We reveal the secret: how to grow tomatoes without watering
Tomatoes are considered a demanding crop for care and especially for soil moisture. Knowing how to grow tomatoes without watering and what is the essence of this unusual method, you can grow an excellent harvest of tomatoes even in extreme conditions. It is also necessary to choose the right seedlings, varieties and follow the basic planting rules.
The essence and advantages of the method
When tomatoes grow in comfortable conditions, with a regular watering regime, they do not need to develop the root system to such a state in which it reaches a significant depth, since there is enough moisture.
The culture begins to independently actively extract moisture and nutrients, developing a powerful root system in the absence of watering.
One of the secrets of growing a vegetable crop without watering is to cut off the bottom pair of leaves during transplantation. The author of the method, A.A. Kazarin, recommended completely depriving the stem of the foliage. This will allow the plant not to expend energy on feeding the leaf plates at the initial stage of growth, developing the root system. By using the no-water method of growing tomatoes, you can help the root system to fully form before the fruit begins to form.
As Galina Donova notes, this method greatly facilitated her labor costs during cultivation. He is a real salvation for summer residents who cannot visit their site too often, as well as for gardeners who do not have free access to water.
Galina noted a number of its advantages:
- saving water for irrigation;
- improving the taste of the vegetable due to the absence of excess moisture in the fruits;
- reduction of fungal infections, rot and exposure insect pests;
- long storage period for fruits.
But the most important thing that made Galina happy during her first experience with this method was the high yield. She notes that this was unexpected for her.
How to grow tomatoes without watering - basic rules
The main point in this method is to take into account the rules of agricultural technology. Under this condition, tomatoes will fully develop. Proper care includes mulching, removing weeds, timely tying to trellises or supports, maintaining a microclimate if tomatoes develop without watering in a greenhouse, as well as preventing fungal diseases. Compliance with these rules will allow you to achieve results with minimal effort.
The correct planting of tomatoes is also important. There are tricks and secrets here. It is necessary to prepare seedlings, soil, mineral additives. Initially, you should familiarize yourself with the varieties that are best suited for this method.
Drought tolerant tomato varieties
Breeders have long bred varieties and hybrids that tolerate drought and lack of moisture well. They are able to form a powerful root system that will perfectly cope with a lack of water. For the first experiment, it is better to use drought-resistant ones.
As a rule, medium-sized varieties are well suited for growing tomatoes without watering.
For open ground, you should take Cossack, King of the Early, Gina, Adeline.
For greenhouses, Daryonka, Fairy's Gift, Hurricane F1, Search F1 are suitable.
Seedling preparation
Seedlings are initially prepared for growing without watering. As soon as the first shoots have appeared, they are gradually taught to do without water. Watering young shoots is carried out only when they begin to wither. It is important to supply moisture through the pallet. This will stimulate the root system to grow in depth.
Further, it will become noticeable that the roots are more developed, and the upper part of the plant does not stretch out. It is important to follow the rule - do not pinch the root during the dive. Seedlings should be transplanted into open ground or a greenhouse when they reach 50-60 days.
Transplant basics
Tomatoes without watering in open ground or in a greenhouse develop equally well, given all the nuances. The first step is to remove the bottom pair of sheet plates. It is very important to preserve an earthen lump at the time of transplanting - so it will be easier for tomatoes to adapt.
Prepare a clay mash with a consistency reminiscent of liquid sour cream. Before stealthily into the hole, you need to dip the seedlings to the middle of the stem. This will ensure that the plant has minimal contact with the soil.
For each hole, prepare a special fertilizing mixture and add to the bottom. For cooking use:
- humus or compost;
- wood ash;
- potassium permanganate;
- water.
It is necessary to pour in water only after mixing the remaining components. When the moisture has been absorbed, you can put the seedlings in the holes. When landing, you should take into account the direction - the top should "look" to the north. Sprinkle the plant with soil to the middle of the stem. The layer should not be more than 5 cm.
It is important to remember that it is in the surface layers of the soil that beneficial microorganisms live, which are necessary for the culture in the process of growth and development.
After that, you can start the first watering. Pour half a bucket under each bush, leaving the leaves dry. We must not forget about mulching. To do this, use any bulk materials, such as sawdust, straw, grass. The mulch layer should be more than 5 cm.
Donova's experience shows that the plant will and should wilt. But at this moment, the main thing is not to get scared and not start watering. In about 1-2 weeks, the culture will recover and revive due to the full work of a powerful root system.
Features of the development of tomatoes without watering in the greenhouse and open field
The task after planting a plant is to maintain natural processes. The agrotechnology of tomatoes growing in greenhouse conditions and in the open field does not have significant differences.
Gardeners who grow tomatoes without watering in a greenhouse should pay special attention to ventilation, temperature conditions, since ovaries do not form at temperatures above 30 ° C. In the absence of regular ventilation, condensation often causes the development of fungal infections.
For those plants that grow in open ground conditions, mulching is considered the most important. A layer of mulch protects plants from moisture evaporation, weeds, overheating and hypothermia, prevents the development of fungal infections.
Liquid dressings should be excluded - when planting a plant, a sufficient number of components were laid in the hole. They will be enough for the entire period of formation of the bush itself and the fruits.
The experience in growing tomatoes without watering gardener Galina Donova showed that you can get a rich harvest of tomatoes, while the fruits have excellent taste. She began to carry out experiments on her site since 2009, using various methods. Her experiments, including those on growing tomatoes without watering, give good results.
This growing method cannot be called new, but many gardeners with rich experience are puzzled by it.However, those who used it had good results and adopted it. It is important to pay attention to all recommendations and provide the vegetable crop with proper care.