Simple rules for record tomato yields - fertilizing tomatoes with urea: why is it needed and how to do it

Everyone has heard about the dangers of nitrates - these substances are dangerous to human health. Gardeners are trying in every possible way to avoid using fertilizers that contain harmful compounds in their garden beds. Therefore, mineral fertilizers, unlike organic fertilizers, are not particularly popular among gardeners. How to feed tomatoes so as not to harm the plant and fruits?

Urea, or urea, is a mineral fertilizer that stimulates the growth of tomatoes. How safe it is to use this fertilizer, how to dilute the solution for root, foliar feeding and spraying - you will learn all this from our article.

What is urea

Urea, popularly called urea, is a mineral fertilizer produced in the form of white granules. The substance contains nitrogen, which is considered the main element for healthy plant growth. Of all existing fertilizers, urea contains the highest concentration of nitrogen.

Fertilizing tomatoes with urea is often used for industrial purposes; in addition, the fertilizer has also found use in small greenhouses and greenhouses. Urea is popular because it allows you to control the concentration of nitrates through proper dosing. The compounds included in its composition partially evaporate, which prevents the accumulation of hazardous substances in the fruits.

Peculiarity. Urea can be used in combination with superphosphate and potassium fertilizers.

The role of urea in the development of tomatoes

Urea is used as a fertilizer when growing tomatoes. It is especially important for the full development of seedlings, as it can enhance the growth and productivity of the plant. Fertilizer is involved in the growing season of tomatoes, making the seedlings strong and hardy. Its active components are necessary during the period of plant growth of green mass and development of the root system. However, it is important not to exceed the recommended dose, otherwise it will harm the tomatoes.

The fertilizer consists of 50% nitrogen - a substance that helps the plant become more resistant to diseases and pests. With a lack of this substance, tomatoes are deformed, and the leaves turn yellow and fall off, which negatively affects the formation of the ovary and fruits.

Benefits of urea:

• complete dissolution in water;
• evaporation of harmful substances;
• does not contribute to the accumulation of nitrates in soil and fruits;
• accelerates the growth of vegetative mass;
• Serves as a preventive measure against diseases and insects.

Disadvantages of urea:

• using a cold solution can cause plant stress;
• Exceeding the dosage leads to seedling burns.

How does urea work?

As soon as urea enters the soil, its active compounds begin to interact with local microorganisms. During the reactions, ammonium is produced from carbon dioxide, which, when released into the open air, is converted into ammonia.

Due to the ability of urea to transform, it should be applied as deeply and in large quantities as possible. The effect of its use is reduced to zero if a little fertilizer was used or it was intended for external feeding.

Peculiarity. Urea is not very effective in alkaline or neutral soil.

Mineral fertilizers are best suited for foliar feeding, as they do not burn the stem and leaves, which cannot be said about saltpeter, which gardeners often use.

It is believed that urea is not suitable for use in greenhouses, however, if used correctly, the fertilizer can be used in closed beds. This is especially true for soil with excess moisture: urea is more appropriate than saltpeter, since nitrogen is less washed out by rain and groundwater.

When to use urea for tomatoes

Tomatoes need to be fertilized at all stages of development, but at the seedling stage, urea is especially necessary.

Urea should not be added to the soil immediately before planting: if you put it in the holes, the plant may die. It is also not recommended to use it too often.

Foliar feeding is carried out in early June. The use of urea is prohibited during the flowering period and formation of the ovary. Large amounts of nitrogen in the soil can delay fruit development.

Important! Do not water the beds immediately after using the fertilizer.

You can moisten the soil a few hours after adding urea. The plant must have time to absorb the beneficial components before they are washed off with water.

How to prepare urea

When preparing urea-based fertilizer, it is important to observe the following proportions:

1. For application to the soil per 1 sq. m use 20 g of fertilizer.
2. To prepare a solution for irrigation, you will need to dilute 20 g of urea in 10 liters of water.
3. In the spray solution, 30 g of the nitrogen element should be per 10 liters of water. Experienced gardeners prepare the mixture according to this recipe: dissolve 20 g of urea in 5 liters of water. For 1 bush, 1 liter of fertilizer is enough.
4. A liquid solution is also prepared based on urea: 50 g of the substance is diluted in 9 liters of water. This amount is calculated to fertilize a garden with an area of ​​20 square meters. m. This solution is also suitable for spraying and feeding adult plants. The mixture is enough to process 50 bushes.
5. Urea is used to feed the roots of the plant: 200 g of fertilizer is mixed with 10 liters of water. The mixture is suitable for treating an area of ​​100 square meters. m. This concentration is often used by industrialists; ordinary summer residents can reduce the amount of fertilizer by 2 times.
6. The most used recipe for urea solution is: 1 tbsp. l. fertilizers are diluted in a bucket of water. The mixture is suitable for spraying the green mass of plants and foliar feeding. To prepare the solution you need to use warm water.

Important! An increase in the concentration of urea in the solution can cause plant burns.

How to use fertilizer

Urea is used to fertilize the soil and root system. It is also suitable for spraying tomato leaves.

Planting seeds in a substrate with urea

For the full development of seedlings, urea is added to the substrate before planting the seeds. Some people make holes, pour fertilizer into them, and then plant the seed. Experienced vegetable growers do not recommend this method - it is better to mix urea with all the soil in the planting box.

Before using urea, you need to moisten the soil. If it is not possible to water the entire garden, sprinkle the fertilizer with a small amount of soil. For 1 sq. m, 10-15 g of fertilizer is enough.

Watering tomatoes with urea

When watering tomatoes with urea solution, do not allow the liquid to get on the leaves. The solution is applied strictly at the root. It is better to do this in the evening to eliminate the risk of burning the plant.

Foliar sprays

For foliar treatments, prepare a solution with a weaker concentration of urea. A large tablespoon of fertilizer per 10 liters of water is enough.

Spraying with urea has a good effect on the growth of green mass - the leaves become fuller and greener.

Important rules for feeding tomatoes with urea

Urea is a chemical, so when working with it you need to follow some rules:

1. Dilute the solution according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Water the plants only in the evening.
3. Carefully monitor the reaction of tomatoes to fertilizing.
4. At the first sign of burns or soil saturation with nitrogen, stop using.

Nuances of feeding tomatoes

Urea can be used in both open and closed beds.

In the greenhouse

When using urea in a greenhouse, it is important to consider the location of the beds. If tomatoes are planted in a permanent place, fertilizer is applied in small quantities, otherwise the plants will experience an excess of nitrogen. An imbalance in the soil will negatively affect the number of ovaries - the tomatoes will intensively form foliage and stepsons.

In the open ground

When fertilizing tomatoes in open beds, various factors are taken into account: the characteristics of the soil, the variety of tomatoes, their growth and the formation of ovaries. Urea is usually used during the development of seedlings. Additionally, it is added only if the condition of the plants has deteriorated.

Many gardeners, in order not to get confused when it is necessary to fertilize, draw up a schedule. However, it is important to consider that at different stages of development the plant will need different microelements. Urea is not an all-purpose fertilizer, so it is not recommended for continuous use. It is better to combine urea with organic and phosphate fertilizers.

Tomato feeding scheme

Fertilizer application is practiced in areas with poor soil. In one season, urea can be used 5 times:

1. During the period of growing seedlings. Add 1 g of fertilizer to the planting box, and then sow the seeds.
2. When planting seedlings in the garden. Feeding is applied every other week after planting.
3. 3 weeks after planting the seedlings. Premature use of fertilizer will lead to vigorous growth of green mass. At this stage, you can use a solution of mullein and urea.
4. Fertilizing is carried out only if the inflorescences begin to fall off. Urea can be diluted with other microfertilizers for tomatoes.
5. The last time urea is used during the fruiting period. It is best to combine urea with other fertilizers - dilute 2 g of urea, potassium sulfate and potassium magnesium in 10 liters of water. After watering, the beds can be sprinkled with wood ash.

Tips and tricks

The nitrogen contained in urea can spoil the soil. To reduce the likelihood of soil depletion, use lime - it neutralizes the effect of nitrogen. For 2 kg of fertilizer you will need 1 kg of lime.

Lime is used three times throughout the season. The first time it is introduced during preparation for planting seedlings, then mixed with urea and applied during the period of active growth.

Another way to protect the soil from acidification is to add bird droppings, wood ash and superphosphate.

To protect tender shoots from the aggressive components of urea, copper sulfate is added to the spraying solution.

Many gardeners use urea as fertilizer after picking. Like no other product, it promotes the rapid growth of tomato green mass. 1 tbsp. l. urea is dissolved in 10 liters of water and the plant is watered abundantly.

Reviews from vegetable growers

Almost all gardeners who have used urea speak positively about it. This product is highly recommended by people of the older generation, who began fertilizing their beds with it back in Soviet times. Over time, urea has not lost its relevance; practice has shown that the fertilizer packages currently produced are more convenient to use.

Svetlana, 52 years old: “Urea is an accessible, inexpensive fertilizer that helps grow strong seedlings. I noticed that after using it, tomatoes are more resistant to diseases.”

Victor, 72 years old: “I’ve been using Carbamide in my garden for a long time. The product can be used to fertilize the soil, root system and spray. I use it not only for tomatoes, but also for processing garden plants.”

Alexandra, 60 years old: “I feed tomatoes with urea during the period of seedling growth. When breeding it, it is important to follow the dosage, otherwise the plants may die.”

Conclusion

Urea is one of the most used mineral fertilizers. It is safe for plants and fruits. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and dilute the substance correctly, otherwise the plants may get burned and die. Also, do not overuse urea - this is not the only type of feeding that promotes the proper development of tomatoes. It is best to dilute urea with other fertilizers so that the tomatoes receive comprehensive nutrition.