Fertilizing tomatoes in the open field

Tomatoes grow better in greenhouses, but in a hot summer you can also get a good harvest from plants growing under the sky.

Soil

1. 1. Only early, fast-growing and productive varieties are suitable for outdoor conditions. They cannot be harvested for a long time in autumn like those planted in greenhouses. In order for field tomatoes to grow, the main thing is to ensure healthy soil, regularly water and feed the plants.
2. 2. The most suitable would be well-kept, fertile and with an adjusted moisture regime, loamy or loamy soils, where the pHKCl level is within 5.7 - 6.5;
3. 3. Depending on the variety, the seedlings are planted at a distance of 50 or 70 cm to the first pair of leaves;
4. 4. Early varieties must be planted straight so that the beginning of the harvest is not delayed;
5. 5. Medium and late varieties, if the seedling has wilted, can be planted deeper and slanted to form additional roots and make the plant stronger.
6. 6. It is recommended to grow green vegetables (cucumbers, cabbage), legumes, courgettes, root vegetables next to tomatoes;
7. 7. Potatoes and peppers must not be planted near tomatoes;8. Tomatoes can be planted in the same place after 3-4 years.

Soil preparation

1. 1. After harvesting the pre-plant, prepare the soil;
2. 2. If there are perennial weeds in the field, it is recommended to treat the field with one of the registered herbicides containing glyphosate;
3. 3. After the weeds wither, the field is plowed and if, according to the soil analysis, there is a deficiency of potassium and phosphorus in the soil, then phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are incorporated in the required amount;
4. 4. In the spring before planting, the soil is milled or cultivated at least twice in order to obtain loose soil and limit germinating weeds even before planting;
5. 5. Nitrogen fertilizer is incorporated into the soil before planting seedlings;
6. 6. If manure is used for fertilizing tomatoes, then it is incorporated in autumn before plowing, however, it should be taken into account that additional weed seeds are brought in with manure. According to the current legislation, the amount of N given with the total amount of applied manure may not exceed 170 kg N/ha;
7. 7. Field processing in spring should not be rushed, because unlike other crops, tomatoes can be exhibited in later periods;
8. 8. The beds should be prepared 8-10 days before planting;
9. 9. Planting is better done in the second half of the day, so that the seedlings have time to strengthen and prepare for the next day's heat;
10. 10. On a cloudy day, seedlings can be planted at any time;
11. 11. The seedlings must be fresh, the seedlings affected by the wind develop more slowly, the first flowers fall off, thus losing the first harvest;
12. 12. It is recommended to plant in the prepared hole, at the same level as it was in the container;
13. 13. If the depth is too great, additional roots will begin to develop, but the plant may stop growing;
14. 14. 20-25 cm high seedlings are planted in two rows. There should be a distance of 60-90 cm between tomato rows, and 40 cm between plants.
15. 15. Tomatoes are planted in the ground when the last frost is over. Hardened plants can also be planted in mid-May. For a faster harvest, tomatoes are planted in a bed that is covered with a film. It can be harvested in early June;
16. 16. After planting tomatoes in the field, the tomato plantation must be kept clean of weeds throughout the growing season;
17. 17. Regular loosening of the top layer of the soil once a week is effective, thus destroying the small, newly sprouted weeds and preventing the formation of a soil crust;
18. 18. It is necessary to control the possible spread of diseases and pests;
19. 19. Depending on the variety, field tomatoes are grown with or without tying to stakes;
20. 20. If it is planned to tie tomatoes during cultivation, stakes are driven next to each plant immediately after planting;
21. 21. The tip must be regularly twisted and tied to the stake, as well as cutting out or breaking out the branches;
22. 22. Short varieties are grown without tying and shaping.

Climatic conditions and humidity

1. 1. For the cultivation of tomatoes in the open field, choose a place that is protected from cold winds and where the terrain does not allow the accumulation of surface water.
2. 2. The minimum soil temperature at which tomatoes can be displayed in the ground is +14-15 C, optimal - +15-18 C;
3. 3. If the soil is too cool, the growth and development of the roots is disturbed, favorable conditions for fungal and bacterial diseases occur;
4. 4. Roots do not grow if the soil temperature is below +12 C;
5. 5. During vegetation, the air temperature should be +18-22 C, at a temperature below +12 C, the intake of several nutrients in the plant is disturbed, which slows down growth and interferes with fruiting;
6. 6. Temperature above +30 C also interferes with growth and pollen germination, causes shedding of flowers and fruit scales, uneven coloring of fruits (characteristic yellow spots appear on fruits);
7. 7. The first watering should be done after 8-10 days;
8. 8. In warm and dry weather, tomatoes should be watered regularly, about 2 - 3 times a week, depending on the air temperature and the amount of moisture in the soil. The amount of moisture in the soil during flowering should be around 60%, during fruiting - around 70%, and during harvesting - 75 - 85%. A lack of moisture in the soil causes flowers and pods to fall off and is one of the causes of non-parasitic fruit top rot. During the entire vegetation period, one should not forget about balanced fertilization, so that the tomatoes are as healthy as possible and more protected from various diseases.

Plant and soil fertilization recommendations and conditions

1. 1. If mineral fertilizers are used for basic fertilizing, then they are incorporated into the soil immediately before planting tomato seedlings, taking into account that the ratio of nitrogen and potassium should be 1:1.7 - 1.9 at the beginning of cultivation, and 1:1.5 - during mass harvest;
2. 2. For additional fertilizing, it would be more advisable to use liquid or water-soluble mineral fertilizers, which also contain trace elements necessary for tomatoes;
3. 3. Additional fertilization is started 3 - 5 days after planting the seedlings, the first time fertilizing with calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)2);
4. 4. Next, fertilizing is carried out alternately with complex fertilizer and calcium nitrate;
5. 5. In cold weather, it is recommended to use fertilizer that contains phosphorus that is easily absorbed by the plant, which ensures higher resistance to diseases;
6. 6. In hot weather, it is recommended to apply calcium-containing fertilizer through the leaves, because at high temperatures it is difficult for the plant to absorb calcium, which can contribute to the rotting of the tops of the fruits.
7. 7. Another variation for fertilization: a. The soil should be prepared already in autumn, it should first be dug up and amended with compost (1 bucket of compost per 1 m2 of land). In the spring, the soil should be enriched with fertilizers (40-50 g of superphosphate, 20-25 g of potassium sulfate, 15-20 g of sodium nitrate per 1 m2). Tomatoes like fertilizing with ash. b. Before planting tomatoes, pour 1-1.5 l of a special solution (1 g of permanganate per 10 l of water), around 50-60 degrees, into the prepared hole. It is best to plant tomatoes in a hole with compost in an area of one shovel.
8. 8. Before digging, the soil is treated with copper sulfate solution (10 l - 20 g spoon), using 1.5 l of solution per 1 square meter of area;
9. 9. Mineral and organic fertilizers should also be mixed. The beds are dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm, watered with water and permanganate solution.
10. 10. The first fertilization should be done 2 weeks after transplanting, the second - when tomatoes start to appear, and the third - 2-3 weeks later;
11. 11. A longer period of time should pass between the first and the second time, because it is better not to fertilize tomatoes during the bunching stage, as an excessive amount of nitrogen can hinder the development of the plant;
12. 12. For the first time, a mixture of 10 l of water, 15-20 g of ammonia saltpetre, 60-80 g of superphosphate, 40-50 g of potassium salt, 40-50 g of ammonium phosphate is prepared;
13. 13. Nitrogen fertilizers are not used in the second and third fertilization;
14. 14. The first time it is recommended to use barnyard manure (1:5), 1 l per plant;15. Foliar fertilization gives good results.