Top dressing of tomatoes in the open field
Content:
After planting in open ground, many tomatoes need feeding. Timely applied fertilization promotes the growth and development of plants, as well as the correct formation of the root system. Any plant needs fertile soil, as well as nutrients that must be contained in this very soil. However, not all soils are rich in mineral trace elements. Therefore, feeding tomatoes in the open field is considered a prerequisite for the normal development of seedlings. Let's say in advance that tomatoes are very demanding on soil fertility. However, everything needs to be done on time, and, of course, not overdo it with fertilizers. Since the excess can harm the plants, and they can die.
Soil fertility
For growing tomatoes, soil fertility is considered an important point. The soil must contain many trace elements. Therefore, summer residents recommend preparing the soil for planting tomatoes in the fall or early spring.
Choosing a place
Tomatoes, like any other cultivated plant, need to choose the right place to grow. The area where you plan to plant this crop should be well lit, and the sun's rays should touch the ground for at least six hours a day. The site should be well ventilated, but tomatoes still do not like drafts. The soil should be well moistened and fertile, and the temperature regime should be stable. Observing the crop rotation, it is advisable to plant tomatoes in the place where various legumes and cucumbers previously grew. After potatoes, it is advisable to grow tomatoes only after a couple of years. The soil should have a good structure and the groundwater should not be too deep. If we talk about the direction of the beds, then it is advisable to arrange them not from north to south, from west to east, this will allow the earth to evenly warm up as the sun rises. Remember that tomatoes are very fond of warmth and light.
Preparing the land
In the fall, it is advisable to dig up the soil at the site of future plantings. This is best done with one shovel bayonet. Organic fertilizers, manure, compost or drainage can be applied to the soil immediately. Remember that tomatoes do not like acidic soils, so if the area is acidic, then it is better to liming, for example, adding wood ash or chalk. However, this must be done at a rate depending on the level of soil acidification. You can prepare the soil in early spring. However, you should not bring in non-decomposed humus or manure, which contains elements harmful to the soil. In the spring, you should also loosen the topsoil with one shovel bayonet. Before loosening, you can add additional mineral fertilizers to the ground. Then the top layer of the soil must be leveled, and then the holes must be made. Depending on the variety of tomatoes, the depth of the planting holes should also be chosen. However, remember about the high growth of plants. Depending on how high a particular tomato variety can grow, the desired distance between the plants should be formed.
Top dressing of tomatoes in the open field
It is recommended to apply the first fertilizer after you plant the seedlings in open ground no earlier than after 10 or 14 days. After that, the tomatoes should be fed at intervals of 2 weeks. However, this should only be done as needed. If your seedlings are healthy and strong, there is no need to fertilize the soil.
Organic fertilizers
In order to fertilize tomatoes, you need to stock up on peat, compost, manure or humus. Usually, organic matter is recommended to be applied once, and in the later stages of plant development, it is better to use mineral fertilizers. Remember that it is organic matter that contributes to the growth of green mass. Therefore, during the period of fruit ripening or flowering, organic fertilizers are useless for tomatoes.
Often, cow dung is used to feed tomatoes, namely, a liquid infusion prepared from it. This fertilizer contains a lot of nitrogen, so it is best to apply it before flowering. But feeding with cow dung should be done with caution, as they can simply burn tomatoes. Poultry manure, which also contains a lot of nitrogen, is often used to feed tomatoes. It, like cow dung, is mixed with water and the plant is watered with the resulting solution. But in any case, do not use it in its pure form. Sometimes poultry manure and cow dung are mixed to form a complex organic fertilizer. Often minerals are also added to this solution.
Having looked carefully at your site, you can create a healthy herbal infusion with your own hands, which is considered an excellent organic fertilizer for tomatoes. In order to prepare such an infusion, you can use chamomile, dandelion, quinoa, as well as other types of herbs. Chopped grass will need to be filled with water, and then left for several days in order for the solution to ferment. Then water the plants. Tomatoes are often fed with coffee grounds and yeast. This organic matter is rich in useful minerals and vitamins, and such feeding is also considered an excellent stimulant for plant growth.
Mineral dressing of tomatoes in the open field
Tomatoes are very fond of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other trace elements. Therefore, in order for the plants to develop well, it is necessary to apply mineral fertilizers in a timely manner. Moreover, it is important to remember that mineral fertilizers are usually applied at the later stages of plant development. You can buy a special mineral complex from a specialty store. Among them, gardeners use the Universal, Solution, Kemira and others most effectively. In order to apply these mineral fertilizers, you need to read the instructions. You can also make your own mineral fertilizer if you purchase different minerals and combine them. In fact, this feeding option will cost a lot less than expensive ready-made formulations. Tomatoes are fed both by foliar and root methods. Watch your plants carefully and feed them in time so that they will delight you in the future with their fruits.