What to pour into the hole when planting tomatoes for higher yields?

Many people mistakenly believe that growing tomatoes does not require a lot of effort. This is not so: both the temperature and humidity conditions, and the illumination, as well as what will be put into the hole when planting tomatoes, are important. Incorrect fertilization is fraught with a decrease in yield, deterioration in the quality of fruits.

General information

Each grower independently decides which form of fertilizer is more convenient for him to use for work on his site. Exist:

• liquid mixtures;
• granular fertilizers;
• biohumus;
• top dressing sticks;
• powdered stimulants.

The former are favorably distinguished by the fact that they are more evenly distributed over the soil layers. It is easy to dilute them with water, while it is difficult to make a mistake in the proportions, since most of the products are equipped with measuring containers. Granular dressings are well absorbed by plants, they are not carried away by the wind, unlike powder. Biohumus sharply increases soil fertility, improves the taste and aroma of grown fruits.

Agronomists distinguish between two main methods of introducing active ingredients:

• solid;
• local.

It is the latter that is preferable when cultivating tomatoes, since it can significantly reduce the consumption of the active substance. The main volume of the root system of tomatoes is located in the upper layers of the soil, so the mixture is embedded to a depth not exceeding 18-20 cm. The main rule that must be followed: it is better to add a little less stimulant than to overfeed the plants.

Fertilizers for seedlings

The first enrichment of the soil is very important, as it lays the foundation for the quality of the future harvest. Some growers are in a hurry with this procedure, starting to add mixtures immediately after germination. This is not true: fertilizers can be applied only after 3-4 full-fledged leaf plates have formed on the stem.

• "Athlete" - the most popular complex preparation for feeding tomato seedlings. It promotes the formation of a powerful root system, while slowing down the "pulling" of the stems. Thanks to him, you can get strong seedlings that perfectly take root when transplanted into open ground.
• "Krepysh" - another complex remedy with a rich composition. It includes a number of chemical elements necessary for the proper development of plants: manganese, iron, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, etc. The mixture helps to form the aerial part of the tomato bush, prevents yellowing of the leaves.
• "Emerald" - a popular color enhancing agent containing mineral and organic components. It protects plants from adverse factors, helps prevent infection with pathogenic fungi. It is added both by root method and by spraying.

Tomatoes, which have developed correctly thanks to such preparations, after the first pick, can be safely moved to the holes prepared at their summer cottage.

Transplant to open ground

As with the vast majority of crops, growing tomatoes requires periodic rotation. The procedure consists in changing the type of plants planted in a particular sector. Tomatoes cannot be placed in the same place for more than 2-3 years in a row.

Growing on the site where previously there were:

• melons (pumpkin, zucchini, squash);
• beets or turnips;
• greens (parsley, dill, basil).

Compliance with this rule alone will significantly balance the ratio of trace elements within the soil layers.After tomatoes, you can place cabbage, all types of salads, berry crops (strawberries, raspberries, etc.).

Industrial fertilizers

These are stimulants that must be used with the utmost care. They are used most often on highly depleted soils. Dry preparations should be poured into the holes when planting tomatoes, having previously protected the respiratory organs with a cloth mask.

• Superphosphate - a mineral mixture containing, in addition to microelements, impurities in the form of gypsum, fluorine compounds, aluminum, as well as silica. Produced mainly in the form of granules. Top dressing is most effective on soils with a slightly alkaline and neutral reaction: it contributes to the formation of a strong root system. When enriching acidic soils, superphosphate is mixed in a 1: 1 ratio with limestone or chalk. For 1 well, 1 dessert spoon of fertilizer is enough.
• Ammonium nitrate - nitric acid salt. It is allowed to add it both after dilution with water, and in granular form. The product enhances the growth of shoots. Add 10-15 g of the substance to the well. You can dilute 25-30 g of saltpeter with 10 liters of warm water, then pour the prepared recesses with the resulting liquid.
• "Solution A" - a complex mineral mixture containing readily soluble phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen. Before planting, a nutrient composition is prepared: 20-25 g of the dry preparation is poured into a bucket of water, then mixed thoroughly. Each prepared well is abundantly moistened with a liquid. The procedure can be repeated every 2 weeks until the end of the growing season.
• "Red giant" - a universal fertilizer, also used until the end of the harvest. Top dressing contains a number of important microelements: phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, etc. The agent increases the immunity of plants, protects them from damage by fungi and viruses, helps tomatoes more easily tolerate drought and periods of heavy rainfall. During planting, 1 teaspoon of the drug is added to each well.

When working with chemicals, you need to protect the skin. For this purpose, rubber gloves are best. Do not allow the solution to get into the eyes or mucous membranes. After the end of the feeding procedure, you should thoroughly wash your hands with running water.

Home remedies

Folk methods are both safe and effective. In addition, the use of natural dressings does not require significant cash costs. They help to significantly improve the productivity of tomatoes.

• Brewer's yeast - a remedy rich in trace elements. 10 g of raw material is dissolved in 10 l of water and infused for 24 hours, 250-300 g of the resulting liquid is poured into each well before planting.
• Wheat grains - another cheap fertilizer. They are soaked, and after swelling, they are thoroughly rubbed. Then add 3 tablespoons of sugar to 1 glass of mass. The mixture is kept for 24 hours in a warm room. For feeding tomatoes, 100 g of the substance is poured into 1 liter of water. For 1 hole, 150 g of the product is enough.
• Onion peel - means, in addition to the nutritional effect, also providing a disinfecting effect. 300 g of dry mass should be placed in 4 liters of boiling water and insisted for 11-12 hours. Then 15-20 liters of water are added to the liquid and the holes intended for tomatoes are watered.
• Banana peel - organic matter that can be embedded in the soil before placing the bush. As it decomposes, it will gradually enrich the earth.
• Raw egg shells - a product containing a complex of trace elements. It should be ground to a powdery state and filled with water, keeping it for 3 days. Then add 100–150 g of the resulting liquid to the wells. For 3 liters, you need 4-5 large eggshells.
• Nettle Is a plant often used as a fertilizer for tomatoes. Fresh stems together with leaves are crushed and poured with water (in a 2: 1 ratio). The mass is insisted for a week in a warm place, provoking the fermentation process. For feeding, 700-800 ml of infusion is added to 1 bucket of water.1-1.5 liters of fertilizer are poured into each well.

Other funds

Tomatoes don't like too much organic matter. This cultural feature must be taken into account.

• Wood ash - an agent that accelerates the growth of plantings and partially disinfects the soil. Its main mineral components are calcium carbonate and sodium orthophosphate. The substance in each case has a unique composition: it depends on the original material being burned. For 1 hole when planting, 2-3 tablespoons of ash are consumed.
• Bird droppings - an effective natural remedy. It is rich in compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium. To 10 liters of water add 1 kg of dry dressing, the suspension is thoroughly mixed. 1 L of solution is poured into each well.
• Humus (compost) - a substrate obtained during the decomposition of organic matter by bacteria. It can only be used when it becomes light and crumbly. Fertilizer is obtained from cut grasses, cut leaves. Up to 500 g of compost is poured under 1 bush.

What is better to put in the holes when planting tomatoes? Agronomists do not recommend combining more than 2-3 additives at a time. Tomatoes respond gratefully to any fertilizing, the main thing is not to exceed the recommended dosage.