When is the best time to pick tomatoes in March? When to pick tomatoes after germination: advice from agronomists
When to plant tomatoes for seedlings according to the lunar calendar in 2017
(for greenhouse)
Sowing tomato seeds for seedlings
If you plan to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, sow the seeds from late February to mid-March. Remember that the day before sowing they need to be soaked in warm water.
Picking tomato seedlings
Under optimal conditions (temperature 25-27°C and high humidity), tomato seedlings appear on the 5-8th day after sowing. 15-20 days after their appearance (when the seedlings have 1-2 true leaves), pick
Feeding tomato seedlings
During cultivation, tomato seedlings are fed twice. First feeding seedlings are carried out 1-2 weeks after picking. It is best to add chicken manure to this fertilizer, diluted in hot water in a ratio of 1:20 (the mixture should be allowed to brew for 2 hours). If there is no droppings, prepare a solution of mineral fertilizers at the rate of 35 g of superphosphate, 15 g of potassium sulfate and 5 g of urea per 10 liters of water. The rate of fertilizer application is the same as for normal watering.
Second feeding carried out 2 weeks after the first. The nutrient solution is prepared more concentrated than for the first feeding. To do this, dissolve 50 g of superphosphate, 20 g of potassium sulfate and 10 g of urea in 10 liters of warm water. You can also use ready-made complex fertilizers, such as Kemira-universal, Mortar, Rost-II (according to instructions).
Planting seedlings and growing tomatoes in a greenhouse according to the lunar calendar in 2017
Tomatoes are usually planted in a permanent habitat in a greenhouse 50-60 days after germination. Seedlings ready for planting should be strong and healthy, 25-35 cm high. Each plant should have 8-10 well-developed dark green leaves and 1 flower cluster.
When to plant tomato seedlings in a greenhouse
Tomato seedlings are planted in a greenhouse when the temperature in it remains at 20°C during the day and 18°C at night for several days. The holes are dug a little larger than the root ball and watered well 20 minutes before planting. Plants are buried down to the cotyledons or the first pair of true leaves and immediately tied to stakes or trellises to make them more stable. It is recommended to shade the planted seedlings for the first 2-3 days.
Growing tomatoes in a greenhouse
If you want to get a good harvest of large tomatoes, you simply cannot do without pinching. This is an extremely important procedure, during which excess shoots are removed from the leaf axils.
You can start planting tomatoes 10-14 days after planting the seedlings in a permanent place (provided that stepsons have already appeared in the leaf axils). It is carried out throughout the season at least once every 10 days.
Watering tomatoes in a greenhouse
The first watering is carried out 14-17 days after transplanting the plants into the greenhouse. In the future, the tomatoes are watered rarely (about once every 10 days), but abundantly. Moreover, they should be watered exclusively with warm water and at the root, avoiding drops getting on the leaves.
Feeding tomatoes in a greenhouse
You need to start feeding tomatoes in the greenhouse a few days after planting. There are no clear instructions on the amount of fertilizing and the time of fertilizing. It all depends on the fertility of the soil and the condition of the plants. Normally developing tomatoes are fed 3-4 times per season. For those who are lagging in growth, the amount of feeding is increased. And problem plants that develop poorly and get sick are fertilized every 10-14 days.
Harvesting tomatoes in a greenhouse
In order for the fruits not only to please with their amazing taste, but also to be stored longer, when harvesting it is also important to be guided by the days suitable for this type of work.
For tomatoes in greenhouses, fruiting begins at end of June - first ten days of July and continues until end of August.
When to sow tomatoes for seedlings according to the lunar calendar in 2017
(for open ground)
In order for the seeds to enjoy good germination, it is recommended to germinate them. To do this, you will need a piece of gauze, a rag or a paper napkin. Moisten the material, place it on a plate and sprinkle the tomato seeds on it. Cover them on top with the free edge of a cloth or napkin, and then place the plate in the bag.
Sowing tomato seeds for seedlings
In the middle zone, tomato seeds for open ground are usually sown from March 10 to April 15. But these dates may shift slightly depending on the weather. If spring is early and warm, sowing can be done a few days earlier, but if in March, on the contrary, there are still frosts, it is better to postpone sowing for 7-10 days.
Picking tomato seedlings
You can start picking tomato seedlings as soon as the plants have 2-3 true leaves. Remember that when transplanting tomato seedlings, they must be buried down to the very cotyledon leaves, otherwise they will not take root in the new container.
When to feed outdoor tomato seedlings
If your seedlings look healthy - the plants have a strong stem and developed dark green leaves, then you need to feed the seedlings once, usually 10 days before planting in a permanent place.
Planting seedlings and growing tomatoes in the ground according to the lunar calendar in 2017
In order not to worry about how successful the planting process will be and what percentage of seedlings will take root, protect yourself in advance. A few days before the planned transplant, stop watering the seedlings, and just before planting, water thoroughly, so that the soil is wet. This will make it more uniform and, accordingly, maintain the integrity of the root system.
Planting tomato seedlings in the ground
Seedlings for open ground are planted in the garden bed 60-70 days after emergence. The holes are dug slightly larger than the containers in which the seedlings were grown. Seedlings of standard sizes (25-35 cm high) are planted vertically, deepening to the cotyledon leaves or the first pair of true leaves (if the cotyledons were removed during the growing process). Overgrown seedlings are planted at an angle of 45 degrees so that the lower leaves are located at a height of 15-20 cm from the ground. It is desirable that the roots be directed to the south and the trunk to the north.
Growing tomatoes in open ground
It is recommended to carry out pinching throughout the season as shoots appear in the leaf axils (about once a week). The sprouts must be removed while they are still small (no more than 5 cm long). To prevent a new one from forming in place of the broken stepson, it is broken off not at the base, but leaving a stump 1-2 cm high.
Watering tomatoes in the ground
Cold water can cause root rot in tomatoes. Therefore, it is advisable to heat water for irrigation in the sun. Plants need to be watered only at the roots. If water gets on the leaves (especially in hot weather), it can cause them to burn and also provoke the development of late blight.
Feeding tomatoes in the ground
It is recommended to feed tomatoes in dry weather, and this should be done in the morning before sunrise, or in the evening after sunset. Never apply fertilizer to dry soil, otherwise you may burn the roots. Before fertilizing, always water the tomatoes with warm water, and if the solution gets on the leaves, rinse them with clean water.
When to harvest tomatoes in open ground
For tomatoes planted in open ground, the fruits begin to ripen in mid-July. In general, the plants continue to bear fruit until mid-August. The last harvest should be harvested as soon as the night temperature drops to 10°C. If not the entire crop is ripe by this time, green and brown tomatoes should also be removed. They can be put for ripening or used for seaming
Despite the fact that both in open ground conditions and in greenhouses it is quite possible to use seeds, the majority of vegetable growers still prefer the seedling method of growing! In many cases this is correct! Thus, by the time they are planted at their permanent “place of residence,” the plants not only have time to grow, but also to get stronger, which means that subsequent replanting will not be so difficult and painful. It turns out that such tomato bushes will grow faster and, accordingly, will begin to bloom and bear fruit earlier!
However, in this case, not everything is so simple! The seedling method of growing primarily, in addition to certain care, implies several transplants. Well, at least one pick still takes place before the plants get into the open soil! When to replant tomato seedlings, each vegetable grower decides entirely independently, more or less guided by its age. So, the majority of gardeners will begin to engage in a similar procedure in the early days of spring, right in April!
When to pick tomatoes in April 2017?
April transplanting tomatoes It will be less painful for plants if it is performed on the most favorable days for such matters. Therefore, they start right from April 1 and 2 - the days are just right, so they have everything at their disposal! Next, for almost a week, all such work will need to be postponed and the remaining tomato bushes, which have already slightly grown by this time, will need to be replanted, starting from April 8 and up to the 10th. Those whose seedlings simply had not yet grown up in the first ten days and were not ready for transplanting should not be upset - April is very successful for picking! Already from the 17th to the 19th, the procedures are resumed, and after work they are carried out on the 24th and at the end of the month from April 27 to 29.
In general, it turns out that during the entire month in 2017, vegetable growers will have as many as twelve days to pick nightshades, which is not so little! April is favorable and it is quite possible to guess and replant plants of any age, taking into account at what time they need replanting, because tomatoes affected ahead of time will get sick and may not tolerate such a procedure, and even too old seedlings will also get sick and wither!
What does a successful pick give?
It is still unnecessary to neglect the advice of astrologers and notes from experienced gardeners. Picking tomatoes that fall on a favorable date in the April period will first of all have a positive effect on the quality and quantity of the harvest!
So, once in a new place, the bushes will immediately begin to grow stronger and develop a powerful root system. They will hurt much less even after subsequent transplantation into open ground. In addition, it is precisely this, as they say, hardened seedlings that will continue to be stronger, less prone to infectious diseases and will be able to independently “resist” attacks from pests, delighting the gardener with the beauty and amazing taste of their fruits!
Having the lunar calendar at hand and knowing the favorable days when you can pick tomatoes, you can get a truly royal harvest. You need to try, devoting to caring for him exactly as much time as he requires. It all starts with seedlings: sowing seeds in the ground, caring for them, watering, fertilizing, picking, observing temperature and light conditions. Each of these stages requires a separate and broad disclosure of the topic.
As with any issue, there are always two opinions, two sides. So, some doubt the need for this process, wondering whether it is necessary to pick tomatoes. They also try to find a way to avoid it and “special” seeds. This may not only be due to a lack of time or desire. There may simply not be enough space on the windows, especially where there is good lighting. Not everyone can afford an additional artificial light source, again, for various reasons. But! Be that as it may, without picking you cannot get a good and significant harvest with large, fleshy fruits. Yes, he will, but not like this. And, as a rule, in the summer, when the neighbors begin to collect the first large red fruits, your tomatoes are late, and even threaten to bear the first fruits small and not soon. Therefore, there is only one answer to the question: you can’t do without picking tomatoes.
Picking dates in 2019
Everyone determines the time when they can pick tomatoes for themselves.
You can focus on the meaning of the dates of the lunar calendar when to dive, you can focus on the phases of development of sprouts and the days from the moment of planting seedlings and germination. In this case, it is better to combine the values of the lunar calendar with all the landmarks listed above. That is, it is necessary to plan sowing and picking tomatoes in advance, taking into account the favorable dates of the lunar calendar on both days.
When planning, take into account the phase and day of germination of the first seeds.
In 2019, good days for picking tomatoes in the spring will be:
- in March - 9,10, 11, and 13,14,15
So, 10-14 days should pass after germination, depending on the variety and favorable phases of the moon. If we focus more on the stage of development of the plant itself, then the most favorable phase is the phase of the first pair of true leaves. Not to be confused with cotyledon leaves; they are not taken into account. When transplanting into the cotyledon leaf phase, a large percentage of plants die; they are too small for such a test and stress.
And during the phase of the first pair of true leaves, and even on a favorable day of the calendar, it’s time. In central Russia, these manipulations occur in the month of March. Depending on what soil (open or closed) the tomato seedlings will be planted in the future.
The main thing is not to carry out work on unfavorable days in 2019:
- In January it is 1, 27-28
- February - 23-26th
- March - 23,24, 28
- April 2017 - 19, 20, 26
- May - 16-18, 25
- June - 13, 14, 24
What is picking and why is it needed?
Tomato picking is the thinning of seedlings by transferring them to separate containers.
Thus, sowing dry seeds in seedling boxes produces friendly, dense rows of seedlings (of course, the seeds must be checked for germination in advance). While the sprouts are small, they do not interfere with each other and develop quickly. Until there is a shortage of space, light, and batteries. One plant, which is stronger, begins to suppress another, which is weaker or less advantageously located in the row. Friendship disappears, and here the main law of life comes into its own - the survival of the fittest. That's exactly what survives.
Plants reach for the light - they stretch out or are stunted in growth. Thus, neither one nor the other cannot develop normally. The result is that if the picking of tomato seedlings is not carried out, then there will be no harvest. Only a few will survive, weakened by the struggle for life and less productive.
Picking tomato seedlings allows you to select the best, strongest plants, which are grouped and planted in separate containers.
The elongated seedlings, grouped separately, must be temporarily moved to the brightest, but not very hot place, in order to give them the opportunity to calmly gain the thickness of the stem and not strive upward anymore. Completely frail, diseased growth should be classified as substandard and disposed of. If the variety is valuable and there are few seeds, you can leave these sprouts, creating favorable conditions for them by picking, disinfecting and fertilizing. They will still take theirs in such conditions.
How to pick tomato seedlings
Tomatoes tolerate replanting quite well due to the fact that they easily produce additional roots even on the stem. But all the same, the transplantation process is stressful for any plant, including tomatoes, since it slows down their development during the recovery period. Therefore, the more painlessly it can be carried out, the better. Let's figure out step by step how to pick tomatoes correctly:
- Preparing containers for diving. The volume of the container should be at least 500 - 700 ml, the dimensions should be the most comfortable 9/9/10 (length / width / height, respectively). You can take plastic, cardboard, and paper, including homemade cups made from several layers of newspaper, and peat cups. The last three options are the best, as they save the plants from re-injuring the roots during planting in a permanent place.
- Soil preparation. It is best to take soil that is moisture-intensive and breathable, rich in nutrients and humus. The purchased universal soil for seedlings works well. Can be mixed in a 1:1 ratio with soil from the garden. If the soil is prepared on your own, then the proportion and composition should be as follows: 1: 1: 1: 1 (peat, humus, turf soil, sand). It is important to prepare the last version of the soil in advance and it must be disinfected with a strong solution of manganese or fungicide.
- Fill the picking cups 2/3 full with this soil. And the tomatoes are sprouting. It is important to remember that picking tomato seedlings requires careful handling of the soil around the root. The better you can preserve it, the more pleasant it is for the plant. It is convenient to do this with a teaspoon, pry up the required volume of soil and almost without disturbing the roots, transfer it to a pre-filled glass. Gently sprinkle the remaining third of the soil so that the plant is immersed in it exactly up to the cotyledon leaves, not deeper. Press the soil for better contact of tomato roots with the soil, water it with water at room temperature and place it in partial shade for a couple of days for complete adaptation to new growing conditions. This will protect the picked plants from sunburn if they are placed on window sills prematurely. Then you can display them in a permanent place before planting them in the ground. The root tip can be pinched off if it is visible. If you have to disturb the soil to do this, then it is better not to touch it and plant it like that.
- It is better to pick tomato seedlings while wearing gloves. This is due to the difference in ambient temperature and finger temperature. For the delicate stems of small tomatoes, this is very noticeable and acts on them like a hot shower. It’s the same as pouring a bucket of water on us, with a temperature of 46 - 50ºС. It won't scald you, but it won't be pleasant. So it is with them. The temperature of their stems is 22-25 ºС, and our hands - 36.6 ºС. Gloves are protection from additional stress. It's better to wear them.
- From the moment of picking tomatoes until planting mature ready-made seedlings in open ground, at least three feedings must be carried out. You can feed vegetable crops with Agricola, or alternate with Kornerost and Biohumus. Alternate fertilizing with watering. Water it with water as the soil clod dries out, preferably not to overwater. Every couple of weeks, harden the seedlings, lowering the ambient temperature by several degrees. Immediately before planting the seedlings in a permanent place, take them out and harden them in a greenhouse, greenhouse or outside in the shade.
When to pick tomatoes after germination and is it necessary to do so? The answer to the second part of the question is positive, but only on the condition that there is a desire to get high-quality seedlings for next year. The fact is that picking tomatoes is the best method for activating the development of a powerful root system of a plant by increasing the number of lateral roots.
If the seeds for seedlings were sown not in individual pots, but in a common box, then picking tomato seedlings into separate containers will protect the seedlings from intertwining their roots, which will significantly simplify the work of gardeners at the stage of moving the seedlings into open ground.
When there are more seedlings than planned, pick the seedlings to select only the healthiest and strongest seedlings for planting. Using the same principle, you can get rid of sick or infected plants.
Often, when tomatoes are plucked, this is done in order to slow down growth. This way the plant can be protected from overgrowth, the negative consequence of which is an abundance of green mass and small tomato fruits. But at the same time, the same delay in the development of tomato seedlings can be caused by inaccurate picking, therefore, before starting work, you should understand all the rules and subtleties of this process, for example, by watching a video.
On what favorable days should seedlings be planted in separate containers? Experienced gardeners recommend doing this when the first true leaves appear on young plants, and this often happens within a week after germination. But you shouldn’t immediately make a pick when you find a real leaf; it’s better to wait a couple of days and let the delicate trunks of the plants get a little stronger so that they are not damaged during the replanting process.
Also, one of the guides for the time when to plant tomato seedlings is the lunar calendar. It is with its help that the most favorable days for carrying out this manipulation are determined.
Dates for picking
Let's look at how to grow seedlings in 2017.
- In March 2017, it is recommended to plant tomato seedlings from the 15th to the 18th.
- On March 28, 2017, it is better not to touch the seedlings; it is recommended to return to picking on March 30-31, 2017.
Accordingly, the answer to the question of when tomato seedlings are harvested will be: 7-10 days after germination. However, this is purely individual, since some varieties grow poorly and do not even produce a real leaf in 10 days, while others, on the contrary, grow so large and strong that they should have been replanted much earlier.
Can tomatoes be picked later or earlier? Yes, but at an early age the seedlings have too delicate a root, and the chance of damaging it during transplantation is quite high.
Accordingly, the plant will spend a lot of effort and time restoring its previous state, which results in a significant delay in its development, which can lead to a lack of harvest or even death of the plant.
A later transplantation leads to the fact that the growing seedlings become intertwined with their roots, and during their transplantation the rhizomes are severely damaged. That is why experienced gardeners strongly recommend using the lunar calendar to select favorable days for planting and picking, so that the plants develop in accordance with their natural characteristics.
The picking technique is the same for everyone: those who plan to plant tomatoes in a greenhouse or greenhouse, and those who will grow tomatoes in open ground. As mentioned earlier, the appropriate time is determined by the moon.
Tomato seedlings: from germination to picking (video)
Tomato seedlings should be planted in separate small containers, for example peat pots filled with soil pre-fertilized with superphosphates, potassium sulfate and vermicompost.
Pepper seeds tend to take a long time to germinate; you have to wait at least 10 days for the first shoots. Therefore it is recommended plant peppers for seedlings earlier than tomatoes, and it is worth doing this already in February 2017.
Planting pepper seedlings in February 2017
It should be said right away that sowing can begin as early as February. The most important thing is that it is kept warm and irrigated regularly. Only under such conditions will the sprouts not be long in coming and will be strong and plump. The most favorable days for February 2017 will be:
- The 14th of February– a favorable lunar phase for sweet peppers, so you can sow its seeds without any fear;
- February 16– the optimal date for planting both bitter and sweet peppers for future seedlings;
- February 23- a great day for any gardener who intends to sow sweet peppers and get the maximum harvest from them in a couple of months.
The period from February 17 to February 22, 2017 is the most unfavorable for such a crop, since the waning moon entails low yields and wasted human labor. Therefore, it is better to wait out this short-term period and wait for a more favorable moment.
Planting pepper seedlings in March 2017
Every person who grows vegetables should take into account the fact that it is best to sow pepper seedlings in 2017 in March. This is the most optimal and favorable period for the sprouts to grow and get stronger, and for the soil in the garden to warm up well enough. Favorable numbers for planting pepper seeds in March 2017 are as follows:
- from 3 to 14 March(with the exception of 6th numbers) – an excellent period for new beginnings;
- 20th of March– a good, favorable day to sow seeds of sweet and bitter peppers;
- end of the month (30-31st)– the ideal period for planting plants and seeds according to the lunar calendar.
Planting pepper seedlings in April 2017
April is mid-spring, the period when garden life begins to boil. That is why all gardeners are advised to hurry up if they want to get good, strong seedlings on their own, rather than buying them at a high price on the market. The lunar calendar for April 2017 will be like this:
- 9-12 numbers– the rising moon will have a beneficial effect on the future harvest;
- March 24-25– the best option for planting hot peppers;
- 30th of March- an excellent day to sow crops and take healthy and strong seedlings in the future, which will bear a considerable amount of fruit.
The lunar phase is an ideal assistant for every person, because thanks to such simple tricks, every gardener can become successful and receive a lot of fruits during the summer, have a large harvest with minimal effort and money.
How to grow pepper seedlings,
when to dive in 2017
After sowing, cover the trays with plastic wrap and place them in a warm place, away from a cold windowsill. Check occasionally to see if the soil is dry and if sprouts have appeared. When the first shoots appear, immediately move the trays to a sunny place and remove the film.
When 2-4 true leaves appear, the peppers can be dive. This will happen no earlier than after 2 weeks after emergence, so plan to plant pepper seedlings in March 2017.
Best days to pick peppers in 2017:
In March - 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23
In April pepper seedlings should already be developing in their own separate pots, but here are the most favorable April days for pepper picks:
In April - 3-4, 12-14, 18-19.
When in 2017 pepper seedlings
can be planted in the ground
In closed ground(greenhouse or under film) peppers can be planted already in May. 1st of May, and May 7 and 8, 2017 the most courageous gardeners can plant peppers and protect them well from a possible cold snap. Then on May 10 there will be a full moon and it is better not to carry out any actions with seedlings. The following good days for planting pepper seedlings in May 2017 are: May 14-16 and 19-23(on the waning moon in the signs of Capricorn, Pisces and Aries). The new moon is on May 25th and it’s worth waiting a few days. Then you can plant the seedlings May 28 and 29(moon in Cancer) and June 5-7(moon in Scorpio).
The best days for planting pepper seedlings in beds:
In May 2017 - 1, 7, 8, 14-16, 19-23, 28-29,
In June 2017 - 5-7.
Dear reader!
Since you have come here, it means you are interested in issues related to growing seedlings.
Here you will find a whole block of publications on this topic.
These are articles based on original technology from a Doctor of Biological Sciences T. Yu. Ugarova, and a detailed description of mistakes when growing seedlings of peppers and eggplants from T. A. Oktyabrskaya, where she simply and clearly reveals the secrets of mastery based on her many years of experience, and recommendations from a famous experienced gardener Sergei Dyakov, which offers us personal secrets, methods and techniques for growing strong and healthy seedlings to obtain rich harvests.
Our articles describe in detail how to grow seedlings of vegetables and some other crops. Tables are given for the timing of sowing vegetable crops, fertilizing and planting seedlings.
We hope that our materials can help you.
I wish you strong seedlings and rich harvests, dear friends and colleagues!
Sincerely yours, Uncle Fedor.