Tomatoes - plants are heat-loving, and if in areas with a warm climate they can be grown in open ground, for areas with cooler weather, a solution such as growing tomatoes in a greenhouse is suitable. At the same time, care for the crop and the rules of planting vary. One of the most important factors is the distance between tomatoes, which, when planted in open ground, as well as growing in greenhouse conditions, has different indicators.
So that you planting tomatoes in your beds, provide them with proper care, and a good harvest for yourself in the future, consider why it is important to keep the distance between the bushes, what it depends on, and tell you about the nuances of growing plants in greenhouses and in the open space.
What does it depend on?
Tomatoes are a rather capricious culture, requiring careful care and hard work from the gardener. To grow bushes that give a good harvest, you need to put a lot of effort, which is why it is strictly not recommended to do what the novice owners often do - plant bushes "by eye". 
This approach can be applied only if you are not going to plant more than 15 bushes and you have enough space for tomatoes. Of course, the distance remaining between the tomatoes at planting and in the greenhouse, and in the garden, will also depend on what piece of land you plan to take for this crop, and how many tomato seedlings you will land. The fact is that tomatoes love not only space, they also need a sufficient amount of sunlight, and if you plant bushes too close to each other, they can begin to shade each other.
Important! Observe the distance between plants is necessary in order to reduce the possibility of diseases of the bushes. Also, at close proximity to each other, the bushes slow down growth, and the harvest is subsequently reduced.
Knowing how important the space is for culture, you will be able to avoid mistakes while caring for it, and then you will get a wonderful harvest, successfully passing problems such as bushes diseases. It remains to figure out at what distance it is recommended to plant tomatoes in the greenhouse, and at what distance - in open ground.
Correct distance
Determine what should be the distance between plants, it is necessary, based on several factors. The most common and important of these is the variety of tomatoes. For each variety has its own planting scheme, we now consider the basic requirements for each of them, regardless of whether the bush will grow in the greenhouse, or in the open field. 
The distance between the early varieties will be smaller: between the beds - a little over half a meter, between bushes - about 30-35 cm. Medium varieties require a little more space: between the beds you have to leave 65 cm on average, and between plants - up to 50 cm, not more. Late varieties will have to allocate even more space: the distance between the beds will be about 75 cm, and between the tomato bushes will remain, as is the case with medium varieties, a little less than half a meter.
Did you know? Since it is irrational to leave such a large space between the beds, it is possible to plant greens between the beds: mint, cilantro, parsley, basil or celery.
Thus, the distance between the bushes both in the greenhouse and in the open field will depend on how early or late the variety of tomatoes you have chosen.
In the greenhouse
The method of growing tomatoes in the greenhouse is popular among the owners, as the yield of plants in greenhouse conditions increases. Due to the fact that the place in the greenhouse is usually limited, it is important to properly organize the space: so that the tomatoes develop normally, not touching each other, but at the same time do not take up too much space, otherwise the gardener will have to reduce the number of planted bushes.
For cultivation in the greenhouse such varieties of tomatoes are perfect: "Caspar", "Bull's Heart", "Sanka", "Big Mommy", "Little Red Riding Hood", "White filling", "De Barao", "Pink honey", " Verlioka and Pink Flamino.
In order to save space, it is better to choose tall varieties. Their advantage is that they will reach up instead of spreading over the bed, and as a result, the distance between the plants can be slightly reduced. In the greenhouse, the best option is to plant tomatoes at a distance of about half a meter, a little more. The distance between plants should be not less than 30 cm, if the variety of tomatoes is not tall.
Important! If you nevertheless decided to reduce the distance between the bushes (we do not recommend doing this between the beds), then be prepared for the fact that plants need to stepchild, because the access of sunlight is necessary for the favorable development of tomatoes.
Tomatoes are recommended to be planted in rows along the greenhouse - from east to west, and not across. This way they will get more light. It is desirable to place one row on each side, and two - in the center. Due to this arrangement, you will be able to approach each row, which will simplify the care of them and eliminate the possibility of unpleasant accidents in the form of broken bushes. 
In the open ground
Having at their disposal a plot of land, gardeners often do not measure the distance between plants, but do it intuitively, by eye. This technique is suitable if you do not plan to plant more than 15 bushes, do not grow tall varieties and do not strive to obtain the maximum amount of harvest. The disadvantage of this approach is that it significantly reduces the yield of bushes and may even cause the disease of tomatoes. To avoid this, it is necessary to devote more time to planting and observe the norms.
The most common schemes for planting tomatoes on open ground - multiline or tape-nested, also used the method of square-nested placement of bushes. 
It is recommended to arrange the bushes in two rows, the distance between which will be not less than 50 cm. This option is suitable for medium-sized varieties, for the same tomatoes that grow not too high, you can leave no more than 40 cm. This distance will facilitate the watering process - you will need to place the hose in this aisle.
The distance between pairs of rows (also called a pass) is desirable to leave about 80 cm. This passage is necessary so that the gardener can go directly to the plant and carry out the necessary processing of the bush. Since tomato loves moisture, you can go for a little trick and plant the plants not just in the soil, but put them in trenches. The size of the trenches is determined by the spade bayonet: the width of the trench will be as much as the width of the bayonet, and the depth is determined no less simply: the tip of the spade must be fully submerged in the dug opening. Then the trenches are poured abundantly, after which you can plant seedlings. Thanks to the trenches, the moisture in the soil lasts longer, which will save you from having to water the tomatoes often.
Learn more about all the features of outdoor cultivation: pepper, zucchini garlic, and eggplant.
Basic rules for planting tomatoes
Having decided on the distance to be observed when growing tomatoes, it is worth getting acquainted with how to plant a shrub correctly, because crop yield and its direct development also depend on this.
- It is necessary to pay attention to the pH of the soil - the acidity should not be above 5-6.
- It is desirable that the soil was well heated, it will positively affect the development of the seedling.
- Preparing for planting tomatoes can be in the fall. To do this, you need to dig the ground thoroughly. Also, the soil will need fertilizer, manure will be suitable for this purpose. Square size of 1 square. m will need 4 kg of fertilizer.
- Tomatoes should be planted in the spring, in March. If the plant variety you choose belongs to a tall one, it is important to make sure that the frosts have already passed, since sudden changes in temperature can harm it.
- Tomatoes that do not grow high are not afraid of such drops, since they are placed in the ground in such a way that only leaves are visible on the surface.
An important issue when planting tomatoes is the placement of bushes or, as it is also called, the planting scheme. The correct choice of such a scheme will allow the plant to develop well and subsequently to please you with an excellent harvest.It is best to plant tomatoes in the beds after cultivation: cucumbers, cabbage, legumes, dill, onions and carrots.
As we can see, the cultivation of tomatoes in the open field is not much different from the cultivation of crops in the greenhouse, however, they have their own characteristics. The main thing is still the correct maintaining the distance between the bushes, and if this rule is neglected, the result of your work on caring for the plant is unlikely to please you.
Tomato is a whimsical plant, so do not forget that only proper care can lead you to success - a beautiful and tasty harvest. 
