How to care for tomatoes in polycarbonate greenhouses

Growing tomatoes, including in a greenhouse, requires knowledge of many nuances. It's essential to properly prepare the soil and plant the seedlings on time, making every effort to prevent the tomatoes from cracking as they grow and ripen. Therefore, it's important to know how to properly plant and care for tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse.

How to prepare a greenhouse

If a gardener has installed a polycarbonate greenhouse in their garden, the amount of preparation work required will be minimal compared to other types of greenhouses. It's essential to wipe down the walls and check the ventilation system for proper operation after the winter. That's all.

Compared to a film greenhouse, a polycarbonate greenhouse is ideal for effortless tomato growing. In film greenhouses, the difference between day and night temperatures will be noticeable in late spring. Therefore, in many cases, the film will need to be insulated. A two-centimeter gap should be left between the layers of film to prevent cold from penetrating.

Important! If your greenhouse doesn't have a ventilation system, installing one is essential for the proper and successful cultivation of tomatoes of any variety. Tomatoes require good, regular ventilation. The easiest way is to install vents on the sides and roof. Ventilation, even just simple airing, can significantly increase tomato yields.

Choosing the right soil

In polycarbonate greenhouses, as in any other type of greenhouse, proper soil preparation is crucial when growing tomatoes. The more fertile the soil, the faster the plant will grow and the higher its yield.

Preparing the soil in a greenhouse begins with removing the top 10 cm of soil. This depth is often where fungal spores and harmful microorganisms are found, which can hinder tomato growth. Next, the soil is disinfected using a copper sulfate solution (a tablespoon of copper sulfate per 10 liters of water). If you look at the photos of tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse (planting and care), you'll notice that for normal flowering and fruiting, fertilizer must be added to the soil.

What fertilizers should be used for tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse?

• For loamy and clayey soil, use peat, sawdust, and humus. These additional components will ensure the soil is loose enough to allow air to reach the roots.
• The peat will need to be weighed down with turf, sawdust, or humus. A little coarse sand can be added;
• Black soil also needs to be diluted; you can use sand or humus;

In addition to supplements, the soil must be fertilized. Superphosphate, saltpeter, and wood ash can be used.

When and how to plant seedlings

Select large, strong seeds for seedlings. We discussed in detail how to grow good seedlings in a separate article. thematic article.

Important! For polycarbonate greenhouses, tomato seedlings should be planted in late February or early March.

The seedlings should be 25 cm tall and 60 days old before they can be planted in greenhouse soil. Rushing the planting process can damage the root system. Plants should be planted vertically, filling them with soil up to the first leaves. Once the bush has established itself, the hole can be filled with soil. The first watering should be done only 12 days after planting.

Important! Tall varieties should be monitored with extreme care during the seedling adaptation process. Leave at least 60 cm between tomato plants. Planting too close together will reduce the yield of each plant and prevent the plant from developing properly, as it will simply run out of space.

What care rules should be followed:

• Timely watering;
• Pinching out side shoots, if required by the chosen variety;
• Loosen the soil;
• Ensure regular weeding;
• Tying;
• Timely application of fertilizers;
• Protection from diseases and pests;

If you neglect even one of these points, you may simply miss out on a good harvest. Installing a drip irrigation system in your greenhouse will ensure your tomatoes always receive sufficient moisture. Straw can be used as mulch, which will reduce the need for loosening and weeding.

As for which tomatoes to plant in a polycarbonate greenhouse, you can choose any greenhouse-grade variety. More information can be found on our website. For example, a wide selection of greenhouse-grade tomato varieties in the Moscow region is available, complete with descriptions. in this article.

Growing tomatoes in a polycarbonate greenhouse isn't as labor-intensive as in other types of greenhouses. However, a structured approach and expertise are still required. Then, each plant will delight you with the maximum number of ripe, tasty, and beautiful fruits.