To get tomatoes with excellent taste at the end of the season, the first thing you need to take care of is the correct choice of variety and purchasing seeds for planting. Because in order to get the desired result for the tomato harvest, gardeners prefer to plant seedlings themselves, rather than purchasing them ready-made on the market.
Growing tomatoes is not particularly difficult for gardeners. Main provide the necessary conditions and then in the end there will be a good harvest of this vegetable.
General rules:
- Seed selection;
- Sowing seeds;
- Growing seedlings;
- Planting in open ground;
How to plant from seeds
You can grow seedlings in various ways:
- Planting seeds into prepared containers- this is a method in which they are first planted in one box, and after diving they are seated in separate containers;
- Wrapping seeds in diapers- it is also called the Moscow method and they do it this way - they put a strip of cellophane, a piece of toilet paper on it, moisten it with warm water, lay out the seeds in increments of 1 cm and 1.5 cm from the top edge, another layer of paper on top, moisten and We add another strip of cellophane. After all the manipulations, we roll everything up and put it in a container with water poured in so that the diapers touch it;
- Planting seeds in open ground under film– plant the seeds in heated soil and cover them with greenhouse film to protect against return frosts;
It is important to choose the appropriate option so that growing does not become a labor-intensive task.
How to plant seedlings
To understand how best to plant a tomato, we can give an example based on the Tretyakovsky F1 hybrid. The plant is determinate and suitable for growing in greenhouses. From the first shoots to the ripe fruit it takes 3.5 months, which means you can plant seeds until April 1.
It is best to plant each individual seed into a peat tablet to reduce damage to the roots. Further care of seedlings will not differ from generally accepted rules.
Hybrids do not pass on their genetic data through seeds.
When and how to sow tomatoes
Sowing tomatoes for seedlings is carried out starting from the third ten days of February to April 1. You can learn the technology for sowing seeds by reading this article.
At home, tomatoes can be grown on a windowsill, glassed-in balcony, or on a table, if it is equipped with lighting so that the seedling material does not stretch out.
The gardener himself decides which method of planting tomato seeds for seedlings to choose. But first of all, you need to purchase good seeds and they are usually purchased at specialized garden centers from trusted manufacturers. This gives confidence in obtaining the desired harvest.
Selection of seed material
If tomatoes will be planted on the site for the first time, then you should select the variety that will suit the taste preferences of the gardener and be cultivated in a certain region.
Therefore, there are certain rules that should be followed when choosing tomato seeds:
- First of all this period of full ripening of fruits. Since in the northern regions, where the summer is long and warm, the gardener can afford later varieties.
- Also worth considering bush height, since if tomatoes are planted in a greenhouse, there, in connection with saving space, it is worth turning your attention to tall, productive varieties. If the tomato planting area is large, then it is best to plant varieties with a height of 50-100 cm, since in large areas it is not profitable to put up supports for tall tomatoes.
- The region where tomatoes grow - here you can see that some varieties zoned for a specific region, which means that it is in this region that it is possible to obtain a consistently large harvest of this variety.
- If the packaging says that this type of tomato can only grow in a greenhouse, then it should not be planted in open ground, since the tomato most likely will not survive there.
- The size of fully ripened fruits is important, since large tomatoes can only be used for cutting salads, but with a diameter of 5-6 cm and the correct shape, they are good for canning.
Small tomatoes are good for canning, large ones are good for salads When choosing a variety for yourself, read the data written on the packaging; this will help you decide how well the tomatoes correspond to the region and the taste preferences of the gardener.
Dishes for seedlings
Nowadays, many different specialized dishes for growing are sold. But it is worth considering that first the seeds are planted in a planting box with a height of about 12 cm, and then during the dive the seedlings are planted in separate containers of volume not less than 200 g.
Therefore, the following can be adapted for placement boxes:
- Milk and juice boxes;
- Trimmed 5 l. plastic bottles;
- Wooden boxes.
For the container into which the sprouts are transplanted, disposable ones are well suited. cups with a volume of 200 and 500 g.
It is necessary that the dishes have holes to drain excess water.
Required soil composition
After choosing the pots, you should choose the right soil where you can plant the seeds. First of all, he must be nutritious and fluffy. Therefore, you can purchase soil at the appropriate store.
Or you can compose it yourself, taking everything in equal proportions:
- Peat.
- Garden soil.
- Sand.
Any land purchased or prepared with your own hands must be disinfected. Suitable for this freezing or calcination– the main thing is that various microorganisms die.
Preparing seeds at home
To find out whether seeds are suitable for sowing in the ground, you need to determine viability. This can be found out in two ways:
- A salty solution is made and seeds are poured into it; those that float up can be safely thrown away, the rest are suitable for growing.
- Seeds sprouted on a damp cloth, and as soon as the sprout’s nose bent, it is planted in a cup with soil.
Seeds purchased from well-known companies have already been tested for germination and treated with growth stimulants, so they should not be soaked.
How to sow seeds in the ground correctly
The prepared soil is poured into containers and moistened using bottom watering. After the excess water has drained, small trenches with a depth of less than 5 mm, it’s convenient to do this with a ruler, so the rows are straight. Seeds are placed in trenches in 2.5 cm increments and covered with soil. Leave 4 cm between trenches.
After sowing the seeds, you need to cover the containers with glass or place them in a plastic bag. This will protect the soil from drying out and create greenhouse conditions with the help of which friendly tomato shoots will appear.
Dive
Tomato picking is done when the seedling has two true leaf blades. To do this, soak the soil well and carefully remove one seedling at a time and transplant it into a separate container according to the root system. It is most convenient to do this at home or in an apartment.
When picking seedlings, you need to plant them quickly and carefully without interrupting the process, so as not to destroy the seedlings.
Care
Further care will consist of watering, which must be regular, but prevent waterlogging of the soil. Also, the seedlings should be placed on a warm and sunny windowsill to avoid excessive stretching of the sprouts. Once a week it is turned with different sides to the light source so that it does not grow one-sided.
There is no need to fertilize, since the soil does not age in 1.5 months. Before planting in open ground or a greenhouse, seedlings are gradually accustomed to the open air - hardening is carried out.
Good seedlings have a vigorous appearance, green foliage, have 6 leaf blades and height does not exceed 15-20 cm.
Errors during cultivation
The main mistakes novice gardeners make when growing seedlings:
- Incorrectly selected seeds.
- Bad land in growing boxes.
- Inappropriate temperature and bad light.
- Overfeeding seedlings with fertilizers in poor lighting.
Shelf life
Without soil, seedlings cannot be stored for a long time, no more than two hours, provided that they are wrapped in wet cloth and not exposed to sunlight.
Tomato planting dates
Since tomato seedlings are ready for planting in the main growing place after 2 months, the seedlings are sown 60 days plus five days for seed germination.
Sowing in the ground
If this is the Krasnodar region of Russia, then the seedlings begin to be planted in open ground in early May, and in the greenhouse you can 2 weeks earlier.
Based on these dates, we count back 65 days and get the date:
- For open ground - planting seeds for seedlings begins on February 25 and not earlier because it is difficult for overgrown seedlings to take root in a new place;
- For greenhouses, seeds for seedlings begin to be sown on February 20.
You need to sow on time to get healthy seedlings.
Seeds for seedlings are sown before April 1, since if the tomato bushes are planted later, they will grow only for decorative purposes, the tomatoes will be tied to them, and will not have time to ripen. This period especially applies to the northern regions of Russia.
When can you plant seed of large-fruited varieties?
First of all, tomatoes and tomatoes are the same name for the plant. Large-fruited tomatoes are grown quite often by planting them in a greenhouse. To grow seedlings of such tomatoes, they begin to sow seeds already. in the third ten days of February.
Harm from early planting
Seeds planted early result in too elongated tomato seedlings, not only with flowers, but also with fruit ovaries. After planting in the main place, such seedlings get sick for a long time and drop both flowers and fruits.
It is necessary to plant seeds at a certain time in order to obtain healthy seedlings. By adhering to all the rules for growing seedlings, you will get a good harvest of tomatoes of the desired variety.
Once you have decided on tomato seeds and were able to buy seedlings according to your climate zone, you can think about planting the seeds. If you have prepared seeds for tomato seedlings, obtained from tomato fruits with your own hands, then an example of planting and growing will help you.
How nice it is to pick up a tomato and even more pleasant to realize that you yourself planted its seeds in the ground, raised seedlings and then planted them in a real garden bed. With certain skills and experience, this is not so difficult.
Sowing tomato seeds for seedlings according to the Lunar calendar 2018
All gardeners sow tomato seeds differently. It all depends where you purchased them: bought them in a store or collected them from your own tomatoes.
If you bought them in a store in factory packaging, you can plant them dry or wet and apply only hardening.
And when you make seeds with your own hands at home, you need to calibrate, warm up, disinfect, treat with growth stimulants, and harden.
The timing of sowing seeds for tomato seedlings depends on the growing zone. In the Urals, Siberia and central Russia, there is no need to sow before February 20. If sowed earlier, the seedlings will be overgrown and weak. This will lead to the loss of a significant part of the crop.
Now we live in 2018 and according to the Lunar calendar, the landing (favorable) days are:
- in February - 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26 and 28
- in March - 1, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28
- in April - 17, 18, 21, 22, 27, 28
- in May - 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
Non-landing (not favorable) days in 2018 are:
- in February - 2, 3, 9, 10, 15
- in March - 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16
- in April - 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16
- in May - 2, 3, 7, 8, 15
Rules for sowing tomatoes
All pre-sowing seed preparation activities require 10 days. This means that they need to start ten days before the best sowing day according to the Lunar calendar.
If you prefer to sow dry seeds, do so two days before the best sowing day according to the Lunar calendar to give the seeds time to swell and for the biochemical process of cell division to begin in them.
The container for planting (be it a wooden box, peat pots or plastic cups) should not be very deep - no more than 6-7 cm in height. It must be filled with well-moistened soil mixture, not reaching the top edge of 2 cm.
Compact the soil with a tablespoon, add soil if necessary, compact again and spread the seeds on the surface of the soil at a distance of 1 x 1 cm. Pour 2 cm of dry soil on top and compact again with a spoon.
Cover the container with glass or film and place in a dark place.
At a temperature of 28-32 degrees, the seeds will sprout in 4-5 days, at 24-26 - in 6-8 days, at 20-23 - in 7-9 days. They will sprout even at lower temperatures, but only after two weeks, or even later.
The best seedlings are those that appear after a week at 25 degrees. The very first shoots do not mean the best. The best ones are those that sprout together, as a whole group. Plants that are significantly (4-5 days) behind the main group should be immediately discarded.
Weak plants germinate later, without shedding the seed coat, they have fused cotyledons, the first true leaves are irregular in shape, they lag behind the rest in growth and development. But if some of the seeds were sown a little deeper than the rest, they will sprout later.
And at the same time, a good, strong plant will not shed the shell from a seed that was sown too small, or the soil was not compacted after sowing. Hence the conclusion:
Seeds must be sown at the same and desired depth (from 1 to 2 cm), and the soil must be compacted after sowing.
After following these simple rules, you can easily discard weak plants.
Timing for sowing seeds for tomato seedlings
Not all gardeners are guided by the Lunar calendar, so we will frankly discuss the timing of sowing seedlings. It is known that the timing is different for different varieties and hybrids. For large-fruited tall tomatoes, the age of seedlings should be 60-75 days after emergence. Taking into account another 5-10 days for these shoots to appear, the seeds should be sown approximately 70-80 days before planting the seedlings in the ground.
There is no need to sow too early. The seedlings will stretch and may even bloom; these first flowers will still have to be cut off, because the plant does not yet have a good enough root system.
For the Non-Black Earth and North-Western regions, you want to harvest tomatoes already in mid-July, and this will take about 150 days, then tall, large-fruited tomatoes should be sown at the very end of February - beginning of March. Then plant them in greenhouses in early to mid-May.
For small-fruited, early-ripening, low-growing varieties, seedlings can be planted in greenhouses in mid-late May, and in the ground after the end of frost in order to harvest in mid-July. For this, seedlings at the age of 60 days are best suited, and therefore the seeds can be sown on tomato seedlings at the end of March.
There are super-fast-growing tomatoes that are sown in open ground without seedlings. However, in cold regions (Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Volgograd regions and others) you still have to grow them through seedlings. Sowing can be done at the beginning of April at home or directly in the greenhouse if you add biofuel or heat the greenhouses. And when the spring frosts go away, you can plant them in open ground.
And no matter what deadlines are discussed now, all the same, every knowledgeable gardener with years of experience has his own deadlines for planting both seeds and seedlings. And the best thing is to keep your gardener’s diary.
Preparing the soil (land) for tomato seedlings
In order for a good tomato bush to grow from seeds specially selected according to all the rules, you need to take care of the soil for seedlings in advance. It is best to prepare the soil for it in the fall.
If you have black soil in your garden, then mix it with sand, ash and humus and you will get nutritious and light soil in which it will be easy for seeds to germinate. Mix black soil, humus and sand in the following ratios 2:2:1. Then sift through a large sieve with 6-9 mm cells.
If you do not have black soil or you are afraid of introducing pests with your garden soil, then you can use ready-made peat mixtures. But they may lack nitrogen and phosphorus. You can make your own soil mixture using the same peat.
For each bucket of peat, take half a bucket of sand and a liter jar of wood ash. Stir - done!
Instead of peat, you can use sphagnum moss, pine needles or sawdust. They must be taken in the same proportions with sand and ash as peat. Only sawdust and pine needles must first be poured with boiling water, cooled, the water drained, poured with boiling water again, cooled, the water drained and only then sand and ash added. When using fresh sawdust, it is a good idea to add 5 tbsp to the mixture. spoons of any nitrogen fertilizer.
Such soil is good because the organic component in it rots slowly, and therefore, while the seedlings are growing, the chemical composition of the soil does not change, the temperature is approximately constant, and there are no pathogens or pest larvae in it.
In general, there are a lot of recipes for preparing land for tomato seedlings. Gardeners try, experiment, observe, record and draw conclusions on their best soil mixture recipe.
It is better to store the prepared soil in the cold - this will help further disinfect it. Store it on a cold balcony or garage. The cold will not only kill microorganisms, but will also help get rid of earthworms. There is no place for them in a box or seedling pots; they will simply eat the young roots of the plants.
Video on how to prepare the soil for sowing seeds for tomato seedlings
Containers for tomato seedlings
As you already understand, it is more convenient to sow tomato seeds first in a common container (box), and then transplant them into small cups and larger containers.
Their advantage is that one variety can be sown in one container.
Tomatoes easily tolerate transplantation and in general - the more transplants, the stronger the plant. In tomatoes, the damaged root system quickly recovers and, when broken, the sucking hairs begin to grow even thicker.
To grow seedlings, you can use various containers that have drainage holes in the bottom. It is better not to use wooden containers, since it is difficult to remove pathogens from wood.
Plastic trays or bowls are best. Some people use kefir or milk bags - cut out the side wall and the sowing box is ready. Again, lactic acid bacteria can remain in such bags, which will then pass into the soil and mold will appear on its surface.
Therefore, it is better to use other available containers, for example, plastic rectangular boxes with lids for cookies, sweets, and juice. You can use plastic or paper cups. They need to be prepared in large quantities and do not forget to make 2-3 drainage holes with a diameter of 0.5 cm in the bottom of each.
You can buy a set of special pots with a removable bottom on a pallet. When replanting, it will be easy, by pressing your finger on the bottom, to push the entire lump of earth with roots out of the pot. The result is neat cubes of earth entwined with roots.
If we consider a budget option, then you can plant the seedlings in plastic bags, where the volume and shape are given with the help of a stapler, make holes and place them tightly in any cardboard box covered with plastic film.
It all depends on your capabilities and imagination.
Why didn't the tomato seeds sprout?
Popular wisdom says: Forewarned is forearmed! And one more thing: Knowledge is power!
The reasons for the failure of seeds to germinate on tomato seedlings can be different and here are some of them:
- Infection brought with seeds. If the seeds were not disinfected before sowing, pre-emergence damping off of the sprouts may occur.
- Infection introduced with seedling soil.
- Soil toxicity.
- Soil overloaded with salts.
- The soil is too dense.
- Deep sowing. If, moreover, germination occurs at low temperatures, when the pre-emergence period is extended, there is a danger of intrasoil rotting of the seedlings.
- Excessive moisture. Overmoistening of the soil in combination with low temperatures can lead to rotting of seeds even at normal sowing depth.
- Soil acidity.
- Sowing seeds that have been stored at low temperatures for a long time. When stored in cold conditions, seeds may enter a state of deep dormancy from which they are difficult to recover. Such seeds may sprout in 2-3 weeks or may not sprout at all.
In what containers to plant tomato seedlings - video
So, we have prepared the soil for seeds for tomato seedlings, determined favorable days for sowing, recommended containers for growing seedlings, and in the next article we will talk about caring for seedlings and how to properly grow them at home.
Hi all! Winter is still in full control, but gardeners and vegetable gardeners are not asleep. And if the dacha plot is still resting, then preparatory work for the start of the new season must be carried out now. Otherwise, it will be too late later.
The most common thing gardening enthusiasts usually do is planting seeds of various vegetable crops. And such work is carried out already in February-March. True, if you purchase ready-made seedlings, then you have nothing to worry about.
In this article we will talk about how to grow tomatoes for seedlings.
If you think that everything is very simple - sow the seeds and wait for them to sprout, then you are very mistaken. Before you start sowing, you need to prepare them, or, as it is also called, forcing them.
Not all seeds can germinate equally or germinate at all. It may also happen that the crops will not sprout at all. So, in order to ensure high germination, you need to know how to prepare seeds for planting, how to sow them and how to care for already sprouted ones.
Often, when carrying out certain gardening work, we use the lunar calendar for gardeners and gardeners. It states in detail when and at what time it is best to carry out planting work.
The main factor to consider is the phases of the moon. Usually, plants with ground fruits are planted after the new moon, and root crops - after the full moon.
During the waning phase of the moon, sap flows from the top of the plant to its roots. Therefore, it is not recommended to plant tomatoes at this time. But during the growth phase, the opposite happens, an influx of juice to the tops. And this is a very necessary time for planting.
Below is a table of the phases of the moon, based on which you can carry out landing work.
As can be seen from it, the most favorable days for planting will be those that fall during the waxing Moon phase.
If we also take into account the signs of the Zodiac, then the period of favorable and unfavorable days will look like this:
- Favorable days in February are 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 24, 25. Unfavorable days are 4, 5, 6, 19.
- In March - 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 23, 24. There is no need to plant on such days as 5, 6, 7, 21.
- In April - 7, 8, 11, 12, 20, 21. Days of the new moon and full moon, that is, forbidden - 4, 5, 6 and 19.
- In May - 1, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 26, 27, 28, 31. And the unfavorable days are 4, 5, 6 and 19.
Thus, the most favorable days in March will be such days as 10.03, 15-16.03, 23-24.03. During this period, the Moon is in fertile signs of the Zodiac and plants best absorb all useful substances from the earth
If you want to replant or pick tomatoes, then the best days with the waxing Moon will be 08-09.05; 17-18.05. The most optimal day will be 05.18.19, since it is at the junction of two phases - the full moon and the waxing moon phase. It is believed that such transitional days have the most favorable effect on plants.
How to germinate tomato seeds for seedlings
Well, we’ve sorted out the dates, now we can start preparing the seeds. The first step is to germinate them. But first it is necessary to inspect and select seeds for planting. This should be done especially if you purchased them in a store.
Place the seeds in salt water. Good seeds will sink, but empty ones will float. Having thus selected the planting material, we wash it in water.
Next, you need to disinfect the seeds. Experienced gardeners do this in a weak aqueous solution of manganese. You can also use hydrogen peroxide. To do this, dilute 2 teaspoons of the product in 1 liter of water. The seeds are kept in this liquid for about 15 minutes.
Now you can do the actual germination. Most often this is done using ordinary water. But some gardeners use aloe juice as a growth biostimulator.
To do this, we pass the leaves of a three-year-old plant through a meat grinder, squeeze out the mass and dilute it with warm water in equal proportions. Place the seeds on cheesecloth and lower them into the solution. After 18 hours, take out the gauze with the seeds and put it in a warm place until the sprouts appear.
How to sow tomato seeds in peat pots
While our seeds are germinating, we will take care of the soil and containers for planting them. Here you can go, so to speak, in two ways. Either use small plastic or paper pots, or purchase special peat pots.
What's so good about these pots? They contain ready-made peat soil, which may also contain a number of additional stimulating components. In addition, after the seeds have germinated, when the time comes to replant the tomato sprouts, they do not need to be removed from the pots, but can be replanted directly with them.
So, we decided to do the same with the pots. Now you need to prepare the soil. You can go to the nearest garden store and buy special soil for seedlings, or you can prepare it yourself.
True, in the second option it is best to do this in the fall. That is, simply put, it needs to be prepared in advance. Take garden soil, humus and mix in equal parts. Then, based on a bucket of soil, add 100 grams. chalk or eggshells and add another 100 grams. ash. You can also add a little urea, potassium sulfate and superphosphate (but not more than 15% of the total mass).
Having prepared the soil and pots, we wait for the seeds to hatch. After this, we place a pair of seeds to a depth of about 1 centimeter in each pot. In general, it is best to plant one seedling in one pot. We pre-moisten the soil. After planting the seeds, sprinkle with soil and moisten again.
We place the pots in a tray and cover them with polyethylene, creating a kind of mini-greenhouse. We put it in a warm room with good lighting. The temperature should not fall below 22 degrees.
After the shoots appear, remove the film and keep them open. As soon as the seedlings have 2-3 leaves, they can be picked. Tomatoes grown in peat pots do not need to be pulled out of them, but can be planted directly.
If you used plastic or paper pots, then carefully remove the plant and clean it from the soil. Remove the weak and damaged ones. You pinch off the lower third of the root of the plant being replanted - this is the picking and plant it in prepared pots in which the soil mixture is soaked in potassium permanganate at the rate of 0.5 grams per 10 liters of water. potassium permanganate.
After picking and transplanting, we water the seedlings almost weekly. The main thing is to ensure that the soil does not dry out.
Methods for planting tomatoes without picking
Planting seeds with picking is a somewhat labor-intensive process and not everyone likes it. Especially if you planted tomatoes late, for example, in March-April. In addition, the root that has not been picked is much better developed and the plant can be watered less often.
Therefore, many are interested in a method of landing without picking.
The whole process is similar to that described above, with the only difference being that you only need to plant one seed per pot. To make this easier, use tweezers.
Seeds should be placed root side down. After the seeds germinate, they will no longer need to be replanted and they will continue to grow in pots until they are planted in the garden.
You can plant seedlings in boxes. This is assuming that you want to grow more than two dozen tomatoes. But at the same time, we must try to ensure that the seeds are planted at an equal distance from each other.
Seedling care
Caring for picked seedlings and non-picked seedlings is practically no different. The main thing is to maintain sufficient lighting and moderate watering.
However, there is a difference, albeit small.
For picked tomatoes, when transplanting them, you have already removed the weak shoots. And for non-pickled plants, the weak ones just need to be cut off. Do not pull them out under any circumstances, otherwise you may damage the roots of neighboring good plants. Also, after they have sprouted, you should move them to a cooler place.
In addition, the soil must be hilled once a week. Water not very often, but generously. Moreover, watering is carried out only when the soil becomes dry. Plants can be fed with organic matter once a week. This is either an infusion of chicken manure or mineral fertilizers.
If the seedlings look frail, it means they are lacking nutrition.
So, if the leaves have a purple tint, it means there is not enough phosphorus, and if they are yellow, there is a lack of nitrogen. If the leaves are wrinkled, they lack potassium; the presence of white spots indicates a lack of iron.
But, one way or another, our seedlings are growing literally by leaps and bounds. When can it be planted in open ground?
If the plant has a stem of about 30 cm and has 6-7 leaves, then it can already be planted. However, you also need to look at the weather conditions. If the threat of frost has passed, then proceed with planting safely. The main thing is that the temperature should not be lower than 15 degrees.
Features of planting tomatoes in a greenhouse
What’s good about a greenhouse is that you don’t have to wait for it to get warmer outside, but can plant your seedlings much earlier. However, you need to take into account one circumstance - what kind of it you have.
If it is glass and heated, then seedlings can be planted in it at the end of April - beginning of May. If there is no heating, but you have made an additional film covering, then we plant it in May. In simple greenhouses or under film in the ground - already at the very end of May. In this case, the air temperature should not be lower than 20 degrees.
The best soil is humus or turf. For each square meter we add three tablespoons of granulated superphosphate, a teaspoon of sodium nitrate or urea, a tablespoon of potassium magnesium and potassium sulfate and one and a half cups of wood ash.
We plant the seedlings in such soil.
Video about how to care for seedlings from germination to picking
And in this video you can see what conditions must be observed for the best cultivation of seedlings. What temperature and light conditions should be observed, and how to create them.
Also from this video you can learn about the necessary soil composition, proper watering, and in general about everything related to caring for seedlings.
The planting season will begin very soon. And it is important not to miss this moment and do everything right. So that our seedlings take root well, grow and develop. And in order to reap a decent harvest in the summer, delighting us with its fruits.
Have a great harvest!
Experienced gardeners know that the tomato is a capricious vegetable and demanding to fulfill a large number of conditions. Therefore, it is grown mainly by seedlings. When the varieties are selected and the seeds are purchased, the question of when to sow them becomes actual. Let's try to figure it out in this article how to determine the best days for planting tomatoes for seedlings in 2018 and what factors should be taken into account.
Dates for planting tomatoes for seedlings
Sowing tomato seeds for seedlings is the most significant stage of their cultivation. Correctly determining the timing of this operation is also very important. If you plant the seeds too early (in January, February), then without additional lighting the seedlings will stretch out and be stunted. Premature movement of seedlings into the soil will lead to delayed development in the event of a cold snap or death of the plant due to frost. Delay in transplanting seedlings threatens to reduce yield.
Determining the appropriate period for sowing tomato seeds for seedlings
Approximate seed sowing numbers can be easily calculated on your own if you know several criteria:
- duration of the growing season for a particular variety;
- the optimal age of seedlings when planting them in the ground;
- plant heat requirements;
- growing conditions (greenhouse, greenhouse, open ground);
- desired harvest time;
- seed germination period;
- climatic conditions of the region.
The exact timing of sowing tomato seeds for seedlings depends on a large number of factors
It is recommended to transfer tomato seedlings to unprotected soil if three requirements are met:
- there is no chance of frost;
- the soil has warmed up sufficiently (at least 12 o C);
- The average daily air temperature during the week is not lower than +12–15 o C.
You can transplant seedlings into a greenhouse 2–2.5 weeks before the onset of the period with these conditions.
Experts believe that at the time of planting seedlings, they must reach a certain age depending on the variety (more specific information is given below). It is also necessary to build on it when planning planting dates.
If tomato seedlings are completely ready for planting, but the weather has suddenly worsened and there is no way to plant them in the ground, you can take some measures to prevent them from overgrowing and delaying their development: reduce watering (as the leaves droop, water a couple of tablespoons at the root) ; reduce the air temperature to 16–18 0C; use a drug that slows down plant development (for example, Atlet).
It is also necessary to take into account the fact that 5–7 days will pass from the moment of sowing the seeds to the emergence of tomato seedlings.
So, let’s consider the calculation formula using the example of sowing a mid-early tomato variety in the climatic conditions of central Russia. The last frosts end here and the soil warms up to the optimal temperature for tomatoes in early June. It is better to transplant seedlings of these varieties at 55–60 days of age.
It turns out that if you planned to transplant 60-day-old seedlings into unprotected soil, for example, on June 1, then the seeds should sprout around April 1. Therefore, they need to be sown on March 23–25. The harvest will ripen on the 10th of July.
Healthy tomato seedlings, ready for planting in the ground, have a thick, elastic stem and at least 6–8 dark, juicy leaves
Video: when to sow tomato seeds for seedlings
Selecting days for planting tomato seedlings according to the lunar calendar
When planning the timing of planting seeds, many gardeners analyze not only calendar dates and weather, but also take into account the movements of the moon. After all, our ancestors believed that the night star has an influence on all living organisms. Traditionally, it was believed that seeds planted on the full moon, new moon, or two days closest to them simply would not sprout. Plants with underground fruits (for example, potatoes or carrots) are best planted on the waning moon, the rest - on the growing one.
The tomato bears fruit above the ground, which means that the seeds should be sown after the new moon. In accordance with the lunar calendar for 2018, the moon will “grow” during the following periods:
- February - from 16 to 28;
- March - from 17 to 29;
- April - from 16 to 28.
The sowing calendar indicates favorable and prohibited days for sowing, picking and transplanting different crops into the soil. It is compiled for each year not only taking into account specific phases of the moon, but also focuses on the location of the silver satellite of the earth in various zodiac signs. At the same time, the most fertile signs are considered to be Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, and the barren ones are Aries, Aquarius, Gemini, Leo and Virgo.
Whether to follow the advice of the sowing calendar or be skeptical about it is an individual matter. But the fact that the night star in its different phases is capable of influencing the behavior of water molecules in plants is scientifically proven.
There is an opinion that on “good” days, plant growth and sap flow in plants are activated, so the seedlings grow strong and powerful. Seeds planted on prohibited days have low germination, and seedlings transplanted on these days do not take root well and often die.
Table: sowing calendar for tomatoes for 2018
Personal bitterness forced the author of this article to henceforth take into account the position of the star in the sky when sowing seeds for seedlings. Being a novice in gardening, I planted seeds on those days when I had free time for this. It happened that sometimes the seedlings sprouted very poorly, grew slowly, and were weak. After consulting with experienced neighbors, I found out that my planting dates coincided with the full moon. Now, at the beginning of winter, I’m trying to plan all the garden work according to the sowing calendar. And this approach gives positive results. As for sowing tomato seeds for seedlings, I carry out this procedure in two stages: I sow mid-season varieties in mid-March, and early varieties in early April. Conditions in the south of Ukraine make it possible to plant tomato seedlings outdoors in the middle - end of May (taking into account the weather).
Dependence of the timing of sowing tomatoes for seedlings on their variety
What influence does the choice of tomato variety have on determining the best period for sowing seedlings? The answer is very simple: different varieties have different lengths of the growing season, i.e. the time period during which the plant is formed from the moment the seeds peck to the harvest. For tomatoes, this interval can range from 80 to 140 days.
Some gardeners try to sow tomato seeds as early as possible (at the end of January - beginning of February), believing that more “mature” seedlings will bear fruit better. However, you need to know that overgrown seedlings take root worse. For tomatoes, just like other plants, there is an ideal age for planting in the soil.
For different varieties of tomatoes, the optimal age of seedlings for planting them in the ground will be different and the seeds will also need to be sown at different times, which can be determined by substituting this parameter into the formula described above.
Table: classification of tomatoes by ripening time and popular varieties
| Name | Ripening time, days | Optimal age of seedlings for planting, days | Popular varieties and hybrids |
| Ultra-early ripening varieties | 80–85 | 40–50 | Cherry flow F1, Children's sweetness, Lark F1, Olya F, Sanka |
| Early ripening | 90–95 | 50–55 | Redskin Leader (Sugar Buffalo), Leopold F1, Prima Donna F1, Tsar Bell |
| Mid-early | 100–103 | 55–60 | Blagovest F1, Fidelity F1, Verlioka plus F1, Giant of the Moscow Region, Moscow Grushovka, Moscow Delicacy |
| Mid-season | 100–115 | 60–65 | Budenovka, Koenigsberg, Kostroma F1, Siberian miracle, Suitor, French grape |
| Late ripening | 120–130 | 70–80 | Bull's Heart, Vladimir F1, De Barao, Titan, Finik, Finish |
It turns out that mid- and late-ripening varieties of tomatoes will have to be sown as seedlings almost a month earlier than early varieties.
The timing of tomato ripening determines not only the favorable period for planting, but also allows you to assess whether tomatoes can be grown in open ground or in a greenhouse. Thus, early and mid-early varieties can be grown in a greenhouse, under film or in open ground. But it is recommended to place mid- and late-ripening tomatoes in greenhouses so that the first autumn frosts do not damage the crop.
Low-growing tomatoes ripen faster, so you can plant them for seedlings later
Another sign that needs to be taken into account is the type of growth of tomatoes. Everyone knows that they come in “short” and “tall” varieties. However, you will not find such terminology on a bag of seeds. Manufacturers use the traditional scientific terms “determinate” and “indeterminate.” The main difference between these groups of varieties is that indeterminate (tall) varieties do not stop growing during the growing season and have the appearance of a vine, reaching more than 2 m in height. The growth of determinate (low-growing) tomatoes is limited and stops at a certain point; the plant is formed not as a vine, but as a bush.
Tall tomatoes require a lot of time to build up green “mass”, so they belong to the group of late-ripening varieties, which are recommended to be transferred to the ground later, but sown for seedlings earlier.
Video: how to determine the sowing date of tomatoes
Timing for sowing tomatoes for seedlings in the regions
Instructions on seed packaging regarding when to sow seeds are only a guideline and do not take into account the conditions of your area. In addition, rapid climate change forces gardeners to take into account not only calendar dates, but also weather forecasts. Even in the same area, sowing may shift by 1–2 weeks each year. Let's consider the features of choosing the average time for planting tomatoes in some regions.
When to sow tomatoes for seedlings in the Moscow region
Tomatoes in the Moscow region begin to be sown for seedlings from the 20th of February until almost the beginning of April. This discrepancy in dates arises due to the characteristics of different varieties of tomatoes and is associated with the choice of planting site. The continental climate allows you to easily grow early and mid-season tomato varieties in open ground, and if you want to get the harvest earlier, you can use film covers. But still, for growing in unprotected soil, gardeners prefer to choose low-growing determinate varieties, but greenhouse conditions will allow them to get a good harvest of indeterminate varieties.
The most productive varieties for the Moscow region are:
- for growing in a greenhouse: Blagovest F1, Search F1, Ilyich F1, Typhoon F1, Hurricane F1, Sprinter F1, Kronos F1, Pisa F1, Samurai F1, Machaon F1;
- for open ground: Iceberg, Federico, Cheerful Dwarf, Tamara, Siberian Trump.
The Iceberg tomato is an early ripening variety. The plant practically does not need pinching and is intended for planting in open ground
When to plant tomatoes for seedlings in Kuban
When growing tomatoes in Kuban, it is necessary to take into account that the Krasnodar Territory covers a vast area with varied climatic conditions. The Kuban River divides the territory into 2 unequal parts:
- northern - flat with an arid climate (occupies 2/3 of the region);
- southern - foothills and mountains with a lot of precipitation.
And if the humid subtropical climate of the south is natural for tomatoes, then the arid conditions of the flat part of the Krasnodar Territory require the selection of special varieties of tomatoes, characterized by resistance to drought, with dense foliage that protects the fruits from the scorching sun.
The tomato variety Podarok Kuban was bred for open ground in the southern regions, which includes the Krasnodar Territory
In general, many Kuban gardeners grow tomatoes using the seedless method, sowing seeds in unprotected soil in mid-April. Those who still decide to tinker with seedlings begin sowing in early February.
Table: zoned tomato varieties for Kuban
When to plant tomatoes for seedlings in Karelia
Tall, mid-ripening tomatoes in northern conditions are sown no earlier than mid-to-late March. The earlier ones are stunted in late March - early April. The seedlings are moved into the greenhouse in the middle - end of May, into open ground under film - in the first ten days of June.
The short summer encourages Siberian residents to grow early and mid-early varieties of tomatoes.
The Snowdrop tomato variety got its name for its excellent cold resistance. It is perfect for growing in open ground conditions in Karelia
When to sow tomato seeds for seedlings in Bashkiria
In Bashkortostan the weather is very changeable. So, warm weather in May can be misleading, but in early June the last frosts can disappoint. It can be quite difficult to predict them, so gardeners plant tomato seedlings in open ground in several stages: the smaller part is placed on the beds on the 20th of May, and the majority is planted starting from the 10th of June. Consequently, sowing seeds for seedlings is also carried out in several approaches: in the middle - end of March and in early April. At the same time, early and mid-early varieties are best adapted to the conditions of this region:
- Agatha;
- White filling;
- Early ripening Leningradsky;
- Autumn Leningradsky;
- Nevsky;
- Chanterelle;
- Baltic;
- Apple tree;
- Pharaoh F1;
- Dobrun and others.
- Polesie: includes the northern regions of Ukraine;
- forest-steppe: covers the central regions;
- the steppe is the southern regions.
Gigant Novikova tomatoes are medium in maturity and are intended for growing in greenhouses and hotbeds
When to plant tomatoes for seedlings in the Leningrad region
Winters in this region are longer and springs are longer. The possibility of frost may persist until the second ten days of May. Therefore, it is better to move tomato seedlings into open ground in early June and protect them with film covers. Therefore, sow the seeds on the 20th of March. If planting will be carried out in a greenhouse, then sowing should be done in early March.
The following tomato varieties are best suited for planting in the Leningrad region:
The Leningradsky early ripening tomato is intended for summer residents of the Leningrad region. The yield characteristics are convincing; in spring greenhouses (unheated) 13.7 kg/sq.m. is harvested from the bushes. m. early ripe tomatoes
Time for sowing tomato seeds for seedlings in Ukraine
The temperate climate of Ukraine creates favorable conditions for obtaining a rich harvest of tomatoes. In the south, both low-growing and tall varieties are grown; in the central and northern regions, determinate tomatoes are preferred. Depending on agroclimatic conditions, the territory of Ukraine can be divided into 3 zones:
Tomatoes are one of the favorite crops of all summer residents, so with the onset of the new season, each of them begins to plan sowing tomato seeds for seedlings. After all, it is very important to initially plant correctly and then grow strong seedlings, which, after planting in open ground or a greenhouse, can quickly gain strength and begin to bear fruit.
How to plant tomatoes for seedlings: rules for sowing seeds
To get strong and healthy tomato seedlings, you need to follow a number of simple recommendations.
The sowing procedure must be carried out according to all the rules, and first:
- determine the timing of sowing
- prepare suitable soil and disinfect it;
- choose a suitable container (for initial sowing, for picking);
- process and germinate seeds;
- sow at the required depth and remove to a warm place.
When to sow seeds: optimal sowing dates
Note! The site already has a detailed article about, including favorable days for planting in 2019, according to the lunar calendar.
How to prepare seeds for planting
Advice! Read more on pre-sowing preparation and processing of tomato seeds You can .
As a rule, the main measures for preparing and processing tomato seeds before sowing include the following:
- disinfect (etch) in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for 20-30 minutes (an old-fashioned and not very effective method), and then rinse under water; or use a more modern and effective drug;
You can also pickle tomato seeds in chlorhexidine, brilliant green, garlic infusion and aloe juice.
- conduct soaking in growth stimulant such as “Epin”, “Zircon” (according to instructions).
Alternatively, you can soak the seeds in an infusion of wood ash (1 tablespoon per 500 ml of water, let stand for 2 days), in which you need to soak the seeds, wrapped in a gauze bag, for 4-5 hours.
- germinate in a cloth or on cotton pads.
Note! You also need to germinate it correctly: if you simply immerse the seeds in water, then no effect will follow, because they require oxygen to awaken them. Therefore, the seeds need to be soaked in a damp cloth (precisely in a cloth or cotton pads, since they can grow roots into the gauze) so that both moisture and air have access to them. For example, putting them (seeds in cotton pads) on a saucer or in a jar, and covering the top with a plastic bag (cling film) so that the inside is moist. Next, put it in a warm place where the temperature is above +22 degrees, but not above +30, optimally - + 24-28 degrees.
Video: preparing tomato seeds for sowing - pre-sowing treatment
Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to watch the following videos, which debunk many myths about seed treatment methods, especially about the use of potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide.
Video: preparing tomato seeds for planting - disinfection and dressing of seeds
Note! If you purchased coated, granulated, glazed purchased seeds, they do not require any pre-sowing preparation. Manufacturers have already processed these seeds and covered them with a special organo-mineral coating. They need to be sown immediately, and dry.
What substrate to plant in?
In order to activate all the vital forces of tomatoes, it is necessary to select a suitable substrate.
The soil mixture itself should be loose, light and nutritious, and its acidity should be close to neutral (6-6.5 pH).
In garden stores you can purchase ready-made special soil for tomato seedlings (it is also suitable for growing peppers and eggplants), which already contains all the necessary components.
But if you wish, you can prepare the substrate for tomato seedlings yourself at home using one of the following recipes:
Recipe No. 1:
- turf soil - 1 part;
- high-moor peat - 1 part;
- humus or compost - 2 parts;
- sphagnum moss or coarse river sand - 1 part.
By the way! As a leavening agent(i.e. instead of sand or moss) can also be used perlite.
Or here's another recipe:
- peat - 3 parts;
- compost - 5 parts;
- sawdust (necessarily rotted) or sand - 1 part;
- wood ash - 1 cup per bucket of soil mixture.
Another option:
- turf soil - 2 parts;
- humus or compost - 3 parts;
- sand - 1 part;
- wood ash - 1 cup per bucket of soil mixture.
And one more recipe:
- turf soil - 1 part;
- humus or compost - 1 part;
- leaf soil (baking powder, that is, you can use sand, perlite or moss) - 1 part;
- wood ash - 1 cup per bucket of soil mixture.
Important! A week before sowing tomato seeds, the soil should be disinfected.
For this you need soil bake in the oven(a couple of hours at a temperature of about 70 degrees), and also spill the solution potassium permanganate deep pink color. Or use a more powerful drug.
Video: soil for tomato seedlings
Containers for planting
There are several common types of seedling containers for sowing tomatoes. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, and therefore any gardener selects exactly those that he likes best, and also based on his capabilities.
The main thing is that the planting container has drainage holes to drain excess water. Or it is worth pouring a drainage layer (for example, from expanded clay) onto the bottom of the container.
In addition to the main types, many gardeners use improvised containers: yogurt cups, cardboard boxes for dairy products, plastic buckets for pickles or preserves (jams) and others.
Video: containers for seedlings: pros and cons
Planting scheme
To properly grow seedlings, you should maintain a certain distance between the seeds, since the seedlings will need some space during the growth process
Important! When the seedlings are dense, the tomato seedlings will begin to stretch out, and the risk of developing fungal diseases will also increase.
When sowing in a common container, it is recommended to place tomato seeds in shallow (1 cm) grooves with a mandatory distance of 1-2 cm. And between the rows (grooves) themselves, it is necessary to leave a distance of 3-4 cm.
Naturally, the less frequently tomato seeds are planted, the longer the seedlings can remain in the seedling container. However, you will still have to pick them, so there is no point in spacing the seeds too far.
Naturally, when planting individually in individual containers, you need to sow 1 seed in each, although to be more sure, especially if you do not germinate the seeds, it is better to sow 2 in order to leave the strongest plant in the future.
Actually, with this method of sowing, you can grow without picking, you just need to immediately take 0.5 liter containers.
Sowing algorithm
Only by following all stages of planting can you count on the desired result (strong tomato seedlings), which means that strict implementation of the recommendations will help you avoid annoying mistakes that will jeopardize the future harvest.
Step-by-step instructions for planting tomato seeds for seedlings:
- Fill the seedling containers with disinfected substrate to 2/3 of the volume.
- Sprinkle the soil generously (with warm water) and allow the moisture to be absorbed and the soil to settle.
- Make grooves 1 cm deep with a distance of 3-4 cm between them.
- Spread the tomato seeds at a distance of 1-2 cm.
- Sprinkle with soil and moisten the surface with a spray bottle.
- Cover the containers with glass or film (bag) to create a greenhouse effect (so that it is warm and humid inside).
- Place in a dark and warm place at a temperature of +22-28 degrees until friendly shoots appear.
Video: sowing tomato seeds for seedlings
Caring for tomato seedlings after sowing: basic rules
The further development of seedlings depends entirely on proper care.
In order for the seedlings to grow strong, it is worth taking into account the basic conditions of their maintenance and care rules.
Temperature and light conditions
After the first shoots appear and the shelter is removed, it is necessary to reduce the temperature of the seedlings to +14-18 degrees during the day and +10-14 at night for 5-7 days.
This measure will reduce the active growth of green mass (the seedlings will not stretch) and will allow roots to develop.
In the future, for normal growth of tomato seedlings, it will be necessary to create a temperature difference - during the day - +22-26 degrees, at night - +14-18 degrees.
Temperature changes contribute to the hardening of plants.
For full growth and development, tomato seedlings require 11-12 hours of daylight.
The most suitable place to place seedlings will be a southern window sill. East or west will also work, and even better if it is southeast or southwest.
If you only have a northern window sill or you often have cloudy weather, then you will definitely need supplement the seedlings with special phytolamps.
Watering
Watering tomato seedlings should be done as the substrate dries, avoiding overwatering and drying out of the roots. It is necessary to moisten carefully, especially the soil, avoiding moisture getting on the foliage. At the same time, you need to water it abundantly so that the entire earthen lump has time to soak. The water should be warm or at least room temperature, pre-settled.
Note! Waterlogging of the soil, combined with insufficient light and elevated temperatures, leads to strong elongation of plant stems.
Video: caring for tomato seedlings from germination to picking
Picking
Tomato seedlings (unlike peppers and eggplants) tolerate picking well.
Caring for seedlings after picking
Further care for tomato seedlings is similar: you need to continue to maintain temperature and light conditions, as well as water on time and start fertilizing if necessary.
Top dressing
If you properly prepare the soil, then you don’t have to feed the seedlings at all, especially before picking. But if poor soil was initially used, then fertilizing is recommended even before picking. Moreover, if the appearance of the seedlings clearly hints that the plant lacks some macro- or microelements. In this case, fertilizing is simply necessary.
Hardening off seedlings before planting in a permanent place in the ground
10-14 days before planting tomato seedlings in a permanent place, you should begin hardening the seedlings.
This is necessary so that the seedlings adapt to harsher outdoor conditions, because before that they grew in a comfortable home environment.
This is quite simple to do: you need to gradually begin to take the seedlings into a greenhouse or onto a balcony (loggia), where the temperature is lower (both day and night), first for 1-2 hours during the day, and finally for the whole day.
Video: tomato seedlings - from picking to planting
Problems and diseases of tomato seedlings
Growing tomato seedlings is painstaking work, the result of which can be jeopardized by simple mistakes in caring for young seedlings. There are a number of problems and diseases of seedlings that can negate all the efforts of the gardener:
- appears as a dried stem at the base of the seedling; develops with high humidity, dense crops against the background of a lack of light, as well as when planting seeds in contaminated soil.
- Pulling seedlings. Lack of light, high temperature and waterlogging of the soil are the main reasons for the stretching of tomato seedlings (as well as any other).
- Yellowing of leaves seedlings.
By the way! About, what to do if tomato seedlings begin to turn yellow, and you cannot identify the disease, read.
- If leaves began to acquire beet purple shade And the seedlings began to noticeably lag behind in growth, then she clearly lack of phosphorus nutrition.
Video: problems when growing tomato seedlings and how to solve them
When to plant tomato seedlings in open ground and greenhouse
As for timing, tomato seedlings are planted only when the threat of the last spring frost has passed and the soil has warmed up sufficiently.
Note! The site already has 2 materials about when and how to plant tomato seedlings correctly, and also about rules for its further cultivation:
Video: when and how to plant tomatoes - detailed instructions from sowing to harvesting
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