The choice of fertilizer for tomatoes in a greenhouse must be approached very carefully. After all, the crop’s productivity depends on it. To solve this problem, each farmer uses his own recipe. Therefore, there are quite a lot of feeding options. But it is worth considering that the purpose of fertilizing is to improve the soil and supply the plant with all the elements. So, how to fertilize tomatoes in a greenhouse, as well as what fertilizers to use and when?
Soil features
Before choosing fertilizers, it is worth considering the characteristics of the soil. This will allow you to select a substance that will eliminate all its shortcomings.What features does the soil in a film covering have:
- In greenhouses and other film coverings, it is difficult to adhere to the rules of rotation of certain crops. If you grow tomatoes exclusively in a greenhouse, they are planted in the same place every year. As a result, soil depletion occurs. Every year the plant takes the same elements from it.
- Also, film coverings are distinguished by a small amount of soil mass. Of course, this problem is relevant when using bulk areas or boxes. In open ground, natural migration of certain substances occurs. As for the greenhouse, such processes are practically excluded. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the soil.
- To control pests and diseases in the greenhouse, various chemicals are used. Their disadvantage is that as a result of their use there is a risk of harming the soil microflora. As a result of this, its fertility is significantly reduced.
To create optimal conditions for the normal development of plants, you need to seriously think about how to increase soil fertility. There are several ways to solve this problem. Among the main ones it is worth highlighting:
- First option. In greenhouses and other film coverings, the soil used is completely replaced. This means that if plants have already been planted in it, then it is not worth reusing it, since it is poor in nutrients. As a result, this will negatively affect the yield.
- Second option. The essence of the method is to add certain fertilizers to the soil. This will saturate it with all the necessary nutrients, which as a result increases its fertility. This method is used in both small and large-scale greenhouses.
Applying fertilizer for tomatoes can significantly increase yield. Of course, in order to achieve the desired result, you need to choose the right substance. So, what to feed tomatoes in a greenhouse?
Popular organic fertilizers
When choosing a substance for feeding tomatoes after planting in a greenhouse, there is no need to focus on only one method. Today, the market offers a large selection of preparations that are used to fully fertilize the soil. But experienced farmers recommend paying special attention to popular organic fertilizers. So, how to feed tomatoes:
- Sheep and cattle droppings. It is a universal fertilizer containing a large amount of organic substances. To protect the greenhouse plant, it is pre-composted. Manure can be used a year after being added to the compost heap.
Interesting: Cow dung is very popular. But, if you are growing an early crop, then it is better to opt for horse droppings. It emits quite a lot of heat, which warms the soil and protects plants from hypothermia.
- Chicken droppings. It is a rich, effective fertilizer. Poultry droppings contain potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. It is better to fertilize tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse with dried manure, which has previously been subjected to high-temperature treatment. This allows you to destroy helminth eggs, as well as seeds of various weeds.
- Peat. The fertilizer contains a sufficient amount of organic substances and also has good moisture-regulating properties. Humidity is also very important. Therefore, you simply cannot do without peat.The only drawback is that using large amounts of the substance can lead to increased soil acidity. This negatively affects the growth as well as the yield of plants.
- Green manure. In this case, we are talking about cut grass, which is grown directly on the site, and after mowing it is dug up along with the ground.
- Other substances presented in the form of wood shavings, sawdust and fluff. With their help, you can ensure the cultivation of healthy and developed plants that will give a fairly good harvest.
Today you can find organic substances on the market from various manufacturers. They consist of humic and fulvic acids, which are found in natural soil. Growth stimulants and various bactericidal substances are used as additional components. Particularly popular are complex fertilizers that promote the accumulation of phytomass, as well as the development of the root system.
Inorganic drugs
Inorganic substances are also widely used to feed tomatoes. These fertilizers are rich in macro- and microelements. They are simply necessary for the formation of healthy fruits. It is possible to fertilize tomatoes in a greenhouse with the following substances:
- Phosphorus substances. This primarily concerns phosphates and superphosphates. As the name suggests, they contain phosphorus, as well as superphosphate and other microelements that are necessary for the normal development of bushes and fruit formation. They are part of comprehensive crop care.
Important: experts recommend use superphosphate in granules.
It, of course, costs a little more, but is very convenient to use.
- Potash fertilizers. Often used during fruit ripening.With their help you can improve their taste. Popular options include monophosphate and potassium chloride. This element is contained in wood ash, which is formed after burning pine needles.
- Nitrogen fertilizers. The substance is presented on the market in a wide range. It must be used very carefully. In sufficient quantities, fertilizers stimulate plant growth, but if applied in large quantities, it will lead to increased soil toxicity. As a result, excess nitrates can form in the fruit, which subsequently leads to serious food poisoning.
Inorganic fertilizers can be purchased at almost any garden store. Before using them, you should carefully study the instructions. This is especially true for substances that contain nitrogen. Otherwise, feeding can harm both the plant and the quality of the fruit.
How to fertilize tomatoes
Feeding tomatoes in a greenhouse is carried out in accordance with certain rules and recommendations of experts. The yield will depend on this. You need to start work by preparing the soil.
Soil preparation
Before planting tomatoes in a greenhouse, experts recommend preparing the soil. This process is carried out in the following sequence:
- Enrichment of soil with organic matter. The soil in the greenhouse is being dug up. After this, compost, ash and superphosphate are added to it. In this case, the amount of fertilizer must be strictly observed. So, for feeding 1 m2 you will need about 4 kg of compost.
If tomatoes are grown in boxes, then fertilizers use manure, as well as peat. Experts recommend watering with a solution of nitroammophoska. Add 1 tsp per 2 liters of water. substances.
- A few weeks later, another portion of fertilizer is added to the ground. For this, a mixture of nitroammophosphate and a weak solution of potassium permanganate is used. Using potassium permanganate, high-quality soil disinfection is performed.
- Picking. This process negatively affects the growing of young plants. Therefore, it is necessary to support them. To do this, a week after the picking, potassium sulfate and superphosphate are added to the soil.
- Planting bushes in prepared soil. Fertilizing is also carried out at the time of planting seedlings in the ground. A growth stimulator is added to each well. It has a positive effect on the root system and improves its development. Also, superphosphate and nitrate solution are used together with this.
Thus, the soil is prepared in the greenhouse. When all the work is completed, you can begin planting seedlings.
Fertilizer during growth
Tomatoes need to be fed while they are growing. The process is carried out according to the following scheme:
- The first feeding of tomatoes after planting is done after a week and a half. To do this, the soil around the stem is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.
- After 14 days, a solution of ammonium nitrate is added. Here 15 g of the substance is added to a bucket of water.
- If we are talking about growing an early variety of tomatoes, then to get a good harvest, fertilize with a solution that contains superphosphate, urea, and potassium sulfate. To prepare it, add 10 g of each substance to a bucket of water.
- During the flowering period, plants are root fertilized with mullein. You also need to periodically apply potassium fertilizers or a concentrated solution of the same mullein.
Important: you need to breed mullein correctly. This will prevent the formation of burns.This process is best carried out in two stages.
At the final stage, root feeding of tomatoes is carried out in the greenhouse. It is carried out during the formation of tomato fruits. Potassium sulfate and other substances are used for this. 10 g of these substances are added to a bucket of warm water. Ash is also added to the solution. The mixture is used 500 ml for each bush.
This feeding scheme will ensure a high yield of tomatoes from the greenhouse.
