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When it’s time to plant tomato seedlings into the soil that are sitting on the windowsill below, this old tip might come in very handy. It’s an excellent method for planting a seedling into the ground that promises stronger and healthier plants, capable of producing a large number of fruits. My grandmother taught it to me and I’ve been doing it like this for years!
What the trick is
The most important thing with tomatoes is to plant the plants so that they form a strong and as extensive a root system as possible . This can use the nutrients from the soil much more efficiently and convert them into energy for growth, flowering and later fruiting . It’s important that part of the plant stem is also in the soil , because it will later send out additional roots and thus contribute to an extensive root system .
Planting – lay them on the ground “on their side”!
You don’t need to dig deep holes; this grower found a much cleverer way to plant the seedlings into the soil. You plant the plant on its side, that’s it !
How to do it?
Place the seedlings, still in their pots, on the soil “on their side”. Leave them like that one, at most two days . As you can see, the plant will start stretching toward the light and at one spot will begin to bend noticeably upward — that’s the point where you will insert the stem into the ground. A plant suitable for planting on its side must have this typical bend .
Then take it out of the pot and remove the compacted and excess substrate around the roots. The hole doesn’t have to be deep, because it is wide enough also for the tomato stem. The place of the bend will signal to you where the stem should be in the soil . The tomato will then have a much more extensive and stronger root system, thanks to which it will grow like crazy.
Do everything exactly as shown in the video instructions
Add this green miracle into the holes too
This old planting method was almost forgotten, but it is very beneficial and can help the plants enormously not only during rooting but later as well. You have nothing to lose and believe me, it’s worth it!
Nettle in every hole!
Nettle has a very positive effect on tomato seedlings. It can protect the roots from temperature fluctuations and my grandmother always said that it warms the plant from below – tomatoes don’t like cold soil and so by planting this way you avoid the temperature shock that would slow growth. In fact it also prevents damage during spring temperature swings. The plant is strong and healthy from day one.
Nutrition where it’s needed “a strong root” – nettle represents a very strong natural fertilizer. It will improve the soil and deliver nutrients exactly where the plant needs them. Its trace in the soil lasts for weeks and the little tomatoes will gradually take all the good things they need. Through the roots into the whole plant.
Attracts bees – tomatoes grown with nettle somehow smell more attractive to bees. This is due to the essential oils that get into the roots. When the plant begins to flower – the precious bees are looked after, because such plants smell more to them.
You’ll save on fertilizer – nettle will do you a big favor. When you have it in the soil, it’s like giving your plants the best organic fertilizer from nature straight into their veins. During the growing season, occasionally water with a nettle brew and you won’t have to deal with any chemicals or expensive sprays. Moreover, it’s also an excellent tip against aphids – a nettle infusion will reliably eliminate them.
How to do it?
- Dig a hole – sufficiently large
- Put freshly picked nettles into the hole
- Cover with a bit of soil
- Insert the seedlings – ideally plant them on their side
Cover with soil and a bit of compost.
