To grow tasty and large tomato fruits, it’s crucial to provide good nutrition. Tomatoes growing in greenhouses need more care than those in open areas.
Feeding Tomatoes in Open Ground
When growing tomatoes outdoors, follow these steps:
- Rotate Crops: Avoid planting tomatoes where other nightshade plants have grown recently.
- Plant After: Choose spots that previously grew cabbage, legumes, or greens.
- Use Fertilizers: Apply organic and mineral fertilizers.
- Avoid Fresh Manure: Don’t use fresh manure to prevent infections.
- Loosen Soil: Regularly loosen the soil around the plants.
- Pest Control: Treat against pests and diseases every 14 days until harvest.
Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
- Nitrogen Deficiency: Slow growth, yellowing leaves and stems.
- Potassium Deficiency: Yellow-brown leaves, curling edges, and browning fruits.
- Phosphorus Deficiency: Stunted growth, bluish-green fruits.
If you notice these signs, feed your tomatoes immediately.
Applying Fertilizers
For mineral fertilizers:
- Use urea, double superphosphate, and potassium salt at specified amounts per square meter.
For organic fertilizers:
- Prepare liquid bird droppings infusion.
During flowering, consider using growth stimulants.
Feeding Greenhouse Tomatoes
For greenhouse tomatoes, follow these steps:
- Apply moistened mineral fertilizers.
- First Feeding: Use specific amounts of ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, and potassium chloride.
- Second Feeding: Adjust the amounts of superphosphate, saltpeter, and potassium when the first fruits appear.
- Third Feeding: Apply a mix of superphosphate, nitrate, and potassium during fruiting.
Foliar Feeding
Once a month, apply a mix of copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, boric acid, and manganese sulfate. Use humus and diluted bird droppings for added nutrients.
Following these guidelines will help you grow a bountiful crop of delicious tomatoes!
