Tomato Sack Farming – A Guide
Tomato sack farming is the growing of tomato in sacks. Tomato sack farming makes it possible for the growing of tomato crop in spaces like the backyard, rooftop, gardens and other places. Tomato sack farming is lucrative as it makes it possible for people to grow tomato in sacks.
With tomato sack farming, farmers do not need to use large acreages of land to grow tomato. You do not need to acquire a farmland or lease a farmland for you to grow tomato if you practice tomato sack farming.
Tomato sack farming is a type of vertical farming. It also encourages urban farming where people can grow what they eat in their homes.
Steps to Take to Start Tomato Sack Farming in Nigeria
The following are the steps to take to start tomato sack farming in Nigeria:
Site Selection
Site selection is the first thing to do before embarking on tomato sack farming. The site you choose can around your home. It can be your garden, rooftop or backyard etc.
The site should have good amount of sunlight, there should be access to water and the site should not be waterlogged.
Get Sacks or Bags
Sacks and bags are needed for tomato sack farming. The sacks or bags are the places where the tomato seedlings will be planted.
Jute sacks, polythene bags, HDPE bags and sacks made with kenaf fibre are some of the types of sacks that can be used for tomato sack farming.
Soil or Other Growing Medium
Top soil, coco peat, perlite and pebbles are some of the growing medium that can be used for the growing of tomato plants in sacks. Top soil is usually used for tomato sack farming. The top soil should be free of harmful microbes. Manure should be mixed with the top soil.
Manure or Compost
Animal manure like chicken manure should be mixed with the growing medium in the sack. Wet manure that is still hot should not be used as this can burn and kill the tomato plants.
Aside manure, compost can also be mixed with the growing medium in the sack.
Variety of Tomato to Plant
Hybrid tomato varieties are the best type of tomatoes for sack farming. Hybrid seeds are known to have higher yields than open pollinated varieties. Hybrid seeds also resist pests and diseases better than the open pollinated varieties.
Some good tomato varieties that can be planted in sacks include Platinum F1, Tylka F1 and Padama F1 etc.
Irrigation
The following types of irrigation system can be used for tomato sack farming:
- Drip Irrigation
- Spray Tube Irrigation
- Rain Gun Irrigation
- Flood Irrigation etc.
Drip irrigation is the most efficient type of irrigation for the growing of tomato.
Planting
Tomato seedlings are usually transplanted into the sacks. Tomato seeds need to be planted and nursed in seedlings trays for 4 - 5 weeks.
The sacks or bags should be wet or irrigated before transplantation of the tomato seedlings. Transplanting should be done in the morning or evening when the intensity of sunlight is low.
Fertilizers
Types of fertilizers that can be used for tomato sack farming include NPK 15:15:15, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, chelates, foliar fertilizers and potassium sulfate etc.
Tomato crop does well with NPK fertilizers and manure.
Pesticides
There are a lot of pests and diseases that affects tomato. Fungicides, insecticides, bactericides and acaricides etc are some of the types of pesticides that can be used to manage pests and diseases in tomato sack farming.
Staking
For indeterminate tomato variety, staking may be needed. Staking allows the tomato plants to grow vertically. It also prevents the tomato fruits from touching the soil.
Stones or Pebbles
For tomato sack farming, stones or pebbles may be needed to be placed in the sacks or bags. These stones make it easy for the sack to drain excess water.
Harvesting
Tomato reaches harvest after 60 – 90 days of transplanting. Harvesting should be done every 2-4 days.
Matured tomato fruits should be promptly harvested.
Tools and Inputs Needed for Tomato Sack Farming
The following are the tools and inputs needed for tomato sack farming:
- Sacks
- Digger
- Shear
- Knife
- Drip Tapes and Fittings
- Watering Cans
- Wooden Stake
- Hoses
- Organic Soil
- Growing Medium etc.
Advantages of Tomato Sack Farming
The following are the advantages of tomato sack farming:
- Tomato sack farming can create job opportunities for members of the society.
- It can increase the level of food production in the country.
- It enhances urban farming and healthy living.
Should want to engage in tomato sack farming in Nigeria, you can contact us via 08025141924 or sales@veggiegrow.ng.
Read our article on cucumber sack farming here.
