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.
Why spud
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. 
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.
Video “Hilling tomatoes”
Look at the notes on how to spud and stepson tomatoes.
