Now it is difficult to find at least one summer resident who does not have tomatoes on the plot. For a long time, tomatoes have become common favorites. Growing seedlings at home is not difficult. But the process of planting seedlings - it is troublesome.
Transplanting even the most seasoned seedlings is a stress that needs to be reduced, following certain rules for planting seedlings. It is about these rules and will be discussed in the article. You will learn when to plant tomato seeds, whether it is possible to transfer seedlings to open ground in April and how to determine that it is ready for planting.
The importance of correct timing
Many people believe that the earlier the seedlings are planted, the faster the harvest can be obtained. That is why they start planting tomatoes ahead of time. However, this is a big mistake. It is very important to choose the right time for planting seedlings., because the seedlings have a certain storage time and the plant needs a large amount of light.
In winter, a short light day, so this is not the best time to plant. The seedling must be strong, and without sufficient lighting, it will not be so. Therefore, it is necessary to additionally highlight it, which will lead to additional waste. When the first shoots appear, they need to be lit around the clock for two to three days. To do this, use a fluorescent lamp. Then the plant should receive coverage of 10-12 hours.
The duration of storage of seedlings is another reason for which you must comply with the planting time.
At home, tomato seedlings can be no longer than two months, planting in open ground or greenhouse occurs after this period. It is considered the strongest seedlings, which was planted in late March or early April. Her growth will be much more active than the one that was planted in February.
What determines the time of the picks?
The correct time for planting seedlings is largely dependent on the variety of tomatoes. They can be:
- early maturing;
- mid-season;
- late maturity.
Depending on this, the time of planting will also vary. Late-ripening tomatoes require planting in January-February, and early-ripening and mid-ripening need to be planted in March.
Much also depends on the region in which tomatoes will be grown. In regions where there are long and cold winters, planting of seedlings will occur earlier.
Terms from planting seeds to transfer plants to open ground or greenhouse
When planting seeds it is necessary to choose the optimal time. In order not to slow down the growth of the plant, you need not to overdo its transplant to a permanent place. It is important to calculate not only the dates in which the seedlings should be planted, but also the dates for sowing seeds on the seedlings at home. It is necessary to sow 55-65 days before transplanting to open ground.
Terms of sowing and transplanting seedlings to the ground depend on climatic conditions. therefore Duration of sowing and diving of tomatoes will vary for different regions.
When it is possible to sow seeds and in what time it is necessary to plant ready seedlings depending on the region of tomato cultivation:
- in the southern regions of Russia crops are sown from February 20 to March 15, and transplanted into the ground from April 15 to May 20;
- for central regions planting time from March 15 to April 1, and transplant from May 10 to June 1;
- in Siberia, in the Urals and in the northern regions sown from 1 to 15 May, and transplanted - from 25 May to 15 June.
You can also calculate the exact time based on the varieties of tomatoes and knowing the length of their growing season.
Vegetation period for early and hybrid varieties is 100 days. If you want to get a harvest by the end of July, then you just need to count a hundred days, add 7-10 days to them for germination and 3-5 days for the adaptation of seedlings in the ground. Thus, sowing should occur around April 1.
The growing season of different varieties of tomatoes is:
- early - 85-90 days;
- mid-season - 90-110 days;
- late maturity 110-115 days.
The same time depends on where the seedlings will be planted: in the greenhouse or in the open ground. If you plan to plant it in the greenhouse, then it should be grown until mid-May, in the ground - until June 10th. The age of seedlings for planting should be 50-60 days (depending on the variety of tomatoes). Therefore, when landing in a greenhouse, sowing should occur on March 10, and when landing in the ground - on April 5.
Same when planting seedlings do not forget about the temperature. Tomatoes are very thermophilic. The temperature for their normal growth should be above +15 degrees. If the temperature is +15, this will lead to the cessation of flowering and the formation of fruits, and at +10 degrees their growth will stop completely.
And of course, besides the listed recommendations, you should take into account when you want to harvest the first crop.
Video review of sowing seeds of tomatoes:
What are the best dates to plant?
What should be the appearance of sprouts of tomatoes?
Before planting seedlings in open ground or greenhouse, it should be sufficiently strengthened and adapted to the climatic conditions in which it will continue to grow. Whether the seedlings are ready for transplantation can be recognized by its appearance.
For transplanting, the stem should reach a length of 25-30 cm. Also on it should be 6-7 full sheets and one flowering brush. But it may not appear.
Depending on the weather
You can land in tenths of May. However, the climatic features of the region in which the landing will take place should not be missed. If there is a possibility that frost will occur at the beginning or middle of the month, then the landing should be postponed to the end of May. The weather should be warm spring.
It is important to observe the following conditions:
- A suitable temperature - in the afternoon, the temperature should be + 20 ... +22 degrees, at night - not lower than +15. Soil temperature +15, but not less than +10.
- Exception of frosts - even at a temperature of -1 tomatoes slow down their growth and retard fruiting. No one is insured against the return of frosts, so tomatoes are covered with a special covering material or film.
Given the region
It all depends on the climatic features and weather conditions of different regions.
- Middle Polesie (Moscow region) - the second half of May - the beginning of June.
- Ural and Siberia - The end of May - the middle of June.
- Southern regions - the end of April - the beginning of May.
By lunar calendar
Whether to resort to the help of the lunar calendar in this matter is a purely individual decision. If you decide to resort to this method, then you can familiarize yourself with the recommendations for a particular year, which indicate the exact dates.
Seedlings are planted after the new moon, in the first phase of the moon. On the new moon or the full moon, as well as 12 hours before and after, planting is not recommended.
Growing tomatoes is troublesome. But observing all the rules of sowing seeds, growing and planting seedlings, as well as the rules of subsequent care, you will certainly get the well-deserved result of their labors. This is a great crop that your whole family can enjoy.
