When to plant tomatoes for seedlings in 2024

Summer residents are interested in: when to plant tomatoes for seedlings in 2024. It is necessary to distribute the time so that the plants have time to grow green mass, form a developed root system, and so that the above-ground part does not stretch out. Some summer residents attach great importance to the influence of the Moon. They try to sow tomatoes exclusively on astrologically favorable days.

We are planning planting works for 2024

Before drawing up a planting calendar, you should check the availability and quality of seeds. They must be fresh and viable. Seeds purchased in specialized stores do not require additional preparation: they should be immediately planted in seedling containers.

But independently prepared seeds of varieties require preparatory measures:

• germination tests;
• disinfection;
• stimulating germination.

Proper preparation is the first step to a good harvest.

January

In January, it is recommended that the gardener review his records and determine which varieties or hybrids he will grow in 2024. At the same time, the expiration dates of existing materials are checked. This month, leading agricultural firms are holding thematic exhibitions. It is also recommended to visit them, study new products and purchase additional material.

Seedlings do not feed themselves. You should take care of fertilizers for it. Potassium humate and mineral complexes for seedlings are suitable.

Gardeners in the south sow seedlings to obtain early vegetable products grown in a greenhouse.

February

This month is ideal for preparing the soil. Summer residents who prepare planting mixtures themselves bring frozen components into the warm room in advance. If desired, they can be further disinfected by calcining them in the oven or irrigating them with a solution of potassium permanganate.

It's time to prepare the planting containers. You don’t have to buy them: washed sour cream and yogurt cups will do. In the second decade, seedlings of late-ripening varieties begin to be sown. Summer residents in the southern regions are beginning to plant early tomatoes for growing in a greenhouse.

March

The busiest month for a summer resident. Traditionally, tomatoes are sown for growing in a greenhouse. Early varieties of tomatoes for open ground (for the southern regions) should also be sown. The remaining (February) seedlings are plucked and placed on a lighted windowsill. Plants need to be illuminated with an agricultural lamp. In the south, the time has come to plant seedlings in the greenhouse, which were obtained from seeds sown in January.

April

The last month for sowing tomatoes for seedlings. You must complete the work before the 15th. Some producers offer ultra-early ripening varieties for problem regions. They are sown on April 20-25.

Unfavorable days for sowing and planting

Astrologers say: the growing Moon is responsible for the growth of the above-ground part of the tomato, and the waning Moon is responsible for the formation of the root system. If you confuse these phases, plant them incorrectly, and the seedlings will slow down their development. When planted in a permanent place, tomatoes will have thin stems, a lack of leaf blades and a poorly developed root system. And the gardener will receive an insignificant harvest from such bushes.

Days on which you should not sow and plant tomatoes (according to the lunar calendar):

• there are no such days in January;
• in February - 2, 3, 9, 10, 15;
• in March - 8-10, 13-16;
• in April - 2, 3, 7, 8, 15.

It is recommended to additionally take into account the zodiac sign through which the planet is passing. Virgo enhances both negative and positive influences.

What affects planting times?

In order to obtain high-quality seedlings that will quickly take root in a new place and produce a high yield, several factors should be taken into account.

When to plant tomatoes for seedlings depending on the region

Hardworking gardeners grow tomatoes in all regions of Russia.But the climate has its own distinctive characteristics, so the timing when it is necessary to sow tomatoes for seedlings changes.

It is important to remember: only zoned varieties and hybrids should be grown. This will reduce risks and allow you to get a good harvest. The timing may vary slightly depending on the planned growing method: in a greenhouse or outdoors.

Regions of central Russia

The climate of central Russia is temperate continental. The seasons are clearly expressed. But the warm period is not enough for growing tomatoes in open ground using the seedless method: the crop has a long growing season. The average time for sowing tomatoes for seedlings is from the end of February to the end of March. But some hybrids can be sown in the first half of April.

Ural and Siberian regions

The Urals and Siberia have long, frosty winters and hot but short summers. Warm days are not enough to produce a tomato harvest for growing without seedlings. Therefore, gardeners strive to plant seedlings.

Late varieties can be sown even in late January - early February. And the resulting seedlings should be planted in open ground.

Early varieties begin to be planted in March. Tomatoes grown by seedlings are planted in open ground after return frosts and protective measures are taken: covering with double lutrasil at night.

Leningrad region

This region has sufficient illumination and lack of heat. The weather is very unstable, so it is recommended to transplant seedlings into open ground after June 15. And it should be sown in the second or third ten days of March. Over a long period of development, tomatoes stretch out and outgrow. The seedlings are transferred to a permanent place with buds or blossoming flowers.

Gardeners should consider covering the plantings with lutrasil at night.

Far East

In the Far East, the climate is harsh and unstable. Even in May, average daily temperatures do not rise above 10 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is impossible to grow tomatoes without seedlings.

To plant in an unheated greenhouse, the material should be sown at the end of February. Ready seedlings are moved to a permanent location in early May. Before this, the seedlings already have 5-6 pairs of permanent leaves. In open ground, tomatoes produce a harvest only when covered at night. Seedlings are planted outside in mid-June.

Belarus

In Belarus, the climate is somewhat milder than in central Russia, which is why seedlings are planted 2-3 weeks earlier. And you can sow seedlings in the third decade of March. Sowing ends in mid-April.

South of Russia

In the southern regions, winters are short and warm, and summers are long and hot. Therefore, this region is favorable for growing tomatoes in open ground and greenhouses. In this region, only early vegetable products are grown in greenhouses. Already in May, gardeners serve their tomatoes on the table.

Ready seedlings are planted in an unheated greenhouse as early as March. And they start preparing it in January-February. Some summer residents sow tomatoes directly in open ground in May. Warm weather and the absence of return frosts make it possible to grow tomatoes without seedlings.

Depending on the variety

Manufacturers offer varieties and hybrids of different ripening periods. This determines which types to sow first. Things to consider:

1. Maturing period. Late and mid-late tomatoes are planted earlier. They take longer to produce fruits before they grow black.
2. Type of tomato.Breeders offer ultra-early varieties and hybrids that grow and develop so intensively that when planted late (late April) they produce a harvest like regular early tomatoes.
3. The ability of a tomato to “reach” technical ripeness when stored. There are New Year's tomatoes on the market. They arrive just in time for the festive table.

If the gardener cannot determine when to sow tomatoes, he should carefully study the labels on the bag of seedlings. The manufacturer writes when work is required.

Greenhouse or open ground

On average, the difference between planting in an unheated greenhouse and open ground is 2-2.5 weeks. Some gardeners, at the same time as transplanting into the greenhouse, transfer the rest of the seedlings there for hardening.

But if we plant tomatoes in a heated greenhouse, then we choose the timing depending on the planning of heating and lighting costs. In such conditions, tomatoes are harvested all year round.

Determining deadlines according to folk signs

According to popular belief, when planting tomatoes in a heated or unheated greenhouse, you should not follow the schedule. But when placing seedlings in open ground, you can use the knowledge of your ancestors: the poplar has lost its fluff - it’s time to plant tomatoes.

Sowing according to the lunar calendar

Our satellite influences the movement of the waters of the world's oceans. Astrologers claim that since all living things consist of 50-70% water, the Moon also influences the growth and development of organisms.

The planet in the growth position has a beneficial effect on the development of the above-ground parts of tomatoes. And in the decreasing phase, the root system begins to develop. Therefore, to obtain healthy seedlings, it is important to sow material at the stage of planetary growth, but so that they germinate during the full moon.

Considering that the seeds sprout on the 5-9th day after planting, they should be planted approximately this time before the full moon. After the cotyledon leaves appeared, the underground part began to actively develop (this is the time of the waning moon). But it is recommended to take the characteristics of the region and the recommendations of the manufacturer of the variety or hybrid as a basis for determining the timing of sowing seeds.