Planting eggplant seedlings in the Leningrad region

Eggplants are heat-loving vegetables with a long growing season, so seeds for seedlings should be sown no later than early March. When determining the exact timing in the Leningrad Region, consider the 2024 lunar calendar with favorable days, the regional climate, the forecast weather conditions, and the variety's characteristics.

Features of the region's climate

The Leningrad Region enjoys a temperate continental climate, with mild winters and warm, humid summers. The region's weather is changeable, driven by rapidly changing air masses. Geographically, the region extends extensively from west to east, so weather can vary significantly across the region.

Variable weather conditions affect farming practices in the Leningrad Region. Sowing seeds and planting seedlings in open ground occurs two weeks later than in central Russia. Natural stresses, such as prolonged thunderstorms, winds, heavy rains, and scorching heat, negatively impact crops.

Zoned varieties

When choosing a vegetable variety, consider the growing season, yield, and disease resistance.

The table presents the best eggplant varieties zoned for cultivation in the Leningrad Region.

The species are resistant to minor temperature changes, increased air humidity, and fungal infections.

New eggplant varieties are characterized by a lack of bitterness: Mishutka, Matrosik, Destan, and Mechta Ogorodnika. Compact bushes are chosen for greenhouses; popular varieties include Robin Hood, Bonus, and Vakula. Early and mid-season varieties are recommended for planting eggplants from seeds in the Leningrad Region. Due to climate conditions, late-season varieties may not have time to fully mature.

Lunar calendar

When determining the planting window, consider the length of the growing season. Early-ripening eggplants require 90-120 days to ripen, mid-season varieties 120-140 days, and late-ripening varieties more than 140 days.

Keep in mind that by the time of transplanting into open ground, the plant should have formed 7-8 true leaves. If planting is delayed, the eggplants will not have time to complete the growing season and ripen. If left on the windowsill for too long, the seedlings will stretch out.

The lunar calendar will help determine the planting date. Work should be carried out on days when the sky is waxing crescent—a favorable time for plants with fruiting "tops."

Favorable days:

Unfavorable:

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

All the rest are neutral.

Planting stages

Due to the specific climate in the Leningrad Region, eggplants are sown from seeds for seedlings. Before planting, prepare the soil and compost, and disinfect the containers where the plants will grow. If the room has high humidity, periodically ventilate the room. Eggplants should be shaded, as they do not like direct sunlight.

Preparing soil and seeds

Two to three days before sowing, soak the seeds in a growth stimulant, a weak solution of potassium permanganate, or a fungicide. Place the seedlings on a damp cloth and keep them in a warm, humid place. Once sprouted, place the seed in the soil to a depth of 3 cm.

During germination, the crop requires a temperature of +25°C to +30°C, with air humidity of 80-90%. For unsprouted seeds, the soil is moistened with meltwater – short-term exposure to cold stimulates plant growth and vitality, improving susceptibility to disease.

Eggplants thrive in loose, slightly acidic or neutral soil. A pH of 5.5-7.5 is recommended. You can purchase soil from a specialty store or prepare it yourself:

• mix river sand, peat, humus in a ratio of 1:4:3, add 0.2 kg of wood ash;
• mix compost, turf, rotted mullein (8:2:1).

Eggplant seedlings are sown in the Leningrad region beginning in February and March. A day before planting, the soil is placed in seedling boxes and fertilized with urea, superphosphate, and potassium salt. Since eggplants do not tolerate transplanting well, they are planted in peat pellets or trays. After planting, the pots are covered with glass or plastic wrap.

Caring for seedlings

After germination, seedlings are provided with temperatures of 15°C to 18°C ​​and humidity up to 70%. Light, warmth, and moisture are essential for growth and development. Seedling care guidelines:

1. Water as the top layer of soil dries. Water the seedlings with warm water, avoiding contact with the leaves. To improve oxygen supply to the roots, the soil should be loosened.
2. Avoid drafts and temperature changes.
3. Ventilate the room periodically.
4. After four true leaves have formed, fertilize with organic and mineral fertilizers. For a mixture of 5 liters of water, you'll need 75 g of superphosphate and 25 g of urea. Chicken manure and rotted cow manure can also be used.

This heat-loving crop responds poorly to shade, weed suppression, and root system oxygen deprivation. If light levels are low, plants are supplemented with a phytolamp, ensuring 12 hours of daylight. If pests (whiteflies and aphids) appear, the seedlings are sprayed with insecticides.

When can you plant in the ground?

The timing of transplanting into open ground is determined by the seedlings—the plants should have strong stems 20-25 cm tall and eight true leaves. Weather conditions are also taken into account—vegetables do not respond well to temperatures below 16°C. The table provides approximate planting times based on variety.

Before planting outdoors, seedlings need to be hardened off. A week before planting, the boxes are placed on a balcony or outside. The time spent outdoors is gradually increased, with no more than 15-20 minutes on the first day.

Planting diagram

Dig furrows 8-12 cm deep into the bed, adding well-rotted compost or humus to the bottom. Eggplants produce a good harvest in sunny areas, so avoid dense plantings by spacing the rows 50 cm apart.

Maintain a distance of up to 30 cm between seedlings. When planting, consider the variety characteristics specified by the breeders – if the bushes are spreading, increase the distance between seedlings.

Common mistakes

If care instructions aren't followed, plants will lag in growth and develop poorly. This can be caused by improper watering, insufficient fertilizer, or improper temperature control. Let's look at some common mistakes made when growing eggplants:

1. Pricking out seedlings. The plant's root system does not tolerate transplanting well, so it's best to grow seedlings in cassettes or peat pellets.
2. Lack of fertilizer leads to a deficiency of nutrients, and the seedlings turn yellow and wither.
3. Incorrect watering. The plant is sensitive to both excess and deficiency of moisture. Overwatering can lead to fungal infections, while underwatering can cause the plant to turn yellow.
4. Loosening the soil to a depth of 3-5 cm should be done correctly after watering.
5. Excessive green growth. Leave 3-4 shoots and remove the rest.
6. Incorrect fruit picking. To harvest, you must use a sharp object, such as scissors or pruning shears. Hand picking carries the risk of damaging the shoots.

If signs of fungal diseases are detected on one or two plants, it is recommended to remove the seedlings from the garden bed and burn them away from the garden plot. Yellowed and diseased leaves should also be promptly removed from the plants, as there is a risk of infecting the entire planting.

To combat fungi, use Maxim, Topaz, and Skor fungicides. Treatments are applied immediately upon detection of diseased shoots and foliage.

To grow a good eggplant harvest, the seedlings require proper care. It's essential to provide optimal light and warmth, water the plants regularly, and remove weeds. Adhering to the correct planting dates, taking into account the variety and favorable planting days according to the lunar calendar, is crucial.