How to feed tomato seedlings after planting in open ground?

Seedling health depends on proper care before and after planting. A rich harvest can only ripen on a healthy plant. When planting seeds, you must follow a certain technology. During the period when the sprouts begin to grow stronger, it is important to maintain the required temperature, provide watering and monitor the humidity level in the room. Planting in open ground is stress for the plant. Especially if the land in the garden is depleted by previous plantings. Top dressing of tomatoes is a prerequisite for the survival and formation of a large number of fruits.

When to fertilize?

Every year the territory of the garden is planted with vegetables. Even the most fertile soil depletes over time. It lacks minerals and nutrients. To normalize the acid balance and saturation of the soil with minerals, the necessary fertilizing is applied. It is advisable to do this before planting young tomatoes.

Tomatoes are a demanding crop. During the period of formation and growth, tomato seedlings draw out many useful substances and minerals from the soil. They are essential for the development of strong stems, lush greenery and large, healthy fruit. Many gardeners advise against planting tomatoes on the site of last year's tomato plantation.

It is important to fertilize before planting the plants. For this, organic substances are used (humus, chicken droppings). You can use a complex of mineral fertilizers. If for some reason you did not manage to feed the soil before planting, there is a risk that the growth of seedlings will slow down. In this case, you need to apply the necessary fertilizer immediately after planting. A young plant needs nitrogen. Tomato seedlings are very sensitive to watering and the introduction of various substances. An excess of minerals can lead to the death of the plant.

The third mandatory top dressing is applied to the soil during flowering. You need to use a fertilizer based on potassium or phosphorus: at this stage, tomatoes need these two minerals. Their lack is indicated by twisted leaves and a slowdown in the growth of the vegetative mass.

During the period of growth and flowering of tomatoes, up to 4 portions of fertilizer are applied:

• in 12-14 days after planting (nitrogen);
• on the 25-28th day after planting (complex fertilizer);
• during flowering (potassium);
• during fruiting (mineral complex).

Fertilizers

There is a wide selection in the shops for gardening goods complex fertilizers for tomatoes... They are calculated for a certain stage of plant ontogenesis. In addition to store dressings, it is useful to flavor the soil with organic substances. This can be chicken droppings, humus, manure, etc.

It is very important to choose the right fertilizer for seedlings... There are 2 groups of fertilizers:

1. organic;
2. mineral.

They are often used in combination. It is important to feed the planted seedlings, taking into account certain rules. Failure to follow the rules can lead to loss of nutritional effectiveness or plant diseases.

Organic

Before the advent of mineral fertilizers in the industry, organic compounds were the only way to improve soil and plant health after planting and during growth. Natural fertilizer contains a lot of essential nutrients.

The most popular natural substances:

• cattle manure (usually cow manure);
• chicken droppings;
• green goo (herbal infusion).

Manure

If you want to feed a vegetable garden in a private house or in the country, but you do not have your own cows, you can order manure. The main mistake of inexperienced gardeners is the introduction of pure manure into the soil.This is a dangerous activity that can cause diseases in plants and provoke the development of insect pests (for example, bear). The manure must be passed through compost. When used correctly, fertilizer enriches the soil with important nutrients.

Chicken droppings

Chicken manure is used in horticulture due to its high nitrogen content. Young tomato seedlings need this very element. Experts advise against using raw droppings. It contains helminth eggs, which can lead to the development of pests and premature death of seedlings.

It is advised to use dry droppings to nourish the soil. The product is subjected to heat treatment, which leads to the death of helminth eggs. The heat kills weed seeds, which can also be found in bird droppings. Dry nitrogen fertilizing is scattered around the garden. Another way to saturate the earth with nitrogen is to plant legumes. If beans or peas grew on the site in the previous year, the soil contains sufficient nitrogen for planting tomatoes.

Advice

Plant tomatoes in the same area of ​​your garden where legumes previously grew.

Green goo

You can use green fertilizers to water the tomatoes, or siderates... The nettle is crushed with a secateurs and poured into a barrel. Pour in water in a ratio of 1:10. After three days, the fermentation process begins. The solution must be stirred to release oxygen. When an unpleasant odor appears, add 5 drops of valerian to the barrel and cover with a lid. After two weeks, the solution is ready for application to the soil. Mix it with water in a ratio of 1:10 before applying to the soil. This product increases yields and prevents the development of tomato diseases.

Minerals

The three most essential minerals for a tomato are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The plant will certainly let you know about the lack of any of them. The shape and color of the leaves changes, the stem withers and tilts to the ground. A sick bush will not be able to give a rich harvest. Tomatoes need nitrogen during the developmental stage. During flowering and fruiting, the plant requires potassium and phosphorus.

Wood ash is used by many gardeners to fertilize tomatoes, as it contains a lot of potassium. Besides, ash - an excellent barrier for pests attacking young bushes. The largest amount of potassium is contained in the ash of pine and birch wood. It is used to prepare ash solutions for spraying and applying to the ground or dry dusting of bushes with sifted powder. Phosphate and superphosphate are used as phosphorus supplements.

Nitrogen is a necessary and dangerous substance for tomatoes. Young seedlings should be fed with nitrogen in moderation. A solution of nitrate is introduced into the soil or urea... An excess of nitrogen will lead to an overgrowth. However, after this, the fruits will have an irregular shape and defects in the form of spots and cracks.

If the soil is not depleted, fertilizer should be applied on the 14th day after planting. If the soil has not been fertilized in advance, you need to start feeding the tomatoes from the first days. The main thing is not to overdo it and not to apply too much dose of mineral or organic fertilizers. This will negatively affect the quality of the crop.