.
Move containers to the greenhouse. If the frosts have passed, they can also be taken out to the garden.

Further cultivation of tomatoes is no different from the usual cultivation of vegetables. Watering is carried out every 3 - 4 days, in the heat - more often. Garter high grades should be performed at the base. Top dressing is carried out several times per season - before flowering, during fruit set and in the process of ripening tomatoes.

After the entire crop is harvested, the tops of the tomatoes are pulled out and burned. The soil should be poured into the compost heap. Do not throw away the bags: they will serve perfectly for growing tomatoes for at least 2 - 3 seasons.

Dignity of the method

The undoubted advantages of tomatoes grown in this way include:

"beds" with tomatoes can be placed where it is convenient for the vegetable grower;
if cold days come, plants can be removed to a warm room;
moisture evaporates more slowly, so you can water this "garden" less often;
a small amount of soil in such containers warms up faster and cools down more slowly.

As a result, growing tomatoes in bags is even easier than the traditional way.

What materials will be needed for the experiment

Growing tomatoes in bags is a little different from the standard, you just need to prepare for planting seedlings. Required:

Bags. It is better to use large bags for planting, which previously contained sugar (30 or 50 kg): they are durable and better pass moisture and air than similar polyethylene ones. Drainage holes in such a container are made simply - just cut the corners.
Ground. The prepared soil should have a neutral reaction - tomatoes will develop worse in acidic or alkaline. For better looseness, sawdust or vermiculite is added to the soil. The bag can be filled with rotted manure or humus by 0.5 volume, and the rest of the space with ordinary soil: until the ovaries appear, the tomatoes can not be fed. Some growers use only compost as filler.
Supports for tying tomatoes. Usually they use slats, ropes, wire - they are pulled at a small height above the "garden", and the shoots are tied up with ordinary twine. Wooden stakes can be inserted.

Having prepared everything you need for this method of growing tomatoes, you should pay attention to the seedlings - how suitable the seedlings are for planting in new conditions (this method differs little from the greenhouse one). He althy strong seedlings must meet the following requirements:

height - about 28cm;
color of stems and foliage - deep emerald;
flowering seedlings should not be;
seedlings should be planted at the age of about 60 days and with 7 - 8 permanent leaves.

Only seedlings that meet the above requirements will grow well and give a bountiful harvest.

Growing Nuances

If it suddenly gets cold, you can not drag the container into the heat, but simply close the sprouts with the free edges of the bag. If the temperature drops too much, the plants should be moved to a warm place for a while.

Water should be regular, but not plentiful, as moisture slowly leaves, and its stagnation can provoke rotting of the root system.

In the first month after planting the seedlings, it may be necessary to add soil to cover the growing new roots.

When reusing bags, they are pre-treated with Bordeaux liquid or potassium permanganate to prevent the development of diseases in tomatoes.

Growing tomatoes in bags is already a fairly popular method that many gardeners have adopted. Especially such an experiment was “to the taste” of gardeners with small plots of land.