After a successful season of growing tomatoes, it is time to think about and choose suitable crops for subsequent planting.
The right choice can not only ensure a good harvest, but also improve the quality of the soil. We will tell you about plants that are ideal for planting after tomatoes, as well as about methods of soil cultivation to provide normal conditions for their growth.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, told what to plant in a former tomato bed.
One of the preferred plants to plant after tomatoes is legumes. Legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils are excellent soil amendments to improve soil fertility.
Due to the ability of legumes to enrich the soil with nitrogen, they contribute to its more efficient use and improve the soil structure.
In addition, legumes create a powerful root system that prevents soil erosion and moisturizes it.
Legumes can also suppress weeds and prevent the spread of pathogens.
Another option for planting after tomatoes is brassicas. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are all members of the brassica family.
These crops have a powerful root system that effectively penetrates the soil and allows them to extract the maximum amount of nutrients from it.
Thanks to the increased content of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in the soil after tomatoes, cabbage and other brassica crops can achieve excellent results, providing an abundant harvest.
Cross-planting is also worth remembering. This method involves changing crops in the same area without moving them to other places. It helps prevent soil freezing, improves its structure and resistance to diseases and pests.
Green mass can also be an excellent choice after tomatoes. The high growth rate and mass of green mass will enrich the soil with organic matter, strengthen its structure and prepare it for planting the following crops.
Now that we have discussed what plants can be planted after tomatoes, let's move on to soil preparation before planting. Soil preparation is an important step that will create good conditions for the growth and development of crops.
Before you start cultivating the soil, you need to remove any plant remains after tomatoes. This will help prevent the possible spread of diseases and pests. Then it is recommended to weed the soil to remove weeds and prepare the soil for fertilizing.
To enrich the soil after tomatoes, it is recommended to use compost or other organic fertilizer.
They contain many nutrients that have a positive effect on plant growth. Spread the fertilizer evenly over the entire area and apply it to a depth of 15-20 centimeters. Then the soil must be well loosened and leveled.
After this, you can start planting the selected crops. The distance between plants and the planting depth depend on each type of crop, so it is recommended to follow the instructions on the seed or seedling packaging.
In conclusion, the year following tomatoes can be successful if you choose the right crops for planting and carry out high-quality soil cultivation.
Legumes and brassicas are excellent choices after tomatoes because of their nutritional properties and ability to improve the soil.
Cross planting and using green mass will also help prepare the soil for the next season.
It is important to remember to properly cultivate the soil before planting, including removing plant debris, weeding, applying organic fertilizers and good loosening.
By following these recommendations, you will ensure acceptable conditions for the growth and development of plants and will receive an abundant harvest next year.
Earlier we told you what little things you need to buy to grow seedlings .