Watering your tomato plants adequately is essential for their healthy growth and for the development of juicy, rich fruits. However, home gardeners often make the mistake of watering too little or too much. Here are some tips that can help you avoid these watering mistakes and give you the harvest that is your neighbor's envy.
You can use your finger to test out if the soil is too dry. Just stick your finger about one inch deep into the soil and if it feels dry, it is probably time to add some water. Remember, tomatoes love moisture and a moist soil will help you get a thriving and productive plant.
Watering thoroughly about once or twice a week is a much better than watering it lightly every day. Thorough watering will help in the development of an extensive deep root system that will reach deep into the soil to seek water and nutrients which prevents it from staying on the surface. When the roots reach deep into the soil, they are able to hold dry spells better and do much better during the hot summer afternoons.
A thing to consider while watering is the soil in which the tomato seedlings have been planted. If the soil is sandy, you will need to soak it every 4-5 days, on the other hand if the soil is heavy, you should soak it every 7-10 days.
You should also consider the weather. If it is too hot, then you may have to water it every 2-3 days. If the weather is cooler, you may just need to water it once a week. And if it is raining, your plants are already getting too much water, so you can afford to cut back on watering them yourself.
Avoid over watering since it can do more harm than good. The roots of the plant need air to grow and protect them from various diseases, so make sure the soil is not too soggy.
Watering early in the day is the best way to prevent evaporation losses and it also keeps your plant hydrated for when the sun comes out. Midday is the time when evaporation losses are the highest, and therefore, watering during this part of the day should be avoided. Evening time is also not a good time since it will keep the foliage wet and makes the plant prone to blights and diseases.
A great way to reduce evaporation losses is to use mulch. It not only helps retain the moisture, but also spreads the water evenly and improves the uptake of the moisture by the plants. When it is raining continuously or heavily, mulch also helps in reducing diseases caused due to excess water.
To make sure the water is delivered right to the soil surface and not on the leaves, furrow irrigation, drip irrigation or soaker hoses work best. Watering the leaves does not deliver the water straight to the roots and may also invite diseases to the plant.
Remember, uneven or improper watering can cause blossom end rot, stunt the growth of the plant, reduce the quality of the fruits produced, and make the plant susceptible to pests and diseases. So, water thoroughly but do not over water and you will be assured of a tomato harvest that will really make your neighbors envious.
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