Every gardener knows that not all varieties of tomatoes are suitable for cultivation in the open ground. The fruits of greenhouse varieties in such conditions simply do not have time to ripen.
What varieties of tomatoes to plant in the ground and how to do it right?
Popular varieties of tomatoes for open ground
Probably no culture can boast such an abundance of varieties like tomato. Here, everyone chooses what suits his taste. But in order not to get confused in the names and facilitate the choice, use the tips of experienced gardeners.
All tomatoes are divided into groups according to the strength of the growth of the bush and the timing of fruiting. Among them there are tall and undersized varieties. Tall require special support and care, but to grow undersized species is not difficult.
By maturity, tomatoes are divided into three groups:
• early ripening, which ripens within three months after germination;
• mid-ripening, the ripening period of which is 115-120 days;
• late ripening, ripen after 130 days.
In harsh climates, it is preferable to grow early ripe tomatoes, which give a plentiful harvest, while medium and late ripening simply do not have time to ripen.
Gardeners most loved these varieties:
• "Sanka" - a stunted early tomato, which is rarely sick, gives stable crops, does not require pinching;
• "Runetochka" - an early and high-yielding variety, the bush rarely grows more than 50 cm;
• "Supergonter" - an early ripening variety that bears fruit well even in bad weather;
• "Perseus" - an undersized tomato of elongated shape, fleshy fruits, have good taste, tolerate transportation;
• "Maryushka" - tomato tolerates bad weather, resistant to diseases and pests. It keeps up to 105-115 days of cultivation.
Tomatoes for open ground are suitable for fresh consumption, processing, well tolerate transportation.
Planting tomato seeds on seedlings for open ground
Tomato seeds need pre-sowing treatment, which reduces the risk of disease and accelerates the germination process.
A solution of potassium permanganate is poured into a clean container, and cotton cloth is laid on the bottom. After the fabric absorbs enough moisture, the excess water is drained. Seeds are spread on a damp cloth. The container is placed in a bag and cleaned for a day in a warm place where the temperature is maintained at 30 degrees. You can put a container of seeds under the battery, after which it is stored in the refrigerator for several hours.
Further germination is carried out in a warm room until the seeds bite, in time it takes up to 5 days. Seeds are ready for planting.
Planting tomatoes is carried out at different times, early varieties are planted later than the rest. As a rule, seeds are sown in the second half of March. For this, seedling cassettes or containers are used. The soil is used loose and breathable.
The boxes are filled with a substrate of 5 cm, lightly tamped the surface of the soil, and form grooves. To make the grooves smooth, use a ruler.
Seeds are laid out at a short distance from each other with a toothpick or other improvised means. Then they are covered with a thin layer of soil and moistened with a spray bottle. Seed containers are labeled with the name of the variety and the date of planting.
For the seeds to germinate quickly, you need to create suitable conditions. To do this, cover the containers with a film and put it in a warm place. Seeds germinate on the fifth day after planting. After the emergence of mass shoots, the film is removed and the boxes are exposed. Next, seedlings are grown at a temperature of about 18 degrees.
Picking tomatoes into separate containers
As soon as the seedlings have grown, and two true leaves appear, seedlings dive into separate pots. You can use any containers or special peat pots for seedlings.
Tanks are filled with fertile soil and seedlings are planted in them. They are pulled out of the general drawer gently, pinching the central root during a dive. Seedlings are deepened to cotyledon leaves.
At first, after planting, tomatoes are well watered. As soon as the plants get stronger and grow a little, they are fed a solution of mineral fertilizers. The dose for the working solution is reduced by half from the one indicated on the package.
Advice! If the seedlings have become crowded in cups, and the time for planting has not yet come, then it can be transplanted into larger containers.
How to temper seedlings before planting in the ground
If seedlings are immediately taken out and planted on the beds, then it will hurt for a long time. To prevent this from happening, they temper her.
A few weeks before planting, seedlings are taken out for 1-2 hours, provided that the weather is warm. Every day, time is increased, but on sunny days the plants are tucked away in the shade.
About a day before planting tomatoes in the soil, seedlings are left on the street until morning. If frost is expected, then at night the plants are covered with spanbond.
In the photo, tomato seedlings ready for planting in the ground
Rules for planting tomatoes in open ground
A warm and sunny place, protected from cold winds, is prepared for growing tomatoes. In addition, it is important to consider the height of the groundwater. Since tomatoes do not tolerate stagnation and the proximity of groundwater at the roots, the place should be moderately dry.
The soil on the site should be light and fertile, humus and mineral fertilizers are added to it. It is also important that it was grown on a bed before tomatoes. The best predecessors are legumes, root crops and greens. But after potatoes, eggplant and peppers, planting tomatoes is not recommended. These cultures have similar diseases, which increases the risk of damage.
Tomatoes are planted in the afternoon or in cloudy weather. During the night, the plants are sufficiently strong and easily take root. Most often, seedlings are transferred to open ground in mid-May.
How to plant tomatoes in the ground
In gardening, several schemes for growing tomatoes are used. It depends on the growth force of the bush, on the irrigation system and other things. The main thing is that each bush should be as light as possible and well purged.
Low-growing varieties are planted in two rows, as shown in the photo. The distance between the bushes is up to 40 cm, and the rows are formed at a distance of half a meter. Between the beds make a passage with a width of about 80 cm. Watering is organized between the rows in the garden.
Tall tomatoes are grown in one row on a bed, while the distance between the bushes is up to 50 cm. A distance of half a meter is made between the beds.
Regardless of the method of cultivation, when planting tomatoes adhere to general recommendations.
1. On the day of planting, seedlings are abundantly watered so as not to injure the roots during transplantation.
2. Wells for tomatoes are made with a depth on the bayonet of a shovel. Water is poured into each well so that it is completely absorbed.
3. Seedlings are deepened to the first pair of leaves, trying not to destroy the lump with the ground.
4. Wells are covered with earth and watered abundantly. After planting, the soil around the plants is mulched with humus, which allows you to save moisture.
5. A support is installed on the bed to tie up growing bushes.
6. Immediately after planting, the bed is covered with a film so that immature plants do not suffer from night frosts. As soon as the seedlings take root, the film is removed.
The adaptation period takes up to 10 days. All this time, tomatoes do not water, do not feed. The first watering is carried out after the plants take root in a new place.
