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Growing tomatoes in a difficult climatic zone always requires time and effort. Therefore, in such regions, unpretentious and well-zoned varieties are in special demand among gardeners. Tomato "Countryman" is considered by many to be a real gift from Siberian breeders.
In order to grow a high-quality crop of tomatoes "Countryman", let's carefully read the description of the variety and its main characteristics.
The main differences between an unpretentious plant
Those who planted the "Countryman" variety on their site willingly share reviews and photos of ripe tomatoes. Along the way, they post observations and describe the nuances of growing a plant. This helps other growers decide on which variety to use. Basic information you need to know about the "Countryman" tomatoes are:
- Growing method. The tomato variety is intended for open ground ridges. It tolerates the peculiarities of the climate of Siberia well, but it can be grown in any region.
- Plant type. Non-hybrid. Summer residents can safely collect tomato seeds, using them for planting next year.
- Ripening period. This type refers to early ripe tomatoes and pleases vegetable growers with tasty fruits already 95-100 days after germination.
- Bush type. Determinant. An adult plant reaches 70-75 cm in height. Therefore, it does not require pinching, tying and shaping, which makes it easier for vegetable growers to care.
- Resistance to changes in environmental conditions. According to gardeners, the "Countryman" tomato variety copes well with sudden jumps and drops in temperature.
- Susceptibility to disease. Tomatoes "Countryman" are highly resistant to the main diseases of the culture.
- Productivity. Vegetable growers collect up to 4 kg of tasty, beautiful and nutritious fruits from one bush. Many are proud of the yield of the "Countryman" tomato, so they write good reviews about the variety and post photos of plants from their plots.
Description of the variety of tomatoes "Countryman" can be continued by listing the advantages of the fruit. In their reviews, vegetable growers note that the "Countryman" variety tomatoes have a rich color, the same size and a beautiful oblong shape. The weight of each tomato is about 70-80 g, up to 15 pieces ripen on one brush. Fruits are small-chambered, the maximum number of nests is three. The taste of the "Countryman" tomatoes is rich and pleasantly sweet. In addition, mature fruits are well stored and transported, therefore they are often grown commercially.
According to fans of the variety, the shape and size of the "Countryman" tomatoes are suitable for whole-fruit canning, which can be clearly seen in the photo.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
The reviews of summer residents who grew the variety on their plots will help to group the characteristics of the "Countryman" tomatoes. Among the advantages of the variety, they note:
- the opportunity to get an early and guaranteed harvest of tomatoes;
- plant resistance to macrosporiosis, rot, black spot and septoria;
- uniformity of fruits, which allows them to be preserved as a whole;
- unpretentious care;
- good seed germination.
Among the shortcomings, there are no pronounced ones, but vegetable growers note:
- Demanding to the composition of the soil. The variety prefers light fertile soil, therefore, pre-sowing preparation is required.
- Careful adherence to the watering schedule. Violation of the regime affects the quality of fruits and crop yields.
These requirements bring hassle to vegetable growers only in regions with poor soil and lack of regular water supply. In other cases, according to the description of the variety, the cultivation of tomatoes "Countryman" does not require additional time and money.
Agrotechnical cultivation
There are two ways to grow a delicious look:
- seedless or direct sowing into the ground;
- seedling, by growing seedlings.
If the "Countryman" tomatoes are planted in a region with a cool climate, then sowing seeds into the ground is impractical. Therefore, you need to take care of growing strong seedlings.
You need to start with the selection of seeds and checking the planting material for germination. To do this, dissolve 2 tablespoons of table salt in a glass of water and pour the seeds of the "Countryman" tomatoes. Gently mix the contents of the glass and watch which seeds sink to the bottom. They are suitable for growing seedlings. Selected seeds are dried at a temperature of 20 ° C - 24 ° C. After such a procedure, the germination capacity of "Countryman" tomatoes does not decrease.
The next step is to prepare high-quality soil and containers for sowing. The primer can be purchased at a specialist store. In this case, it will fully meet the requirements of the culture for nutritional composition and structure. If you decide to cook it yourself, then you need to do this in advance. After all, sowing seeds of tomatoes "Countryman" for seedlings begins when there is snow on the site.
The optimal composition of the soil mixture:
- peat - 2 parts;
- garden land - 1 part;
- humus or compost - 1 part;
- sand - 0.5 parts;
- wood ash - 1 glass per bucket of mixture.
The soil is disinfected, if possible, calcined and placed in clean, disinfected containers for seedlings.
Growing seedlings
According to the description of the "Countryman" tomato variety, you can get a very high yield by growing strong seedlings, as in the photo, which is confirmed by the gardeners' reviews.
In order for the seedlings to grow healthy, you need to pay attention to each stage - sowing, diving, care. They begin to sow 2 months before the expected date of planting in open ground. Seedlings dive, according to the description of agricultural technology of early ripe tomatoes "Countryman", at the stage of appearance of two leaves (see photo).
When transplanting, it is important to keep an earthen ball so as not to damage the delicate roots of tomato seedlings.
The sowing process for tomatoes is very simple:
- In the prepared soil, shallow grooves are made and the seeds are carefully laid out at an equal distance from each other.
- Sprinkle the grooves with a thin layer of soil and moisten with a spray bottle.
- Cover the container with plastic wrap.
- As soon as sprouts appear, the film is removed and the containers are transferred closer to the light.
Caring for seedlings consists in maintaining the optimum temperature (16 ° C -18 ° C), humidity (70%), high-quality watering and feeding. It is important to remember that the seedlings should not be stretched and waterlogged. Water the seedlings when the top dry layer appears on the soil. Be sure to inspect the seedlings regularly to prevent disease or pests. 2 weeks before planting in the ground, the seedlings are hardened, but protected from drafts. According to the description of the tomato variety "Countryman" and reviews of vegetable growers, seedlings are planted in open ground in early June.
The planting scheme is standard for early ripening tomatoes. Leave 35 cm between the plants, the aisles are marked at a distance of 70 cm.No more than 6 tomato bushes are placed on one square meter of area.
Caring for plants on the ridges
Seedlings are planted in the prepared soil at the beginning of summer, when it warms up well and the danger of recurrent frosts is gone.
The main items of plant care are activities that are well known to summer residents:
- Watering. Moisten the tomato bushes under the root after sunset with warm water.
- According to the description of agricultural technology of the "Countryman" tomato variety and reviews of vegetable growers, drip irrigation of the ridges is considered the best option (see photo). In industrial cultivation, special irrigation systems are laid, because this species is picky about moisture intake.
- Top dressing. During the growing season, it is enough to feed the tomatoes 2-3 times. The first time during the period of weight gain. You will need nitrogen components. Plants respond well to organic matter - infusion of chicken manure or mullein, as well as mineral complexes. The second time when flowers and first ovaries appear. At this time, tomatoes are fed with potash and phosphorus fertilizers. Nutrient formulations are applied in liquid form after watering or rain. Foliar dressing is applied by spraying the formulations over the sheet.
- Weeding and loosening. Deleting weeds helps protect tomatoes from many pests and diseases, as well as retain moisture and nutrients in the soil.
Testimonials
A detailed description and photo of the "Countryman" tomato help vegetable growers make the right choice of varieties for growing. A big role is played by the reviews of those summer residents who have already planted plum tomatoes.
An educational video will help you to grow tomatoes correctly:
