Planting and tips for growing tomatoes using Galina Kizima's method

Planting tomato seedlings using Galina Kizima's method is suitable for gardeners who don't have a lot of space for growing seedlings. Kizima's method will save space for vegetable seedlings. The planting method she developed is suitable for growing most vegetable crops.

The essence of Galina Kizima's method

Galina Aleksandrovna Kizima invented a new method for planting tomato seedlings that saved space. Muscovites were the first to widely adopt this method, which is why it's also called "Moscow style."

The method involves replacing any container used for growing seedlings from seeds with a plastic sheet. Unlike containers and boxes, it takes up less space, allowing each seed to have ample room to grow. Furthermore, the film, in which the seeds grow, prevents moisture from passing through, keeping the soil moist longer. The tomatoes grow healthy and vigorous.

It also becomes more convenient to pick seedlings, and this procedure is less painful for them.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

Galina Alexandrovna's method allows you to grow healthy tomato seedlings without any hassle.

Advantages of the method:

• A large number of seedlings can fit on the windowsill, which allows for significant space savings compared to other planting methods.
• Tomatoes are easy to transplant—all you need to do is unroll the film and plant the seedling in a new location.
• Planting seeds does not require a large amount of substrate.
• The risk of black leg disease appearing on seedlings is practically zero.
• The method is simple and does not require any special knowledge to plant seeds.

Despite the fact that the technique has a large number of advantages, it also has disadvantages:

• The root system is not as developed as when grown in the usual way.
• The seedlings are growing a little slower than usual.

Although there are few downsides, they are all significant enough to ignore. The film growing method should be used in extreme cases, if there really is no space in the house to place boxes with seeds.

What you will need to perform the procedure

Planting seedlings using the Kizima method doesn't require many tools. First, buy some thick plastic film. Cut it into even squares 20 x 20 cm wide. For planting, use a potting mix. You can prepare it yourself or buy it at the store. Use rubber bands and sprouted seeds.

To increase the germination rate, sprout tomatoes before planting. To do this, soak a piece of cheesecloth in water, place the seeds in it, and cover with another piece of cheesecloth. Place the bag in a warm place for 2-3 days. After this period, the seeds will sprout and can be planted in the soil.

Preparing soil for seedlings

It's important to prepare the soil for planting seeds in advance. This will help you grow more seedlings. Most often, gardeners simply use soil from their own plot. But this is a common mistake. Garden soil doesn't contain the nutrients seedlings need.

Soil composition for tomatoes:

• humus;
• peat;
• coarse river sand;
• leaf soil.

All ingredients are taken in equal proportions. If you don't want to mess with soil, ready-made tomato substrate is available in stores.

What planting material is used?

Before planting, seedlings must be of good quality. To check this, place them in a salt and water solution: 1 tablespoon per 200 ml of water. After a while, the poor-quality seeds will float to the surface, while the good ones will sink to the bottom.

In addition to separating quality from poor-quality planting material, tomato seeds are germinated. This increases germination.

Swaddling technique by G. Kizima

There are several methods for growing vegetable seedlings using the Kizima method. Each has its own characteristics and disadvantages. Three methods are distinguished: growing from dry seeds, sprouted seeds, and growing in a substrate.

Dry seeds

To sow this way you will need:

• a piece of linoleum or thick polyethylene;
• vegetable substrate;
• durable rubber bands;
• planting material.

How to sow dry seeds:

• Cut linoleum or polyethylene into pieces 10-15 cm wide.
• Place the cut strips on the table and sprinkle a 3-4 cm layer of soil on them.
• The soil on the diapers is moistened generously with water mixed with growth stimulants.
• Place the seeds at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other, the distance from the edges should be at least 3 cm.
• Roll the diaper into a roll (no need to roll it tightly).
• Then secure the roll on both sides with rubber bands.
• Place a bag on each roll.
• Place all the resulting rolls together and press them tightly against each other.
• Place them in a dark and warm place.

After the sprouts appear, the bags are removed and the seedlings are taken out into the sun.

Sprouted tomato seeds

Planting using this method requires the same supplies as the first method. The only difference is that the tomato seedlings will need to be germinated first.

Otherwise, the cultivation method is no different from sowing dry seeds.

Substrate based

For sowing on a substrate you will need:

• toilet paper;
• a backing made of thick linoleum;
• rubber bands;
• tomato seeds.

Planting process:

• Linoleum width 10 cm.
• Place toilet paper on top of the linoleum and moisten it with a spray bottle.
• Place the seeds at a distance of 3-4 cm from each other.
• Place two more layers of paper on top.
• After this, the linoleum is rolled up and placed on a tray.

Place bags over the rolls. When seedlings emerge, remove the bags and place the seedlings in the sun.

How to properly care for seedlings

Tips for growing tomato seedlings will help you avoid many mistakes. Seedlings require just as much care and optimal growing conditions as mature plants.

Pricking out tomato seedlings

Pricking out seedlings using the Kizima method is less painful for the seedlings. Carefully remove the rolled-up seedling roll. Pinch off about 2 cm where the roots end. Unroll the roll and separate the seedling along with the paper. Plant in a peat pot. It's important not to damage the delicate tomato roots during pricking out.

Feeding seedlings

The first feeding is done 10 days after transplanting. Cow manure is diluted in 1 liter of water and injected into the roots. The second feeding is done with phosphorus and nitrogen. The third feeding is done with wood ash.

Transplantation into the ground and further care

Tomato seedlings are planted in their permanent locations once warm weather sets in. The seedlings are planted along with the peat pots they were transplanted into. In most regions, this occurs in early May. After planting, the tomatoes are initially covered at night, even if there is no risk of frost.

Newly planted tomatoes are watered every other day unless there's been rain. Several times a week, the soil is loosened and weeded before watering. Loosening the soil before watering allows the roots to oxygenate.

During the first half of the season, nitrogen is added to the soil. In the second half, when fruit set begins, phosphorus and potassium are added. As the plants grow, side leaves and branches (side shoots) are removed.

They are of little use for crop yields, but they actively absorb nutrients from the soil, which the majority of plants lack.

When tomatoes begin to bear fruit, reduce the amount of watering. The plants don't require much moisture, and if the beds are overwatered, the fruits will become waterlogged. Once the tomatoes begin to redden, watering the beds once a week is sufficient.

What other crops can be grown using Kizima's method?

The Kizima method is used to grow:

• bell pepper;
• potato;
• carrot;
• eggplants.

Galina Kizima has developed a unique method for growing vegetable crops that produces healthy seedlings.

Reviews from gardeners

Alla, 54: "I've been planting tomatoes the Moscow way for several years now. At first, I was skeptical, but when the seedlings started growing just as well and taking up less space, I came to appreciate it."

Vitaly: "Not a bad method for planting tomatoes. I can't say I was thrilled. The seedlings grew just as well as with regular growing. But they took up less space in the seed containers."