Before answering the question of whether tomatoes should be spudded, let's look at the very definition of this word. Hilling - this is loosening and tumbling of the earth, preferably moist, to the lower parts of the plant.
Why is this done?
Firstly, in order to provide air access to the roots. This is achieved by loosening the soil during hilling. Secondly, to further develop and strengthen the root system of the plant. The stronger it is, the better the plant absorbs nutrients. Thirdly, when tomatoes grow up, water after irrigation or rain accumulates in the pits between the knolls. This retains moisture until the next watering and protects the plant from drying out. This is especially true in hot weather and in cases where watering the plants cannot be provided daily. Fourth, hilling protects various pests from penetrating the stems.
When do tomatoes spud?
If you notice some tubercles near the ground, almost near the ground, especially during the flowering period of tomatoes, then it's time for hilling. The tubercles are an additional root system. And as soon as you sprinkle them with earth, the roots will immediately begin to appear from them. Such a situation, by the way, may be a signal that the plant lacks nutrition, and it, in order to help itself, begins to look for additional ways to obtain these nutrients.
But should tomatoes always be spudded?
No not always. If your tomatoes do not have the tubercles described above, then it is not necessary to spud such a plant. Otherwise, you simply block the air passage to the existing roots. When spud tomatoes, observe some rules. The earth must be moist. The best time for hilling is the period after rain or watering. This is best done with a chopper. With its help, you redistribute the land of the aisle closer to the base of the plant. This must be done very carefully so as not to hurt the existing roots. You simultaneously loosen the soil and increase air permeability to the roots. First you need to process a number of tomatoes on one side, and then go to the other side, so that as a result we get some mounds near each bush.
How often do you need to perform the hilling of plants?
In general, ideally, tomatoes need to be spud 2-3 times a season. The first time you need to do this procedure 10-15 days after planting a plant in the ground. Although this is a suspended sentence. But hilling, as you recall, should be carried out only if the additional root system at the stem begins to develop. And this can happen either earlier or later. The second hilling is carried out only when the lower part of the stem turns blue in the plant. This also indicates the development of the root system. When tomatoes are being spudded, and there is not enough land on the beds, then it is worth borrowing it from another place. If the tomatoes are not covered with the necessary layer of earth, then they will begin to dry out due to lack of moisture. All of the above are just tips to help gardeners. And the decision on the hilling is up to you.