Tomatoes have long and firmly entered the diet of an ordinary person. Fresh in season, canned or salted in the winter, they have long ceased to be an inaccessible delicacy. They are grown everywhere, in greenhouses and on open ground in a variety of climatic zones. Tomato varieties for the Leningrad region are zoned specifically for the northwestern region of Russia.
Zoning
The very concept of zoning of plant varieties did not arise from scratch. Over the years, experts have tried to develop varieties suitable for cultivation in specific climatic conditions.
For this purpose, several varieties and hybrids of the same tomatoes are planted in specially designated areas (for example, the Leningrad Region). Further, plants are evaluated by yield, precocity, taste, suitability for processing, resistance to disease. This also includes economic indicators for the cost of production per unit of output.
After a thorough analysis of all the data, a hybrid or variety recognized as the best in all respects is approved by the State Commission for Variety Testing and is recommended for cultivation in the Leningrad Region.
This is a long and painstaking work. At the next stage, the task is to grow a sufficient amount of tomato seeds for the Leningrad region. Moreover, it is necessary to provide planting material not only to large farms, but also to a huge army of amateur gardeners.
Recommended varieties for the Leningrad region
Over the years of experiments and experiments many varieties and hybrids of tomatoes were bred. Due to the large size of the territory and ambiguous climatic conditions, even the western and eastern zones of the region were taken into account. The most common varieties of tomatoes for the Leningrad region, taking into account the method of cultivation:
- open ground: "dwarf 1185";
- greenhouses: "Leningrad precocious";
- small-sized film shelters: Nevsky;
- greenhouses: "soil mushroom 1180".
There is also a classification of tomatoes according to the method of consumption, the color of the fruits and the type of bush:
- conservation: "nose", "finger", "shuttle";
- fresh use: “grotto”, “cameo”, “grand”, “gnome”, “gay”, “oak”;
- salad varieties: “gourmet”, “lotus”, “Ilya Muromets”, “raspberry”, “dawn F1”;
- orange tomatoes: "dewdrop", "enchantress";
- early ripening standard: "eugenia", "finger", "shuttle", "argo".
Climate features
The climate of the Leningrad Region is characterized by moderate softness both in summer and in winter. Weather inconsistency is its main feature. During one daylight, the weather can radically change in any direction - from a clear sunny sky to heavy rain. One can add to this the frequent strong gusts of wind characteristic of this region.
This is a rather difficult task - to develop strong varieties of tomatoes for the Leningrad Region, calmly tolerating a sharp change in weather, humidity, temperature and withstanding wind attacks. Breeders successfully completed the task and developed hybrids and varieties successfully cultivated in this region.
Agricultural technology
Tomatoes are light-loving plants, they should be planted on the sunny side. Mandatory generous watering (tomatoes are 90% water), and it is better to do this in the afternoon.
They begin to feed at an early stage, then take a break until the ovary is formed. An excess of nitrogen fertilizers can slow down plant growth.
In order for the pollination process to occur more efficiently, you need to shake the plant slightly over the stem. This procedure should be repeated 3-4 times a week in the morning.
Seeding time
Tomato seeds for the Leningrad region are sown in strictly defined terms. In order to correctly calculate them, you need to take the average seedling planting time in the greenhouse and take away, literally by numbers, the optimal seedling age and add the seed germination period.
Early varieties are planted in the greenhouse on June 1 at a seedling age of 50 days, ultra-ripening plants are sown until April 15, late ones are planted no earlier than March 10, the recommended seedling age is up to 70 days. If we talk about tomatoes for open ground: varieties can be sown in the ground from April 1 to 5.
It should be borne in mind that the soil should warm up to a depth of planting of at least 10 ° C. In the northern regions of the region, the planting dates are shifted to a later date, the gap is from 7 to 12 days. In these areas, frosts are also possible in the first ten days of June.
The type of soil also matters. Sandy loam warms up much faster and deeper than loamy ones.
Harvest Dates
The longer the tomato ripens on the bush, the higher its taste. Ripeness can be determined not only by eye (by the degree of redness), but also by touch.
Zoned tomato varieties for the Leningrad Region are harvested with the onset of cold weather, when the tomatoes stop growing and ripening. Tentatively this is the end of August. But the weather always makes its own adjustments, and year after year is not necessary. Full harvesting of tomatoes involves digging the soil in greenhouses, in vegetable gardens and eliminating the remains of vegetation. It is better to burn it to avoid the possible spread of tomato diseases.
"Agatha"
Variety of tomato "agate" belongs to the group of early ripe tomatoes. From germination to the beginning of fruiting takes about 105 days. A universal variety that grows well and bears fruit both in greenhouses and on open ground. Plants are not standard, the height of the bush is up to 45 cm, which is important for strong winds.
The early ripening of tomatoes helps them to avoid late blight, to which the variety is susceptible. Early harvesting is carried out until the mass spread of the disease.
4 plants are planted per square meter, they need regular watering, preferably with warm water. The soil is fertilized several times during the vegetation of plants.
Description of tomato: fruits with a flat-round shape, weighing an average of 80 grams, with a high dry matter content, red color, pleasant sweet taste, do not over-ripen and do not crack. The yield of one bush can reach 4 kg. On the hand, up to 6 fruits ripen.
Fruits perfectly tolerate transportation. Use tomatoes for winter harvesting, canning.
Simple care and high return make the Agata variety very attractive for amateur gardeners.
"Ballad"
Tomato "ballad" - mid-early variety. From the first seedlings of plants to the beginning of fruit ripening, approximately 120 days pass. Used for planting in open ground, although it can be grown in greenhouses. The height of the compact bush reaches 50 cm, an average of 8 plants are planted per square meter.
The shape of the fruit is round, the weight can reach 180 grams, the color is dark red. The taste of the fruit is sweetish, it is perfect for obtaining tomato paste and the production of tomato juice. Productivity can reach 80 tons per 1 hectare. The merits of the variety include almost simultaneous ripening of fruits.
The variety requires careful maintenance: timely watering, loosening the soil, fertilizing the earth, in a greenhouse - regular ventilation (air must be dry).
A distinctive feature is resistance to late blight, viral diseases, vertebral rot. It tolerates transportation well and lasts well for a long period.
"White filling"
Another popular variety is tomato "white filling". The reviews of gardeners from several regions of Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, and Kazakhstan confirm his reputation as unpretentious and capable of producing a good harvest in almost any conditions.
A high frost tolerance threshold allows it to be grown in the Leningrad Region in open ground. This is an early ripe variety, from planting to the start of ripening, only 100 days pass. Up to 9 plants are planted per square meter. The height of the bush is up to 50 cm. Care is reduced to loosening the soil, weeding, watering (warm water) and top dressing.
Fruits, slightly ribbed, rounded, weighing up to 140 grams, red, are resistant to cracking, are perfect for fresh consumption and for the preparation of salads. Productivity reaches 9 kg from one bush, which, of course, makes the tomato "white filling" popular. Reviews of the fruits themselves are very flattering. Fleshy, sweetish, they are suitable for use not only directly from the garden, but also for preservation and salting.
The fruit ripening helps to avoid the mass distribution of late blight. Early ripening, excellent taste of fruits and resistance to cold and wind make this variety very attractive for cultivation in the Leningrad region.
Gina Tomato
The description of the variety can be started with the fact that it is distinguished by high productivity - 10 kg per square meter. Can be grown under film and in open ground. Early ripe variety - up to 110 days from the first germination to fruit ripening. The height of the bush is up to 60 cm, up to 4 pieces of plants of a variety such as tomato "Gina" are planted per square meter.
Description of the fetus
Weight - up to 280 grams, color - red, shape - flat round. Taste is high: juicy, fleshy, aromatic. The ideal consistency of the fetus is ensured by its high dry matter content. Great for fresh consumption and early preservation. Tough peel allows you to keep tomatoes for a long time.
To get a good and early harvest, it is recommended to loosen the soil, weed, water it with warm water (at least 1 time per week) and carry out top dressing. The variety is resistant to diseases such as fusarium, verticillin wilt.
Yamal
Tomato variety "Yamal" is very early. Ripening occurs in 85 days and can continue until the onset of the first frost. One of the most popular varieties among gardeners in the northern regions. It is preferable to grow tomatoes in greenhouses.
Fruits have an average weight of 100 grams, rounded, smooth, red. Tomatoes have amazing taste. Tomatoes are universal in use, suitable for fresh consumption and as preparations for the winter.
Unpretentious variety, can withstand bad weather and lack of sunlight. The size of the bush is small - up to 50 cm. You can plant 7-9 bushes per square meter. Productivity is high - up to 20 kg from 1 m 2 .
For tomatoes, you need simple care, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers, weeding, watering, cultivating. Unpretentiousness "Yamal", resistance to major diseases, crop stability, high taste, its resistance to adverse weather conditions make it an excellent option for beginner gardeners.
"Amber"
Amber tomato is an early ripe tomato variety. Low (only 35 cm in height) bushes are suitable for growing not only in summer cottages in open ground, but also on the balconies of apartment buildings. Original yellow tomatoes ripen on the bushes.
From the first seedlings to the appearance of the first ripe fruit, up to 100 days pass. The usual care, as for other varieties of tomatoes: weeding, watering, top dressing, cultivation. Up to 9 plants are planted per square meter.
Tomatoes weighing up to 55 grams, diameter - 2.5-3 cm, spherical in shape, smooth, golden or yellow. The fruits ripen at almost the same time. Productivity reaches 6 kg per 1 m 2 . They have excellent taste. They can be used fresh and for conservation. Yellow tomatoes will decorate any table.
The variety is resistant to adverse weather conditions, macrosporiosis and late blight. Maintenance features include maintaining low air humidity (watered only with warm water after sunset), loosening and weeding the soil are necessary during the growing season. Amber tomato is recommended for cultivation for beginner amateur gardeners.
The quality and quantity of the crop, its timely processing or long-term preservation depends on the correct selection of the variety. The appointment of tomatoes is also taken into account: fresh consumption, harvesting tomatoes for the winter, the ability of the fruit to withstand transportation, withstand long-term storage conditions, etc.
Zoned varieties of tomatoes are the best suited for cultivation in certain climatic zones. Such a gradation of varieties helps gardeners make the right choice and ensure a stable tomato crop in any district of the Leningrad region.