The historical homeland of tomatoes is Latin America. The plant at the genetic level is demanding in terms of temperature and light conditions. Return frosts in the Central Region and Belarus are possible until the end of May. Until the average daily temperatures are above +10 degrees, it is highly undesirable to plant tomato seedlings in open ground.
Terms for planting tomatoes in open ground in Belarus and the Kuban
For such regions, unlike in climate and light regime, as Belarus and Kuban, even the agricultural technology of tomatoes is different. It makes no sense to grow seedlings for tomatoes in the Kuban - it is easier and cheaper to sow seeds directly into the ground until the ground has lost the remnants of winter moisture.
The other extreme is that the tomato bush will not have time to grow and return the crop in the conditions of a short summer in Belarus. There is only one way out - the use of agricultural technology with the seedling method of growing tomatoes in open ground.
Only in the second half of May - early June, an acceptable temperature for growing tomatoes is established. Given the vagaries of the weather, it is advisable to plant seedlings using lightweight film shelters.
- Protection in case of frost - withstands a short-term drop to -2 degrees.
- Transplanted plants under cover take root better - there is no need for frequent watering and loosening.
- Convenient for weekend summer residents - 4-5 working days, seedlings do not require attention.
Summer heat and mild winters - this is how the climate of the Krasnodar Territory can be characterized. A full harvest of tomatoes in the Kuban can be obtained in a seedless way.
Features of landing in the Kuban:
- From the first days of growth, the seedling forms a powerful root system.
- Plants do not need acclimatization after transplanting, due to this they are healthier.
- No seedling costs.
Varieties that can be planted
Only zoned varieties yield the crop from the garden declared by the breeders. They are maximally adapted to the peculiarities of the local climate.
Open field tomatoes for Belarus
For unprotected soil in a cold and short summer, zoned varieties are most suitable
- early ripening - "Profitable", "Talalikhin", "White filling", etc .;
- mid-season - "Ruzha", "Peremoga", "Excellent".
These and other varieties of the Belarusian Research Institute of Vegetable Growing are distinguished by their resistance to bad weather conditions - they are little susceptible to fungal diseases.
Vilina
An early ripening hybrid bears fruit within 25-45 days. A medium-sized bush yields an average of 2.5-3.0 kg of rounded fruits weighing 80-100 g of excellent taste. This variety is highly resistant to Alternaria and Septoria.
Kalinka
A variety adapted to the conditions of Belarus with an unusually harmonious yield. A medium-sized bush brings 2.5-3.0 kg of small, very tasty fruits with a thin skin weighing 60-70 g. These tomatoes are relatively resistant to late blight and other infections.
Rouge
The medium ripening variety was entered in the register in 1994. A compact, medium-sized bush of 50-60 cm with dense foliage gives 2.5-3.0 kg of bright red tomatoes with an average weight of up to 100 g. Tomatoes with a high taste rating have a universal purpose.
Under film cover and in greenhouses, the yield reaches 8 kg.
Resistant to late blight and other fungal diseases.
For Kuban
The varieties for the Krasnodar Territory and Donetsk Region must be drought-resistant and adapted to high summer temperatures. The varieties with dense greenery, which covers the fruits from the rays of the scorching sun, feel good.
Aswon F1
Determinant variety of tomatoes for industrial and home cultivation using a seedless method. A very productive variety for whole-fruit canning. From 1 bush you can get up to 10 kg of tomatoes weighing 60-70 grams.
A characteristic feature is that the fruits do not crack during processing and retain their presentation in the bank. The only negative is that the indicated harvest can be obtained only on very fertile soil: ideally, a mixture of humus and sand.
Gift of the Kuban
Medium-sized tomato to 0.7 m with dense large foliage. The growing season is 110-115 days. Red tomato round tomato slightly pointed towards the bottom. Average yield - up to 5 kg per bush. Fruits of universal purpose weighing 100-120 grams are tasty and fleshy... The variety is resistant to cracking and top rot.
New product of the Kuban
A medium late universal ultra determinant variety was developed for mechanized harvesting and processing. Fruit tasting score - 4.7 points. For summer residents, the variety is convenient in that it does not require daily care, mature heart-shaped fruits do not crack and hold firmly. Tomatoes weighing about 100 grams are collected in a brush (3 pcs.) Give 1 sq. meters up to 7 kg of fruit.
The height of the bush is only 20-40 cm, the growing season is 140-150 days, until the frost in late September - early October.
If 3 of these varieties are planted on a personal plot, a continuous conveyor of fresh tomatoes for the entire season is provided.
Sowing seeds for seedlings
Tomato seedlings are ready to be transplanted into the open ground when 3-4 pairs of true leaves are formed. This usually happens 50-55 days after the sowing of the seeds. You can sow seeds for seedlings in the usual way, depending on the variety and area, the timing is chosen.
Preparing the beds
For growing tomatoes in the open air, the beds should be prepared in advance, preferably in the fall. This is not only done to save time in the spring. Nutrient-rich the soil should be structured: the elements introduced into the soil - to be distributed evenly and by the forces of soil bacteria to transform into a form accessible to tomatoes.
For digging in the fall, they bring in 1 sq. m beds
Natural | ● 5-7 kg (1 bucket) of humus or compost; ● 0.5 l can of wood ash. |
Mineral | ● 80-100 g of nitroammofoska (the dose is slightly increased - most of it will go into the ground with melt water) |
Phosphate mineral fertilizers are poorly soluble in water - they are applied to the soil only in autumn. If the pellets are added in the spring, undissolved fertilizer can burn the roots.
The beds can also be prepared with a vein. Only this must be done in advance - at least 2 weeks before planting seedlings.
Growing seedlings
Before planting seedlings in the soil, fertilizing is done in 7-10 days, complex fertilizers should be added to young plants. Easiest to prepare top dressing solution "Kemira" or "Master" special for seedlings. It is very simple to prepare them: according to the instructions, 5 grams of fertilizers (1 teaspoon) are dissolved in 2 liters of water.
Before planting in open ground, seedlings must be taught to direct light and open air - hardened. For such a hardening procedure, seedling boxes with tomatoes are taken out into the street for 0.5 hours first and gradually increase the time to 2 hours.
Landing scheme
The distance between the bushes depends on the size of the plant itself. On the garden plot, tomatoes are preferably placed in double rows with a north-south orientation. For the climatic conditions of Belarus, this location has many advantages.
- Medium-sized varieties (from 50 cm) grow better on supports. Double rows allow you to fix the bushes to a common trellis or wire.
- Tomatoes receive even sun exposure throughout the day and are well ventilated. This is the best prevention of fungal diseases.
- If necessary, the double row can be easily protected with a light film cover on arcs.
- All tomatoes at a glance - it is easy to take care of the garden and harvest.
The cultivation of tomatoes in Belarus and in the Kuban differ not only in the method (seedling and seedless), but also in the density of planting plants in the open ground.
Belarus | Quite cool and damp summers | Free arrangement in the garden for better ventilation and lighting |
Kuban | Hot sun and little rainfall |
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For Belarus, the optimal distance for medium-sized varieties of tomatoes is 50 cm in a row and 60-70 cm between rows when belt planting in double rows. The passage between the rows must be at least 1 m.
Mistakes that gardeners make when transplanting into the ground
Growing tomatoes will not be difficult even for novice gardeners. Tomatoes have never been special sissies - this is a very hardy plant.
There are a number of mistakes that can be avoided.
- Planting seedlings in open ground too early.
- Applying an excess amount of fertilizer to the hole. Nitrogen fertilizers force to gain green mass, and not to form flowers and ovaries.
- Excessive watering, including watering over the leaves, which will inevitably lead to an epidemic of fungi.
- The thickening of the beds in Belarus will not lead to the expected increase in the yield, but will only provoke diseases.
- As soon as the seedlings take root, start forming the bush - this will improve ventilation and increase the plant's immunity.
- Stop watering as soon as the tomatoes have gained the characteristic mass of the variety.
The climate of Belarus is very different from the subtropics - the homeland of the nightshade. Key points of success in growing tomatoes in Belarus:
- calculate correctly sowing dates for seedlings;
- plant young plants in a prepared bed in time;
- provide maximum comfort for seedlings until they grow.
Compliance with simple rules guarantees the harvest of zoned varieties of tomatoes.