Double your harvest: an effective way to protect tomatoes from the heat

To preserve the tomato crop this season, gardeners should be aware of the rules for proper gartering and methods for protecting plants from high temperatures. Otherwise, due to the lack of necessary measures, you can lose a significant part of the crop.

At elevated temperatures, tomatoes become vulnerable and can be seriously damaged by heat. First, it is essential to moisten the soil regularly. It is best to water the plants in the morning or evening when water evaporation is minimal.

Expert Chris Bonnet offers a simple and effective method: you should remove the lower leaves of tomatoes. This will improve air circulation around the plants and reduce the need for watering. Removing these leaves will also help redirect nutrients and trace elements to the fruits and the upper part of the plant, reducing the risk of pest infestation, as aphids and other insects often settle on the lower leaves.

There are also other ways to protect tomatoes from sunlight. For example, you can shade the beds with agro fiber, nets, or a regular awning, which will protect the bushes from overheating. Mulching the soil around the plants with a layer of straw, compost, or grass will also help retain moisture and protect the root system from overheating.

What harm does heat do to tomatoes?

When plants overheat, they spend energy on survival rather than on the growth and development of fruits. Because of this, the fruits can grow slowly, remaining small and deformed. Sunburns can also appear on the leaves, manifesting as light or brown spots, especially when the fruits are exposed to the sun without protection.