Do I need to push tomatoes. Features of hilling a tomato

No one will even argue: the stronger and stronger the root, the more fruits it can provide with food, and the larger these fruits can be. And what can we do to “strengthen” the root system of a tomato bush?
Spud!

Hilling, it turns out, also has its secrets. Hilling is necessary at the time of root growth ... but the roots of tomatoes do not grow continuously, but in periods.
It happens like this: first, the roots grow intensively, then they slow down their growth, and the vegetative mass begins to actively grow.
Then the growth of the roots is activated again - until the moment when flowering and fruit set begin. As soon as this process has begun, the roots again slow down their growth.

The time when it is time to spud will be prompted by the plants themselves. Watch the stem: if small bulges, similar to pimples, appear on the ground itself, it means that you can spud for the first time (necessarily with wet ground, not dry!).

And when the stem near the ground changed color from green to bluish, it tells you that the time has come for the second hilling. If you follow this and do everything in a timely manner, the tomato will be able to maximize the root system, thereby ensuring the maximum yield!

Source: ogorodko.ru

Recently, the opinions of summer residents have been divided. Some argue that hilling is a completely unnecessary procedure that takes only time and effort. Others are convinced that growing vegetables with hilling has many advantages.

Why spud

So, first of all, let's figure out what this procedure is for:

hilling enriches the soil with oxygen;

strengthens the root system and stem of the plant;

promotes the growth of additional roots;

favorably affects the nutrition of fruits;

after the procedure, small furrows appear in the ground between the mounds, in which moisture will accumulate.

If you still doubt whether you need to hill the plants, then just look at the tomatoes. If you notice the appearance of adventitious roots, then, without any doubt, hilling in this case is a necessary procedure.

After all, vegetables need additional nutrition. If there are no roots in the form of tubercles, then you can quite do without hilling. Moreover, in some cases, this procedure can also harm tomatoes. After all, if you spend it incorrectly, then the air will not be able to penetrate to the roots. Therefore, if you planted seedlings very deep into the ground, then you still should not spud the bushes. After all, the root system of plants will already be well developed.

But still, it is important to emphasize that if you carry out hilling after the lower stepchildren have already appeared, then their stems can give their own roots that can develop as independent plants. Therefore, you can get a large number of bushes, and as a result - a rich harvest. Indeed, the formula is quite simple: the stronger the plant, the more fruit it will bear.

Hilling can increase the flow of minerals to plants from the soil. Tomatoes need trace elements not only during the flowering period, but also during the ripening of the fruits themselves. After all, many are surprised why plants shed fruits that have already begun to start. And the reason for this is just the lack of trace elements.

In addition, many gardeners recommend compulsorily hilling undersized tomatoes. Then the plants will be more stable, so you do not have to tie them up. It is clear that regular watering, weeding, as well as loosening the beds are those activities without which it is simply impossible to achieve a good harvest. Therefore, it is imperative to carry them out. But as for hilling after landing in the ground, then only you need to decide: vegetables need this procedure, or they will do just fine without it.

Timing and frequency

When should you plant tomatoes? The first time the procedure must be done within 10-11 days after you have planted seedlings in the ground. Indeed, it is by this moment that the plants will have time to take root and the “pimples” will already be clearly visible on the stem. These are the rudiments that vegetables need for good development. If we plant tomatoes before they appear on the stem, we can harm the plant, because the deep roots will be left without air. Therefore, this matter should not be rushed. After all, the answer to the question “when should tomatoes be spudded?” cannot be unambiguous. You just need to carefully monitor the condition of the stems.

Before hilling itself, do not forget to water the tomatoes. This is important, because if you spud with dry earth, then the formation of additional roots will occur slowly. The next time you need to spud plants in twenty days. Pay attention to the stem again - if its bottom turns blue, then this is the first sign that an additional root system is developing. Two procedures will be enough.

How to do it right

In order to spud tomatoes, we will need a chopper or small trident rakes. This must be done very carefully, because the roots of the plants must remain intact, as well as unharmed. Note that at the same time we slightly loosen the soil, providing the root system with an additional flow of air. First, you should pour the earth on one side of the bush, and then on the other.

See what you got? Mounds have formed near the stems, and furrows have formed between the rows, in which water for tomatoes will accumulate. Hilling height depends on the type of soil. For example, if you are growing them in heavy loamy soil, then hilling should be high. Then you do not have to tie the plants to the stakes, they will grow well on the heaps. If vegetables were planted on sandy loamy soils, then there is no point in carrying out high hilling. If you want tomatoes to please you with a really good harvest, you can also add humus soil.

At the end of the procedure, do not forget to shake off the ground that has fallen on the leaves. You need to spud tomatoes at least twice. It is good if this happens simultaneously with loosening. This way you can save time and energy. If you want to become a true tomato growing expert, then it is important for you to remember one rule: tomatoes should be watered often, but in moderation. Watering before hilling should be mandatory.

So, now you know when and how to properly hill plants after planting in the ground. And by providing vegetables with high-level care, you will soon be able to boast of a decent harvest.

There are about the same number of supporters of hilling tomatoes as opponents. To carry out the procedure or not - everyone decides for himself. To decide whether you need to spud tomatoes in your beds, it is important to understand what this agricultural technique gives and how important it is for the future harvest.

The essence of the procedure and its necessity

Hilling in simple terms can be defined as the creation of earthen mounds at the base of a bush. From the aisles, the earth is raked with a hoe to the bush - that's all the work. However, its results are much more significant than they seem at first glance.

If you look closely at the stem of a tomato near the soil surface, you can see small, about 2-3 mm, growths - the beginnings of future roots. This is a signal that the plant needs to be provided with additional nutrition. Hilling tomatoes contributes to this.

In addition, even a small hillock of the soil contributes to better heating of the roots: the surface area adjacent to the roots increases.

Hilled tomatoes have a number of additional advantages over non-hilled tomatoes:

The supply of the root system with air improves, and the moisture capacity of the soil increases, since it has been loosened.
Additional roots, which have received a powerful stimulus to growth, make the stem more dense, durable, stable, the plant activates the growth of above-ground parts, flowering and fruit set.
The bush receives more nutrients, on which the crop and its quality directly depend.
Grooves are formed in the aisles, which greatly simplifies watering and fertilizing: liquid substances do not spread uncontrollably over the surface of the beds, but go directly to the roots of the bushes.
During heavy rains, the soil at the base of the stem is less washed out, excess water is directed into the furrows between the rows.
The access of pests - ants, snails, slugs - to the stems is difficult.
The risk of plant lodging or stem breakage is reduced with a large number of ripening fruits.
Properly hilled low-growing varieties do without a garter to the supports.

Similar results are achieved when hilling tomatoes in greenhouses, where the procedure is mandatory in any case: a warm, humid microclimate contributes to the active growth of leaves and the formation of fruitful brushes, but the stem remains thin.

Tomatoes in the open field can not be spudded if their stems are strong, healthy, have an even green color, and the flowers and ovaries do not dry, do not crumble. Also, deep-planted plants are not treated - they form a sufficient number of additional roots.

When to plant tomatoes?

The exact timing of hilling is suggested by the plants themselves. The first time the ground is raked up about 10-15 days after landing in the ground - by this time future roots usually appear. If they are not present, the procedure is not performed so as not to block the access of oxygen to the underdeveloped root system.

The stem of the plant warns about the timing of the second hilling: its lower part acquires a blue tint. Usually this moment comes 3 weeks after the first filling of the soil.

Usually hilling is carried out 2-3 times per season. For some varieties, a single treatment is sufficient, for others, three may not be enough. This is usually due to growing conditions: adverse weather conditions, depleted soil. Only careful observation of green pets will give the right answer - when and how many times you need to "build" mounds.

How to spud tomatoes?

The work is very simple. The soil requires preliminary moistening - abundant watering or good rain. The main tool is a hoe or shovel with a small working surface.

They work very carefully so as not to damage the roots located close to the surface of the earth.

In cold weather, earth for hilling is mixed with peat, humus or compost so that the roots suffer less from low temperatures. Such an additive will feed the tomatoes at the same time.

To facilitate the work, the ground is first piled to the tomatoes on one side of the row, and then on the other (thus, in addition to saving time, more even mounds are obtained).

For hilling tall varieties often resort to an unusual technique. During the planting of seedlings, not holes are dug for it, but grooves of a slightly greater depth than is usually required. The first days the seedlings are slightly below the ground level, instead of the first hilling, the surface of the bed is leveled, and then the shoulders are already growing.

Hilling beds of open ground has its own characteristics.

Humidification of the beds is carried out a day or two before hilling. Hilling with dry earth is a waste of time and effort: adventitious roots will not develop in it.
Previously, the earth is loosened to a depth of 4-5 cm and all weeds are removed.
The earth is collected into mounds from a distance of 15-20 cm. The resulting holes or grooves do not smooth out, they act as rain moisture accumulators or excess water after irrigation.
The optimal height of the mounds is 15-20 cm, but it depends on the type of soil. On loamy soils, it is not difficult to spud up to such a height, but on sandy soils, the task becomes almost impossible. In such cases, instead of traditional hilling, the required amount of fertile soil is poured.
The best time for work on a sunny day is in the morning or before sunset, in cloudy weather there are no restrictions.

After hilling, mulch is laid out in the resulting grooves - dry grass. Subsequently, abundant watering is carried out on this grass. Dry soil at the base of the bushes prevents the development of pathogens.

The nuances of hilling in a greenhouse:

watering is carried out a day before the start of hilling;
before starting work, the greenhouse is ventilated;
tubercles are raked to a height of 8-10 cm and fixed with low walls in the form of rings or squares from improvised materials - sheets of plastic, roofing felt, plywood, metal strips.

If by the time of hilling strong stepchildren have formed in the lower part of the stem, they can be left, covered with earth 1-2 cm from the branch. Such shoots take root easily and quickly, they are separated and planted in free places.

Spud your favorite tomatoes or leave as is, making it difficult for yourself to carefully examine the bushes after heavy rain - the final choice always remains with the summer resident. There are many who do not see the difference in the yield of treated and untreated plants. But taking into account the fact that the procedure affects not only the number of tomatoes, but also the general condition of the bushes (how susceptible they are to diseases in a particular area), the depth of agrotechnical thought opens up: more roots - healthier tomatoes.

Delicious, juicy tomatoes can really drive even true gourmets crazy. Unfortunately, you will not be able to boast of a good harvest if you just stick the plant into the soil. After all, tomatoes are one of the most capricious and demanding crops. Or fortunately, because caring for tomatoes is a pretty interesting activity if done right. For example, it is important to responsibly approach such a procedure as hilling tomatoes after planting in the ground. And you need to know how and when to spud bushes.

hilling enriches the soil with oxygen;
strengthens the root system and stem of the plant;
promotes the growth of additional roots;
favorably affects the nutrition of fruits;
after the procedure, small furrows appear in the ground between the mounds, in which moisture will accumulate.

If you still doubt whether you need to hill the plants, then just look at the tomatoes. If you notice the appearance of adventitious roots, then, without any doubt, hilling in this case is a necessary procedure.

Timing and frequency

When should you plant tomatoes? The first time the procedure must be done within 10-11 days after you planted seedlings in the ground. Indeed, it is by this moment that the plants will have time to take root and the “pimples” will already be clearly visible on the stem. These are the rudiments that vegetables need for good development. If we plant tomatoes before they appear on the stem, we can harm the plant, because the deep roots will be left without air. Therefore, this matter should not be rushed. After all, the answer to the question “when should tomatoes be spudded?” cannot be unambiguous. You just need to carefully monitor the condition of the stems.

How to do it right

Before answering the question of whether it is necessary to spud tomatoes, let's look at the very definition of this word. Hilling is the loosening and rolling of the earth, preferably wet, to the lower parts of the plant.

Why is this being 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 are spudded, water after watering or rain accumulates in the pits between the mounds. This retains moisture until the next watering and prevents the plant from drying out. Especially in hot weather and in cases where watering the plant cannot be provided daily. Fourthly, hilling protects against the penetration of various pests into the stems.

When do tomatoes spud?

If you notice some tubercles at the bottom of the stem, 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, roots will immediately begin to appear from them. Such a situation, by the way, may be a signal that the plant lacks nutrition, and in order to help itself, it begins to look for additional ways to obtain these nutrients.

But is it necessary to always hill tomatoes?

No not always. If your tomatoes do not have the tubercles described above, then you do not need to spud such a plant. Otherwise, you will simply block the passage of air to the existing roots. When spud tomatoes, follow some rules. The ground must be moist. The best time for hilling is the period after rain or watering. It is best to do this with a chopper. With its help, you redistribute the soil between the rows 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 row of tomatoes on one side, and then go to the other side, so that the result is some kind of mounds near each bush.

How often should plants be hilled?

In general, ideally, you need to spud tomatoes 2-3 times per season. The first time you need to do this procedure 10-15 days after planting the plant in the ground. Although this is a conditional term. But hilling, as you remember, should be carried out only if an additional one at the stem has begun 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. It also speaks of the development of the root system. When tomatoes are spudded, and there is not enough land in the beds, then it is worth borrowing it from another place. If the tomatoes are not covered with the necessary layer of earth, they will begin to dry out from lack of moisture. All of the above are just tips to help gardeners. And the decision on hilling is up to you.

Dmitry Uspensky

I noticed on the video that the tomatoes are spudding. This is right? Need to spud tomatoes that grow in a greenhouse?

Everyone knows that potatoes need to be spudded, huh? Both plants belong to the nightshade family, so their care includes agricultural practices that are the same for all nightshades.

Plant hilling includes loosening the soil with deboning the lower part of the stem with loose, moist soil. Loosening the soil provides unhindered access of air to the root system of tomatoes, which is strengthened and grows due to hilling. When hilling in the beds, furrows are formed in which it accumulates, which reliably protects the tomato bushes from drying out on hot summer days.

high hilling provides reliable protection against the penetration of harmful insects: slugs, snails, ants. In addition, irrigation water will not wash out the roots of the plant when watering.

Hilling tomatoes should be done very carefully so as not to injure the plant.

Adult tomato plants themselves will tell you when to start the first hilling - the bottom of the stem will be covered with convex tubercles. These are the beginnings of future roots, for the development of which it will be necessary to create the necessary moisture. If planting tomatoes do not have characteristic tubercles at the bottom of the trunk, hilling the plants is not required.

Usually the first hilling is required for plants within the first month after planting in the greenhouse.
The second hilling must be done if the bottom of the tomato stem has changed color to “blue”.

In total, 3 hilling cultures can be carried out per season. In any case, agrotechnical measures should be carried out only if necessary, dictated by the plant itself.

Under the tomatoes in the greenhouse, you can add nutritious moist soil

Hilling is performed small chopper, the soil must be moist. The soil is pressed against the stem of the plant with a mound, and the work should be done very carefully and carefully so as not to damage the root system of the plant.

With a lack of soil in the garden, hilling can be done with added, pre-watered soil.

Hilled plants quickly become stronger, growing young strong roots. Preservation of moisture in the soil helps the tomato plant to grow stronger and develop dynamically.

To better preserve soil moisture, especially in hot summers, planting tomatoes is necessary mulch, covering the top layer of soil with peat chips, straw, sawdust, bark or compost. Vegetable growers with experience are sure that soil mulching helps to significantly increase the yield of the beds (up to a maximum of 35%) and the quality of tomato fruits.