How to water tomatoes in a greenhouse. How often and how to water tomatoes in a greenhouse

04.03.2020

Polycarbonate greenhouses are becoming more and more popular with gardeners every year. Especially often they are used for growing tomatoes. But to collect good harvest tomatoes, you need to know how to water them properly.

If we compare polycarbonate greenhouses with film or glass structures, then they have a number of advantages:

compared to glass structures, polycarbonate retain heat up to 30 percent better;
such material perfectly transmits light and at the same time protects tomatoes from sunburn;
this greenhouse is more airtight, so inside it the risk of drafts or sudden temperature changes is minimal.

However, these advantages, in some cases, can become, on the contrary, disadvantages that negatively affect the microclimate of the greenhouse. For example, good tightness and thermal insulation of the structure can cause a strong increase in temperature and humidity.

Tomatoes grow best at humidity - about 50-60% and at a temperature - from 23 to 29 degrees. And in such a greenhouse in summer time with improper care, the temperature can reach 45-50 degrees, and the humidity can rise to 90% or more. This has an extremely negative effect on the growth and development of tomatoes.

And in such conditions, the likelihood of developing fungal diseases is high. To avoid such problems, you will need to install a ventilation and heating system in the greenhouse, you can also resort to ventilation, but in this case, the plants may suffer from sudden temperature changes.

In order for the cultivation of tomatoes in such a greenhouse to be successful, one must carefully monitor the temperature and humidity of the air, and also do not forget to disinfect in a timely manner.

Humidity rate for tomatoes in the greenhouse

The yield of tomatoes grown in a polycarbonate greenhouse depends both on temperature and on the level of air and soil humidity. At the same time, the optimal air humidity is about 50-60 percent, and the soil is about 90 percent. In this case, the tomatoes will grow and develop normally, and they will also be protected from fungal diseases.

The frequency of watering tomatoes grown in greenhouse conditions, plays an important role in their development and fruiting. Both overflow and lack of moisture can equally harm such a culture, in which case the bushes begin to hurt, which has an extremely negative effect on the quality and quantity of fruits.

You can understand that the selected irrigation mode is incorrect by the following signs:

all leaf plates on the bush lose turgor and begin to fly around due to insufficiently frequent or too poor watering;
a sign that watering is very frequent or excessively plentiful.

On average, tomatoes that grow in a greenhouse are watered 1-2 times a week. In this case, the frequency of irrigation is affected not only by temperature, but also by air humidity.

Features of watering tomatoes in a greenhouse

Experienced gardeners know that the frequency and abundance of watering tomatoes grown in a greenhouse depends on what stage of development the bushes are at.

After the seedlings are transplanted to the bed in the greenhouse, it should be well watered with plenty of water. The transplanted seedlings are at first in a depressed state, and their root system is still very weak, so soil moisture during this period should be given special attention.

However, there is no consensus on this matter:

Some experts advise watering the planted seedlings daily, using a small amount of water for this, arguing that a weak root system is not able to absorb too much liquid, and since it has not yet grown, it is not able to extract moisture from deeper layers. soil.
Other experts are sure that after the bushes are abundantly watered after planting (4-5 liters of water per bush), they should be left alone for a week. During this time, they will have time to take root, and their root system will become stronger.

When the seedlings take root and begin to grow actively, the frequency of irrigation should be such that the soil surface between them has time to dry to a depth of 30–50 mm. As a rule, at this time the soil is moistened 1 time in 5 days.

If you water the tomatoes more often, then only the superficial root system will develop well, which is not able to provide the plant with all the necessary nutrients. The same irrigation regime is provided to this vegetable crop during flowering.

During the period of fruit set, the number of waterings is increased. The fact is that at this time the bushes spend a lot of moisture on the growth of fruits, however, if there is too much liquid in the soil, this can cause them to crack.

Make sure that the soil is constantly slightly moist, but at the same time, water should not be allowed to stagnate in the root system. On average, at this time, watering is carried out twice in 7 days.

However, if the surface of the earth near the bushes is very wet, then the number of waterings can be reduced to 1 time in 5 days.

When the fruits grow and begin to sing, the watering regime should be changed again. If the bushes are watered too abundantly and often at this time, then ripening tomatoes will not only crack, but also begin to rot. As a rule, at this time the earth is moistened 1 time in 1–1.5 weeks.

How to organize watering with your own hands

There are several ways to water tomatoes grown in a polycarbonate greenhouse. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common of them will be discussed below.

If the greenhouse is small, then it is recommended to use manual way. To do this, you will need either a watering hose or a watering can, while water must be poured under the root.

The disadvantage of using a watering hose is that in this case the water comes either from the water supply or from the well, and it is very cold, so the likelihood of hypothermia of the root system increases. And this method is also bad because it is impossible to control the amount of water poured under the bush.

Experienced gardeners recommend using a watering can in this case. In this case, it is better to take water settled and heated in the sun. To do this, you can install a barrel near the structure, into which water is poured in advance so that it has time to heat up.

Drip irrigation is advantageous to use in large greenhouses, since manual irrigation in this case is too complicated and takes a lot of time.

This method has many advantages:

the liquid enters immediately to the root system, so it does not evaporate on the soil surface, which means that watering will not contribute to an increase in air humidity;
water will not fall on the surface of foliage, shoots or flowers;
You can water tomatoes at any time of the day;
the soil during irrigation is not salted and is not washed out.

To provide plants with drip irrigation, you will have to install a special system, which is a set of special tubes connected to each other, they are brought directly to the roots of plants, and it is through them that water enters.

The easiest way is to purchase a ready-made drip irrigation system in a specialized store, but if you wish, you can assemble it yourself.

How to organize drip irrigation in a greenhouse - video

Pit irrigation

Pothole watering of tomatoes is a rather unusual method that some gardeners are just starting to use.

In this case, a hole is dug in the bed with a depth of 0.3 meters and 0.5–0.6 meters in diameter.
Four tomato bushes are planted along the edges of this pit, while the distance between them should be from 0.5 to 0.6 meters.
After planting, the hole must be filled with mowed grass so that it rises slightly above the surface of the bed.
During irrigation, water is poured only into this grass, 20 liters of water are poured into one hole at a time.

This method is good because deep watering of the tomato occurs, due to which the root system of the bushes becomes strong and well developed. And over time, the cut grass begins to rot and warms the roots of the plant, which also has a positive effect on their development and growth.

And this method also allows you to reduce the amount of watering, the charge of moisture to the bushes can be enough for about 7-10 days (sometimes longer).

The method of watering a tomato using plastic bottles is very popular among gardeners. The fact is that consumable in this case, it costs practically nothing, you only need a few plastic bottles, carnations and old tights.

It is very easy to build a structure from bottles, and it can serve you for more than one year. There are several options for such structures:

Funnel. Take a bottle and make a few holes in its cork with a nail. If the soil on the bed is light, then make only a couple of holes in it with a diameter of about 0.2 cm, and if the soil is heavy, then 4 larger holes will be needed. The cork should be covered with unnecessary tights or other synthetic material (natural can rot). This is necessary so that the soil does not clog holes. Then cut off the bottom of the bottle, but not completely, make something like a cap. Install the resulting "funnel" in the garden between two planting holes to a depth of 15 centimeters and at an angle of 45 degrees, then fill the container with water.
Down in the ground. In this case, holes are made on the sides plastic bottle, after which tights are put on her. Then the container is dug between two landing holes strictly vertically so that only the neck rises above the surface. It will need to pour water into it from time to time. It is impossible to close it with a cork, since in this case the liquid will not be able to leave the bottle and soak into the soil.

The time of watering tomatoes grown in greenhouse conditions directly depends on weather conditions and on the design features of the greenhouse. As a rule, if the weather is dry and warm, then you can water the tomatoes at any time except at night. But in this case in daytime you need to pour water very carefully under the root so that it does not fall on the surface of the foliage, since the sun's rays in this case can leave burns on the leaf plates.

Please note that it is impossible to water the bushes late in the evening or at night, because the greenhouse is tightly closed at night and therefore the humidity of the air rises very much, which is detrimental to tomatoes.

If you decide to water the tomatoes in the evening, then ventilate the greenhouse well to remove excess moisture from it.

If the weather is cool and damp, then watering is carried out before lunch, in which case the structure will have time to ventilate well until the evening.

If you first decided to start growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, then the advice of experienced gardeners will certainly come in handy:

If you heat water for irrigation in a barrel and installed it inside the greenhouse, then be sure to cover it tightly with a lid or film. The same applies to any other containers filled with water. If this is not done, then the liquid will begin to evaporate, and this will significantly increase the level of humidity in the air.
If the soil in the garden does not absorb water well, it is recommended to carefully dig it with a pitchfork.
It is highly undesirable to regularly loosen the surface of the soil around tomatoes grown in greenhouse conditions. Instead, immediately after planting, it is better to cover the surface of the bed with a layer of mulch (hay or straw).
In warm weather, the optimum temperature of the water used for irrigation should be from 18 to 20 degrees, and in cold weather - from 22 to 24 degrees. If the water is cold, then the tomatoes will experience stress after watering, which will negatively affect their growth and fruiting.
Immediately after watering, be sure to ventilate the greenhouse well (if you do not have a ventilation system installed). Otherwise, the humidity of the air will rise sharply, which is highly undesirable.

Proper watering of tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse - video

If you provide tomatoes growing in a polycarbonate greenhouse with the correct watering regime and maintain optimal soil and air humidity, and do not forget to monitor the temperature, then the chances of harvesting a rich harvest increase many times over.

To get a high yield of tomatoes in greenhouse conditions, you need to organize a full-fledged care for this plant culture. High-quality watering is one of the main requirements for growing a good and fruitful crop. Tomatoes without timely watering grow small, dry, with a thick skin, not at all the result that every summer resident achieves. How to organize proper watering greenhouse tomatoes and with the help of what devices.

General rules for organizing irrigation

Let's start with the fact that there are generalized recommendations regarding watering tomatoes in open ground, as well as in a greenhouse.

First of all, I would like to note that this vegetable crop fully develops exclusively in moist soil, but at the same time it prefers dry air.

In order for the irrigation of tomatoes to be of high quality, it is not recommended to loosen the soil immediately after irrigation. It is better to mulch it with mowed grass. This will keep moisture in the soil for a long time and prevent its rapid evaporation.

Water only in the root zone

Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate or any other building material is carried out under the root system, trying not to erode the soil. It is also highly undesirable for moisture to get on the leafy system.

Foliage is forbidden to be watered - only in the root zone

How often do you water tomatoes in a greenhouse? This process is recommended to be carried out in the morning or evening. And the temperature of the water used for irrigation should be in the range of 22-25°C. Therefore, in the cool season, do not be lazy, and heat the water to the indicated values. This approach will help improve the process of plant ripening and increase the number of ovaries.

Daytime irrigation of seedlings can lead to foliage burns (especially in summer), which will reduce the possibility of fruiting.

When a vegetable begins to bear fruit en masse, during this period it is necessary to provide the culture with abundant, but not too frequent watering. Regular, but not abundant irrigation leads to a violation of the normal development of fruits and a decrease in yield. At this stage, it is best to use drip irrigation when growing tomatoes and cucumbers.

In the case when your greenhouse shelter is erected from a polycarbonate sheet, moistening is carried out twice a week. If we talk about the rate of watering tomatoes in a greenhouse, then it is 5 liters per bush.

It is highly undesirable to use tap water as a liquid. For these purposes, either liquid settled for three days, or rain is excellent.

VIDEO: How to water tomatoes and help pollinate tomatoes

The frequency of soil moisture

The frequency with which water will be applied under the roots of a plant of this group largely depends on the absorption of nutrients and trace elements and, accordingly, fruiting. When the vegetation grown in greenhouse conditions receives all the necessary trace elements, and the humidity indicators reach the limit of 90%, this will ensure a timely and high yield.

How to properly water tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse? First of all, it is worth noting that irrigation activities are carried out no more than twice every 7 days.

Increasing the frequency of application of the liquid contributes to the curling of the foliage. Hence the deficiency of trace elements that the plant receives through the leaves and, as a result, a decrease in the rate of development of seedlings and a decrease in the volume of fruiting.

Many gardeners place a water tank directly in the greenhouse structure, which leads to an excess of moisture. Of course, this facilitates the irrigation process (there is no need to run far to fill the containers with water). In order to eliminate such consequences, experienced gardeners cover the tank plastic wrap.

In the event that, after carrying out such moisturizing procedures, you notice that moisture is absorbed too slowly into the ground, you need to pierce it in several places. Many experienced specialists combine the processes of ventilation and irrigation, which favorably affects the development of vegetation.

Liquid application stops exactly 20 days before harvest. This will speed up the ripening of the fruit.

Do not forget about the need for ventilation and access to sunlight. Photosynthesis is the most important condition for plant nutrition, for which the sun is responsible.

Irrigation Options

The introduction of liquid to moisten this vegetable crop can be done in several ways:

Watering tomatoes through plastic bottles. This method is simple and cost effective. To implement it, you need to dig a plastic bottle of any size with holes made with an awl near each bush. Water is poured into the open neck, which goes exclusively to moisten the root system.

Convenient and economical watering

Through hoses. The most common option, but at the same time during the period of seedling ripening it is extremely difficult to adjust the water rate. And after the procedure, a crust remains on the soil. And besides, there is a possibility that plants will be damaged while pulling the hose.

Use of bucket and ladle. This method is great for organizing an irrigation procedure during the fruiting of seedlings. But at the same time, you need to choose the right volume of the bucket. Disadvantages - the need to carry a heavy bucket.
Drip irrigation for tomatoes. Most suitable option introducing moisture. It allows you to adjust the volume and frequency of soil moisture. And besides, there is no need to walk with a heavy bucket or carry a hose. Cons: Waste of money.

Organization of irrigation at different stages of seedling growth

Soil moisture during tomato cultivation depends on the stage of plant development.

Sprinkling seeds

The first application of moisture is carried out when shoots appear. The procedure is performed on the second day after most of the sprouts hatch. At this stage, it is best to spray and try to do it so that the drops do not fall on the sprouts themselves.

Even small sprouts should be watered under the root

The following moisturizing activities are carried out regularly and carefully. Drying out and waterlogging of the soil is not allowed. Once a month, the liquid is saturated with organic fertilizers.

Two days before picking, the seedlings are watered for the last time. This helps to keep the ground moderately moist during this procedure. The first watering after picking is carried out after four days.

In order to improve the growth of the root system, pots for pre-growing sprouts are placed in trays. This approach will stimulate the elongation of the rhizome and its full development. After the first introduction of liquid into the soil after picking, the moisture saturation schedule is reduced to once every 7 days.

How to determine an overabundance or waterlogging of the soil

To organize the correct application of moisture, it is necessary to understand how moist the soil is at the time of the procedure.

Vegetable crops do not tolerate waterlogging of the soil, as well as its drying out. Therefore, it is very important that tomatoes receive exactly the right amount of moisture.

In the event that the foliage of seedlings twists along the central vein, and along appearance resembles a "boat", this indicates a lack of moisture in the soil. In this situation, you need to add liquid to the ground, slightly loosen it and mulch it.

When the stem of the plant and the fruits crack, this indicates the presence of excess fluid in the ground. If the problem is not solved, this will lead to a decrease in yield and a deterioration in the taste of tomatoes.

Now you know how to perform high-quality watering of tomatoes in a greenhouse. Guided by the tips described above, you can grow good seedlings and get a high yield.

VIDEO: Tomatoes - watering, garter

Growing a tomato requires special care: you must follow the rules of planting, water it properly and feed the plants on time throughout the growing season. Both excessive watering and lack of moisture in the soil are harmful for them.

Watering tomatoes in the greenhouse in the morning and evening is not recommended. V morning hours the water is not warm enough, and in the evening after watering, moisture condensation on the walls of the greenhouse increases - this adversely affects vegetables. Daytime watering allows moisture to be completely absorbed into the ground, and excess moisture to evaporate before nightfall. In addition, during the day, you can control the ventilation process in case of high humidity.

When to water tomatoes after transplanting to a greenhouse

To get a high yield of tomatoes in greenhouses, you must follow some irrigation rules:

before flowering, apply per 1 sq. m - up to 4 l;
during flowering - up to 12 l;
warm settled or rain water - at least 20 degrees;
avoid getting water on the leaves.

The first watering of a tomato after planting in a greenhouse is carried out no earlier than 10-12 days later. By this time, the plants have time to take root in the ground and require abundant watering for intensive growth.

Reference! Excessive soil moisture leads to plant disease with root rot. high humidity in the greenhouse provokes the appearance of phytophthora.

You can artificially control the humidity in closed ground: ventilate the room, loosen the ground, spray in hot sunny weather. In order to avoid the occurrence of diseases and to obtain high yields, certain rules should be observed:

Tomatoes prefer dry air and moist soil. It is not recommended to loosen the soil immediately after watering, it is mulched with grass, sawdust, bark.
Watering as carefully as possible: avoid getting water on the stems and leaves.
Do not water with cold tap water.
Water every week, the rate depends on the growing season.

Watering tomato seedlings is carried out by any convenient method; organic and mineral fertilizers can be added to the water. Most often, vegetable growers practice the use of volumetric containers for settling water. They are placed in a greenhouse, covered with a lid.

After planting the seedlings, the soil near the plant is watered abundantly. Norm per 1 sq. m - at least 4-5 liters. This volume is enough to strengthen the root system in the soil.

How often should you water tomatoes in a greenhouse?

In order not to harm the plantings, you need to add water at different stages of tomato growth in different volumes.

Advice! Before planting seedlings, it is necessary to moisten the soil abundantly at least a day before the proposed work.

Plants are especially intensively watered during the period of growth, flowering and fruit set. Excess moisture during ripening leads to cracking of tomatoes, especially in thin-skinned tomato varieties. In addition to watering, it is necessary to monitor temperature regime, indoor humidity. Tomato seedlings in the greenhouse should not be placed too densely, this also provokes the appearance of diseases.

As the topsoil dries, water is added taking into account the air temperature outside. In hot weather, plants need additional water. You can water more intensively when the first signs of a lack of moisture appear: twisting and yellowing of the leaves. The earth must be saturated by at least 20 cm.

Vegetable growers determine how many times to water seedlings, taking into account several factors: air temperature, appearance of plants, soil moisture.

Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse in cold weather

Vegetables should be watered very carefully in cold weather. If the soil is sufficiently moist, do not water at all.

Dry soil is moistened no more than 1 time per week. Be sure to ventilate the greenhouse. When the temperature drops, tomatoes are most susceptible to disease. It is necessary to carry out preventive procedures during such periods: spray the plants to avoid root rot with the Previkur preparation, crush with wood ash.

Root watering of tomatoes in a greenhouse in such weather is carried out carefully, plants are not allowed to get wet, and the level of air humidity in the greenhouse is controlled.

How to water tomatoes in the heat in a greenhouse

When watering in hot weather, one should take into account the fact that drops of water falling on the leaves are refracted in the sun and cause burns in plants. At such a time, it is worth watering the tomatoes in the greenhouse at dusk, when the sun is no longer active.

The layer of mulch must be regulated under the bushes, it should not be less than 5 cm. This will retain moisture for a long time.

Distinctive features of polycarbonate greenhouses are high strength and increased thermal insulation. They perfectly transmit sunlight and retain heat for a long time.

Tomatoes should be watered in such greenhouses 2 times more often, because the temperatures in the room are higher than in film-covered structures. In hot weather, polycarbonate structures must be ventilated more often than usual.

How to water tomatoes after planting in a greenhouse

When planting tomato seedlings in a greenhouse, the soil is plentifully watered. It is defended in advance. Preference is given to rainwater.

To avoid plant stress, preparations such as Epin and Zircon are added to the water. Some vegetable growers use potassium permanganate for disinfection. For tomato growth, a variety of growth stimulants are used, they are dissolved in water and each bush is watered.

What water to water the tomatoes in the greenhouse

It is strictly contraindicated to water tomatoes with cold water, this provokes plant disease. Warm and settled water is obtained by placing containers in a greenhouse. You can additionally heat it up to the desired indicators.

The water temperature for watering a tomato should be at least 18-20 degrees. It is recommended to collect rainwater in tanks. It is considered the most suitable for watering vegetables.

How to water tomatoes with iodine in a greenhouse

In small quantities, iodine is harmless to both humans and plants. Such top dressing has a beneficial effect on the growth and formation of tomatoes.

Improves the formation of fruits. Iodine stimulates the formation process, accelerates the growth and size of the tomato.
Significantly improves immunity. A sign of iodine deficiency in plants: sluggish and pale leaves. Timely watering with the use of iodine will restore the appearance, reduce the likelihood of diseases.
Such "tomato diseases" as brown spot, late blight and mosaic on early stages can be stopped with regular watering with iodine.

Reference! The first feeding of plants with iodine is carried out when the first two true leaves appear at the seedlings. In 3 liters of warm, 20-22 degrees, water, dilute 1 drop of iodine.

After that, tomatoes are able to withstand such problems as root rot, fungal and viral diseases.

The next iodine top dressing is carried out during the period of tying brushes on plants. To do this, 3 drops of iodine are dissolved in 10 liters of water. Irrigation rate - 1 l. for one bush.

In the ripening phase, a solution of 5 drops of iodine per 10 liters of water is used for irrigation. This will speed up the process, stimulate the formation of new ovaries. It has been established that when watering with the addition of iodine, the fruits increase in size up to 10 percent. To enhance the effect, wood ash and boric acid are added to the solution.

For prevention, foliar top dressing is also used. For this, a solution is prepared from 1 liter of water, a glass of skimmed milk and 5 drops of tincture of iodine. Tomatoes are sprayed in the morning or evening. Do not allow the solution to accumulate on the leaves to avoid burns.

Watering a tomato in a greenhouse with yeast

After planting a tomato in protected ground, experienced vegetable growers recommend a natural remedy for feeding a tomato - yeast. Using this recipe guarantees intensive plant growth.

Tomatoes after yeast are gaining strength, the stems become powerful and strong, the leaves become wide, intense green. The root system is strengthened, fruits are intensively formed.

The recipe is simple: 1 kg of baker's yeast is dissolved in 5 liters of water and infused for at least a day. For processing a tomato in 10 liters. water is diluted with half a liter of infusion. Water the root code of each plant. If desired, you can simultaneously use herbal infusions, natural organic fertilizers.

Another recipe for making yeast top dressing:

0.5 cups of granulated sugar;
100 g of yeast;
3 liters of warm water.

The prepared solution is left in a warm place for fermentation for several days. Before use, dilute 1 cup of the prepared mash solution in 10 liters of water. Application rate - 1 glass per bush.

Is it possible to water tomatoes with potassium permanganate in a greenhouse

Potassium permanganate or potassium permanganate is commonly used as a strong available antiseptic. Watering a tomato with water with the addition of potassium permanganate provides:

disinfection;
the formation of ions in the soil, necessary for the root system;
strengthening immunity;
acceleration of growth;
disease prevention.

Use potassium permanganate for watering and spraying should be very careful, adhering to the recommended dosage, so as not to burn the plants.

Drip irrigation of tomatoes in the greenhouse

Various methods are used for watering vegetables. The most effective is drip irrigation. This method allows you to significantly save water consumption, the soil remains loose. It is quite possible to mount a drip irrigation system for a greenhouse with your own hands.

Available for sale variety of options drip tape, where the irrigation holes are at different distances. For each individual vegetable crop, it is necessary to choose the right option. For a tomato, it is enough to put "droppers" with 10-15 cm between the holes.

The main plastic pipe to which drip tapes will be attached. Their number depends on the rows: for each row of plants - one watering tape. At the junctions with the main pipe, special couplings and taps are mounted to regulate the irrigation regime. If a row with seedlings does not need watering, the tap is closed. The edges of the droppers at the end of the row are closed, fixed with special clips or wire.

With the help of a pump, water enters the drip irrigation system and in a short time provides soil moisture in the right place, directly on the rows with plantings. It is not difficult to set up such a system; even a novice vegetable grower will cope with the task.

With this method of irrigation, the soil is not compacted and does not require regular loosening. The earth remains light, loose, saturated with oxygen. Gaining popularity new automated system watering "Signor tomato". This unique device facilitates the work of watering and feeding plants. Minimizes manual labor, allows you to control the process using special timers and sensors.

Such a reliable and proven method has long been used by gardeners for small greenhouses. Watering through plastic bottles has several advantages:

accessibility and simplicity;
saving time;
local moisture under the root of the plant;
small water consumption.

Empty clean bottles with a capacity of 1.5-2 liters are cut to the desired height. The side without a bottom is buried next to the plant. Water is poured into the neck of the bottle, the water is gradually absorbed into the soil directly next to the tomato.

Advice! You can optionally add fertilizer to the bottle when watering.

To prevent damage to the roots of a tomato when digging in a bottle, it is recommended to mount such an alternative watering at the same time as planting seedlings.

To make water absorb as slowly as possible, use another method:

holes are made in the cork of the bottle with an awl;
the bottle is filled with water;
dig into the ground upside down.

The watering method with plastic bottles is also practiced, when it is pierced evenly from all sides. It is buried so that the neck is on the surface. For the deepest moistening of the soil, pipes are first dug in, plastic bottles are mounted on them.

Tomatoes are the most commonly grown crop in open field and in greenhouses. Growing this vegetable crop is a fairly simple task, because almost all varieties and hybrids of tomatoes are undemanding to care for, grow on almost any type of soil, and their yield is almost always high.

But it should be remembered that with improper care, tomatoes can lose their positive traits, slow down growth, their yield deteriorates, and this vegetable crop may also be attacked by pathogenic organisms.

Separately, it is worth talking about the mode of watering tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse and in the open field, because an excess amount of water and high humidity are just as detrimental to them as a lack of moisture. The basic rules for watering this vegetable plant will be outlined below.

Basic description of tomatoes

Tomatoes are an annual vegetable crop from the nightshade family, they can be grown in a greenhouse or greenhouse, on the beds in the garden. Also recently, planting and growing these vegetables in hydroponics has become very popular.

Tomatoes

It is important to properly prepare the site where the vegetable grower will plant tomatoes. This vegetable crop requires fertile and loose soil, which is pre-fertilized with fertilizers containing basic mineral elements (including phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen). The soil should not be acidic, neutral or slightly alkaline is best. If there is only acidic soil on the site, in the fall, in addition to organic fertilizers, it is necessary to add lime or dolomite flour for digging.

In open ground for normal cultivation of this crop, the air temperature should be at least 21-23⸰С, and in greenhouse conditions - 25-30⸰С.

Important! Since tomatoes are heat-loving plants, at low temperatures they can slow down development, the fruits will ripen poorly. In addition, in such conditions, in rainy weather, plants can be exposed to fungal diseases.

When growing them, you should follow the rules of crop rotation. The best predecessors for tomatoes: onions, beets, carrots, cucumbers, turnips, greens, cauliflower and various siderates.

You can not plant this vegetable after potatoes, peas, physalis, eggplant, peppers and zucchini. Also, do not grow tomatoes in the same place every season.

Rotation table

Good neighbors for this vegetable crop will be gourds (watermelons, melons), corn, radish, herbs, garlic, basil. And if marigolds, nasturtium and calendula are planted between the rows, their aroma will scare insect pests away from tomato bushes.

Soil and seedling preparation

In the greenhouse, the soil should first be disinfected by spilling it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

In most regions of our country, tomatoes are grown by seedlings in order to get a crop earlier, besides, summer in many regions is short, so the fruits may not have time to ripen in such conditions.

Seeds for seedlings are planted 45-60 days before transfer to a permanent place. To make them germinate faster, you can soak the seed in a solution boric acid. When planting, they should be deepened by 1-1.5 cm. Before the appearance of seedlings, containers with planted tomatoes are covered with plastic wrap for faster germination.

Important! The distance in the beds between the bushes of this vegetable crop is about 0.4 m (for early varieties) and 0.5 m for the later ones.

Seedlings need to be buried during transplantation to the cotyledon foliage, in which case they will form additional roots, due to which more nutrients will flow to the aerial part.

Care of adult plants includes regular watering, loosening of tree trunks with simultaneous removal of weeds, the introduction of a layer of mulch, as well as regular top dressing at all stages of growth and development of tomatoes. Organics are used as fertilizers, solutions containing the necessary mineral elements. You can also use and folk recipes to accelerate growth and good fruiting. They usually include cow dung, bird droppings, yeast or iodine.

bird droppings

How to water tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse and in the open field

It is an erroneous opinion that in any conditions tomatoes can be watered almost every day and in large quantities. If in open ground excess water can evaporate on a hot day and such watering will bring less harm to tomatoes, then in greenhouse conditions, excessive moisture and elevated temperature can cause the development of fungal diseases or various kinds rot.

What humidity regime should be maintained indoors and how often should tomatoes be watered in a greenhouse so as not to harm them? In summer, the humidity in the greenhouse can range from 55 to 76%, but if the weather is dry and hot, this figure can drop to 35-45%.

If sunny days are replaced by rainy ones, then indoor humidity can jump sharply to 85% and higher.

And if the irrigation regime of tomatoes is violated, the moisture index may be higher. But such a microclimate is definitely harmful to tomatoes. They really need the constant presence of water in the soil, but high humidity harms normal development vegetative mass and fruit ripening.

A certain level of humidity is very important

This vegetable is equally harmful to a large amount of moisture in the soil and its lack. The root system is not able to absorb excess moisture and begins to rot. With a lack of water, the leaves become dehydrated, which leads to overheating of the aerial part and to the death of the bush.

Important! The norm of soil moisture in closed ground is 90%, and air humidity is 50%.

How often should tomatoes be watered in a greenhouse to provide the plants with the right microclimate? The correct irrigation regime is achieved with the strict observance of the following rules:

depending on the indicator of humidity and temperature in the greenhouse, this vegetable crop once every 3-4 days;
half a bucket of liquid is added under each plant;
watering is carried out strictly under the base of the bush. Drops of moisture should not remain on the foliage, otherwise burns will appear on the leaves when exposed to sunlight;
the best time for this procedure is morning or evening, otherwise, under the influence of sunlight, most of the moisture will evaporate, increasing the humidity of the air.

Important! Water for irrigation should not be cold - this is harmful to the root system. The most suitable temperature is 22-24⸰С.

You can water the plants in the greenhouse using watering cans or a hose. In this case, water flows directly to the base of the bushes, without falling on the foliage. When watering from a watering can, you can immediately see how much moisture has got to the plant, in addition, you can always pour warm settled water into this device. But with the help of a hose, watering is done from a lake, river or other body of water, and the water temperature will be lower than necessary.

Drip irrigation is organized in large greenhouses, since it is difficult to manually water a large number of plants in such premises. The advantages of drip irrigation are undeniable:

moisture can be supplied directly to the root system, preventing its evaporation. At the same time, the humidity in the room does not increase;
water does not fall on the aerial part of the tomatoes, including the buds during the flowering period;
irrigation is carried out in convenient time for a summer resident;
washing out and salinization of the soil is prevented.

Drip irrigation

Available in specialized stores necessary equipment in order to mount a drip irrigation system in your greenhouse.

Which type of irrigation to equip in a greenhouse depends on the desire and capabilities of the vegetable grower.

It is easier to water tomatoes in the open ground, since there is high air humidity only in rainy weather, and on sunny days the optimum level of moisture in the air is usually set, and the amount of water in the soil can be adjusted with the help of irrigation.

The amount of water consumed by tomato bushes is different and depends on the stage of plant development:

after planting the seedlings in a permanent place, it is abundantly watered (up to 5 liters for each plant) and left for further acclimatization. Within 1-1.5 weeks, seedlings of these vegetables do not need moisture;
in the period between planting and flowering, these vegetable plants are watered every 3-4 days, the water rate for each bush is 2.5 liters;
during the flowering period (from mid-June to mid-July, depending on the ripening time of the variety), half a bucket of water is applied under each bush, but watering is carried out every 7 days;
during the period of fruit appearance, tomatoes (from mid-July to early August) are watered every 3 days, you need to make sure that upper layer the soil was wet all the time;
as soon as the first reddening fruits appear, watering is again reduced. It is enough to bring water under the plants every 7-9 days, but not in large numbers.

What is the danger of violation of the irrigation regime

Violation of the irrigation regime for tomatoes in polycarbonate greenhouses sometimes leads to irreversible consequences:

plants are affected by fungal or putrefactive diseases due to too abundant watering and stagnation of moisture in the soil. As a result, the roots begin to rot, the bushes do not receive sufficient nutrition, weaken and may die;
lack of moisture can lead to wilting of tomatoes, poor absorption of calcium, as a result, the bushes are affected by blossom end rot. As a result, you can lose part of the crop, and sometimes the whole plant dies;
with daily watering, when insufficient moisture is applied, immunity decreases in tomatoes, and they can be affected by pathogens.

Therefore, when growing tomatoes, it is imperative to adhere to the irrigation regime in order to prevent the deterioration of the condition of the plants and grow a good harvest.

Tomatoes that are grown in protected ground, whether it is a polycarbonate or glass greenhouse, require slightly different care. And the main criterion for obtaining a generous and healthy harvest is proper watering. So how do you water tomatoes in a greenhouse?

For the full development of tomato bushes in greenhouse conditions, it is necessary to maintain soil moisture at 90%, and ambient air humidity should be 50-60%.

If the degree of soil moisture can be determined mechanically, by simply squeezing a handful of earth in your hand and at the same time it will slightly compact, then a gardener will need a hygrometer to determine the dryness of the air.

We should not forget about the quality of water for irrigation.

Water temperature

Do not water tomatoes with cold water, directly from a well or a water pipe. Sudden changes in temperature cause plant stress, which can cause diseases and developmental inhibition.

Water is collected in large containers and given time to settle and warm up to a temperature of 22-25⁰С. If the tanks are in a greenhouse, then they must be equipped with lids, because. evaporation of moisture in hot weather increases the humidity of the air inside the structure, and tomatoes do not like this.

What time to water

Watering time in the greenhouse directly depends on the weather outside. On hot and dry days, irrigation is carried out early in the morning or late in the evening, when the solar intensity subsides. It must be remembered that by the evening coolness the plants have had time to absorb most of the moisture, and watering does not cause an increase in humidity.

It is not recommended to postpone watering until late in the evening, because. in a closed space will be created the greenhouse effect, increase the humidity of the air, and this, in turn, will lead to an increase in humidity in the greenhouse.

In cloudy weather, tomatoes are watered in the morning and kept open doors and vents for ventilation.

Tomato plant is more drought-resistant than moisture-loving.

Excessive hydration soil leads to rotting of the root system and provokes the occurrence of many diseases, and the most insidious of them is late blight. In a matter of days, it can destroy the entire crop in the bud. This is especially dangerous in dense plantings.
But long-term drought adversely affects the development of tomatoes. From a lack of moisture, the leaves begin to curl, wither, which ultimately leads to a weakening of the plant and its death.

You can determine the need for moisture in plants by appearance: the leaves lose turgor and begin to droop to the ground. With a prolonged drought, the tips of the leaves begin to dry out, which will certainly affect the amount of the crop.

Tomatoes in a greenhouse are watered on average 1 time in 2-3 days and 3-5 liters of water are consumed for each adult plant. Again: it all depends on the condition of the soil, its structure and external factors.

Tomatoes are mainly grown due to the long growing season, which means that we are dealing with pampered plants that are not accustomed to providing themselves with moisture, and this concern falls on the shoulders of the gardener.

Watering after planting seedlings

Tomato seedlings are planted in moist soil and additionally watered from above so that the root system is tightly connected to the ground.

During the adaptation period - this is about 10-14 days - the seedlings are watered moderately and only if necessary. Harsh conditions are necessary for the plant to direct its forces to the development of the root system, which must go deep into the soil and learn how to extract water on its own.

Frequent watering of seedlings after planting will make the plant lazy, and the bulk of the roots will remain in the surface layers of the soil.For young seedlings, 2-3 liters per plant will be enough.

Do not allow prolonged drying of the soil during the period of laying buds and flowering. Lack of moisture can lead to massive shedding of color, which will lead to a decrease in yield. Tomatoes are watered at least 2 times a week, taking into account the condition of the soil, but the volume of water is increased to 4-5 liters per bush.

On a note. During the period of budding and flowering, watering is combined with top dressing of tomatoes with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

During the fruiting period

During the fruiting period, when the tomatoes begin to turn red, the frequency of watering is minimized: irrigation is carried out once a week. The amount of moisture supplied is also reduced.

Excessive moisture very often leads to cracking of the fruit, which reduces the presentation, quality and quantity of the crop.

It is necessary to water the tomato bushes under the root, preventing water from getting on the leaves and stems of the plant. Drops of water can play the role of a magnifying glass, which will lead to yellow spots on the leaves - these are sunburns. To eliminate this possibility, several irrigation methods are used.

Traditional (manual),
drip,
using plastic bottles
pitted,
auto.

Either option should ensure uniform soil moisture around the entire circumference of the stem of the tomato bush.

Traditional (manual) watering

In small summer cottages, you can observe how a gardener in the evening scurries between a container of water and a greenhouse, conducting another watering. And this is not surprising, because manual watering with the power of a garden watering can or bucket and ladle is the most common.

Another thing is that the process is quite laborious and requires considerable physical strength. It is necessary to scoop up water, bring it to the greenhouse, water it, and given the size of the greenhouse and the number of tomatoes grown, when 10 liters of water are spent on 2-3 plants, you can imagine how the summer resident feels at the end of the working day.

But, despite all the complexity, manual watering has a number of advantages.

The gardener knows exactly how much water he pours under each tomato bush.
It is possible to water the plant gently, without getting drops of water on the leaves and stems.
Combine watering with top dressing, depending on the stage of development of tomatoes.

Watering beds with tomatoes in a greenhouse from a hose, of course, facilitates the work of a gardener, but has some drawbacks.

There is a high chance of damage to plants when moving the hose around the greenhouse.
There is no way to control the amount of moisture supplied.
With strong pressure, the soil under the tomatoes is compacted and washed out, which leads to the exposure of root processes located close to the soil surface.
If the hose is connected to water pipe or a well, then the low water temperature adversely affects the growth of tomatoes: in extreme heat, watering with cold water causes a sharp cooling of the root system, the plants fall into a stupor and slow down their development.

To facilitate the watering of tomatoes, you can use drip irrigation. The irrigation main is purchased in a specialized store or made by hand.

I would especially like to note the high efficiency and highlight the advantages of drip irrigation.

This method provides a slow and uniform supply of water exclusively to the root system.
There is significant water savings.
The ability to connect to a conventional container installed at a height, where, if necessary, fertilizers can be added and then watering will be combined with fertilizing with minerals.
The soil does not compact during irrigation, and, therefore, there is no need to loosen it.
The physical and time costs for watering the beds with tomatoes in the greenhouse are reduced.

Gardeners with economic ingenuity have found use for plastic bottles, which accumulate in large quantities on suburban area from drunk lemonade and sparkling water. This is a simplified version of drip irrigation.

Option number 1

In the walls of a plastic bottle (of any volume), holes are made along the entire height with a red-hot nail or awl.
Then the vessel is buried in the ground near the tomato bushes, leaving only the neck above the soil surface. You should be careful and try not to damage the root system. Ideally, this work should be carried out together with the planting of tomato seedlings in the greenhouse.
The bottles are filled with water, which will slowly go into the soil, nourishing the root system with life-giving moisture.

Option number 2

The plastic bottle must be cut along the shoulders, and holes should be made at the bottom and in its lower part. The vessel is buried in the ground, deepened by 2/3 of the height.

Such tanks are installed along the entire length of the beds and filled with water. The top cut part is used as a cover so that the water does not evaporate and does not lead to an increase in humidity inside the greenhouse.

Option number 3

A hollow tube is dug into the ground, next to a tomato bush. Holes are made in the lid of a plastic bottle, and the bottom is completely cut off - an impromptu funnel is obtained.

The bottle is inserted into the tube and filled with water. The cut part will serve as a lid, preventing evaporation.

Such an irrigation system is easy to replenish with a new portion of water, and the holes are not clogged with soil, because. there is a small distance of a hollow tube to the surface of the bed.

Do-it-yourself root drip irrigation of tomatoes - video

Pit irrigation

A rather interesting technology for growing tomatoes, which provides for further care in advance, and in particular, watering.

In the garden, before planting tomato seedlings, oval depressions are dug 30 cm deep and 50-60 cm long.
4 tomato bushes are planted along the edges, observing the interval between plants corresponding to your variety. (Therefore, the length of the groove may be slightly different.)
At the bottom of the pit, 1 liter of ash is poured, and in the absence of such, a handful of superphosphate and potassium sulfate are poured.
The pit is filled with freshly cut grass so that it rises somewhat above the surface of the ridge.

Tomato bushes will be irrigated in this recess. At one time, at least 20 liters of water are poured into it, which is enough for 5-7 days. In addition, the grass in the hole will protect the soil from moisture evaporation, serve as mulch for the root system, and protect against overheating and hypothermia. Over time, the green mass will begin to decompose, which will serve as additional nutrition for plants.

Automatic watering

An automatic irrigation device in a small summer cottage is an expensive pleasure. For this reason, it is mainly used in large farms that grow tomatoes on an industrial scale.

How to determine the need for watering

Before proceeding with the irrigation of tomatoes in any way convenient for the gardener, it is necessary to determine their need for moisture. The appearance of the plant will indicate possible irregularities in watering.

If tomatoes lack moisture, then:

, forming a boat, so the plants try to minimize moisture loss by reducing the area of evaporation;
developmental inhibition and the absence of ovaries become noticeable;
leaves begin to turn yellow, and with prolonged drought, fall off;
the same phenomena occur during flowering: flowers and ovaries crumble;
during fruiting, the lack of water affects the quality of the fruits, they develop slowly and become tasteless.

An excess of moisture can also be judged by the appearance of tomatoes.

The foliage becomes dull and begins to fall, while retaining juiciness.
Weeping spots appear at the base of the stem, and the root system rots.
From excess moisture, ripening fruits become watery, crack and lose their sugar content.

To avoid disappointment during the harvest, you need to remember and follow the basic rules of watering.

It is necessary to water in the morning or after the fall of the midday heat.
Avoid getting water droplets on the leaves.
Spend watering, evenly wetting the entire area of the root system.
Do not use cold water- it inhibits the development of tomatoes.
If possible, mulch plantings with humus, at least a layer of 1 cm.
Build the simplest system drip irrigation - this will minimize the cost of manual labor.

How and when to water tomatoes in a greenhouse - video

How often and how much to water tomatoes in a greenhouse video

Whatever irrigation method is used in a summer cottage, it must be remembered that water is a source of life for any plant, and tomatoes are no exception. Competent and timely watering will increase the quantity and quality harvested crop and provide the gardener with fresh tomatoes in the summer and delicious preparations for the winter.