How to grow tomatoes: planting and care in the open field. Tomato seedlings at home: how to sow and grow healthy tomato seedlings

The harvest of tomatoes depends precisely on how the seedlings are planted. And this process is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. You will have to tinker with the seeds if the ultimate goal is a rich harvest of tomatoes.

When to plant seeds

It will be a mistake to follow the recommendations indicated on the bags of seeds. These tips are quite general, not specific. climatic conditions in which you are . The instructions on the bag will say - "you can plant in May", but your thin stalk of the future tomato bush will not yet be ready for planting in the ground at this time. That is, you still need to monitor the weather conditions in your region, and before planting tomatoes, you need to carry out some manipulations with seedlings.

As for the planting of seedlings, the generally accepted requirements are as follows:

• Tall varieties are sown in mid-March,
• Low-growing varieties are sown in early April,
• Planting seeds consists of five stages: disinfection, soaking, preparatory work on the ground, preparing the place where the seedlings will grow, sowing itself.

To the question “when is it better to plant seeds”, many prefer to answer with the help of lunar calendar. It is a long tradition - to check the phases of the moon in gardening and vegetable growing, and it is safe to say that there is some logic in this. It is better in this case, not to wait for the Moon to indicate to her whether to sow or not to sow seedlings, but to purchase a lunar calendar.

But even if it is not there, the basic rule for planting seeds according to the phases of the moon is enough: you cannot plant seedlings of tomatoes 2 or 3 days before the new moon, just as you cannot plant them several days after the new moon.

It is believed that tomatoes should be planted when the moon is growing. Folk signs say that it is in this phase that what bears fruit from above is doomed to successful growth. And since the fruits of tomatoes grow at the top, then this is a favorable period.

For example, potatoes should be planted when the moon is waning, because potatoes bear fruit from below.

Preparation and sowing of tomato seeds for seedlings (video)

How to prepare soil for seedlings

Many gardeners believe that the soil needs to be prepared independently.

To do good soil, need to:

• Nai the best option- sod land, to which sand and humus are added.
• To be reached optimal level acidity, half a liter of resin and 100 g of chalk should be added to the soil (based on every 10 liters of soil).
• Many add other ingredients, from compost to chicken manure.

But such a mixture can also be bought in a store, you don’t have to disinfect and adjust the level of acidity in it, it is already ready. Seedlings can be sown in it without preliminary measures. When you have chosen this option, the process of planting seeds is simplified.

Seed preparation

Store-bought tomato seeds do not need to be subjected to any manipulation, but do-it-yourself seeds need to be disinfected.

Disinfection happens like this:

• Spread the seeds in gauze bags by variety.
• Dip the bags in a one percent bright solution of potassium permanganate for 15 minutes.
• After the etching procedure, put the bag in a colander and rinse under running warm water.

How to prepare containers for tomato seedlings

Convenient as containers plastic containers. They need to be thoroughly washed with soap and scalded with boiling water. Do not forget to make in the bottom of each container for tomatoes drainage holes to allow excess moisture to drain. Holes can be made with a thick nail or even a knitting needle. Suppose a nail is taken, one end of it is heated on gas, and holes are made with the same red-hot end. Since the plastic melts perfectly, the holes will be even.

Experts advise first planting tomato seedlings in pallets, and then dive and place them in individual pots (the same containers).

Why containers are good - when the plant needs to be planted in the ground, it will already have its necessary clod of earth. And this, in turn, increases the chances of successful enrollment.

Secrets of growing tomato seedlings (video)

Proper planting of seeds

After disinfecting the seeds, they must be soaked. Although, in principle, the first soaking is the beginning of seedling preparation.

The step-by-step process for planting tomato seeds will look like this::

• Tomato seeds are filled with water. Unsuccessful seeds will float, and the water will merge with them.
• Disinfection with potassium permanganate.
• The seeds are to be soaked in boric acid(1 g acid/1 liter water). In this solution, the seeds need to be a day.
• The seeds are then transferred to plain water. Melt water is ideal for these purposes. In it, the seeds will have to be another day.
• Drain the water, and then wet tomato seeds need to stay in an ordinary cotton napkin. It needs to be moistened with water from time to time, and wait until the seeds manage to germinate.
• For seeds planted in a box, the distance between each other should be 6 cm.
• In one pot-container 1-2 seeds will fit. Depth no more than 1 cm.
• If tomato seeds are planted in a container, the ground at the edges must be compressed, because if the soil dries out, it will lag behind the walls.
• When the seeds are planted, the seedling container must be covered with glass or film. This roof can be removed when the tomato shoots appear.
• Planting should be ventilated, and watered in the first part of the day (at this time, tomatoes grow more actively).
• It is necessary to dive the seedlings if the sprouts have already reached 1 cm, and water after the dive after 2 days.
• Tomato seedlings need to be hardened from about March: during the day, the boxes should be taken out to the glazed loggia, and three days before planting the tomatoes on the loggia, the boxes can be left overnight.

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For many gardeners, the question of planting time for tomato seedlings is very important in order to get excellent harvest. It is very important to take into account the climatic features of the area, as well as the variety of tomatoes.

Another important factor when sowing seedlings is the choice of the right time, it is from this that the timely ripening of the fruit follows. Also, you need to choose appropriate place for planting a crop - a greenhouse or open ground.

People often ask, what is the time for planting tomatoes for seedlings? Landing in the greenhouse is carried out approximately two months after emergence. The height of the seedlings during this period should be thirty-five centimeters.

For the Moscow region, planting tomato seeds for seedlings begins in early March and within a month. For seedlings under a film coating - in mid-March.

For Siberia and the Urals, the time for planting seeds falls on the period from March to April.

But for accurate calculations, it is better to use the above advice, depending on:

• from a tomato variety;
• places of further cultivation;
• opportunities for lighting seedlings during early planting;
• planting on time in a greenhouse or under a film;
• weather conditions expected this spring;
• moon calendar. There is a belief that landing takes place according to the lunar calendar.

Folk signs say: If the snowdrop blooms, then you can plant tomatoes for seedlings. Seedlings in a permanent place can be planted when the mountain ash, lilac bloom.

Do you think that folk omens help grow good harvest tomatoes?

Yes, this is the experience of the previous generationNo, it's all superstition

Soil preparation for seedlings

It is better to prepare the soil in autumn, as the ground shrinks in winter. Work can be done outside if it's warm weather or in a barn:

1. Before you start mixing, the earth and sand must be sifted. This procedure is necessary to remove various kinds debris, pest larvae and the like.
2. Then lay out the polyethylene, pour out and mix everything that is required to prepare the soil. Add fertilizer as needed, mix everything and place in containers or bags.
3. Storage of the finished soil mixture takes place in the barn. Two weeks before the preparation of tomato seeds for planting, the earth falls into warm room. This will allow you to reach the optimum temperature, i.e. warm up.

Soil disinfection. An accompanying procedure in preparing the soil for planting tomatoes for seedlings is disinfection. Experienced gardeners it is recommended not to neglect this procedure. Disinfection allows you to get rid of the larvae and eggs of pests, pathogens. Land can be cultivated in several ways:

• To freeze. The earth is left for the winter on the street, covering the container from precipitation. Before the soil is used to prepare the soil mixture, it should be brought into the room for a month, heated, mixed with the necessary components and taken out again.
• Treatment with potassium permanganate- the prepared soil is watered with a solution of manganese 3 g per 10 liters of water, antifungal drugs such as phytosporin.

• Steaming. For this procedure, you need two tanks - a smaller one and a larger one. The earth is placed in a smaller container, placed in a large container on a stand. A large container is filled with water and placed on fire. The container with the earth is not covered, the second is covered accordingly. After boiling water for a couple, steam for an hour. You can warm up in the oven for 30 minutes at a temperature of +40 C.

Each gardener can choose the best option for himself, based on his own considerations. For some, the ways of steaming and calcining are considered unacceptable, since along with the destruction of harmful microorganisms, useful ones are also destroyed. In this case, you can recommend adding to moist soil:

1. antifungal biofungicides (phytosporin);
2. bioindicicides (fitoverm).

After disinfecting the soil, you can begin to sow the seeds.

How to plant in the ground?

It is necessary to plant a plant in the afternoon or, even better, in cloudy weather:

1. In this case, the seedlings will not dry out and will “feel” better. If, however, you decide to plant your tomatoes before noon, then it's best not to water them that evening.
2. Further, holes are made in the dug-up earth after 30 cm. In them you need to add compost and a little ash or superphosphate. Add water.
3. Remove the seedlings from the cups (if you bought them on the market) or pull them out of your own container (if you grew them yourself) and lower them into the hole. Plant seedlings must be planted carefully so as not to damage them.

Gardeners usually plant the plants at a depth corresponding to the height of the glass in which the seedlings were purchased, or so that the first leaf is above the soil. So it is easier for you to plant, and the plant to take root.

Seedling care

Proper care of tomatoes after planting is the key to a good harvest. Therefore, it is very important to know all the subtleties of this action. All care can be divided into four types of work:

1. watering;
2. loosening;
3. feeding;
4. collection.

Before the seedlings are fully acclimated, you need to monitor the condition of the soil surface. Thus, the soil must be loosened. Otherwise, the cracks that appear will affect the formed roots. As a result, they will be broken. Then there are two scenarios for the development of events: either the seedlings slow down development, or even die.

Watering the tomato should also be correct. This should be done accordingly:

• when transplanting seedlings into the soil in one hole 1.5-2 liters;
• flowering time - 20-35 liters per 1 m²;
• ovary formation time - from 40 to 50 liters per 1 m²;
• with repeated fruit formation - from 70 to 80 liters per 1 m².

At the beginning of the harvest, watering the grown bushes of the plant should gradually decrease. It has a positive effect on tomatoes protects:

1. from late blight;
2. fruit cracks and other diseases.

Loosening is an important step in caring for tomatoes:

• Therefore, after planting, loosen the soil every 3-4 days. It is necessary to spud planted seedlings immediately after taking root and after ten days. Loosen the soil under the tomatoes every time after watering by 10-12 cm, and not deeper. Otherwise, damage to the roots of the plant is possible.
• Only after a month you can add 2-4 cm and loosen to a distance of 16 cm. Before closing the tops, the soil is slotted so that air and moisture penetrate it better. The process is not complicated: cracks are made in the soil at a distance of one and a half meters from each other and a depth of 60 cm.
• It is correct that the first top dressing is carried out 14 days after planting the seedlings in the soil. On one square meter, 8 to 10 kg of saltpeter, 5-6 kg of urea or 10 to 12 kg of nitrophos, 20 to 35 g of superphosphate and potassium salt will be required.

potassium salt

Second top dressing

The second feeding - 20-25 days after the first. The same fertilizers are also used in the same proportions. Also get a "recipe" for tomatoes in case they start to wilt. This is due to the negative impact on plants of weather conditions. Have to take:

1. Mullein with water (1:10) or bird droppings (1:14).
2. Both mullein and litter are soaked for a day.
3. Then half a liter of one solution is mixed with 10 liters of water and the plants are watered.
4. A week later, you need to repeat.

Remove the lower leaves of planted tomatoes after 1.5-2 months. Three bottom sheet are subject to liquidation. After that, the seedlings need to be watered after 24 hours. This procedure is carried out once a week. If this is not done, air stagnation occurs and various diseases develop.

You can also watch a video where an experienced gardener will tell you how to properly plant early tomato seedlings in open ground.

Thus, planting tomato seedlings in open field is not that difficult. The main thing is to know the course of the process and all its subtleties. Thanks to this article, you were able to learn the basic nuances of how to properly plant tomatoes in the open field. Planting tomato seedlings just got a whole lot easier!

Tomatoes come from South America, so when growing tomato seedlings at home, you need relatively dry air, a lot of light and heat. In this article, we will take a closer look at how to properly plant and care for young seedlings.

The right choice of variety Before you start growing seedlings of tomatoes, you need to decide on the choice of varieties. Before planting seeds, it is necessary to decide which varieties will be grown and where. It is fundamentally important to know whether tomatoes will grow in open ground or in a greenhouse. According to the method of growth, all varieties are divided into indeterminate, semi-determinate and determinant. This sign is indicated on the bag of seeds and is decisive for growing plants in open or protected ground. indeterminate tomatoes have unlimited growth and, if not pinched, can grow up to several meters. In the south, they can be grown in a greenhouse or outdoors on a trellis, or tied to high stakes. IN middle lane, Siberia, Far East these tomatoes are grown only in protected ground, tying them vertically. Their first brush is laid after 9-10 sheets, the next - after 3 sheets. The fruiting period is long, but comes later than other types. Semi-determinant varieties and hybrids. Tomatoes stop growing after laying 9-12 inflorescences. They tend to set a large number of fruits at the expense of roots and leaves, and, if overloaded with a crop, tomatoes can stop growing long before the formation of the 9th brush. Flower brushes are laid through 2 sheets. In the south, they are grown mainly in open ground, in the middle lane they can be planted both in a greenhouse and on the street. Determinate Tomatoes- This undersized plants. They are designed for planting in open ground. Their growth is limited, they lay 3-6 brushes, the top of the shoot ends with a flower brush and the bush does not grow upwards anymore. The first brush of this type is laid after 6-7 leaves. These are early ripe tomatoes, but their yield is lower than that of the indenterminant type. However, significant differences in the yield of varieties are noticeable only in the south. In the middle lane and to the north, the difference is minimal, since the Indians do not have time to reveal their full potential. What to choose - hybrid or variety? Variety- These are plants that can retain their characteristics for many generations when grown from seeds. Hybrid- These are plants obtained by special pollination. They retain their characteristics in only one generation; when grown from seeds, their signs are lost. Hybrids of any plants are designated F1. sign Varieties hybrids Heredity Varietal characteristics are passed on to subsequent generations Traits are not transmitted and are a feature of one generation for one growing season Germination 75-85% Excellent (95-100%) fruit size The fruits are larger than those of hybrids, but can vary significantly in weight. The fruits are smaller, but aligned yield May fluctuate from year to year High yield at proper care. Usually higher than varieties disease resistance Susceptible to various diseases, some of which can be inherited More resistant, less susceptible to disease Weather Better tolerate temperature changes Temperature fluctuations tolerate much worse varieties. With sudden and strong temperature changes, they can die Conditions of detention Less demanding on soil fertility and temperature Requires more fertile soils and warmer temperatures for fruiting top dressing Needed regularly For good fruiting the dose should be greater than for varieties Watering Can tolerate short-term drought or waterlogging well Very poorly tolerate both lack and excess moisture Taste Each variety has its own taste. Less pronounced. To taste, all hybrids are inferior to varieties The cooler the summer in the region, the more difficult it is to grow hybrids. In these regions, varieties should be preferred. Also, if in the future there is a desire to grow a crop from own seeds, then make a choice in favor of the variety. If the goal is to get maximum amount products, and weather conditions in the region allow, it is preferable to grow hybrids. Sowing seeds for seedlings The timing of sowing seeds for seedlings depends on early maturity. First of all, the timing of planting tomatoes in the ground is determined and counted from this date required amount days - it turns out the time for sowing seeds. For mid-season varieties the age of tomato seedlings before planting in the ground should be at least 65-75 days. You can plant them in a greenhouse at the end of May, and in open ground, when the threat of frost has passed, that is, in the first decade of June (for the middle lane). If we add the period from sowing to germination (7-10 days), then it is necessary to sow 70-80 days before planting in the ground. In the middle lane, the sowing time for mid-ripening varieties is the first decade of March. However, it is unprofitable to grow mid-ripening varieties in the northern and central regions: they will not have time to fully reveal their potential, the harvest will be small. Mid-ripening and late tomatoes are suitable only for the southern regions of the country. Seedlings of early ripe tomatoes are planted in the ground at the age of 60-65 days. Therefore, sowing of seeds is carried out after March 20. They are suitable for all regions of the country. It is not necessary to sow tomatoes for seedlings too early. They are strongly stretched and weakened during early sowing in conditions of light deficiency. With poor lighting during the seedling period, flower brushes are laid later, and the yield becomes lower. If the soil in the greenhouse has warmed up, then early ripe tomatoes for closed ground you can sow directly into the greenhouse in early May and grow them without picking. With seedless cultivation, tomatoes begin to bear fruit 1-2 weeks earlier than seedlings. Soil preparation For growing tomato seedlings, it is better to prepare the soil yourself. The earth should be loose, nutritious, water and breathable, should not be crusted and compacted after watering, be clean from pathogens, pests and weed seeds. For seedlings, a mixture of peat and sand is made in a ratio of 1: 0.5. For each bucket of land obtained, it is advisable to add a liter jar of ash. Peat has an acidic reaction, and tomatoes for good growth need a neutral environment. Ash just neutralizes excess acidity. Another option earth mixture- this is turf land, humus, sand in a ratio of 1: 2: 3, instead of sand, you can take high-moor peat. In garden soil, after special treatment, you can also grow healthy seedlings tomatoes, the main thing is that it does not contain spores of diseases and wintering pests. But, since it is too compacted in containers, sand or peat is added to loosen it. They take the land from under the plantings of legumes, melons, greens, green manure. You can not use the soil from greenhouses, after nightshade. If the earth is acidic in the country, then ash is necessarily added (1 liter / bucket). Garden soil is best used for the preparation of soil mixtures. Purchased soils contain a lot of fertilizer, which is not always good for seedlings. If there are no other options, then store land is diluted with sand, garden or turf soil. Peat is not added to the purchased soil, since it itself, most often, consists only of peat. The soil mixture is best prepared in the fall. If the moment is missed, and there is nowhere to take the soil, then you will have to buy several types of soil different manufacturers and mix them in equal proportions, or add soil from flower pots. But this is the worst option when growing seedlings. Soil treatment After preparing the mixture, the ground in without fail treated to kill pests, diseases, and weed seeds. Soil can be treated in various ways: freezing; steaming; calcination; disinfection. Freezing. The finished earth is taken out into the cold for several days, so that it freezes. Then they bring it into the house and let it thaw. The procedure is repeated several times. It is desirable that on the street at this time there was a frost not lower than -8 -10 ° С. Steaming. The earth is heated for an hour in a boiling water bath. If the soil is purchased, then the sealed bag is placed in a bucket with hot water, cover with a lid and stand until the water cools down. Calcination. The earth is calcined in an oven heated to 100 ° C for 40-50 minutes. Disinfection. The earth is watered with a strong solution of potassium permanganate dissolved in hot water. Then cover with a film and leave for 2-3 days. Preparing tomato seeds for sowing If the package says that the seeds are processed, then they do not need additional processing. The rest of the seed is processed necessarily. First of all, a calibration is carried out. The seeds are dipped in a glass of water and wait 3-5 minutes until they get wet. Then the floating seeds are thrown away, they are unsuitable for sowing, because the embryo died, so they became lighter than water. The rest are soaked for 2 hours in a solution of potassium permanganate. For processing, the seeds can be soaked in water heated to 53 ° C for 20 minutes. This temperature kills disease spores, but does not affect the germ. Then hot water drained, the seeds are slightly dried and immediately sown. For speedy germination, the seed material is soaked. It is wrapped in cotton cloth or paper towel, moistened with water, placed in a plastic bag and placed on the battery. Treated seeds also need to be soaked. As practice shows, they sprout faster than without soaking, and the protective effect of the treatment remains quite high. Many are processing planting material growth stimulants. But in this case, all seeds sprout together, including weak ones. In the future, a large percentage of culling of weak plants is obtained. Therefore, it is better to treat bad seeds (expiring, overdried, etc.) with stimulants, just soak the rest in water. Sowing seeds When the seeds hatch, sow. You should not wait for the seedling to be larger; when tightening with sowing, long shoots break off. Tomatoes are sown in shallow boxes, filling them with earth by 3/4. The earth is slightly crushed. Seeds are laid out at a distance of 2 cm from each other. Sprinkle dry earth on top. If the soil is not crushed or the crops are covered with moist soil, then the seeds will go deep into the soil and will not germinate. You can sow 2 seeds in separate containers, if both sprout, then they are planted when picking. Varietal tomatoes and hybrids are sown in different containers, since they have different germination conditions. The boxes are covered with film or glass and put on the battery until germination. Seed germination time The timing of the emergence of seedlings depends on the temperature. Seeds of varieties germinate at a temperature of 24-26 ° C in 6-8 days At 20-23°C - after 7-10 days At 28-30°C - after 4-5 days. They can also sprout at 18°C ​​in 8-12 days. The optimum germination temperature for varietal tomatoes is 22-25°C. The germination of hybrids is much better, but often at home they germinate poorly. For good germination, they need a temperature of + 28-30 ° C. + 24 ° С - it is COLD for them, they will germinate for a long time and not all of them will sprout. Weak seeds germinate later than the rest, they usually leave a seed coat. Therefore, seedlings that appeared later than 5 days after the main group are removed, they will not have a good harvest. Caring for tomato seedlings To grow good seedlings tomatoes, you need to follow the following parameters: temperature; light; moisture. Temperature As soon as shoots appear, the film is removed and the boxes are placed in a bright and cool place with a temperature of + 14-16 ° C. In the first 10-14 days, the seedlings grow roots, and the aerial part practically does not develop. This is a feature of tomatoes and nothing needs to be done here. After a certain amount of time, the seedlings will begin to grow. As soon as growth begins, the daytime temperature is increased to 20°C, and the night temperature is maintained at the same level (15-17°C). Hybrids after germination need a higher temperature (+ 18-19 °). If they are placed in the same conditions as varietal tomatoes, they will wither, not grow. After 2 weeks, they also need to increase the daytime temperature to 20-22 ° C. If this is not possible, then the hybrids will develop more slowly, the first flower brush will appear in them later and the yield will be lower. In general, you need to take the warmest window sill for growing hybrids, take care of them better than the rest of the seedlings, only then they will give a full harvest. On warm days, the seedlings are taken out to the balcony, and at night the windows are opened to lower the temperature. Whoever has the opportunity, on sunny days, tomatoes are put in a greenhouse if the temperature there is not lower than + 15-17 ° C. Such temperatures harden plants well, make them stronger, and, in the future, their yield is higher. Lighting Tomato seedlings must be highlighted, especially late varieties who sow earlier. The lighting period should be at least 14 hours per day. With a lack of light, the seedlings are strongly drawn out, becoming long and fragile. In cloudy weather, the illumination of plants is increased by 1-2 hours compared to sunny days, and the temperature is reduced to 13-14 ° C, otherwise the tomatoes are strongly drawn out. Watering Tomatoes should be watered very sparingly. Watering is carried out as the soil dries up and only with settled water. Unsettled tap water forms a bacterial-lime deposit on the soil, which tomatoes do not like very much. At the initial stage, each plant needs only 1 teaspoon of water, as it grows, watering is increased. The soil in the seedling box should not be too wet or too dry. Watering should be plentiful so that the soil is sufficiently saturated with moisture, and the next watering is carried out only after the earthen coma has dried. Usually, tomatoes are watered no more than once a week, but here they are guided by individual growing conditions. If the plants are wilted, then they must be watered without waiting for a week to pass. Waterlogging, combined with high temperature and poor lighting, causes a strong stretching of the tomatoes. Seedling picking When the tomato seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, a pick is carried out. For picking, prepare pots with a volume of at least 1 liter, fill them with earth by 3/4, water and compact. Make a deepening, dig up the seedling with a teaspoon and plant it in a pot. When picking, the tomatoes are planted a little deeper than they grew earlier, sprinkling the stem with earth to the cotyledon leaves. Strongly elongated seedlings fall asleep to the first true leaves. Seedlings are held by the leaves, if you hold it by a thin stalk, it will break. Tomatoes tolerate picking well. If the sucking roots are damaged, they quickly recover and grow thicker. The roots must not be allowed to bend upward, otherwise the seedlings will develop poorly. After picking, the ground is well watered, and the tomatoes themselves are shaded for 1-2 days, so that the evaporation of water from the leaves is less intense. How to feed tomato seedlings Top dressing is carried out 5-7 days after picking. Previously, top dressing is not recommended, since the soil was filled with ash, which contains all the necessary elements for seed growth. If the seedlings are grown on a purchased soil mixture, then top dressing is all the more unnecessary. After 14-16 days from germination, tomatoes begin to actively grow leaves, and at this time they need to be fed. Top dressing should contain not only nitrogen, but also phosphorus and trace elements, so it is advisable to use a universal fertilizer. During this period, you can feed the tomatoes with fertilizer for indoor plants. She gives excellent results. It is impossible to feed tomato seedlings with nitrogen alone. First, for relatively small plants it is difficult to calculate the required dose. Secondly, nitrogen causes increased growth, which, with a limited amount of land and in conditions of lack of light, leads to a strong stretching and thinning of plants. Subsequent top dressing is carried out after 12-14 days. Seedlings of late and mid-season varieties are fed 3-4 times before planting in the ground. Early ripe varieties 1, maximum two dressings are enough. For hybrids, the number of top dressings is increased by 2 for each type of seedling. If the land is purchased, then it is sufficiently seasoned with fertilizers and when growing tomatoes on such soils, they do not carry out top dressing. The exception is hybrids. They consume nutrients more intensively and before planting, it is necessary to carry out 1-2 top dressing, in whatever soil they are grown. Seedling care after picking After picking, the seedlings are placed on the windowsills as freely as possible. If it is crowded, then it does not develop well. In densely spaced seedlings, the illumination decreases and it stretches. 2 weeks before planting tomatoes, they are hardened To do this, seedlings, even on cold days (temperature not lower than 11-12 ° C), are taken out to the balcony or open air. At night, the temperature is reduced to 13-15°C. For hardening of hybrids, the temperature should be 2-3 ° C higher, it is gradually lowered. For hardening, pots with hybrids are first placed against the glass itself, where the temperature is always lower. After a few days, if the batteries are regulated, they are closed for a few hours; if not regulated, then open a balcony or window. At the final stage of hardening, seedlings of hybrids are taken out to the balcony for the whole day. If tomato seedlings cannot be taken out onto the balcony, then they are sprayed daily with cold water for hardening. Main reasons for failure Seedlings of tomatoes are strongly drawn out. There are several reasons: not enough light, early boarding, excess nitrogen fertilizers. Seedlings always stretch with a lack of light. She needs to be illuminated. If this is not possible, then a mirror or foil is placed behind the seedlings, then the illumination of the tomatoes increases greatly, and they stretch less. No need to feed tomatoes with nitrogen, it causes explosive growth tops, and in conditions of insufficient illumination (and there is always not enough light in the room, no matter how you illuminate the seedlings), they are strongly drawn out. Too early sowing of seeds. Even ok developing seedling stretches when sown early. After 60-70 days, the plants become cramped in pots and containers, they need to develop further, and in conditions of limited nutritional area and tightness on the windowsill, they have one way out - to grow up. All these factors, both individually and together, cause seedlings to stretch. Tomatoes stretch even more if excessive watering is added and heat seedling content. The seeds don't germinate. If the seed good quality, then there are no shoots due to low soil temperature. This is especially important for hybrids. They germinate at a temperature of 28-30°C. Therefore, to speed up the emergence of seedlings, containers with sown tomatoes are placed on a battery. Tomatoes don't grow well. They are too cold. For varietal tomatoes, for normal growth, a temperature of 18-20 ° C is required, for hybrids - 22-23 ° C. Hybrids can also grow at 20°C, but more slowly, and, accordingly, will start fruiting later. Yellowing of leaves. Usually the leaves turn yellow in tomatoes grown in close quarters. When the seedlings are large, there is not enough light on the cramped windowsill, and the plants shed excess leaves. In such conditions, all attention is paid to the top of the stem, the bushes try to outgrow their competitors in order to have more comfortable conditions. When the leaves turn yellow, the seedlings are arranged more freely and the air temperature is reduced. If the leaves are small, turn yellow, and the veins remain green or slightly reddish, this is a lack of nitrogen. They feed full mineral fertilizer. It is not necessary to feed with nitrogen alone, otherwise the tomatoes will stretch. Feeding area limitation. The tomatoes are already cramped in the container, the roots have braided the entire earthen ball and further growth stops. Transplant seedlings into a larger pot. leaf curl. Sudden and significant changes in temperature. When growing tomato should be avoided sharp increase air temperature. Seedling feeding area is limited and roots cannot support all leaves in hot weather. The same thing happens with a sharp cold snap, but this is much less common at home. Blackleg. Common disease of tomato seedlings. It affects all kinds of plants. The disease spreads rapidly and in a short time can destroy all seedlings. The stalk at the level of the soil turns black, becomes thinner, dries up, the plant falls and dies. Infected plants are removed immediately. The soil is watered with a pink solution of potassium permanganate, Fitosporin, Alirin. After that, the tomatoes do not need to be watered for a week, the soil should dry out. Growing seedlings at home is a troublesome business, but otherwise it will not be possible to harvest a good harvest, especially in the northern regions and the middle lane.

Tomato, or tomato, is a plant from the Solanaceae family native to South America. Europeans got to know him only after the discovery of the New World, and the tomato, like everything new, took root quite hard and for a long time. Despite this, today the tomato is one of the most popular and sought-after vegetables all over the world. It is difficult to imagine at least one of the national cuisines where the tomato would not be used. Some dishes cannot be imagined without tomatoes - just remember Ukrainian borscht, Italian pizza, Mexican chili, American ketchup and much more.

An important condition for obtaining a plentiful and high-quality harvest is proper fit seedling tomato. Only a strong and healthy one will quickly and easily take root in the ground or in a greenhouse, will actively bloom and set large and tasty fruits.

In order for tomato seedlings at home to be healthy and of high quality, you need to follow simple, but very important rules:

• The correct timing of sowing tomato seeds for seedlings.
• Maintaining the temperature regime.
• stable water balance.
• Proper selection of soil.
• Selection of varieties for open ground and greenhouses.
• Proper planting of tomatoes in the ground.

When to sow tomatoes for seedlings according to the growing season?

Tomatoes are early, medium ripening and late. Between these three varieties there are intermediate ones with a difference in ripening of 5-15 days, but basically this division is competent and correct.

• Early tomato varieties have the shortest growing season from sowing to flowering, therefore, they bring the earliest and most valuable harvest. early seedling tomato lets get delicious fresh vegetables but requires more attention and effort to grow.
• Varieties of medium fruiting periods produce fruits at the height of the season, they are the most delicious and healthy. The growing season is longer than early tomatoes.
• Late tomatoes bear fruit from the second half of summer until late autumn; in warm weather, tomatoes remain fresh on the bushes until frost. These tomatoes have the longest growing season.

Usually, early tomatoes are a pleasant delicacy to the table after a long winter, mid-ripening tomatoes accompany food throughout the season, and late ones go for preservation and processing.

When is the best time to plant tomato seedlings?

For growing seedlings of tomatoes on the windowsill, it is most suitable early varieties, as they need to be sown for seedlings in early spring, in order to be planted in the ground after the end of the return frosts.

If it is too early to plant tomatoes for seedlings, it will quickly grow and form, and weather conditions will not allow planting in the ground or under a film. Such seedlings will stretch out, become fragile, pale and painful, will hardly take root in the ground and bear fruit poorly.
Sow late - get a small seedling that has not taken shape. The timing of planting seeds depends on the weather conditions of the area where it is planned to grow seedlings, usually it takes 1.5-2.5 months to grow tomato seedlings.

According to the type of growth, all tomatoes are divided into two large groups:

1. Indeterminate (strong).

For growing in greenhouses, tall and vigorous tomato varieties are usually selected, as they are most productive in greenhouse conditions and give a large yield.
If you plan to grow tomatoes in open ground, you can grow good tomato seedlings from undersized varieties, they are less threatened by the danger of stretching and outgrowing. Such plants form squat, strong bushes that often do not need further tying to a trellis or stakes.

How to plant tomato seedlings indoors?

To get good seedlings, you need to choose healthy planting material, choose the right soil and containers for planting, observe the correct temperature and watering.

Healthy calibrated seeds are chosen for planting, frail and damaged ones are thrown away. There are two ways of sowing seeds - in a common container with subsequent picking and immediately in individual cups.

Since tomatoes tolerate picking and transplanting well, in order to save money and area, you can sow tomatoes in boxes or other suitable containers. Subsequently, the seedlings dive for the first time, seated at a greater distance, and then transplanted into separate containers, where the seedlings remain until planting in the ground.
In the second variant, the seeds are sown 2-3 in pots or cups, weaker plants are subsequently simply pulled out. This method is more expensive, planting will take up a significant area, and a large number of seedlings cannot be grown in an apartment.

As a container for planting seedlings, you can use almost any non-soaking container. Amateur gardeners successfully use wooden and even cardboard boxes lined with plastic wrap, disposable plastic or paper cups, sour cream and yogurt containers, juice boxes or milk bags. For used containers, thorough cleaning of the remnants of the contents is important, otherwise it can rot, infect the ground and destroy the seedlings.

When deciding how to properly grow tomato seedlings, you need to remember that this plant is very demanding on room temperature, lighting and watering. Humid air is harmful to tomatoes, so when we plant tomato seedlings, it is important to regularly ventilate the room where they grow, avoiding strong temperature changes and drafts that are detrimental to this plant. It is not necessary to spray crops with water, they can easily get sick and die.

Tomatoes are sown in trays or boxes, lightly sprinkled with a sifted nutrient mixture and sprayed abundantly, covering with a film. Air humidity is needed only until the seeds germinate, and then the film is removed.

The land for tomato seedlings should not be too acidic, that is, pure peat is absolutely not suitable for this plant. At home, it is easiest to clean from diseases and pests by freezing. To do this, a bag or box of earth is left in the open air, where frost will quickly kill everything harmful to seedlings. The container with the earth must be covered from precipitation, which can wash out nutrients from the soil.

Healthy seeds peck and germinate very quickly and within 2-5 days first “loops” appear from the soil, and then full-fledged cotyledon leaves. At this time, the temperature in the room should not fall below 25 degrees, and then it is slightly gradually lowered. Low temperatures dangerous for this plant, already at 10 degrees serious damage begins - it turns yellow, buds and ovaries fall off, growth stops.

In order for tomato seedlings on the windowsill to be strong and green, it needs a lot of light. When there is a shortage natural light landing will have to, sometimes it needs to be done around the clock. Tomatoes must be provided with stable and uniform watering without waterlogging and drying, which are equally detrimental to the plant.

The grown seedlings of the tomato are dived for the first time, and after the appearance of a pair of true leaves, the second picking is carried out in seedling cups. When performing this operation, young plants are carefully buried along the cotyledon leaves. It is not worth damaging or even cutting off the cotyledons - they are the source nutrients for a growing plant. Subsequently, they will fall off on their own when they are no longer needed.

With the help of picking, you can slightly reduce the effect of stretching the plant in the early stages - deepening the seedling and adding light, you can make the seedlings stronger and healthier. The part of the stem, which, after picking, will be in the ground, will give roots and will additionally nourish the plant. In order for the pickled seedlings to take root quickly and without loss, the soil must be warm enough, and the watering should be uniform without flooding. If we properly plant tomato seedlings, we end up with plants with a strong, stable stem, juicy green leaves and an overall healthy appearance.

The question often arises: how to feed tomato seedlings?
During the growth period, plants need complex fertilizers with a predominance of nitrogen and the obligatory content of trace elements. The grown seedlings need more potassium, with a lack of this element, the plant becomes covered with spots, stretches, turns pale and falls ill.

Properly grown tomato seedlings quickly take root in the ground, form a strong green plant, begins to bloom and bear fruit at the time established for this variety.

Growing tomato seedlings at home (video)

Tomatoes are the vegetable without which the kitchen of any housewife cannot do. While you can always buy a tomato in the market or in a store, a fragrant vegetable grown in your own garden will always be better! I think that it makes no sense to list all those dishes that include tomatoes - they can always be used in the kitchen 🙂

And, I hope you have already sown, and in this article we will plunge into growing tomato seedlings from seeds at home so that we can eat tomatoes from our garden all summer and autumn.

Tomatoes are a rather capricious plant that requires attention and care at any age. However, you should not be afraid to grow tomatoes, especially when you have detailed instructions at hand. To grow strong and strong fruit-bearing plants, you need to create certain conditions:

• a large amount of lighting - if natural is not enough, you need to use backlight lamps;
• enough high humidity- how to support it, read in detailed instructions care below;
• warm - during the day optimum temperature for seedlings, tomato is + 18-25 ° C, at night + 12-15 ° C.

When to plant tomatoes from seeds for seedlings according to the lunar calendar 2018

It is important to correctly determine the timing so as not to overexpose the seedlings on the windowsill, as this may lead to a decrease in yield.

Seeds will need 5-10 days to germinate after sowing, plus 45-60 days for further care for seedlings. Total average term before planting seedlings in open ground, it will take about 55-65 days.

The table of the lunar calendar 2018 indicates the following dates favorable for tomatoes:

• February - 18-20, 25-28 for planting seeds
• March - 1, 17-20, 24-28

For individual regions, it is necessary to take into account their own characteristics to determine the timing of sowing tomato seeds for seedlings, since temperature regime varies by region:

• in the southern regions of Russia and Ukraine - seeds for seedlings can be planted from February 20 to March 15, planting in an open area - from April 15 to May 20;
• in the central regions of Russia and the Moscow region - from March 15 to April 1 we sow seeds, from May 10 to the first days of June we plant them in open ground;
• V northern regions, such as Siberia and the Urals, respectively, from April 1 to April 15 we are engaged in seeds, from May 25 to May 15 we plant seedlings in the garden.

Important! You need to know when frosts usually end in your area. From this date, count 55-65 days back and get an answer to the question of when to plant tomato seeds for seedlings.

Step-by-step instructions for growing tomato seedlings at home

Well, after the issue has been resolved with the date of planting seeds for seedlings, you can proceed to the process itself. I will try to describe and show in specific steps how to properly grow healthy and fruitful tomato seedlings.

1. Preparing seeds for planting seedlings

First, let's define the variety. To do this, you need to understand for what purpose you need tomatoes - for salads, for pickles, juice, or for other needs. It is on this that the choice of variety will largely depend.

We also take into account the timing of ripening, productivity, endurance. You can see all this data on the package with seeds and choose the best variety for you.

When buying, pay attention to the integrity of the packaging and the expiration date. Take as new as possible, it is best to sprout fresh seeds from a year to three (it is better not to save on this).

Before planting seeds, be sure to check them for germination. Rejection can be done with salted water in the ratio of 10 g of salt per 200 g of water, kept in solution for 5-10 minutes and remove those that float, and those that drown, we take for seedlings.

After culling, disinfect the seeds. Even the highest quality seeds can be infected with pathogens, so it's better to play it safe, besides, it's easy to do - choose one of the suggested solutions:

• 1% solution of potassium permanganate (1 g per 100 ml of water), dip the seeds into it for 10 minutes. How to prepare the solution, see the video:

• 0.5% soda solution (0.5 g per 100 ml of water), soak the seeds in it for 24 hours.
• Fitosporin solution. It is sold in liquid and powder form, do the procedure according to the instructions, you can hold the seeds in it for up to 2 hours

Then the seeds need to be germinated, wrapped in gauze or a cotton cloth moistened with water. room temperature. Then put in a jar or other container and cover with foil.

Periodically, up to 4 times a day, ventilate and wait for sprouts. Germination will take 4-5 days.

2. We prepare the soil and containers for planting seeds

The soil also needs to be disinfected, both homemade and purchased in stores. I repeat - tomatoes are very picky in caring for seedlings, so you need to play it safe.

I will list the most effective ways soil disinfection for seedlings:

• roasting in the oven or on a brazier - place the soil in an oven preheated to 180-200 ° C for 10-15 minutes;
• disinfection with boiling water in a container with holes - place it in a container and treat it several times with boiling water;
• treatment with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.

Disinfection of the soil should be carried out in advance in order to have time to keep it moist at a positive temperature for 10 days, so that the soil can “come to life” after disinfection.

3. Sowing tomato seeds for seedlings

Pour the prepared soil into the treated container, level it and moisten it with settled water at room temperature. We make grooves about 1 cm deep, keep a distance of 3-4 cm between rows. If planting in cups, make a recess of 1 cm.

Gently place the germinated seeds into the grooves with tweezers, keeping a distance of 2 cm between the tomato seeds. It is enough to put one seed in individual containers.

Gently cover the pits or furrows with soil, cover the containers with foil or a piece of glass.

Place in a warm place and wait for seedlings. The first sprouts will appear in about 3-5 days.

Important! The air temperature for growing tomato seedlings should be at least +25 degrees.

4. Consistent care of tomato seedlings

When caring for tomato seedlings, it is necessary to maintain humidity, temperature, fresh air, and sufficient lighting at the proper level.

Illumination of tomato seedlings

For the full cultivation of seedlings of tomatoes, you need to maintain a lighting regime for 16 hours a day. In February-March, daylight hours are shorter, so you need to organize additional illumination, and it is better to put seedlings on the southern windowsill, as it is the lightest.

Humidity and watering seedlings

At first, tomato seedlings need very high humidity, so do not rush to immediately remove the film or glass. Ventilate a little every day so that the seedlings get used to fresh air, and after 1.5-2 weeks it will be possible to fully open.

You need to water gently under the root, preferably with a pipette or a thin watering can. At first, watering will not be needed, since the seedlings will be covered with a film, you just need to make sure that the soil does not dry out, checking it with a toothpick when airing it.

When you remove the film completely, it is important to monitor the soil moisture, as the sprouts will get stronger and will drink more moisture. It is better to check and water in the morning so that all the moisture does not go away during the day. If you see that the sprouts are a little sluggish, water immediately.

Airing home seedlings

Even if a windless sunny day falls in March, on a balcony or under a canopy with south side At home, the temperature can reach up to 15-20°C! If such a day coincided with the emergence of seedlings, you need to take the seedlings out to bask in the sun, since on the first day after germination, the sprouts have innate protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun and this will give them additional heat resistance for the entire period of life.

If you did not have time to take the seedlings out into the sun on the first day, then it is no longer possible to do this after 1-2 days - the innate hardening has disappeared. In this case, you will have to gradually accustom the sprouts to the sun. The first day - 5 minutes is enough. Then every day you can increase the duration of walks by another 5 minutes.

Feeding tomato sprouts

The first top dressing will need to be done 2-3 weeks after the first shoots appear, the guideline will be the appearance of three full-fledged leaves. At this point, the sprouts no longer have enough nutrients. For top dressing, it is best to use natural organic fertilizers manure or grass. You can also purchase special fertilizers for seedlings. We dilute top dressing with water and feed under the root with watering.

5. Picking seedlings

After the appearance of the first true leaves on tomato seedlings, provided that the seeds were sown too thickly, it is necessary to carry out a pick - transplanting seedlings into separate containers: cups, pots for seedlings. Despite the fact that tomatoes tolerate transplanting quite well, this procedure must be done carefully.

You can learn how to dive seedlings correctly by watching the video:

6. Preparation for planting seedlings in a permanent place

The appearance of the first brushes of flowers will be a signal that after 10-15 days the seedlings should be planted in open ground (or in a greenhouse). It is better not to delay the transplant in order to get the maximum yield from your seedlings.

If suddenly, for some force majeure reason, you need to keep the seedlings on the windowsill for longer than 45-60 days, you need to provide about a liter of land for 1 plant, or if you can’t transplant into a large container, you can cut off the first flower brush, this will win you about week of time.

It is important that the tomatoes in small containers do not have time to bloom, as this will slow down their development and the expected harvest will not work, but you do not need this!

Good tomato seedlings before planting should have thick stems, large leaves, a powerful root system and developed buds.

7. Planting tomato seedlings in open ground

Planting tomato seedlings in open ground is best done in calm cloudy weather, so seedlings take root more easily in a permanent place. To keep the earth around the root stronger during transplantation, a couple of days before planting, you need to stop watering. Make a hole of a suitable size in the ground, place your tomato seedling in it, water and sprinkle with soil.

Video instruction for growing tomato seedlings

Check out our guide to growing tomatoes from seeds.

I tried to explain everything in an accessible way, there will be questions - write in the comments, I will try to answer.

Have a great harvest!