In autumn, the soil in the area where the tomatoes grew is depleted. In order for the next season to please gardeners with a good harvest of tomatoes, the preparation of the beds begins in the fall, after the last tomatoes are removed from the bushes. Tomatoes are a slightly finicky crop that does not tolerate depleted soil. To restore the vitamin reserves of the soil, a number of measures will be required.
Clearing beds of tops
The leaves and tops of tomatoes can be parasitized by various insects, fungal infections and pathogenic bacteria. If the tops are not disposed of promptly and correctly, they will become a source of disease.
However, the leaves of root vegetables may provide benefits. To do this, they are carefully inspected, all leaves affected by diseases or insects are removed. Healthy foliage without signs of damage is added to the compost.
To prevent the spread of all kinds of diseases, affected foliage and tops must be burned outside the site.
Soil disinfection
The destruction of fungal spores remaining after the growing season of tomatoes is an important measure necessary for improving the health of the soil. To clean the soil from infectious diseases, fungicides are used, which can be purchased at any specialized store.
Before you begin cleaning the soil from infectious pathogens, you need to find out what diseases the plants suffered from.This will help you get rid of the disease more effectively.
For prevention, if there are no fungal infections on the tomatoes, it is better to use broad-spectrum preparations.
When using fungicidal agents to cleanse soil from infection, you must strictly follow the instructions from the manufacturer.
Fertilizing beds
As you know, after planting tomatoes by autumn, the soil experiences a deficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other microelements. To replenish them, complex fertilizers or superphosphate are suitable.
You can also feed the soil with folk remedies, which you always have on hand.
Mullein infusion is suitable as a top dressing to enrich the area with nitrogen. To prepare it you will need 1 kg of mullein and a bucket of warm water. The mixture is infused for 2–3 days. Then the infusion is ready for use. This amount of infusion is enough for 1 hectare of land.
Deficiency of phosphorus and potassium is compensated with wood ash. To do this, dilute 100 grams of water in a bucket. dry matter, the solution is infused for a couple of hours. After which it is ready for use.
Planting green manure
As you know, green manure enriches the soil with nitrogen. This microelement is considered one of the main beneficial substances that tomatoes need for normal growth and development.
After clearing the area of tomato bushes, it would be appropriate to plant lupine, vetch, mouse peas or other legumes in their place.
Phacelia and mustard will rid the area and protect it from many fungal spores, harmful bacteria and prevent the appearance of insects and pests.
When green manure sprouts rise to a height of 15–20 centimeters, they must be mowed and dug up along with the soil.
After these simple procedures, next year the tomatoes will produce a rich harvest of delicious vegetables.
