The top 3 recommendations and buying guides

Our recommendations

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 fruits should ripen faster. So that the moisture in this Tomato cap does not jam, the material is perforated. This allows the air to circulate and an exchange of heat takes place. The very thin plastic material is also UV-stabilized for better durability.

The Connex tomato foil hood, which protects your plants from rain, wind and hungry birds, is also ideal for growing, protecting and promoting the ripening of tomatoes and other fruit vegetables. The light and water permeable material made of transparent polyethylene is only 20 micrometers thin, 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 moist 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 in. If required, additional stabilization with ground anchors is possible from below.

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 a special feature: Instead of a role that you yourself If you have to cut to size, you will receive a total of five tomato bonnets with this delivery, each 1.25 meters long and 57 in diameter Centimeters. When placed over the tomato plants, the hoods protect against rain and thus reduce the risk of brown rot. In addition, they 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 made of two possible materials: Products made of food-safe polyethylene are inexpensive and allow enough sun and air to pass through. On the other hand, the material tears quite easily. Hoods made of woven fleece are thicker and therefore more tear-resistant. In addition, they are more environmentally friendly, provided they are made from renewable raw materials. However, this does not apply to all non-woven films, which is why you should look very carefully at the product description if this point is important to you.

Material thickness

Many tomato bonnets are made from a material whose thickness is measured in micrometers. This means that the foils are thinner than a millimeter, with polyethylene foils being considerably thinner than non-woven foils. Since the plants should primarily be protected from moisture, this thickness is completely sufficient. You just have to be careful when handling, as such fine material tears quickly. It is much more important that the film is UV-stable. Such films are durable and can be used multiple times.

colour

When buying, make sure you are transparent - i. H. see-through - tomato bonnets, as only these allow sufficient light to pass through. Tomatoes need a lot of sun to thrive and later to ripen their fruits, which is why they have to reach the plants unhindered. Colored or even opaque foils, on the other hand, are unsuitable because they hinder photosynthesis. As a result, the covered plant would grow very poorly, if at all.

Perforation

The advantage of a tomato cap is not only that it offers the plant protection from rain and thus from infection with brown rot pathogens. A warm microclimate with high humidity also forms 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 vital exchange of air.

Spacers and fastening material

So-called spacer rings, which are included in the scope of delivery of some tomato hoods, are also advantageous. These are attached above the tomato plant and the hood or the hose slipped over it. This way, the foil and the plant do not touch each other, which in turn reduces the risk of mold. Other fastening material (such as B. Ground anchors) are not always included in the price and must be purchased separately.

Assembly

You can purchase tomato caps either by the meter or in prefabricated lengths. While the yard goods can be cut to size as required, they also require more assembly work: You have to cut, knot and fasten the tubular film. 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 cover can be attached: Some models have to be wrapped around the tomato, which is time-consuming.

frequently asked Questions

What are tomato bonnets?

In principle, tomato hoods are miniGreenhouses,(€ 60.76 at Amazon *) in which only a single plant fits. Mostly they are available as plastic or fleece hoses, but there are also other variations from different suppliers.

What are the advantages of tomato hoods?

Tomato bonnets should be the plants on the one hand protect from rain, because this one brings the dreaded brown rot pathogen with himself. Since tomatoes are very susceptible to this fungal disease, they should be grown under a roof anyway. However, this often has the disadvantage that you have to water a lot - after all, the rainwater does not get to the plants. The tomato cap protects the plant from rain, but allows the precious water to flow to the roots. In addition, the film creates a microclimate conducive to growth.

Do tomato hoods also protect against frost?

Tomatoes not only do not like rain, but also absolutely do not like cold. They are in need of warmth plants that are not frost-hardythat only go outside after the ice saints - when there is no longer any danger from late frosts. The thin film of a tomato cap does not protect the plants from the cold under any circumstances - how does it? After all, it is not an insulating material. Therefore, do not use the hoods as Cold frame replacementbut rather grow your young plants in a frost-free and warm place.

Are there any alternatives?

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

equipment

Tomato sticks

Tomatoes have thin stems that can easily bend or even break due to the heavy drapery or the wind. Stake tomatoes in particular are at risk and therefore need a support. So-called spiral rods or others are suitable for this purpose Tomato sticksthat give the plant the hold it needs. They should be at least 120 centimeters or more long.

Tomato soil

Tomato plants are extremely heavy eaters that have a high need for nutrients. To do this justice, you should put the plants in a humus-rich, pre-fertilized soil that the young plants supplied with all the main and secondary nutrients they need for healthy growth, the formation of flowers and fruits to need. Alternatively, a good compost or Humus soil.

Tomato fertilizer

After a few weeks, however, the nutrient content of the pre-fertilized substrates will be depleted and you must now plant the tomato plants regularly fertilize. So that you don't have to resort to fertilizer every week, we recommend one based on organic substances Slow release fertilizer, which is specially tailored to the needs of the heavily consuming nightshade family. This is how tasty and healthy fruits ripen.