Many experienced gardeners grow tomatoes in buckets and are satisfied with their results. There are many positive aspects to this method of growing tomatoes, which make it easier to care for and harvest a high-quality, numerous harvest.
Advantages of the method
Growing tomatoes in buckets is not difficult.
A container with a seedling feels great in open ground and a greenhouse. Gardeners consider the following points to be advantages:
- the water and the soil itself quickly heat up in the bucket, as a result the growth and development of the bush accelerates;
- when watering, water does not spread over the surface of the soil, but penetrates directly to the roots;
- fertilizers are fully supplied to the root system;
- the land can be renewed annually;
- the risk of spreading infection is reduced;
- plantings take up little space and can be moved;
- during heavy, prolonged rains, containers can be placed under the roof;
- no need to fight weeds;
- tomatoes begin to ripen two or even three weeks earlier.
On grown tomato bushes, juicy, fleshy, large fruits are formed, with a dense skin that protects against cracking. A container with seedlings can be kept both in a greenhouse and in ordinary garden beds.
To grow tomatoes in buckets, you need to choose the right variety. This method is suitable for planting hybrids and varieties of tomatoes that have a compact root system and weakly leafy branches.
The reviews note only the positive aspects of such growing in a bucket: “Many years ago I started planting tomato bushes in buckets. And it all started by accident. There were extra sprouts of seedlings left, which it was a pity to throw away. I planted one seedling each in old, leaky buckets filled with soil from the garden beds. I placed the seedlings in the greenhouse, away from the beds.
What was unexpected was that the greenhouse tomatoes in buckets began to ripen 2.5 weeks earlier than the rest of the plantings. Their stems were strong, and their fruits were large and very tasty.
The next year I again planted several sprouts separately. The result again pleased with a tasty harvest. Moreover, I noticed that the more holey the bucket, the more harvest I was able to harvest! Now I plant only in separate containers, the care is minimal, I have never had any diseases, and all family members like the taste of tomatoes!”
Growing technology
You can grow tomatoes in both metal and plastic buckets with a volume of at least 10 liters.You can take old, deformed containers. It must be remembered that the black and dark brown color of the container will heat up more strongly in the sun, which will have a bad effect on the plant. Therefore, buckets of this color need to be wrapped in light-colored material.
Numerous holes are made at the bottom of the prepared container. Excess moisture will escape from the holes made. One sprout is planted in each bucket.
In the last days of October, a mixture of humus and wood ash is poured into a bucket and watered. The ideal option would be to take the land where cucumber beds used to grow.
Buckets are placed in neat rows in a greenhouse or dug into the ground in a garden plot. It is recommended to ensure that there is always snow in the buckets throughout the winter. It saturates the soil well.
Snow melts in buckets much faster than in beds. In addition, the earth warms up faster, so seedlings can be planted much earlier.
Some gardeners come up with other ways to grow tomatoes in buckets in a greenhouse. Growing tomatoes with the root system up is popular. To do this, select a bucket, make a hole at the base through which the seedling is pulled. The roots are covered with earth and compacted.
This method allows you not to resort to weeding and loosening during cultivation. The bucket can be hung anywhere, thus saving space, which is always in short supply.
Rules of care
Caring for tomatoes in buckets involves the usual steps.
- Watering should occur as the soil dries out. If the buckets are dug into the ground, then you can water the space outside the container. Avoid getting water on the green part of the plants.
- The room in the greenhouse must be ventilated and the air temperature and humidity monitored. Air humidity is no more than 70%, temperature is no higher than 30 degrees.
- Weeds must be removed promptly.
- Many varieties of tomatoes require pinching during care.
- During the entire growing season, fertilizers must be applied at least three times.
It is necessary to carry out hilling. The procedure helps strengthen the root system, the stem becomes powerful, and the leaves are rich green. Since the area around the bush is small, the work will take a little time.
Mulching is recommended, although seedlings in buckets do not need this step as much. But still, mulch can reduce the risk of infection spreading, pest attack, weeds will not appear, and moisture will not evaporate. As mulch, you can choose peat, chopped meadow grass, sawdust, and straw.
To prevent a dry crust from forming on the surface of the soil, it is useful to loosen the soil, especially after watering or rain, if tomatoes are grown outdoors. Thanks to loosening, microelements and oxygen penetrate inside the plant faster.
Growing tomatoes in buckets is not complete without the pinching procedure. Pruning is necessary to increase productivity. Removing lateral, extra branches helps the plant direct all its energy to the formation of fruits, and not to the growth of leaves and stems. Tall varieties of tomatoes most often need this procedure.
If the stem stretches high up, then you need to install a peg to which the bush is tied. Sometimes low-growing bushes also need a garter. Placing a large number of fruits on branches can cause the stem to break.Thanks to the garter, light and air can freely flow to all parts of the plant.
Suitable varieties
You can plant any variety of tomatoes in a bucket, for example, you can try the following types.
The Miracle of the Earth variety is an early ripening variety. indeterminate groups of tomatoes. The stem can stretch up to 170 cm. The bright pink fruits in buckets begin to ripen after 90 days. Weight can reach 500 g. The harvested crop can be stored for a long time and does not crack.
The bush of the Canadian giant variety can grow up to 150 cm, so it needs to be tied up. The red-orange fruits can weigh about 350 g and have a slightly flattened shape. The pulp is sweet with a pleasant sourness.
Argentine cream is characterized by a compact bush that does not exceed 40 cm in height and high yield. The shape of the tomatoes is oblong with a spout at the base. Weight is about 80 g. Tomatoes begin to turn red after 90 days.
The sorcerer is characterized by early fruit ripening, approximately 95 days. The stem extends up to 50 cm, the branches are medium-leafed. There are 5 fruits on each cluster, which become red when ripe. Weight approximately 150 g.
A gardener's dream is for determinate varieties. The height of the bush is only 65 cm. The fruits are round in shape and have a smooth, glossy, red surface. Average weight is 160 g.
The Shakhtarskaya Slava variety, planted in buckets, is distinguished by a powerful stem, large, sweet tomatoes, weighing about 250 g and early ripening. Fruiting is long lasting. Tomatoes are oval shaped and turn red when ripe. The fruit tastes juicy and sweet.
