For tomatoes, as for other plants, moisture is important, because the future harvest directly depends on it. There are plenty of ways to water them, but drip irrigation is considered one of the most effective. A number of advantages, including increased productivity and significant labor relief, make it the best among them. How to water tomatoes in a greenhouse using drip irrigation and how to irrigate them in open ground? You will learn about all this in the article below.
Features of drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse
It is difficult to grow tomatoes in cold climates; they get sick more often, grow worse, and it is hardly possible to achieve good yields. In this case, it is better to move away from the practice of planting these crops in open ground and try to grow them in a greenhouse. Isolation from diseases, maintaining constant heat, fertilizing and, most importantly, proper irrigation - when all these factors are combined, significant results are achieved.
Undoubtedly, the agricultural technology for cultivating tomatoes in greenhouse conditions is somewhat different from caring for them in open ground. For example, in addition to adding moisture to the soil, it is also necessary to maintain air humidity at the same level - approximately 60%.
How to water tomatoes with drip irrigation in a greenhouse? The mode should be something like this:
- Young bushes are actively forming shoots. Since their root system is not yet well developed, the root hairs are not able to reach the well-moistened lower layer, so irrigation should be superficial. Check how wet the soil is with your finger and turn on the watering system if necessary.
- When the tomatoes reach about 10 cm, you can gradually increase the dormant periods by irrigating once every 10 days. Subsequently, the time between each event should be 7-10 days. Such irrigation is used until the ovaries begin to appear. Please note that the water should penetrate approximately 20 cm deep. If necessary, open windows and doors in order to normalize the internal microclimate and prevent the development of diseases.
- Watering is carried out more often as soon as the fruits begin to ripen. However, be sure to monitor the condition of the soil, as it is important to protect the plants from root rot, which occurs due to too wet soil. If it is slightly damp, it is better to postpone the event. Over time, you yourself will develop the optimal frequency of moisturizing your bushes at this stage.
The irrigation period plays a significant role. So, in accordance with the rules, drip irrigation is carried out strictly in the warm season, as soon as the sun rises. In cool weather, plan to apply the liquid in the middle of the day. It is strictly not recommended to irrigate tomatoes in a greenhouse late in the evening, otherwise the temperature in the greenhouse will either drop or the air humidity will increase, which is equally negative for them.
With the help of drip irrigation, both determinate, semi-determinate and indeterminate varieties can be grown.
System installation
First, you can plan what the finished system will look like. Even a schematic image will help you roughly calculate the system details required for installation, as well as the volume of water that will be required for irrigation. So, one bush requires about 1.5 liters per day. If the rate of water pouring out in 1 minute is 1.15 liters, then watering can be turned on for an hour and 20 minutes a day. Naturally, the calculations are approximate; moreover, in some cases irrigation is not carried out daily.
A storage container is sufficient for tomatoes. Of course, you can supply water directly from the tap; it will have time to heat up before it enters the soil, but the cost of such a system will be much higher. This is dictated by the need to purchase a pressure regulator in order to normalize this indicator and not damage the droppers.
How to drip water tomatoes? You will need a PVC hose, it is better if it is dark in color so that bacteria and algae do not grow in it under the rays of the sun. Its diameter is 10 or 15 mm. It is not recommended to take more, otherwise the larger the hole, the more the pressure in the entire system will drop. In this case, some bushes planted in places far from the barrel will remain without moisture. Usually up to 8 m of such hose is sufficient.
Each bush can be connected to both dropper tubes (medical) and special drip tapes. In the first case, small holes are drilled in the main hose. Since rubber seals cannot be used here, it is better to insert a tube into the hole and then stick silicone sealant around it.
To install drip tapes, you need to lay a pipe along the tomato beds. In this case, there will be such a tape for each row spacing. It is mounted using fittings. Each tape has a slightly different throughput, the holes in it are also located at equal levels, so it is advisable to immediately outline at what distance the crop will be planted.
Plugs, connecting elements, clamps, elbows, seals - these materials will also be useful to you in creating a drip system.
If your storage tank is already equipped with a valve, then all you have to do is connect the pipe to the tap to start using the system. Otherwise, you will have to handle the installation yourself. Then do not forget to step back at least 10 cm from the bottom edge, so that the dirt does not fall into the droppers, but settles at the bottom. Place the barrel on a raised platform.
Such a drip system can be used equally for irrigating soil in a greenhouse and for open beds. The simplicity of the design and its installation pays off in the quantity and quality of tomatoes that you get in the end. By combining this method of watering with high-quality care and mineral supplements, we can hope for a rich harvest.
Watch also an interesting video on the topic with useful information:
When planting tomatoes, you should take into account that their development will be greatly influenced by how to water the tomatoes in the greenhouse. As a result, the yield of vegetables depends on this.
Growing tomato bushes are negatively affected not only by a lack of water, but also by excess moisture. A small part of gardeners mistakenly believe that they should be watered very often, using a large volume of water. However, as a result, such actions expose the plant to diseases, and the yield decreases.
Required microclimatic indicators
How to water correctly, the frequency and volume of water must be determined based on the microclimatic conditions of the greenhouses. The air in summer has a humidity of approximately 60 to 80%. Only on very hot days can the humidity be lower and reach 40%. During summer showers alternating with hot weather, air humidity can approach 90%.
If watering of tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse is not organized correctly, then the humidity can significantly exceed the permissible value, which has a detrimental effect on the tomatoes. The peculiarity of tomatoes is that their above-ground part prefers dry air, and the roots require a sufficient amount of water to ensure the growth of stems. Therefore, optimal conditions should be created in the greenhouse by choosing the correct irrigation regime.
An excess amount of water, which forms stagnation at the level of the root system of tomatoes, causes rotting of the roots. But if there is not enough water in the soil, the foliage becomes dehydrated, causing the plants to overheat, which can lead to the death of the entire bush.
Note! If tomato leaves curl relative to the central vein, forming a kind of “boat,” then this is a clear sign of insufficient soil moisture.
The calculation of the number of tomato waterings in a greenhouse is carried out in such a way that they provide ninety percent soil moisture and 50% air humidity. This ratio allows the bushes to develop normally, and at the same time, protects the plant from infection by fungal bacteria. To maintain an optimal microclimate in the greenhouse, tomatoes are watered every 3-7 days, based on the level of temperature and air humidity.
When irrigating tomatoes, it should be taken into account that each bush needs 4-5 liters of water, which should only flow into the soil to the root system of the plant, and so that drops do not fall on the foliage. On a sunny day, a drop of water acts as a lens, projecting Sunbeam and increasing its power many times over, causing leaf burn. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out irrigation early in the morning or in the evening, so that the moisture has time to be absorbed into the soil without creating a greenhouse effect during evaporation.
Remember! Watering tomatoes with cool water stresses the plant. The optimal water temperature for irrigation should be no less than +23–+24 degrees.
Methods of watering in greenhouses
Greenhouse tomatoes can be watered using several methods.
Manual watering
For small structures, manual watering is often considered optimal. To do this, watering cans and hoses are used to ensure the flow of moisture directly to the roots. If water does not penetrate the soil quickly enough, you can make several depressions in the soil near the plant.
Watering tomatoes with a hose using well or tap water is dangerous, as it can cause dangerous cooling of their root system. At the same time, there is no strict dosing that provides each plant with the required amount of liquid. And if you change the location of the hose, you can break the planted tomato seedlings. Another disadvantage of this type of irrigation is that a dense crust remains on the surface of the soil.
It is better if manual watering of tomatoes in a greenhouse is carried out using watering cans and settled water at the required temperature. With this method of watering, it is necessary to ensure that water does not fall on the aboveground part of the plants and does not cause burns or hypothermia of the plants during evaporation.
Sometimes a barrel with water is placed near the greenhouse. Rainwater collected in containers is considered ideal for irrigation. When a container of water is placed in a greenhouse, it should be covered with film or a lid to prevent excess air humidity from forming, which can harm the tomatoes.
Drip irrigation device
This method is used if tomatoes are grown in a greenhouse over large areas. Manual watering in such premises will require a lot of time and labor. To simplify this procedure, a system is being built that will allow drip irrigation of tomatoes.
Moisture is delivered only to the roots, without raising the level of air humidity in the greenhouse, and water splashes on the above-ground parts of the plant are also excluded.
This method can be used to water tomatoes without taking into account the time of day. Also, its advantage is that the soil is not washed away and does not become salty. A drip irrigation device for tomatoes in the greenhouse is installed before the seedlings are planted. Dense hoses with holes are laid along the length of the rows.
Ready-made systems are sold in specialized stores. They can be installed in the greenhouse with your own hands according to the included instructions. Using such a system, it is also possible to apply fertilizers during fertilizing.
Small greenhouses can be equipped with drip irrigation of tomatoes using plastic bottles. Small holes are made in the bottom of the bottle and dug in near the bush, and water is filled through the neck. You can bury the bottle with the neck down and add water to the cut bottom. This way you can ensure slow access of water to the roots of the plant, and you can also accurately determine the volume of liquid needed for the plant.
You can also water tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse using another drip irrigation device. It is necessary to build a system using a small hose buried near the plant. The end of the hose is screwed into the bottleneck, and water enters through a small hole in the bottom, while the moisture is slowly delivered to the roots of the tomato.
Automation
In greenhouses for industrial purposes, which have a large area, an automatic watering system is often used. Only with large areas can its cost be recouped.
Watering tomatoes at different stages of development
How often to water tomatoes in a greenhouse, and how much water is needed, directly depends on the phases of their development. 2 days before picking, the seedlings are thoroughly irrigated. This allows the plants to absorb moisture and make it easier to transfer the replanting process to another container. The next watering in the greenhouse is carried out on the fourth day after the dive.
When planting seedlings in a greenhouse method, approximately 4 liters of water are poured into each hole. This promotes rapid rooting of tomatoes. The next watering is carried out only after at least 7-10 days.
After this time, the tomatoes begin to grow rapidly. But, since by this time the root system of tomatoes is not yet very developed, it is difficult for them to obtain the necessary moisture. Because of this, approximately before the color starts to drop, the tomatoes in the greenhouse are watered as often as the soil dries out, which is about 3 days later. Each bush consumes 2 to 3 liters of water for each watering.
During the formation of flowers on a plant, they require water in a volume of 5 liters. The frequency of watering during this period is reduced to 1 time every 7 days, and when the fruits are filled, watering is again carried out twice a week. You should not water the bushes with too much water to avoid moisture stagnation. This causes rotting of the tomato root system. If the fruits on the clusters begin to ripen, then watering is carried out once a week, the amount of liquid is reduced to 2 liters for 1 bush. Excessive soil moisture contributes to the formation of cracks in the fruit.
The frequency of watering and the volume of water must be taken into account based on weather conditions and the specific structure of an individual greenhouse. Warm and dry weather conditions do not affect the frequency and abundance of watering. You should only pay attention to the fact that when watering, moisture does not splash onto the foliage, to avoid burns to the plants.
It should also be taken into account that late watering will require prolonged ventilation of the greenhouse, which can have a bad effect on the plants due to the cool night air. It is optimal to carry out irrigation in the evening. But if the weather is cool and damp, then it is recommended to water before noon so that excess moisture in the greenhouse disappears faster.
Before the seedlings sprout, the soil is sprayed with water once a day and covered with film. Subsequently, the film is removed and the seedlings are watered 1-2 times a week.
The optimal water temperature for tomato seedlings is 20-25°C. Some gardeners heat the water and then dilute it with colder water. But when water boils, it loses the oxygen needed by plants. Therefore, it is better to let the water stand in a warm place for some time to warm up to room temperature on its own.
Depending on the stage of development, a tomato needs different amounts of moisture. When transplanting seedlings into a greenhouse, water each hole (4-5 l), and leave the plants for 10 days to take root. First, organic fertilizer (compost or humus with the addition of wood ash) is placed in each hole.
After 7 days, the seedlings begin active growth and need regular and abundant watering. A weak root system itself is not able to obtain moisture from the soil, so before the formation of flower stalks, irrigation is carried out twice a week at the rate of 2-3 liters per bush.
Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse once a month is combined with the application of mineral fertilizers: 15 g of potassium, 25 g of nitrogen-containing and 40 g of phosphorus are dissolved in 10 liters of water. The consumption rate is 1 liter per bush.
When the flower stalks are already formed, the frequency of watering is reduced to once a week, but the volume is increased to 5 liters of water per bush. Watering is alternated with fertilization (1 tbsp. potassium sulfate, 0.5 l chicken manure and 0.5 liters of mullein per 10 liters of water) at the rate of 1.5 liters per plant.
With the beginning of fruiting, the frequency of irrigation is increased to twice a week, and to improve the taste and accelerate the ripening of tomatoes, add 2 tbsp. l. superphosphate and 1 tbsp. l. liquid sodium humate dissolved in 10 liters of water. When the tomato turns red, watering is reduced to once every seven days, and completely stopped 20 days before harvesting.
Read our article about what else you can feed tomatoes to get maximum yield.
Organization of irrigation in the greenhouse.
During fruit formation, tomato bushes are watered abundantly (20 liters per 1 sq.m.) as the soil dries. However, this increases the air humidity in the greenhouse, which is not very pleasant for the plants. Ventilation, as a rule, does not allow maintaining constant humidity at a level of 45-65%. In this case, you can use a drip irrigation system with a centralized water supply or using plastic bottles that feed each plant individually.
The use of drippers for irrigation allows you to ensure uniform flow and movement of water at any point in the system by creating the same pressure. You can set the volume of water that flows from the structures yourself.
The droppers are placed directly next to the beds, so the liquid is directed in even streams directly to the roots.
Installing such a system in a greenhouse with your own hands is not an insurmountable task and does not require special skills and abilities. Using the system in greenhouse conditions solves the problem of weed removal due to the direction of water flows strictly for their intended purpose.
Drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse as an irrigation method has evolved from devices built into the hose to droppers that are located inside the hose. These are so-called compensation systems that make it possible to organize irrigation in areas with difficult terrain.
The main types of drippers today are catif and supertif. Their differences are that catif is used in elastic hoses with a wall thickness not exceeding 1.5 cm, and supertif allows you to organize high-precision watering of several bushes using a special device for branching water flows.
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 soil in your hand and at the same time it will become slightly compacted, then to determine the dryness of the air the gardener will need a hygrometer.
We should not forget about the quality of water for irrigation.
Water temperature
You can't water tomatoes cold water, directly from a well or water pipe. Sudden changes in temperature cause stress in plants, which can cause diseases and stunted development.
Water is collected in large containers and given time to settle and warm up to a temperature of 22-25⁰C. If the tanks are in a greenhouse, then they must be equipped with lids, because The evaporation of moisture in hot weather increases the air humidity inside the structure, and tomatoes do not like this.
Watering time in a 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 heat subsides. It must be remembered that by the evening cool the plants have time to absorb most of the moisture, and watering does not cause an increase in humidity.
It is not recommended to delay watering until late evening, because in a closed space, a greenhouse effect will be created, air humidity will increase, and this, in turn, will lead to an increase in humidity in the greenhouse.
Regularity of watering
The tomato plant is more drought-resistant than moisture-loving.
- Excessive moisture soil leads to rotting of the root system and provokes the occurrence of many diseases, the most insidious of them - late blight. It can destroy the entire standing crop in a matter of days. This is especially dangerous in dense plantings.
The moisture needs of plants can be determined by appearance: leaves lose turgor and begin to droop towards the ground. With prolonged drought, the tips of the leaves begin to dry out, which will certainly affect the amount of harvest.
Tomatoes in a greenhouse are watered on average once every 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 in seedlings, 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.
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 approximately 10-14 days - the seedlings are watered moderately and only when 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 to extract water on its own.
Frequently watering the seedlings after planting will cause the plant to become 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.
Read more in the article: Caring for tomatoes in a greenhouse from planting to harvest
During flowering
Do not allow the soil to dry out for a long time during the period of bud formation 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.
During the fruiting period, when the tomatoes begin to turn red, the frequency of watering is reduced to a minimum: irrigation is carried out once a week. The amount of supplied moisture is also reduced.
Excessive moisture very often leads to cracking of the fruit, which reduces the presentation, quality and quantity of the harvest.
It is necessary to water tomato bushes at the root, avoiding water getting on the leaves and stems of the plant. Drops of water can act like a magnifying glass, which will lead to the appearance of yellow spots on the leaves - this sunburn. To eliminate this possibility, several watering methods are used.
- Traditional (manual),
- drip,
- using plastic bottles,
- dimpled,
- auto.
Either option should ensure uniform soil moisture around the entire circumference of the tomato bush stem.
In small summer cottages, you can observe how a gardener in the evening scurries between a container of water and a greenhouse, carrying out the next watering. And this is not surprising, because manual watering using a garden watering can or bucket and ladle is the most common.
Another thing is that the process is quite labor-intensive 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 laboriousness, 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 carefully, without dripping water on the leaves and stems.
- Combine watering with fertilizing depending on the stage of development of tomatoes.
Watering with a hose
Watering beds of tomatoes in a greenhouse with a hose, of course, makes the gardener’s work easier, but has some disadvantages.
- 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 away, which leads to exposure of the root shoots located close to the soil surface.
- If the hose is connected to water pipe or well, then low temperature water has a negative effect on 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 are inhibited in development.
You can make watering tomatoes easier by using drip irrigation. The irrigation line can be purchased at a specialized store or made with your own hands.
I would especially like to note the high efficiency and highlight the advantages of drip irrigation.
- This method ensures a slow and uniform supply of water exclusively to the root system.
- Significant water savings occur.
- The ability to connect to a regular container installed at a height, where, if necessary, you can add fertilizer and then watering will be combined with fertilizing with minerals.
- When watering, the soil is not compacted, and, therefore, there is no need to loosen it.
- The physical and time costs of watering beds with tomatoes in a greenhouse are reduced.
Gardeners with economic savvy have found use for plastic bottles, which large quantities accumulate on summer cottage from drinking lemonade and sparkling water. This is a simplified version of drip irrigation.
Option #1
- In the walls of a plastic bottle (of any volume), holes are made along the entire height with a 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 root system. Ideally, this work should be carried out together with planting tomato seedlings in the greenhouse.
- The bottles are filled with water, which will slowly go into the soil, feeding the root system with life-giving moisture.
Option No. 2
The plastic bottle must be cut to the hanger, and holes must be made at the bottom and in its lower part. The vessel is buried in the ground, deepened to 2/3 of the height.
Such tanks are installed along the entire length of the bed and filled with water. The upper 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 #3
A hollow tube is dug into the ground next to the tomato bush. Holes are made in the cap of a plastic bottle, and the bottom is completely cut off - you get an improvised funnel.
Watering tomatoes after planting
Immediately after planting in a greenhouse or open ground, it is better not to water tomatoes for 5-10 days. In the future, it is advisable to moisten the soil on average once a week (or more often as the soil dries out). Water consumption is 3–5 liters per bush.
Watering tomatoes during fruiting
Tomatoes are watered exclusively at the root. This advice is especially relevant during the flowering period, since sprinkling causes buds to fall off and also delays fruit set. In addition, increased air humidity can cause the development of fungal diseases. During flowering, the amount of water is reduced to 1-2 liters per bush.
During the growth period of tomatoes, they are watered 1-2 times a week at the rate of 5-12 liters per square meter of bed or 3-5 liters per bush (depending on weather conditions and soil moisture). If you are late with the next watering and the soil is very dry, the amount of water should be reduced to 0.8-1 liters per bush. Otherwise, the fruit may begin to fall off or crack, and the plant will become especially vulnerable to blossom end rot.
Watering methods.
Drip or capillary irrigation method. It is used for both large and small greenhouses.
Automatic watering tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse are used when growing on an industrial scale, since this method requires significant financial costs. Automatic watering is most often combined with a drip water supply system.
Farms use pumps, dispensers, filters, automatic microclimate control in a greenhouse, and many summer residents make a drip system from improvised means.
Watering tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse using the drip method is most effective when growing, because:
- water costs are reduced, while it gets directly under the roots and can be strictly dosed depending on the needs of the plant;
- the risk of soil salinization and leaching is reduced; a crust does not form on the soil surface.
- hoses are laid between rows along or in the middle once and are not moved throughout the season - this prevents damage to plants;
- watering a tomato does not require physical effort;
- productivity increases.
Proper watering of tomatoes is carried out using the following methods:
- plastic bottles;
- hose;
- bucket or watering can.
Using bottles.
The first method is simple and economical. Near each plant, you should dig a plastic bottle into the ground without a lid and with the bottom cut off. So, the liquid will flow to the root system evenly and will not fall on the green parts of the bush.
From a hose.
But traditional watering with a hose is difficult.
- During the ripening period of vegetables, it is difficult to dose moisture
- and there is a risk of damage to the tomatoes.
The optimal method is to irrigate the beds using a watering can or bucket; however, transporting heavy containers is unsafe.
Drip.
It is most convenient to use drip irrigation. This device is located near the beds and supplies liquid directly to the roots of the plants. Thanks to this, they receive maximum moisture and do not suffer from its excess.
Often, drippers are used by gardeners to care for a large number of bushes in a greenhouse or large greenhouse.
Automatic irrigation is often used by summer residents in the process of growing popular vegetable crops - cucumbers and tomatoes.
This method has the following advantages:
- complete soil moisture;
- absence of crust on the ground;
- delivery nutrients directly to the roots;
- labor saving.
However, such a system has disadvantages.
- Its service life does not exceed 6 years, which must be taken into account when arranging a greenhouse.
- In addition, the structure is often damaged by rodents and is quite difficult to repair.
Methods for watering tomatoes in a greenhouse
Water temperature
An open barrel of water should not be left in the greenhouse, as it will create excessive dampness in the air. It is best to cover it with film or place it outside the greenhouse.
This vegetable crop needs a sufficient amount of water from the moment shoots appear, so after sprouts are discovered, they must be sprayed with moisture from a spray bottle.
When the young plants grow up, the bushes should be irrigated moderately, but the soil should not be allowed to dry out. Every month organic fertilizer is added to the liquid.
Shortly before picking, the seedlings are saturated with moisture for the last time, after which the seedlings are temporarily not watered.
When the fruits are filled, they need more water.
Air humidity here in summer varies from 60 to 80%, with the exception of dry periods when it drops to 40%, as well as cloudy days, which increase this figure to 90%.
Such changes are detrimental to tomatoes, which require water in the soil, but the crop loves dry air, which has a positive effect on the green mass of plants.
It is important to maintain a moisture balance, because both scanty and generous watering negatively affects the health of tomatoes.
Proper irrigation of beds in a greenhouse ensures soil humidity of about 90%, while the air remains fairly dry. In such conditions, the bushes are protected from fungal infections and other garden ailments.
In addition, active sun creates a greenhouse effect and promotes water evaporation.
It is important to monitor the ripening process of tomatoes; as soon as the upper clusters produce a harvest, watering can be interrupted. In September, summer residents harvest vegetables late varieties, after which the bed is cleared of plant debris.
Low-growing varieties of crops are watered less when vegetables ripen, since excessive watering can provoke the formation of rot, and 30 days before the final harvest, irrigation is stopped. Thus, the fruits ripen smoothly and are not susceptible to garden diseases.
That's all, guys. Take care of your plant bushes correctly and you will have a good harvest!
The summer season is starting soon and the time for preparation has already arrived. Knowledge and experience are what you need to get a harvest and have supplies in winter.
See you!
You will find detailed information about caring for tomatoes in open ground in our material.
Watering in the greenhouse is carried out early in the morning before sunrise or late in the evening after sunset twice a week. After irrigation, the greenhouse must be ventilated so as not to create excess humidity. On average, about 4 liters of water are consumed per bush.
In greenhouses, mandatory control of air humidity (not less than 50%) and soil (not less than 90%) is required. To check compliance with these standards, take a small lump of earth at a depth of 10 cm, which should easily be molded into a lump with your hands and not crumble.
Watering a tomato is always carried out at the root. It is important to ensure that drops do not fall on the foliage - in open ground this can cause burns, and in a greenhouse the development of late blight. The water temperature should be at least 22-24 degrees Celsius.
Signs of under- and over-watering
Strong and healthy seedlings receive the required amount of liquid, o possible problems indicate the following signs:
- curling of leaves;
- stem cracking.
The first symptom indicates a lack of water, but excessive watering causes damage to the green parts of the plant and fruits - they become inedible.
In a greenhouse, it is important to moderately irrigate the beds, however, in dry and hot weather, the amount of liquid can be increased.
Signs of lack of moisture in tomatoes:
- Twisting the sheet plate along the center in the form of a “boat”;
- Drying of ovaries and buds without symptoms of disease.
With a lack of watering, plants become weak and frail. There is an increased vulnerability to fungal diseases and insect-borne viruses.
Signs of excess moisture:
- Tomatoes that have been over-watered become watery and tasteless;
- The stem and fruit crack, which leads to further infection and disease of the plant;
- Fungal diseases spread quickly in a greenhouse.
With high humidity and poor ventilation of the greenhouse, all types of rot occur, late blight develops quickly, the fruits deteriorate and lose their shelf life and transportability.
The rate of watering tomatoes in open ground depends on weather conditions. Both excessive and insufficient moisture are harmful to these plants. To prevent tomato leaves from turning yellow, it is necessary to water the bushes as the soil dries.
On average, irrigation can be carried out 1-2 times a week. For one bush, 5 liters of water is usually enough.
To water tomatoes in open ground, you can use rainwater, since its degree of hardness, saturation with microelements and oxygen are optimal for plants. Of course, there are exceptions: for example, if you live near industrial enterprises or if you collect water from roofs whose materials contain copper, lead, asbestos and other substances that can have a negative impact on plant and human health. Under no circumstances should such water be used for irrigation.
Drip irrigation: how to do it yourself
If purchasing ready-made devices for a drip irrigation system is not suitable for financial or other reasons, you can create a similar system in a greenhouse with your own hands using medical droppers. You need to find a pipe with a diameter of 20 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm. Then cut it according to the size of the beds, make holes in it every half a meter.
Such a system is a truly economical and practical option for creating an inexpensive drip irrigation system in greenhouse conditions. However, you can make such a design in a greenhouse, the costs will be even lower.
Before starting installation work, it is recommended to carefully plan the length of the system and the location of the water pipe through which water will be supplied (it is preferable to place it perpendicular to the tomato rows). The large length of the structure increases the risk of uneven watering.
It would not be superfluous to make a drawing of the site and fix all the landscape elements on it; this will allow you to correctly and conveniently place the greenhouse and irrigation system.
Drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse is an opportunity to organize a convenient and effective irrigation system. Its use will not only make the hard work of the gardener easier, but will also make it possible to harvest a wonderful harvest of tomatoes from minimal costs time and effort.
Drip irrigation is the most convenient soil irrigation technology, as water consumption is significantly reduced. At the same time, it is not wasted on the needs of weeds and does not end up on plant leaves, which reduces the risk of fungal diseases. It is especially convenient that along with drip irrigation you can organize root feeding.
Drip irrigation can be organized from empty plastic bottles, along the walls of which there are different heights make small holes. The plastic with water is not completely covered and is buried upside down so that the seeping moisture constantly flows to the roots of the plant. If necessary, unscrew the lid and add water.
A homemade drip irrigation system must be constantly checked to ensure that the holes are not clogged with soil. If this happens, the plants will die from drought.
Step-by-step watering and fertilizing of tomatoes in a greenhouse: from seedlings to harvesting
Many fertilizers, including organic ones, are quite aggressive and can burn fragile plant roots. Therefore, it is advisable to combine fertilizing with watering. And in some cases this is a prerequisite, for example, if you add bird droppings to the beds.
Watering tomatoes with iodine
Experienced gardeners believe that feeding tomatoes with iodine can speed up the ripening of fruits and protect plants from late blight. The simplest recipe is to dissolve 4 drops of an alcohol solution of iodine in 10 liters of water and water the tomatoes at a rate of no more than 2 liters per bush.
Also, in order to combat late blight, you can add 1 liter of skim milk and 15 drops of iodine to 10 liters of water and spray the plants with this solution no more than once every 2 weeks.
You can feed tomatoes with yeast a week after transplanting into the ground. For this, 100 g of dry yeast and 2 tbsp. sugar is dissolved in 10 liters of warm (25-30°C) water. After two hours, this mixture is diluted with 50 liters of water and no more than 0.5 liters of solution is poured under one bush. Repeated feeding is carried out after the bush has rooted and before flowering.
Spraying with boric acid (5 g per 10 liters of water) can be useful for tomatoes if the flowers begin to fall off in hot weather. Also, foliar feeding using boric acid (2 g), manganese sulfate (4 g), copper sulfate (2 g) and zinc sulfate (2 g), diluted in 10 liters of water, can have a beneficial effect on the growth of tomatoes in a greenhouse. Do not fertilize during the day or in sunny weather - this can cause leaf burns.
Mullein is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20 and the tomatoes are fed 10 days after planting in the ground. This organic fertilizer can be re-applied no earlier than after 10-14 days. You can also feed your green pets twice during the period of fruit formation. Under one bush, previously watered abundantly with water, add 0.5 liters of solution, after which the plants are watered again.
Ammonia is a nitrogenous compound that is sometimes used for root feeding and insect control. A pungent odor, which is not felt by humans after some time, repels pests for a long time.
Most often, 10 ml of ammonia is diluted in 1 bucket of water and the beds are watered up to 4 times for 2 weeks. When signs of nitrogen deficiency appear, seedlings are watered with a 2% ammonia solution in one of four regular waterings.
Watering tomatoes with ash
Wood ash contains about 30 minerals that contribute to the proper development of plants. These elements are involved in the process of photosynthesis, improve metabolic processes, help your green pets absorb vitamins and regulate water balance. Ash is added for digging when preparing a bed for tomatoes (3 cups per 1 sq.m.) or into holes when planting seedlings (a handful of ash in each hole). As an alternative, you can use ash infusion.
Watering tomatoes with potassium permanganate
Due to its antiseptic properties, potassium permanganate fights fungi and bacteria. Therefore, it is most often used for treating seeds (for tomatoes it is recommended to use a 1% solution). Experienced gardeners also spray the soil for seedlings with a solution of potassium permanganate (3 g per 10 liters of water).
Manganese increases the resistance of young plants to diseases. The main thing is to never exceed the dosage, because if the solution turns out to be too concentrated, the plants will die.
Gardening tools can be wiped with a sponge soaked in a 2% solution of potassium permanganate; it is recommended to rinse seedling pots with a 1% solution.
Watering, of course, plays a huge role in growing tomatoes. However, it is equally important to choose the right varieties that will not only be productive, but also resistant to diseases and adverse weather conditions.
11 the best varieties tomatoes for the greenhouse and open ground– rating from our readers
Experienced summer residents organize drip irrigation with their own hands from plastic bottles for tomatoes, since water in the garden is an essential item.
Irrigation methods depend on the size of the plot and the number of growing vegetables. The most economical method is drip irrigation using flexible containers. It requires little water pressure and is used for growing tomatoes in a greenhouse.
Containers for creating an irrigation system
For do-it-yourself drip irrigation from plastic bottles for tomatoes, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
- flasks of various capacities;
- foam;
- awl or nail;
- scissors;
- supports for hanging bottles;
- flexible cocktail straws;
- toothpicks;
- scotch;
- sealant;
- burlap.
Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse using a homemade device requires compliance with certain rules. 2-liter containers are most convenient for use. To water a large area you will need a 5 liter container.
To prevent water loss, you should make several holes in the bottle with a diameter of 1-1.5 mm. Gardeners note that during use, the flasks become clogged with soil particles, so they are wrapped in pieces of burlap.
To ensure watering of plants located in a small area, calculate the amount of flexible containers required. The correct ratio between the number of containers and the number of plants reduces water consumption and improves the quality of watering.
Gardeners use 1 flask to water 1 plant. The amount of liquid required to irrigate tomatoes is calculated based on the type of soil, climatic conditions, and frequency of watering.
Moisture consumption increases in hot weather as intense evaporation occurs. The structure, made by yourself, is installed in the soil during planting of seedlings.
The bottle is buried in the ground at a distance of 15-20 cm from the seedlings. Watering with plastic containers does not damage even the shortest plants and ensures soil permeability of 30-40 cm.
Installing the sprayer with the cap down
Watering tomatoes begins by placing a plastic flask with small holes near the roots of the plant. The container is filled with settled water heated by the sun.
At a distance of 15 cm, dig a hole, insert a flexible container so that the lid is at the bottom, and sprinkle it with a small amount of earth.
Water enters the soil slowly and does not damage the seedlings. Experienced gardeners place the flask in a small nylon bag to prevent soil from penetrating into the hole in the plug.
Summer residents do not use drip irrigation if sandy soil predominates on the site, since the water quickly leaves the bottle. The flow of liquid is regulated by turning the flask to the side.
Water consumption is reduced if you mulch the soil around the plants with grass or black film. The rate at which liquid reaches the roots of the seedlings depends on the capacity of the bottle.
Adult plants are irrigated once a week in several doses. Drip irrigation protects tomatoes from late blight.
The main disadvantage of this method is that it becomes difficult to fill a bottle with water from a hose, since it has a diameter larger than the neck of the bottle.
Device Upgrade
Often gardeners improve their drip irrigation system. A plastic container is secured above the canister. If there is a significant consumption of liquid in the tank, it is possible to restore the water level using a bottle. Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse through plastic bottles is not used for tall plants.
A 5 liter bottle is installed under the tomato bushes in the greenhouse, into which water comes from a barrel. Several holes with a diameter of 1-2 mm are burned in the container using a nail. A plastic container is dug into the ground.
The needle from the blood transfusion system is inserted into the lid of the flask, and it is secured from the inside with a plaster. Fill the container with water and screw the lid tightly on.
Amateur summer residents use a long plastic nozzle for a bottle irrigation system. In this case, there is no need to bury containers of water in the ground.
Plastic bottles are sometimes placed in the soil with their necks facing up. If you cut off the bottom of the bottle, you must not remove it completely, and then use it as a cap to prevent the evaporation of the liquid.
Root watering
To irrigate tomatoes, 2 liter containers are often used. Watering is carried out once a week, since excessive amounts of moisture lead to the death of seedlings. 3-4 bottles of water are poured under each bush once every 7 days.
In greenhouse conditions, plants absorb not only moisture well, but also mineral fertilizers. With drip irrigation, the air in the greenhouse is dry, tomatoes are not affected by late blight.
During the period of intensive growth of tomatoes, without waiting for signs of disease to appear, watering is reduced. Intrasoil drip irrigation in a greenhouse keeps the surface of the beds dry and protects tomatoes from diseases.
Young plants are irrigated as the surface dries, since the seedlings have small roots. In a polycarbonate greenhouse, it is watered abundantly during the planting period. During fruit formation, the volume of water for irrigation is 12 liters per m², the procedure is carried out 2-3 times a week.
Hanging system
For drip irrigation of tomatoes through plastic bottles, containers attached to a support are used. The bottom of the flask is removed, and several holes are pierced in the cork to ensure water flows into the soil.
Gardeners install slingshot-shaped supports on both sides of the garden bed. A crossbar is placed between the holders. The bottle of water is secured by turning the neck down. The soil is covered with polyethylene oilcloth to protect it from washing out.
Water from flexible containers falls on protective layer, and then penetrates into the soil. A hanging system made from plastic bottles helps control weeds as the soil is dry and the seeds dangerous plants are dying.
If the containers are suspended above the tomato seedlings, small holes are pierced at the bottom and top of the jar. It is necessary to ensure that water does not get on the leaves, as the seedlings may die.
For a suspended irrigation system, the diameter of the holes should not exceed 1.5 mm, otherwise the water consumption will double.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The drip system for watering plants has proven itself well, since even novice gardeners enjoy its benefits.
It is easy to make a device with your own hands without special knowledge. The irrigation system does not require large financial costs. The design is reliable in operation, reduces water consumption and improves uniformity of watering.
A do-it-yourself drip system is not without certain disadvantages. It is not used for watering a large area occupied by tomatoes.
A device made of plastic bottles is not suitable for regular and abundant watering of vegetables. It is used only for irrigating tomatoes in greenhouses.
Water supplied pointwise affects the development of the root system, causing its compaction and dysfunction. It is not recommended to use the system on loamy soils, since the holes in the bottles become clogged with soil.
Some gardeners are wary of interaction harmful substances with the soil, so do not use plastic jars to irrigate tomatoes.
The use of drip irrigation gives the gardener many advantages, and experience in its use allows him to obtain high yields of tomatoes.
Drip irrigation for tomatoes in a greenhouse ensures the supply of essential nutrients and is one of the most effective ways irrigation. Compliance with the rules of care is the key to receiving good harvest when growing tomatoes. Organizing proper watering is very important here.
Knowing how to properly water tomatoes in a greenhouse can significantly improve tomato yields. Nightshades need moist soil, but at the same time it is necessary to prevent water from getting on the leaves. It is necessary to water tomatoes in a greenhouse made of polycarbonate or other material without allowing the soil to erode. Therefore, irrigation must be carried out at the root.
If it's cool outside, you need to heat the water. In hot weather, excessive heating of the water should be avoided. Uniform watering is the key to ensuring that nightshades do not overheat due to evaporation from the leaves. The best time to irrigate plants is in the morning.
How often to water tomatoes in a greenhouse depends on the growth period in which the crop is located. For example, seedlings must be well irrigated with water at least 2 days before picking. Then the seedlings respond well to transplantation. After 4 days, the procedure is repeated.
When planting seedlings in a greenhouse, it is necessary to ensure the supply of 4-5 liters of water to each hole. Repeat watering no earlier than after 1 week.
During the period of intensive growth, the crop should be watered as needed, as the soil dries. 1 bush requires up to 3 liters of water once every 3 days. When flowering begins, plants need to be irrigated 1-2 times a week. On average, 1 bush needs about 5 liters of liquid.
With the beginning of fruiting, watering should not be very frequent, but the amount of water during 1 watering should be increased. The liquid temperature is recommended around +20°C, but not more than +23°C.
Watering tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse should be done twice a week. Moreover the best option rainwater will be used.
Tomatoes do not like high humidity, so after each irrigation you need to immediately open the windows in the greenhouse. When leaving a barrel of water in the structure, do not forget to cover it with plastic wrap.
In order for tomatoes to ripen faster, you need to stop irrigating them approximately 20 days before harvest.
You can water tomatoes in different ways. There are several ways:
- The cheapest and easiest at the same time is to use ordinary plastic bottles without a lid with a cut-off bottom, which are dug in near all the bushes. This will allow the water to flow straight to the roots.
- You can also water the tomatoes with an ordinary hose. But despite the prevalence of this option, it has significant disadvantages: the risk of breaking plants, the inability to dose the amount of liquid for irrigation.
- You can use a plastic or galvanized bucket or ladle. With this option, everything is fine with dosing water, but not all gardeners can carry heavy, filled buckets.
- Drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse or greenhouse will allow you to set the irrigation parameters yourself. This option also eliminates the need to use physical force, which is a definite plus.
Features and Benefits
The use of drippers for irrigation allows you to ensure uniform flow and movement of water at any point in the system by creating the same pressure. You can set the volume of water that flows from the structures yourself.
The droppers are placed directly next to the beds, so the liquid is directed in even streams directly to the roots.
Installing such a system in a greenhouse with your own hands is not an insurmountable task and does not require special skills and abilities. Using the system in greenhouse conditions solves the problem of weed removal due to the direction of water flows strictly for their intended purpose.
For long and trouble-free operation of the system, the liquid must be cleaned using a filter.
Drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse as an irrigation method has evolved from devices built into the hose to droppers that are located inside the hose. These are so-called compensation systems that make it possible to organize irrigation in areas with difficult terrain.
The main types of drippers today are catif and supertif. Their differences are that catif is used in elastic hoses with a wall thickness not exceeding 1.5 cm, and supertif allows you to organize high-precision watering of several bushes using a special device for branching water flows.
Installation and operation
Despite the differences in application, there are many similarities in the installation of drip irrigation devices.
Before installing a drip system in a greenhouse as the main method of irrigation, you must carefully study the rules for installation and use of the structure. Proper connection guarantees long and uninterrupted operation of the drip irrigation system.
First, let's look at the connections of a catif type device.
Before watering tomatoes in a greenhouse, you should secure the device in the hose yourself. This is done as follows: holes of the required diameter with necessarily smooth edges are cut in the hose. Next, proceed to the installation of the droppers themselves. Installation requires sufficient effort. It is necessary to achieve a tight fit of the tube, so it is better to entrust this work to strong male hands. After installation in all holes, the irrigation system is ready for use.
Supertyphoid is established in the same way. The tube, which will be responsible for the flow of water to the tomatoes, is placed on the outlet of the device. A special end, designed to direct the flow of water to the required place, is put on one side of the tube. It is placed in the soil near the plant that needs to be watered. The kit includes a special holder used if the additional tube is too long.
An important advantage of the supertif type dripper is the presence of a special device for branching water flows in 4 different directions. Three tubes with special tips installed on such a device will allow you to water 4 tomato bushes at once at the same time.
You can independently choose the system performance and irrigation directions.
DIY drip irrigation
If purchasing ready-made devices for a drip irrigation system is not suitable for financial or other reasons, you can create a similar system in a greenhouse with your own hands using medical droppers. You need to find a pipe with a diameter of 20 mm and a wall thickness of 2 mm. Then cut it according to the size of the beds, make holes in it every half a meter. Medical droppers need to be fixed in the pipe, and the amount of water can be adjusted using the wheels that are on such devices.
Such a system is a truly economical and practical option for creating an inexpensive drip irrigation system in greenhouse conditions. However, you can make such a design in a greenhouse, the costs will be even lower.
Before starting installation work, it is recommended to carefully plan the length of the system and the location of the water pipe through which water will be supplied (it is preferable to place it perpendicular to the tomato rows). The large length of the structure increases the risk of uneven watering.
It would not be superfluous to make a drawing of the site and fix all the landscape elements on it; this will allow you to correctly and conveniently place the greenhouse and irrigation system.
Drip irrigation of tomatoes in a greenhouse is an opportunity to organize a convenient and effective irrigation system. Its use will not only make the gardener’s hard work easier, but will also make it possible to harvest a wonderful harvest of tomatoes with minimal time and effort.