What is the lazy way to grow a tomato
What is the essence
Quite new and still unusual for many gardeners is the lazy method of growing tomatoes, which has been very common in recent years not only in the Leningrad region, but also in other regions of our country. How is it different from the usual? The fundamental difference is that when planting tomatoes in the Leningrad Region in a lazy way, it will take much less time for this, as well as for caring for crops. Moreover, in this case, the variety of vegetables itself is not particularly important, since an important role is given to planting and growing, the result of which invariably becomes juicy and tasty tomatoes.
You should know that the preparation of the holes for planting crops begins in early spring or late autumn. It was at this time that other plants were not yet planted in the beds, so the soil is only preparing to receive them. Planting tomatoes in a lazy way can save you time. An important point is that in the process of caring for future tomatoes, the summer resident will have to spend very little time when it will be necessary to tie up the plants.
Having prepared the holes, blooming seedlings are dug from the greenhouse, the height of which is about 60 cm, after which they are planted in the pits, the soil is mulched, and then it will only be necessary to tie the stems to the peg with one ribbon (unlike the usual method of planting, where each plant is tied separately ).
And that's all - earthworms loosen the ground, mulch allows you to reduce the amount of irrigation and retain moisture, there is no need to fertilize crops (also, unlike the usual method of planting tomatoes, since fertilizers are applied directly to the holes during planting). Crops planted in this way grow quickly with minimal maintenance, are less susceptible to disease and yield higher yields. The highlights of planting a tomato in the Leningrad Region can be demonstrated to everyone by our video.
How to plant
Before proceeding directly to planting, you should dig holes of the correct size for seedlings. Ideally, they should be approximately 50 cm wide and 30 cm deep.
Experts consider this size to be the most suitable for the root system of crops, so that it has the opportunity, without encountering obstacles in its path, to settle in the ground. Also, if you plant crops at such a distance, they will be able to receive moisture in the amount necessary for normal growth and development. Thus, the owner of the site does not have to water the seedlings a lot. Optimal for the cultures to take root well and adapt to new conditions, the distance between the holes is about 120 cm.
The earth that was excavated in the process of creating holes must be laid around the perimeter, and this should be done as smoothly and accurately as possible. An iron stick should be placed in the center of the hole, which will reach a height of approximately two meters. Then, not only top dressing containing a whole complex of vitamins and minerals is added to each hole, but also other nutrients vital for the soil.The first layer is to fill a bucket of manure, then humus follows, then sand is laid, and at the very top of such a flooring is placed the earth that was previously mined from the holes. Then you need to add about 500 grams. Ash, as well as 85 gr. nitroammophoska, after which all this should be thoroughly stirred. After a side is made around the hole, it is considered ready for planting tomato seedlings.
How many holes do you need to make using the lazy method of growing vegetables in the Leningrad Region? This issue is decided individually by each summer resident. We only remind you that you need to calculate the number of holes based on the fact that no more than five seedling bushes can be placed in each of them. Planting tomatoes in this area, as in other regions of the country, begins with the arrival of spring, as shown in our video.
Using a sharp spatula, making an indent from the side about six centimeters, dig a hole, the depth of which will be 40 cm.After that, you can lay seedlings in it. Its root system should be pre-pruned and cleaned so that it can fit into the prepared hole without any problems. As for the leaves, they should be cut off from the bottom, while the upper part is left. When all the seedlings are planted in this way, you need to immediately water the entire area with a good stream of water.
This will make it possible for all seedlings to evenly fill the wells with themselves. The result of planting seedlings will be mulching the soil around the side with the help of small straw, fallen leaves, old grass. That is, many of the materials at hand that are located right on the summer cottage or near it can be useful to you. This procedure will also preserve moisture and become a reliable protection of plant roots from drought. After that, there is no need to loosen the ground, since worms will take on this responsibility, which will surely appear in the soil you fertilize.
How to care
Caring for tomatoes after planting, planted in such an unusual way, will not cause much trouble to the owner of the plot. The main thing is to tie the growing stems to the stake in time with twine. In the event that there are suddenly a lot of tomatoes, and they are quite large, it is recommended to feed them using the well-known chicken droppings. To do this, it should be diluted with water at the rate of one to fifty. Manure is also perfect, but here the dosage will be somewhat different - one in twenty-five.
It is advised to spray seedlings at least three times. For the first time, this must be done immediately before planting, the second time - after about two weeks, and the third - on the 45th day, for which a special solution is used, designed specifically for such purposes. Tomatoes planted in this way are capable of giving many additional shoots on each stem, grow very well, and grow in a fairly short time. Vegetables invariably delight the owner with their well-groomed appearance, they turn out whole and amazingly tasty. As practice shows, from each hole you can get a crop of up to 40 kg. The minimum yield per hole is about 20 kg. In order to get it, you need high-quality seedlings of your own or purchased in a trusted place. At the same time, tomato varieties, as mentioned above, can be completely different. The main thing is to choose tall ones, and then the result will never disappoint you!
Video "Growing tomatoes"
A note on how to create optimal conditions for growing tomatoes and how to cope with their diseases.