Seedling sowing calendar for 2024: lunar and regional

Today we'll cover a fairly broad topic: sowing times for various crops grown in our country from seedlings. The key months for sowing are February, March, April, and May, and we'll discuss them, with updates for 2024.

We'll also discuss how to care for seedlings before transplanting them to their permanent location in the ground, and the dates, as this process is also very important. We'll also consider what to do during which moon phases, and whether the zodiac signs the moon passes through influence the outcome.

Lunar cycles

The importance of considering the moon's phases stems from its effect on sap flow in plants. Its cycle typically lasts 29-30 days. During this time, the celestial body goes through phases:

• new moon;
• is growing;
• full moon;
• decreases.

When the Moon and the Sun are on the same side relative to the Earth, the side facing the Earth is not illuminated by the sun—this is the waxing phase. At this time, the Earth's satellite appears in the sky as a narrow crescent. As the planets move, the segment of the Moon that receives sunlight reflected from the Earth grows. The juices of all living things rise upward.

The first quarter is the position of the Moon when, after the new moon, it is half illuminated. The third quarter is when, after the full moon, the illumination decreases to half.

Unfavorable days for sowing and planting include the new moon, the full moon, and the days immediately before and after them. Due to the complex interaction between the moon and the sun during these days, plants' vitality and energy are weakened, they germinate more slowly, experience noticeable delays in development, and yields are low.

The waning moon phase, on the other hand, is characterized by a concentration of cell sap in the underground parts of crops. These days are favorable for picking seedlings and planting bulbous, tuberous, and root vegetables.

Its passage through the signs of the Zodiac affects the fertility of plants planted under this sign. That is, Fruit-bearing crops should be planted in signs that are distinguished by fertilityAnd ornamental plants, such as vines, are best planted in barren signs. Fertility and influence are distributed as follows:

• Scorpio (spicy vegetables), Cancer (low-growing plants), and Pisces (early ripening) are the most fertile water signs. Crops sown or planted during these days will thrive and yield a bountiful harvest.
• Libra (patron of legumes and cabbage), Sagittarius (tall plants), Capricorn (bulbs and root vegetables) and Taurus (patron of all plants) are signs of average fertility.
• Gemini (curly), Virgo (favorable for decorative flowers), Aquarius (forbidden), Leo (responsible for trees and shrubs) and Aries (green) are considered barren signs.

Can you guess the riddle we have prepared for you?!

Heat-loving, sweet,

Empty and very smooth,

It grows in the garden bed,

It gives a wonderful taste!

Deadlines

The seedling method of growing vegetables is used in all regions of Russia except the southern ones. When calculating the working day, it's important to consider regional characteristics (the beginning of the frost-free period) and the length of the growing season for individual crops. Depending on the climate, seedling cultivation is carried out between February and May. We'll include these months in our table, which will become an indispensable cheat sheet for a beginner this year.

When to transplant seedlings

Pricking out is done when 1-3 true leaves (not cotyledons) appear. Plants require a larger feeding area, so they should be transplanted into larger containers with prepared substrate.

It's best to choose days during the waning moon. This is when the rapid adaptation of the underground parts of the plants—the roots—is more important. Accordingly, favorable days for our work will be different:

• February: 1-8, 26-29;
• March: 1-8, 27-31;
• April: 1-6, 26-30;
• May: 1-6, 25-31.

After picking, you can start tidying up the garden and vegetable patch, cultivating the soil, planning the beds, preparing the greenhouses and the plot.

Days that are not suitable for sowing seeds and periods when it's best not to disturb plants are ideal for this. These include the days of the Full Moon, the New Moon, and the days before and after them.

• February: 9-11, 23-25;
• March: 9-11, 24-26;
• April: 7-9, 23-25;
• 7-9, 22-24.

What is allowed to be done:

1. Snow retention.
2. Pruning dry branches.
3. Soil cultivation.
4. Substrate preparation.
5. Cleaning the area.
6. Control of diseases (for example, on indoor plants) and pests.
7. Removal of weeds and other debris.

After completing gardening chores, pest control, and tidying up, you can begin transplanting seedlings and sowing seeds into greenhouses or garden beds. In this regard, agricultural experts recommend relying primarily on the weather and only then on the moon. The recommended times for transplanting vegetables and flowers into hotbeds, greenhouses, and open ground, as well as sowing seeds directly, are summarized in a single table.

Favorable days fall for the "tops"/"roots" on:

• March: 12-23/1-8, 27-31;
• April: 10-22/1-6, 26-30;
• May: 10-21/1-6, 25-31;
• June: 8-20/1-4, 24-30.

Detailed breakdown by region

When calculating the planting date for vegetable seedlings, it's important to consider the region. Russia is divided into the following regions:

• The southern ones are the Krasnodar region, Astrakhan, Volgograd, Rostov regions, the republics of Adygea, Kalmykia, and the country of Ukraine can also be included here;
• Central Black Earth - this is the Voronezh, Belgorod, Kursk, Lipetsk and Tambov regions;
• The middle zone is the Moscow region, Nizhny Novgorod and Ivanovo regions;
• Ural and Siberian regions;
• Far East.

Regions differ in the number of frost-free days per year, the date of the onset of the period without subzero temperatures, and the date of the onset of autumn frosts.

In the southern regions, with the longest frost-free season—up to 180 days—sowing seeds directly into open ground is acceptable. In the Urals and Siberia, where frost-free seasons are limited to about 65 days, seedlings are essential, otherwise the plants will not have time to develop and produce a harvest.

The beginning of the frost-free period in the regions determines the date for transferring seedlings to greenhouses or open ground.

In the southern regions, vegetable crops are planted after April 10th, while in the Ural and Siberian regions, as well as in the Far East, they are planted by mid-June. The climate of the central zone allows seedlings to be transplanted into open ground in late spring. In the northwest, this period begins in early summer.

Useful tips for gardeners and horticulturists

In addition to the lunar calendar, several helpful tips from the team at growwise-en.techinfus.com will help you grow strong seedlings:

• do not neglect pre-sowing seed treatment (only those treated by the manufacturer - they are colored - do not require soaking and disinfection);
• When choosing a substrate, do not skimp on quality;
• Sowing too early can lead to problems with overgrown seedlings, so plan your timing carefully;
• any soil (purchased or prepared independently) requires disinfection;
• the container must have drainage holes, the diameter of a simple pencil;
• If the seedlings sprouted in February or early to mid-March in the Central Belt or in more remote regions, then the organization of artificial lighting is mandatory;
• to prevent the sprouts from stretching out in length after germination, they need to be moved to a room with an air temperature of 16-18 C° for 1-2 weeks;
• water plants only with settled water, without chlorine;
• the seedlings will be straight if they are periodically turned relative to the light source;
• young seedlings are afraid of drafts;
• It is better to water the seedlings as the soil dries out, while avoiding getting moisture on the green mass;
• Plants that have 4-10 (depending on the crop) true leaves are considered ready for transplantation.

Answer to the riddle at the beginning of the article: "Bulgarian pepper".