When is it better to plant tomatoes for seedlings in 2023 - timing and features of transplantation

The foundation of the future tomato harvest is laid at the very first stage - during planting of seeds. In order to start harvesting fruits as early as possible, it is recommended to plant the crop in seedlings. At the same time, beginning gardeners are interested in the question of when exactly to plant tomatoes for seedlings in 2023, as well as the timing and features of transplantation. It is important to take into account weather conditions and the lunar calendar.

Landing schedule

To properly plant tomatoes, it is recommended to focus on the lunar calendar. It is known that there are certain phases that have a beneficial effect on the development of crops. The lunar phase calendar allows you to set safe planting dates. This will help them adapt to the soil and grow better. There are also days when it is better not to carry out planting work. At this time, it is recommended to prepare the soil.

It is important to remember that a special substrate must be provided for the seeds. In many gardening stores you can purchase soil that is designed specifically for tomatoes.

So, there are the following lunar phases:

1. Growing – the duration of this stage is 2 weeks. Tomatoes should be planted at the end of the waxing moon. As the full moon approaches, plants begin to develop rapidly.
2. The full moon lasts only a day. At this time, you should not plant seeds in the soil at all. On the full moon and for 2 days after that, it is recommended to prepare the soil. After this, you can begin planting work.
3. Declining – lasts 2 weeks. This stage is suitable for planting seed material. However, it is better not to plant seedlings at this time.
4. New moon - during this period and during the day before and after, you should not plant seeds and seedlings. At this time it is better to collect and buy seeds.

You can plant seeds from February to the end of April. However, it is necessary to choose the most favorable days taking into account the lunar calendar:

1. February 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24 – it is allowed to plant seeds and apply fertilizers.
2. March 2, 3, 4, 17, 18, 19, 23 – you can plant seeds.
3. April 19, 28 – it is allowed to plant seeds.

Also, when carrying out planting work, it is worth taking into account the climate of the region:

1. In the Urals and Siberia, planting work can be carried out on April 1-5. This applies to early cultures. Crops with later ripening dates can be planted from March 10 to March 22.
2. In the south of Russia, seeds of early varieties for seedlings can be planted from February 25 to March 5. Medium crops can be sown on March 1-10.
3. In the middle zone, crops that have a late ripening period should be sown on March 11-20. Early tomatoes must be planted from March 10 to April 15.
4. In the Central Black Earth Region, early varieties can be planted from February 25 to March 5. This is also allowed to be done on March 10-25. Tomatoes with medium ripening periods can be planted on March 1-10. This can also be done from April 1 to April 10.
5. In the Far Eastern region, early crops can be sown from March 1 to March 25. Crops that belong to the middle and late varieties are allowed to be planted from March 20 to March 30.

When to pick tomatoes

After the formation of true leaves on the seedlings, the bushes planted in a common container should be planted in separate containers. Taking into account the timing of planting work, this is done in March-April. To do this, you need to prepare a loose substrate. It is desirable that it be sufficiently fertile. The tomatoes will be able to grow successfully there before being transplanted to a permanent site.

Seedlings should be planted in moist, disinfected soil, deepening to the cotyledon leaves. Tomatoes, as a rule, withstand picking well. At the same time, their lateral roots grow rapidly. For good adaptation of plants after transplantation, it is advisable to pick when the Moon is in the signs of Capricorn, Taurus, and Sagittarius. This can be done when the Moon is in the constellations Leo, Virgo, Cancer, Pisces.

The most favorable days for transplanting tomatoes include:

• March 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31;
• April 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30;
• May 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.

Days for watering and fertilizing

Tomatoes should be moistened as the soil dries. It is recommended to do this with soft water, which should be pre-settled. Its temperature should be +20-22 degrees. For the first time, seedlings need to be fed after the formation of the first true leaves. In this case, a solution of combined fertilizing should be used. Suitable options include “Novofert Universal”, “Malyshok”, “Kristalon Special”.

During mass ripening of the crop, plants require a lot of potassium. To do this, it is permissible to use ash infusion. To prepare it, mix 200 grams of powder with a bucket of water. Nettle infusion or combined mineral supplements are also suitable. These include “AgroMaster” and “Crystalon Orange”. Agricola is also suitable.

In this case, it is worth alternating leaf and root methods of application. In addition, it is necessary to change mineral and organic fertilizers. Fertilizers should be applied by spraying on Leaf days. In this case, the waning or waxing Moon must be under the influence of water signs. Root feeding is carried out on Leaf days or Root days. In the second case, the Moon must be in the constellations of the Earth.

Tomato care schedule

In order for tomatoes to grow and develop normally, they need proper care. It is also recommended to focus on certain dates.

Time for weeding

Thanks to regular weeding of tomatoes, it is possible to improve air circulation, reduce the likelihood of developing infectious pathologies and minimize the risk of crops being damaged by parasites.

Many astrologers are sure that it is best to loosen the soil and fight weeds during the full moon. This can also be done while the waning Moon is in Earth signs. In addition, loosening and weeding can be carried out during the period when the Moon is in Cancer, Aries, Sagittarius, Aquarius, Libra, Gemini. It is important to take into account that during the waning moon, loosening the soil should be done with extreme caution so as not to damage the root system of the tomatoes.

To facilitate planting care, reduce the number of weedings and retain moisture in the soil, it is recommended to mulch the beds. You can use hay or straw for this. Rotted sawdust or special agrofibre are also suitable.

Processing time

Tomatoes should be treated for diseases at the seedling stage. To avoid the most common pathologies of tomatoes, it is worth using biological preparations made from Trichoderma or Bacillus subtilis. These include “Alirin-B”, “Fitosporin-M”, “Baktofit”, “Bacterra”.

These products should be used to add to the soil before planting seeds and seedlings. It is recommended to spray plants with them at intervals of 10-15 days throughout the growing season. It is also important to prevent attacks by parasites that spread various diseases. When using chemical pesticides, it is worth considering that they have a certain waiting period. Therefore, they should be used before fruiting begins.

Time to pick tomatoes

Harvesting should be done as the vegetables ripen. Tomatoes that are planned to be stored or ripened should be collected during the period the Moon is in the so-called dry constellations. These include Sagittarius, Aquarius, Capricorn, Taurus, Leo, Aries. It is also worth harvesting during the full moon. During this period, the nutritional value of the fruit and the quality characteristics of the seed material increase.

To get seeds, you should collect the largest and most ripe tomatoes from 2-3 bunches. It is recommended to give preference to the strongest and most productive bushes. It is important that the fruits have the characteristics inherent to the variety. At the same time, it will not be possible to obtain seed from hybrids.

Tips for beginning summer residents

To grow tomatoes successfully, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

1. For faster germination, seeds should be soaked in warm water for 1-2 hours before planting. It is recommended to salt it a little. As a result, low-quality grains will float to the surface. They need to be removed.
2. After soaking, the seeds should be kept in a light solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes. This will protect them from fungal infections.
3. The substrate for planting can be bought at the store or mixed with garden soil, sand and humus in equal proportions.
4. It is permissible to plant tomatoes in common containers or directly in separate ones. Plastic glasses with a capacity of 500 milliliters are suitable for this.
5. The soil should be moistened with a spray bottle and covered with film or a transparent lid.
6. Care involves systematically moistening the soil. However, it should not be too wet. It is also necessary to systematically apply fertilizers.
7. When planting in a common container, picking should be done when 2-3 true leaves appear. When performing this procedure, the root is cut by a third.

Planting tomato seeds for seedlings has certain features. For this process to be successful, it is important to choose the right date for the work. It is worth taking into account the peculiarities of the lunar calendar and the climate of the region.