Tomatoes are grown in open ground in the Moscow region on beds or ridges. In this case, the earth warms up better. This also ensures effective air exchange. Conditions are created for the vital activity of anaerobic microorganisms, which have a positive effect on yield. Tomato bushes planted in beds must have access to sunlight throughout the entire daylight hours in the Moscow region.
Digging of the soil for planting tomato seedlings is carried out approximately 30 cm. In the autumn, organic matter is added. Pre-sowing soil tillage in spring includes leveling the top layer and loosening it. The most optimal soil for growing tomatoes is considered to be light soil with a high content of nutrients.
Using crop rotation
Better survival rate of tomato seedlings in the Moscow region, and subsequently optimal performance during harvesting, can be obtained if tomato beds are planned after:
- legumes;
- cucumbers;
- cabbage
It is not recommended to plant for 3-4 years in areas where vegetable crops of the nightshade family grew (physalis, eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes). Failure to comply with this recommendation can lead to the emergence of specific diseases in tomatoes and the appearance of insect pests.
Time to plant seedlings in beds
It is dangerous to plant tomato seedlings if the soil in the beds has not warmed up to 14-16 degrees. In the Moscow region, such ground temperatures can be expected in early May. Seedlings in containers are thoroughly watered with water at room temperature a day before planting in the soil to ensure safe removal of the plants. If the seedlings were planted in separate peat pots, then abundant watering is not necessary.
If the tender roots of tomatoes are damaged during planting, then before placing them in the soil, the root system is soaked in a special mash. Its composition consists of a mixture of mullein water and clay. Instead of clay, you can use lowland peat. You can prepare such a product even without using a container, but by mixing all the ingredients in a small hole dug in the soil. If you have to transport seedlings to the planting site, then such a chatter will protect the plants from drying out.
Note! It is advisable to choose a cloudy day for planting tomatoes, otherwise the sun's rays may cause the planted plants to wither. If this procedure is carried out in sunny time, then the tomato seedlings should be covered until the evening with a special awning.
Planting of seedlings is carried out in rows. If plants with tall stems are planted, then 60-70 cm should be left in the row between plants. Small bushes are planted at a distance of approximately 60-70 cm, and low-growing varieties - 30-35 cm.
The hole for planting seedlings should have a depth of about 10-12 cm. A handful of rotted manure or compost is placed in it. Then the soil is moistened with cold water (about 1 liter per hole). The plant is lowered into the hole so that the lower leaves are close to the soil surface. Peat pots are buried approximately 2-3 cm into the soil.
This allows the root system to grow along almost the entire length of the stem located in the ground. This process is especially relevant if you have to plant weakened or dried out seedlings.
When planting plants that are too elongated, they are deepened into the soil a little more. However, one should take into account the fact that the soil warms up to such a depth. If the soil is not warmed up, and besides, its structure is too heavy, then the seedlings are planted at an angle. It is usually planted at an angle of 45 degrees towards the north side. The stem placed in the hole is sprinkled with soil, and the part that remains above the surface is tied to a support. On such a stem, new roots gradually grow, which can provide the plant with additional nutrition.
In sunny weather, the planted seedlings must be watered daily until they are completely rooted. This process in the Moscow region lasts approximately 7 days.If there is a threat of frost returning, the planted tomato beds are covered with film or other non-woven material. For this purpose, you can use sheets of newspaper or straw. On such days, the soil in the beds is watered, and then the smoke process is ensured until sunrise. This helps protect the planted seedlings from death.
Caring for planted tomatoes
Caring for tomatoes by weeding begins only after the plants have completely taken root. Destruction of the integrity of the soil crust should be done after each watering of the soil or after rainfall. This type of care on hot days is identical to mulching, as it prevents intense evaporation of moisture from the soil. In rainy climates, this process will reduce the likelihood of fungal diseases occurring in plants.
Carrying out first feeding of tomato seedlings begin 0.5 months after it is planted in the ground. The next application of fertilizers is made after the bushes begin to flower. The third time the soil is fertilized at the moment of mass filling of fruits.
Tomatoes are fertilized with bird droppings dissolved in water at the rate of 100 g per 10 liters of water. After three days of infusion, the plants are watered with this liquid by adding 1 liter to each bush.
Keep in mind! After fertilizing the tomatoes, it is recommended to carry out regular watering to avoid burning the root system.
It is recommended to treat the plants with Bordeaux mixture twice a season. The first spraying is carried out 20 days after planting the seedlings in the ground, and the next, at the beginning of the tomato ripening period. To prevent the occurrence of late blight, spray with serum diluted with water (1x3).
How to plant stepsons correctly and methods for tying tomato stems
Cutting off side shoots (stepchildren) is carried out with the aim of maximizing the intensive growth of the main stems of the plant, as well as the ripening of tomatoes. In addition, the top of the stem is pinched. In the Moscow region, you can successfully grow tomatoes when the bushes form one main stem. In this case, all side shoots are removed.
Pinching is carried out by breaking off the shoots growing in the axils of the leaves on the main stem. This process must be under the control of the vegetable grower. It is necessary to carefully monitor the tomatoes, since it is optimal to break them off when the stepsons reach 3-5 cm. But you should not remove the shoot completely, as this causes problems with the development of the plant. The stump from the stepson is left approximately 1 cm in size.
After the third inflorescence, the top of the stem is pinched (pinch). This is done so that the bush directs its energy to ripening the remaining fruits. Leave 2-3 leaves above the last cluster with ovaries.
In the Moscow region, when growing tall varieties of tomatoes in open ground, the stem must be tied to a support. It is dug in next to the hole (on its northern side) at the time of planting seedlings. The distance to the hole is left approximately 12-15 cm. The stem is tied with twine, using the figure eight method, slightly above each flower cluster.
Organization of irrigation regime
Watering tomatoes should be carried out regularly. To determine the need for watering, dig a hole next to the plant to a depth of about 20-25 cm. If the soil at the bottom is moist, then you can wait a while with watering.
Tomatoes are watered only at the root.You cannot spray their leaves, as this can lead to burns and late blight, especially if this procedure is carried out at lunchtime. The best method is drip irrigation.
Irregular watering can cause tomatoes to crack. This phenomenon is especially noticeable in hot weather. The intensity of watering during fruit ripening should be slightly reduced. Because excess moisture does not allow the fruits to ripen, and blossom end rot may also appear.
Harvesting tomatoes in the Moscow region
Early ripening tomato varieties grown in open areas are harvested starting in July. In this variety of tomatoes, the period before fruit ripening lasts only 45 days after seed germination. To speed up this period, unripe (brown) tomatoes are picked. You should also pick off fruits with obvious defects or signs of disease.
When growing medium-ripening or late-ripening tomato varieties in the Moscow region, they may be affected by late blight due to the fact that cold dew appears in the morning. To protect plants from this, you can cover them with film at night. If the cold season sets in and the tomatoes are not yet ripe, they should still be picked. You can put them to ripen, or preserve them green. There are many recipes for such pickling.
Tomato storage
Unripe fruits may turn red if stored in a warm room. Usually they are laid out in one layer on the windowsill. They also use a method in which the fruits are immersed in water at a temperature of 65 degrees for 2-3 minutes, and then cooled in a basin of cool water.After drying, the vegetables are placed in special fruit boxes. Unripe tomatoes are laid out, alternating with ripe tomatoes. This method helps speed up the ripening process due to the fact that ripe fruits emit ethylene gas, which accelerates the ripening of other tomatoes.
The boxes are installed in a room with sufficient lighting. Otherwise, the tomatoes will have a weak color, and the ripening period will last longer. If it is necessary to lengthen the period of their ripening, then the temperature in the room is lowered to 10 degrees. Fully ripened tomatoes can be stored for up to 1.5 months, provided that the storage temperature is maintained between 5 and 10 degrees.
