Each gardener seeks to obtain the maximum yield. When growing tomatoes, activities such as mulching and watering are almost the most important. They provide plants with protection against pests and weeds, and also provide all the necessary minerals for the rapid development of fruits.
We grow tomatoes. Mulching
This is a process in which the soil around the plant is covered with loose organic material. They can become, for example, needles of conifers. As a result of exposure to microorganisms, the material rots and turns into humus, while simultaneously warming and fertilizing the plant.
The process is borrowed by man from nature. In the forest and places where plants and trees are left unattended, a dense carpet of fallen branches and leaves always forms around the trees. Under the mulch layer, moisture is well preserved, and the roots of the plant develop better and faster. Due to the friability of the mentioned cover and the absence of direct sunlight, the root system is well supplied with oxygen. In addition, mulch is an excellent "home" for microorganisms that turn last year's foliage into fertilizer.
Mulching tomatoes - weeds have no chance!
As you know, weed grass is the scourge of gardeners! But this problem was resolved.
When using mulch, you don’t have to worry that the grass will drown out the tomatoes: mulching will help to reduce weed growth by five times - this is at least. To date, the mentioned process is the best way to deal with them. Many gardeners prefer to weed weeds manually, but it takes too much time and energy, and the use of chemicals can adversely affect the plants themselves. Mulch, on the other hand, gives a shadow that prevents the rapid development and growth of weeds, but does not interfere with the full life of an adult plant. It also prevents excessive overheating and drying out of the soil. In hot summer days, the earth easily heats up to 45 0 , which can completely destroy tomatoes. Mulching allows you to avoid this trouble and keep the crop.
Watering Tomatoes
In order for the tomatoes to develop as best as possible, it is necessary to maintain a constant soil moisture (within 80-90%). The percentage of air humidity does not matter at all. If you irrigate the tomatoes too often, they lose their taste characteristics and become excessively watery. In addition, their vulnerability to various diseases significantly increases. On the other hand, a lack of moisture leads to falling buds and the appearance of cracks on already formed fruits. That is why it is necessary to carefully control the amount of water and the intervals between its delivery to the plant.
Tomatoes need to be watered no more than twice in one calendar week, however, the amount of water should be quite large. It should be noted that each bush consumes a different volume of fluid. It depends on its variety and age. So, the highest soil moisture must be maintained immediately after planting seedlings and during the appearance of the fruit ovary. At other times, watering should be moderate.
The most important thing that gardeners who decide to grow tomatoes need to remember: mulching and proper watering are your best allies and friends.