Rich harvest even in cold regions: “Snow Fairy Tale” tomato

Growing tomatoes is not an easy task, but it is rewarding. A good harvest requires fertile soil and a mild climate. But not all regions can boast of this. For areas with other conditions, the Snow Fairytale tomato would be an ideal option.

In this article we will look at the features of growing this variety and find out why these tomatoes are so good.

Description of the variety

The snow fairy tale appeared thanks to Siberian breeders. The variety is intended specifically for cultivation in open ground in Western Siberia.

The plant belongs to superdeterminant, that is, growth is limited. The maximum height of one bush hardly reaches 0.5 m.

The snow fairy tale also performs a decorative function. Small compact plants with small bright tomatoes will decorate any garden area.

The variety is characterized as mid-season. The first harvest can be obtained 110 days after planting. Tomatoes ripen gradually. Thanks to this property, gardeners simultaneously observe red, white and orange tomatoes on the bushes.

Distinctive features

Snow fairy tale is highly resistant to weather changes. Tomatoes set well even in the absence of sun and heat for a long time. Plants also have the ability to quickly recover after long frosts.

Despite its compact size, the root system of the variety is powerful. In addition, the bushes do not require staking or pinching, which is undoubtedly a big plus.In terms of care, Snow Fairytale needs regular watering, weed removal and fertilization. The resistance of tomatoes to the main types of diseases is average.

Fruit characteristics and yield

Tomatoes have a spherical shape. Unripe tomatoes have a milky hue, and at the ripe stage they acquire a bright, rich red color. The average weight of one tomato is about 60 g; in particularly favorable climatic conditions it can reach 180 g. The skin of the variety is soft, glossy, and the flesh is juicy and tender. Tomatoes taste sweet and sour.

Important! Tomatoes are more suitable for fresh consumption, as they cannot be stored for a long time. They also do not tolerate transportation well, and during long transportation they lose their appearance and taste.

The yield is high; one bush can simultaneously contain about 30 tomatoes in varying degrees of ripeness. Snow Fairy Tale is also grown on an industrial scale - about 285 centners of beautiful marketable tomatoes are obtained from one hectare.

How to grow seedlings

Preparing seedlings is an important stage that should be carried out according to all the rules. The quality and quantity of the future harvest largely depends on the seedlings.

Seed preparation

Experienced gardeners advise disinfecting the material before planting. This is done using hydrogen peroxide or a solution of potassium permanganate. These simple steps will help you avoid diseases, get rid of larvae, and disinfect the material.

You should also think about hardening the seeds, especially if planting is planned in a region with difficult climatic conditions. To do this, place the seeds in the freezer overnight, then leave them at room temperature for the day.

Next, you need to repeat these steps several times. With the help of this mechanism, the seed material develops immunity to frost and sudden climate changes.

The last stage of seed preparation is soaking the material. This is necessary to prevent diseases. The seeds are wrapped in gauze and placed in a plate with a small amount of water. They need to be stored in this form for about a month before planting in the ground, maintaining optimal air temperature and avoiding hypothermia.

However, some gardeners are skeptical about soaking seeds. There is an opinion that a larger amount of harvest is obtained only from dry seed material.

Container and soil

You can prepare the soil yourself. To do this you will need dry and clean soil, peat, ash and sawdust. For 4 parts of the earth there is one part of the other elements. All ingredients must be mixed, sand or humus added. Most importantly, do not forget to disinfect the composition you prepared yourself. The same solution of potassium permanganate will help with this.

If you don’t have the time or desire to prepare the soil yourself, ready-made mixtures will come to the rescue. For example, soil “Krepysh”. Such products already contain the necessary supply of vitamins and minerals. The soil is sold at any gardening store.

As for containers, any clean containers are suitable for seedlings. These can be flower pots, wooden boxes, plastic jars. If you don’t have any free containers on hand, buy special containers for seedlings at a gardening store.

Sowing

It is recommended to plant Snow Queen seeds at a distance of 10-15 cm from each other. Make small holes in the soil, place the seed there and cover with soil. Afterwards you need to water them with warm water.Already in the early stages, growth stimulants can be used. So the first shoots will appear much earlier.

Growing and care

Store containers with seedlings in a bright and dry place. If the room is in the shade, provide the plant with additional lighting using lamps. Carefully monitor watering and do not allow excess moisture in the containers.

Reference. Gardeners recommend using pipettes for watering. With this simple tool, water will get under the base of the stem and not onto the leaves.

After 3-4 weeks from the moment of planting, it is recommended to apply the first fertilizing. These can be both professional preparations and folk recipes. For example, an ash-based solution would be an excellent addition.

If you observe that the leaves have become yellow with red veins, it means that the plant does not have enough nitrogen. Use nitrogen-containing fertilizers. An excellent option would be to spray the leaves with mullein solution.

How to grow tomatoes

The process of growing the Snow Tale tomato is long but pleasant. The variety does not require special care, which makes it even more popular among gardeners.

Landing

Be sure to disinfect the soil one week before planting. Collect all the remains of previous plants, pegs, ropes and burn them. A solution of copper sulfate and hot water is perfect for disinfection. Spray the soil thoroughly with it, not missing a single area.

It is best to plant tomatoes in the morning on a cloudy day. Beds of potatoes, cabbage, and cucumbers will be excellent predecessors. The planting should not be dense, otherwise the bushes will interfere with each other. The optimal distance between them is about 40 cm.The final stage of planting consists of abundant watering with warm water.

Care

Regularly remove weeds from the beds with Snow Fairy Tale, otherwise they will take all the nutrients from the plant. Watering is carried out according to general rules.

Try not to let water get on the leaves, otherwise in the future the variety will develop late blight. The plant does not form stepsons and does not need tying.

To prevent diseases and infections, gardeners advise feeding tomatoes in a timely manner. Nitrogen-containing substances are excellent for this, as they replenish the lack of nitrogen and protect the bushes from parasites.

In addition, the required level of nitrogen improves the plant’s metabolism and has a beneficial effect on the taste of the future harvest. Ammonium nitrate is recognized as the market leader.

Features of cultivation and possible difficulties

At the seedling stage, it is recommended to carry out one pick, that is, transplant the sprouts from the container into a larger container. This is done after two full leaves appear on the stem. At the planting stage, periodically loosen the soil - this way more oxygen gets into the soil, it becomes enriched and light.

Among the difficulties of growing, we note the likelihood of diseases and the occurrence of parasites. Otherwise, growing a Snow Fairy Tale does not require special skills.

Diseases and pests

In the list of the most common diseases, the fungal infection late blight takes first place. Fungal spores penetrate the stem and leaves, causing the latter to turn yellow with brown spots. The fungus takes the lion's share of nutrients from the tomato, causing the vegetable to slowly die.

It is not easy to fight late blight, but sometimes it is possible to save the crop.For treatment, it is recommended to use the above-mentioned solutions based on potassium permanganate or ash.

Tobacco mosaic disease also deserves special attention. It appears as a yellow pattern on the leaves of plants. Tobacco mosaic occurs for various reasons: excessive watering, lack of fertilizers. A solution of whey and warm water helps against the virus.

Important! To prevent the plant from getting sick, take preventive measures in advance. In no case do not forget to disinfect and fertilize the soil on time.

Of the parasites, special attention should be paid to mole crickets, spider mites, and whiteflies. These insects live off the nutrients of plants, as a result of which the latter dies. To combat them, it is better to immediately resort to proven means - an infusion of dandelion or garlic or a solution based on tobacco leaves.

The nuances of growing in open ground and in a greenhouse

Before planting, make sure the soil is healthy and ready to accept new seeds. If you plan to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, then in addition to the soil, you must disinfect all hard surfaces - walls, doors, pegs, and so on.

If the greenhouse is hot and stuffy, ventilate it periodically, otherwise there is a high risk of developing diseases. If it rains heavily, reduce the amount of watering. Make sure that the beds are clean and free of excess debris.

Important! When adding mineral fertilizers to the soil, carefully read the instructions. Excess feeding will not only not help the plant, but can also harm it.

Harvesting and application

Since the collection of ripe tomatoes takes a long time, the vegetable is used in a variety of variations. For example, they add it to soups and side dishes, cut it into salads, and prepare canned and pickled preparations for the winter.

In addition, the Snow Queen variety has a fresh, sweetish taste, so it can be consumed immediately from the garden. Tomatoes do not crack, although they cannot be stored for long.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The positive qualities of the variety include:

• excellent taste characteristics;
• rich yield;
• attractive appearance;
• versatility in application;
• ease of planting and maintenance;
• possibility of cultivation in central Russia and northern regions;
• decorative appearance of bushes.

But do not forget about the negative properties:

• average immunity to diseases and parasites;
• low degree keeping quality;
• poor resistance to transportation.

Farmer reviews

Gardeners' opinions on the Snowy Tale tomato are mixed. On Internet forums of summer residents and gardeners there are a variety of opinions.

Maria, Moscow region: “I planted these tomatoes at the dacha for the first time. I decided to check and planted some of the seeds in greenhouse, and part - under the open sky. I began to notice the difference immediately. The yield was better for street tomatoes. Next year I will plant Snow Fairytale only in open ground.”

Nikolay, Voronezh region: “I plant tomatoes every year and love them very much. It's important to me that they don't require a lot of maintenance. A snow fairy tale is just one of those varieties. Tomatoes are juicy, beautiful, always canning them for the winter."

Anna, Novosibirsk: “I expected much more from the Snow Fairytale variety. Two weeks after planting, the bushes became infected with late blight. Although she was cured, the impressions were already spoiled. Tomatoes taste no different from most others.”

Conclusion

Growing tomatoes Snowy Tale is perfect for both experienced gardeners and novice gardeners. It is easy to grow, because it does not need either garter or pinching. The main thing in care is to follow the watering regime and fertilize in a timely manner.

The variety is versatile in use and goes well with other vegetables. Also suitable for dietary nutrition, it contains a large amount of useful microelements and vitamins.