Picking tomatoes in March. When is the best time to pick tomatoes after germination: dates and recommendations
One of the important stages of growing tomato seedlings is picking. Fortunately, tomatoes tolerate this delicate procedure quite well. The main thing is to do it in a timely manner; for this, it will not be superfluous to know the timing of when to plant tomatoes for seedlings in 2018 according to the lunar calendar.
Features of picking
Picking is transplanting young tomato sprouts into larger containers. When sowing seeds in a common box, the seedlings germinate densely. Plants that are in close proximity receive less nutrition and sunlight. The lack of one or another element leads to the withering of the sprouts and their elongation. That’s why picking is needed - so that each sprout receives the required amount of necessary elements for healthy growth.
The vast majority of gardeners believe that diving is the key to obtaining a bountiful harvest. During the picking process, you can select more viable seedlings by removing frail shoots, which still will not produce good offspring. Strong and healthy specimens are planted in separate pots, where they will develop much faster, since all the nutrition and space will belong to only one tomato bush. By the time of planting in a permanent place, the transplanted seedlings will have a well-developed root system and a strong stem, and this will lead to abundant fruiting.
Advantages of picking:
- Selection of higher quality specimens. During the procedure, you need to immediately remove all weak sprouts so as not to waste time and effort on them later, because they still won’t produce a good harvest.
- Development of the root system. After transplantation, the roots begin to intensively grow with lateral shoots, which contribute to the growth of a healthy plant. To stimulate a large number of shoots, the main root should be pruned.
- Minimizing the chances of developing diseased plants. When the seedlings are in a common container, the risk of various diseases appearing on the seedlings increases every day. In addition, the sprouts have little space, their roots are intertwined, and there are not enough nutrients. After picking, these problems disappear by themselves.
- Getting an earlier harvest. Seedlings that grow in bulk containers can calmly “wait” for the optimally favorable moments for planting in the garden without the risk of overgrowing.
Many novice summer residents are afraid of the diving procedure. Seedlings may die if the mechanism for planting is disrupted or if an unfavorable moment is chosen for picking. It is important to take into account several basic rules of this action and then all fears will remain a thing of the past. 
When to pluck tomato seedlings
The timing for picking is determined based on when the seeds were sown. Tomatoes are usually sown in March or early April. When planning the procedure, you can refer to the lunar calendar or determine the moment by the appearance of the seedlings.
Tomatoes are planted when two blossoming leaves appear on the seedlings (10-14 days after germination). There is no point in delaying the transfer. It is better to transplant as soon as possible, without fear that the seedlings look too small by this time. Crowding has a bad effect on the growth of young tomatoes. And early and correctly carried out picking will benefit them.
Note: The first leaves appear on seedlings 5-7 days after germination. But at this time the root system is still too weak for transplantation.
Therefore, you should wait another 5-6 days for the roots to more or less develop. However, the waiting process should not be delayed - after 15 days the roots of neighboring sprouts will intertwine and it will be extremely difficult to transplant without causing injury to the plants.
In what cases is picking seedlings necessary:
Preparing for a dive
The dive begins with the preparation of additional devices so that the procedure takes place as quickly as possible.
For seating you will need:
- many spacious containers for tomato bushes. They can be made from any materials. For low-growing varieties, containers with a volume of 0.2 liters (for example, plastic cups) are suitable. Tall tomatoes, accordingly, should grow in larger containers. However, it is undesirable to use containers that are too large, since dangerous microflora can develop in excess soil;
- new soil. The soil mixture should include organic and mineral fertilizers. Before planting, the soil is disinfected with a manganese solution or calcined in the oven. The soil should be light, drained (a hole is made at the bottom of the container) and, of course, well moistened. It is also worth making sure that the soil temperature is appropriate for good assimilation of seedlings;
note: new soil is used for picking. It should be more nutritious and fertile.
- teaspoon or spatula. Any tool that can be used to pry up the sprout without damaging the roots will do.
Important! A day before picking, seedlings can be treated with Epin or Zircon. These drugs will help reduce plant stress during the planting period.
Planting tomato seedlings can be done in two ways:
- Transplantation.
The procedure must be carried out in well-moistened soil so that when pulling the plants out of the ground they do not break. To do this, the seedlings are watered abundantly with water a couple of hours before picking. Only the strongest specimens should be selected. The sprout is carefully removed from the ground using a spoon along with a lump of earth. The seedling must be supported by the roots or leaves, but in no way by the stem, otherwise it will simply break.
Advice: work with seedlings only with gloves, as sprouts react to the temperature of the human body, which is too high for them.
The soil is removed from the roots as much as possible and the main root is pinched (no more than 5 millimeters). This will contribute to the rapid growth of lateral roots. The seedling is lowered into a hole in a new container (the sprout is placed in the soil up to the cotyledon leaves), sprinkled with earth and lightly compacted so that the roots adhere to the soil.
Advice: After picking, pull the seedlings by the leaf - if the plant immediately comes out, it means that the picking was done incorrectly.
After diving, the seedlings are watered and left in a shaded, warm room for several days. 
- Transshipment.
This method is more gentle. Its essence is that the seedlings are transferred to a new container along with the old soil. In this case, the roots are practically not damaged, and the seedlings do not get sick.
The technology of this method comes down to the fact that a couple of days before picking, they stop watering the seedlings so that the soil dries out well. The shoots are removed from the old pot by pressing on the bottom of the container. Since the soil is dry, it can easily separate from the walls of the container and the plant will come out along with a large lump of earth, which needs to be placed in a large container and the empty spaces sprinkled with new soil. After transshipment, the seedlings are watered abundantly so that the old and new soil adhere to each other and the roots are freed from dry captivity.
Note: This method is mainly used for the second picking of tall varieties of tomatoes.
Care after picking
Picking causes stress in plants. In the first days after the procedure, the seedlings may be sick: the leaves will wither, the sprouts will droop. In order for tomato seedlings to quickly regain their healthy appearance, they need to be provided with proper care.
The next three days after planting, the optimal temperature regime is set in the room where the seedlings are located: during the day - 20-23 degrees, at night - 15-18 degrees. 
After four to seven days, when the bushes rise, the temperature is slightly lowered.
Tomato seedlings need plenty of sunlight, at least 10 hours a day.
If there is not enough natural light, then the tomatoes are illuminated with the help of phytolamps.
Advice: Do not place the artificial light source closer than 50 centimeters to the seedlings.
During the day, when the sun is active, the seedlings should be shaded a little so as not to cause leaf burns from excessive ultraviolet radiation. In order for the bushes to receive their share of light and not lean in one direction, the seedlings need to be periodically turned in different “barrels” towards the sun during the day.
It is enough to water the seedlings once a week as the soil dries out. It is important to prevent the formation of a dry crust on the surface of the soil, and also to ensure that the soil is not too waterlogged.
Within 7-10 days the seedlings will begin active growth. During this period, the root system of tomatoes develops, which is why it is so important to provide the seedlings with an abundance of light and fresh air. If it is not too cold outside, then the seedlings can be periodically taken out onto the veranda or balcony for a short time, gradually increasing the walking time.
An important component of the healthy development of tomato plants is the application of fertilizers. For the first time, fertilizing is applied 10-12 days after the dive. Complex fertilizers are used, which include urea, potassium sulfate and superphosphate. 
After another two weeks, additional feeding is carried out with the same composition.
Advice: Fertilizing should be accompanied by watering, otherwise the aggressive composition of fertilizers can “set fire” to the roots. Immediately after moistening, the soil must be loosened to ensure the best access of oxygen to the roots.
After 2.5-3 weeks, the second phase of diving begins for tall tomatoes. This procedure must be performed because indent varieties develop much faster, and therefore their roots gradually need more and more space. If the plants do not have enough food and space, the stems will begin to stretch.
You can re-pick other types of tomato seedlings in cases where the seedlings have begun to outgrow (too thin stems can bend), the root system is too poorly developed (transplantation will stimulate the development of the underground part, while the above-ground part will slow down its growth).
Dates for picking seedlings in 2018, favorable days
When planning the picking date, many gardeners rely on the sowing calendar. This yearbook contains the movement schedule of the Moon, which significantly influences many processes on Earth, including the development of flora. Depending on the phase in which the celestial body is located, plants grow more rapidly or, on the contrary, freeze. Having the lunar calendar at hand, you can determine favorable days for carrying out land work. 
During periods when the Moon is waxing, tides occur on Earth. This is the most favorable time for tomatoes - all the moisture goes to the above-ground part of the shoots, and they begin active growth.
Judging by the lunar calendar, it can be understood that in March, picking seedlings is best done on the following dates: 5, 6, 7, 15, 20, 21, 24, 25
Based on this, you can plan in advance the timing of sowing seeds for seedlings so that by these favorable dates two or three leaves appear on the seedlings - the moment of plant development when replanting can be done.
If the seeds were sown at the end of March, then in April picking should be carried out from the 16th to the 18th and from the 24th to the 27th.
Excavation work is not recommended during the full moon and new moon. It is believed that during these periods plants suspend their development. If you carry out any manipulations with plants on such anxious days, the harvest will be poor and the fruits will be tasteless.
In the calendar for 2018, such unfavorable days include:
Timely gardening work will allow you to grow strong and healthy seedlings. Proper planting of seedlings in the garden will contribute to a good harvest. In the spring, a lot of strength and energy is required from the gardener in order to be able to enjoy his work in the summer - tasty and fresh tomatoes.
Tomatoes are one of the most beloved, popular vegetables on our table, which we surround with care and attention at all stages of growth - before planting in the garden, greenhouse or greenhouse. Do you need to pick tomatoes? The opinion of most gardeners leans towards a positive answer. How and when to pick tomatoes? What is tomato picking? What is it for?
To speed up the time of fruiting and make the seedling bushes stronger, gardeners use an effective agrotechnical technique - picking.
What is tomato picking
After the tomatoes produce the first two or three full leaves, it is time to pick them or transplant the bushes into a larger container. The picking method (transplantation) allows seedlings to form a stronger root system. Prevents stretching and allows for early harvest. When diving, the root of the plant is buried, this makes it possible to form new lateral roots.
With proper picking, weak specimens are rejected, and promising seedlings are planted in separate pots for subsequent development.
Typically, tomato seeds are sown towards the end of the calendar winter (February or early March). If you did everything correctly in advance: sowed the seeds, took into account the requirements for lighting, watering, temperature changes during the day or night, then it’s time to pick.
How to properly plant tomato seedlings?
After a certain time after the emergence of seedlings, it becomes clear which sprouts are weaker. They should be removed so that they do not draw vitality from their strong brothers. After about a month, the plants will gain strength, their first real leaves will appear - this will serve as a signal - you can start diving.
Tomato seedlings need to be watered thoroughly within a few hours; the water temperature should not be lower than +20°C. New containers for seedlings (cups, pots, special shapes) should not be very large, approximately 8x8 or 10x10 cm in diameter.
If these are not special containers, then you need to prepare them first, for example, pierce the bottom of the pot several times so that the water does not stagnate.
Then you need to fill it with pre-prepared soil, press the soil down a little, and make indentations. If you have potassium permanganate at home, you can make a slightly pink solution and pour it over the soil before planting. In the absence of potassium permanganate, you should simply moisten the hole with water at room temperature - this will have a positive effect on the further survival of the tomatoes.
How to pick tomatoes if they were initially sown and grew all together? To carefully and comfortably remove a tomato bush from the ground, you can take a sharpened wooden stick or a small fork, and then carefully remove the sprout along with the earthen lump.
If it doesn’t work out with a lump, then at least don’t shake off the soil from the roots.
Be careful not to damage the roots. Try to keep your hands in less contact with the green part of the seedling. Tender tomato sprouts are very sensitive. Contact of human hands (skin temperature) with the stem or leaves can cause stress. The plant may get sick. Try to hold the plant by the part of the stem that is closest to the root. Or, even better, for a lump of earth with roots.
I know that some gardeners remove the cotyledon leaves before picking.
I tried it in different ways. Mainly removed cotyledon leaves if the seedlings stretched out,
and the plant had to be buried when picking in order to slightly retard growth.
How do you pick up tomato seedlings if they were previously grown in individual molds or cups? The only difference here is in the process of extracting the earthen clod along with the sprout. It is much easier to remove the lump from separate molds, for example, by transferring it. To do this, a day and a half before picking, they stop watering the seedlings, the soil dries out a little, and when the mold is turned upside down, the seedling with soil falls out freely. It can be helped by lightly pressing on the bottom of the container; the stem itself with leaves is passed between your fingers. This method is also good because the roots of the plant are not injured during the process.
How to pick tomatoes if the root system has formed differently? Properly formed roots should be approximately the same in size and resemble a fluffy ball in structure. Such roots do not need to be pinched or sunk too deeply into the soil - deepening to the level of the cotyledon leaves will be enough. After this, you should carefully press the soil around the sprout. Digging too deeply has a negative effect on the further growth of the bush, as it will spend all its energy on the formation of new roots.
If one of the roots is more actively developed than the others, it should be slightly shortened - pinched by about 1-1.5 cm. If, when removing the seedling, you damaged this main tap root, then do not worry too much. Favorable development of the bud system is the main condition for tomatoes; when transplanting a bush to a permanent place of residence, the roots of the plant will deepen exactly as they need (downwards or to the sides).
Caring for tomato seedlings after picking
After pruning, the tomato seedlings need to be placed where they will be hidden from direct sunlight. Daytime temperature should be +20..23°C, night temperature - +15..17°C. After 4-5 days, the seedlings can be irrigated with a spray bottle or watered with water at room temperature. Previously, it is impossible to moisturize, since the roots, looking for moisture, begin to stretch and, accordingly, grow stronger. As soon as you see that the sprouts have freshened up and taken root in their new place, they can be taken out into the light.
After 10-12 days, carry out a control inspection: if the tomato seedlings have acquired a juicy green color and sprouted new leaves, the process was successful.
Fertilizing is done two times:
- 2 weeks after the pick,
- 3 weeks after the first application of fertilizers.
Feeding for tomato seedlings is important - they have a beneficial effect on root development, growth, and fruit formation. Complex mineral supplements that contain potassium sulfate, superphosphate, ammonium nitrate, and urea are well suited for these purposes. After feeding, the seedlings must be watered with clean water (as if to wash off the fertilizers), and carefully loosen the soil.
Additional questions about picking
Is it possible not to pick tomato seedlings?
The answer to this question will be positive - yes, it is possible. But at the same time, the seeds are sown about a month later (late March-early April). Sow either directly into the ground (in established warm weather) or in a greenhouse. The seeds are pre-soaked for several hours and sown in small increments - this is a seedless method of growing tomatoes.
Feeding with urea or nitrophoska will have a beneficial effect on the general condition and development of the bushes. When two full-fledged leaves (not cotyledons) appear, the tomatoes are thinned out - simply pinch off weak shoots with a fingernail. After 3 days, the seedlings are fed with a solution of nitrate (15 mg/10 l of water), approximately 1 liter of fertilizer is poured under each bush. The second, potassium-phosphorus fertilizing is done before the fruits begin to increase in size.
Also, seeds can be sown immediately in separate pots, and then transplanted into the soil in the garden using the transfer method, bypassing the picking process.
What to do if tomato seedlings stretch to the point of picking?
Seedlings are stretched due to lack of light. This is a natural process, since all plants are drawn to the sun. A similar phenomenon can also be observed when the bushes are planted too close (a common tray, not individual molds), they do not have enough light because they obscure it from each other.
Another reason is non-compliance with the temperature regime. Seeds need warmth to germinate. But when the seedlings have already seen the light, the temperature needs to be lowered so that they do not actively grow until the moment of picking.
To correct the situation, the tomatoes should be transplanted into boxes, having previously made elongated grooves in the soil. Fertile soil should be mixed with humus and sand; before planting tomatoes, the furrow itself should be watered with warm water. The seedling is laid along the groove, tilting the earthen ball with roots at an angle of 45 degrees. In this case, the roots lie, and the top is visible on the surface. The root system is carefully covered with earth, then the rest of the plant.
Thus, new roots will grow on the stem buried in the soil, it will straighten up, and will bear fruit normally, perhaps a little later. The same method is used when bushes are planted in open ground in a permanent place of growth. To give the bushes a horizontal direction, tying is additionally used. Support pins are installed along the edges of the grooves, between which ropes are stretched. The stem is carefully tied to them.
There is another method of “reanimating” elongated seedlings: before diving, the elongated top of the sprout is pinched off, this is done in such a way that a stem fragment of about 1 cm remains above the cotyledon leaves. After this, the seedling is picked into a separate container and buried as usual (to cotyledon leaves). Place a transparent plastic glass on top of the pot or stretch plastic wrap. After 7-10 days, a new full-fledged leaf appears on the remaining stem.
We hope that after reading this information, you understand why you should pick tomatoes.
Perhaps you will choose the seedless method of planting tomatoes, that is, you will do without the picking stage. And immediately plant the bushes removed from the cups directly into the ground.
It all depends on your preferences, the time you either have or not.
Sometimes, in order to strengthen the seedlings and avoid stretching the sprouts, gardeners use double or even triple picking, each time planting the bushes in a larger container.
In any case, now you know when to pick tomatoes, we hope that the results of this method will be beneficial and will delight you with a generous harvest.
Growing home seedlings is an interesting, but not easy task; young seedlings are quite capricious and require careful and careful care. The roots of young plants are tender and react very sensitively to transplantation. Experienced gardeners recommend picking in the early stages of cultivation, then in the future the seedlings will be more hardy and strong. It is especially recommended to use the lunar calendar in March, when active work on a summer cottage begins, because the success of the selection of seeds, their planting, picking, care and planting in open soil determines the receipt of a large harvest. In our article we will tell you about favorable days for picking seedlings in March 2018.
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Favorable days for picking seedlings in March 2018
After planting the seeds, the first seedlings appear after 10-14 days. And you can pick the plants when they have two true leaves, and this is at least 2-2.5 weeks. Therefore, picking tomatoes this year should be done no earlier than a month after sowing the seeds in containers.
Moon phases in March 2018
- March 1 – waxing Moon;
- March 2 – full moon;
- from March 3 to March 16 – waning moon;
- March 17 – new moon;
- from March 18 to March 30 – waxing Moon;
- March 31st – full moon.
Is it possible to plant seedlings on the waning moon?
Our ancestors were guided not only by the change of seasons when planting seedlings, but also by the phases of the moon. The influence of the moon on nature as a whole was proven back in the 19th century by German philosophers. They found that high tides occur when the moon is far away - it is waning, that is, the Earth moves away from it with its hemisphere at a given period, but low tides occur when the Moon is full - as if attracting liquids and malleable materials. The most noticeable influences of our planet's satellite are on plants and water, while solid materials remain relatively stable. Gardeners advise planting and replanting plants on a waxing or full moon - the seedlings tend to rise upward with renewed vigor.
What happens on the waning moon:
- Plant juices move downward;
- Roots and root crops are saturated and developed.
Advantages of picking seedlings and preparing for it
The main advantage of replanting tomatoes is that it allows you to choose healthier and stronger plants, group them, and change the soil in a new container. All this affects the efficiency of the future harvest.
After selecting the variety, manufacturer and number of seeds, the container for sowing is determined. These could be: cardboard glasses; plastic boxes; peat tablets; dense polyethylene products.
The choice of location for installing containers with future seedlings at home is also individual. From February to mid-March, seedlings can be placed where there is sufficient penetration of sunlight: on a window; on a glazed loggia; in the greenhouse. You should first check the seeds for germination by dipping them in a solution of 3–5% table salt and water.
Seeds that settle to the bottom will have excellent germination rates. Sowing according to the lunar phases produces dense vegetation. Small seedlings do not interfere with each other as long as there is enough space, light, and life-giving elements. With growth, natural selection turns on, and the strong shoot begins to suppress the weak one. The survivors will reach for the light and stop growing. If you don’t pick up the seedlings, you can’t expect a big harvest. After all, weakened seedlings in the struggle “for a place in the sun” will turn out to be unproductive.
In what cases is it necessary to pick seedlings?
If you want to get seedlings with a strong root system: picking promotes the development of lateral roots.
If you sowed the seeds not in personal pots, but in a common box: picking into separate containers will prevent the roots from becoming entangled and will facilitate the subsequent planting of seedlings in a permanent place.
If there are more seedlings than planned: let you choose the best and healthiest seedlings and get rid of the extra ones.
If sick plants appear: planting them in new soil can save seedlings that have not yet been infected from fungal infections, the causative agents of which may be in the soil.
If it is necessary to stop the growth of seedlings: sometimes adult seedlings are also plucked when there is a danger of overgrowth. Repotting will help delay plant development.
Which crops do not tolerate picking?
- plants with a taproot system (poppies, aquilegias, mallows). It is better to grow them immediately in separate pots, and if picking is done, then at an early stage of development and only by the “transshipment” method.
- pumpkin (pumpkin, zucchini, melon). They are grown in individual containers and at the stage of three to four true leaves they are immediately planted in open ground.
Lunar calendar for planting seedlings in March 2018
Of course, there are gardeners who only sow seedlings in March, so the Lunar calendar for planting seedlings in March 2018 is very important for them. Many gardeners in one way or another focus on favorable days to start work. Therefore, the days below, which indicate when and what can be planted, will help you navigate.
Favorable landing days in March 2018
- Cucumbers - 5, 20, 21, 24, 25;
- Tomatoes - 5, 6, 7, 15, 20, 21, 24, 25;
- Eggplants - 5, 6, 15, 20, 21, 24, 25;
- Radish, radish - 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15;
- Sweet pepper - 5, 6, 10, 11, 20, 21, 24, 25;
- Various greens - 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 20, 21;
- Cabbage - 10, 11, 15, 20, 21, 24, 25.
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 need to 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 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