Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables and are grown by many people in the garden or on the balcony. Unfortunately, the nightshade family is quite susceptible to the dreaded late blight, which almost completely spoils the harvest. The disease is transmitted by rain, so tomato plants should be grown under a canopy whenever possible. With a tomato hood you protect the sensitive plants outdoors.

There are several ways to protect garden vegetables

Our recommendations

our recommendation
Windhager strong tomato film hose, tomato hood, plant protection, plant cover, 10 x 0.75 m, 06762
10.27 EUR To the product
material thin plastic
Dimensions 0.75 x 10 meters
strength 37 microns
UV stability Yes
perforation Yes
Price/m² approx. EUR {PRICE/7.5}

The tomato film tube from the manufacturer Windhager is designed as an outdoor greenhouse and is intended to protect tomato plants not only from rain but also from other weather conditions. In addition, the foil hood gives the plants a warm microclimate in which the fruit should ripen faster. The material is perforated so that moisture does not accumulate in this tomato hood. Thus, the air can circulate and heat exchange takes place. The very thin plastic material is also UV-stabilized for better durability.

our recommendation
Connex tomato film hood 10 x 0.65 m - 20 my - PE - with ventilation holes - for growing tomato plants - supports the ripening process / ripening hood / tomato protective hood / FLOR80240
5.29 EUR To the product
material thin PE plastic
Dimensions 0.65 x 10 meters
strength 20 microns
UV stability Yes
perforation Yes
Price/m² approx. EUR {PRICE/6.5}

Also ideal for growing, protecting and promoting the ripening of tomatoes and other fruiting vegetables is the Connex tomato film hood, which protects your plants from rain, wind and hungry birds. The light- and water-permeable material made of transparent polyethylene is only 20 microns thick, but creates an optimal growth climate for the tomato plants. Ventilation holes ensure a constant exchange of air so that it does not get too damp under the film. The film tube can be cut individually, depending on the size of the plant. Then simply pull it over the plant and tie it. If necessary, additional stabilization is possible from below using ground anchors.

our recommendation
Euflor 90022 growing tomato hood 5 pieces UV-stable
16.49 EUR To the product
material thin plastic
Dimensions 1.25 meters long, diameter 57 centimeters
strength k. A
UV stability Yes
perforation Yes
Price/m² approx. EUR {PRICE/3.5}

The "growing" tomato hoods from the manufacturer Euflor are also made of transparent and UV-stable polyethylene. These offer the same advantages as the products already presented, but have one special feature: instead of a roll that you have to cut yourself, you will receive a total of five tomato hoods with this delivery, each 1.25 meters long and 57 centimeters in diameter. Put over the tomato plants, the hoods protect against rain and thus reduce the risk of brown rot. They also create a warm and humid microclimate in which the plants can thrive. Ventilation slots in the material ensure the necessary exchange of air.

Purchase Criteria

material

You can usually get tomato hoods from two possible materials: Products made of food-safe polyethylene are cheap and let enough sun and air through. However, the material tears quite easily. Hoods made of woven fleece are thicker and therefore more tear-resistant. They are also more environmentally friendly if they are made from renewable raw materials. However, this does not apply to all non-woven films, which is why you should take a very close look at the product description if this point is important to you.

material thickness

Many tomato tops are made of a material whose thickness is measured in microns. This means the foils are thinner than one millimeter, with polyethylene foils being significantly thinner than fleece foils. Since the plants are primarily to be protected from moisture, this thickness is perfectly adequate. You just have to be careful when handling, as such fine material tears easily. It is much more important that the film is UV-stable. Such films are durable and can be used several times.

color

When buying, be sure to use transparent - i. H. to acquire transparent tomato hoods, as only these allow enough light through. Tomatoes need a lot of sun to thrive and later to ripen their fruit, which is why this must reach the plants unhindered. Colored or even opaque films, on the other hand, are unsuitable because they impede photosynthesis. As a result, the plant covered with it would grow very poorly, if at all.

perforation

The advantage of a tomato hood is not only that it protects the plant from rain and thus infection with brown rot pathogens. A warm microclimate with high humidity is also formed under the film, which allows the plants to grow better. However, so that the moisture does not accumulate under the cover (and in the worst case it becomes moldy), the hood should be provided with ventilation holes. This ensures the all-important exchange of air.

spacers and fasteners

So-called spacer rings, which are included with some tomato hoods, are also advantageous. These are attached above the tomato plant and the hood or hose is placed over them. The film and plant do not touch each other, which in turn reduces the risk of mold. Additional fastening material (e.g. ground anchors) are not always included in the price and must be purchased separately.

Assembly

You can purchase tomato hoods either by the meter or in ready-made lengths. While the yard goods can be cut to size as required, it also requires more assembly work: you have to cut the tubular film to size, knot it and fasten it. You simply put prefabricated hoods over the plant, for example with the help of a spacer hood, and fasten them with ground anchors. Also pay attention to how the favorite tomato hood can be attached: Some models have to be wrapped around the tomato in a time-consuming process.

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frequently asked Questions

What are tomato domes?

Tomato hoods are basically mini greenhouses (€72.95) that only fit a single plant. They are usually available as plastic or fleece hoses, but there are also other variations from different suppliers.

What are the benefits of tomato hoods?

On the one hand, tomato hoods are intended to protect the plants from rain, because this brings the dreaded brown rot pathogens with it. Since tomatoes are very susceptible to this fungal disease, they should be cultivated under a canopy anyway. However, this often has the disadvantage that you have to water a lot - after all, the rainwater does not reach the plants. The tomato hood protects the plant from rain but allows the precious water to flow to the roots. The film also creates a growth-promoting microclimate.

Do tomato hoods also protect against frost?

Tomatoes not only do not like rain, but also absolutely do not like cold. They are heat-requiring, not frost-hardy plants that only go outside after the ice saints - when there is no longer any danger of late frosts. The thin film of a tomato cap in no way protects the plants from the cold - how could it? After all, it is not an insulating material. Therefore, do not use the hoods as a replacement for a cold frame, but pull your young plants in a frost-free and warm place.

Are there any alternatives?

Instead of under a tomato hood, you can also grow your tomatoes in a greenhouse, a so-called tomato house (practically a mini greenhouse that can also be placed on the balcony) or outdoors under a specially built canopy made of Plexiglas or a similarly transparent material. No matter how, the only important thing is the canopy, which protects against rain and thus against brown rot.

equipment

tomato sticks

our recommendation
ARTECSIS pack of 10 spiral rods 170cm plant rods trellis tomato rods made of galvanized metal, climbing aid for tomato plants shrubs
To the product

Tomatoes have thin stems that can easily buckle or even snap from the heavy fruit load or wind. Stick tomatoes in particular are at risk and therefore need support. So-called spiral sticks or other tomato sticks that give the plant the necessary support are suitable for this purpose. They should be at least 120 centimeters long or more.

tomato soil

our recommendation
Compo SANA tomato and vegetable soil with 12 weeks fertilizer for all vegetable crops, growing medium, 20 liters, brown
13.50 EUR To the product

Tomato plants are extremely heavy feeders that have a high nutrient requirement. In order to do justice to this, you should place the plants in humus-rich, pre-fertilized soil that provides the young plants with all the main and secondary nutrients they need for healthy growth, flower and fruit development. Alternatively, good compost or humus soil is also suitable.

tomato fertilizer

our recommendation
COMPO BIO tomatoes long-term fertilizer for all types of tomatoes, 5 months long-term effect, 750 g
5.99 EUR To the product

After a few weeks, however, the nutrient content of pre-fertilized substrates is used up and you now have to fertilize the tomato plants regularly. So that you don't have to reach for the fertilizer every week, we recommend a long-term fertilizer based on organic substances, which is specially tailored to the needs of the heavily consuming nightshade plants. This is how tasty and healthy fruits ripen.

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