When to plant hyacinths in 2021 according to the moon and how to care for them outdoors

Hyacinth

Hyacinths are a rather heat-loving crop, considered by many gardeners to be finicky. However, with proper cultivation techniques, this plant grows well and doesn't require special attention. For this flower, planting in the fall is the best solution. However, planting and caring for them outdoors in the fall requires a combination of cultivation techniques that gardeners must follow. One important consideration is choosing the right time for planting, taking into account the 2021 lunar calendar, as well as the regional climate and current weather.

Hyacinth planting dates according to the lunar calendar

When planting hyacinths in the fall, it's best to consider the lunar phase—this will increase the chances that the bulbs will survive the procedure and establish themselves in their new location. This is because the moon has a significant influence on sap flow within the planting material and can either ease or make the acclimatization period more difficult for the plant. The table lists the easiest dates for planting hyacinths in 2021 according to the lunar calendar during the fall season, as well as days when it's not advisable to handle the flowers.

Month	Dates on which hyacinths tolerate planting well	Days when it is not advisable to plant bulbs
September	1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 24, 25, 29, 30	6, 7, 8, 21
October	8, 9, 12, 13, 21, 22, 26, 27,	5, 6, 7, 20
November	1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 17, 18, 27, 28, 29, 30	4, 5, 6, 19

Note!

In addition to favorable days and those on which it's undesirable to plant hyacinth bulbs, there are also neutral dates. On these dates, it's acceptable to plant hyacinths, as the celestial body doesn't have a negative impact on them, but it also doesn't increase their chances of successfully acclimating to the open ground.

Benefits of autumn planting

Autumn is the best time for planting hyacinthsBulbous plants are rarely planted in the spring, as it's more difficult and poses greater risks to the crop. When choosing autumn for planting hyacinths, gardeners are simultaneously addressing several issues related to the crop's care requirements. This time of year is more suitable for planting than spring for the following reasons:

During the summer season, the bulbs have time to accumulate the necessary amount of nutrients, so they will more easily survive planting in open soil for the winter.
With the onset of autumn, the growth processes within the bulbs gradually slow down—the plant enters a dormant phase, which makes it possible to transplant or replant the bulbs with virtually no consequences for their condition.
When hyacinth bulbs are placed in open ground in summer, even in the last days, there is a risk that they will not only take root in the new location, but also sprout.

What factors influence

To properly plant hyacinth bulbs so they survive the winter and bloom early in the spring, gardeners must consider many factors. The degree and quality of bulbous plant survival in a new location in open soil is influenced not only by favorable dates according to the lunar calendar, but also by the following factors:

climatic features of the region where hyacinths are grown;
current weather conditions;
bulb size;
quality of preparation and timeliness of landing.

Attention!

When planting hyacinths in open ground, the weather should be cloudy but not rainy. Soil temperatures should be between 7 and 10˚ C at a depth of approximately 15 cm, and air temperatures should reach 10 to 15˚ C.

Growing region

Hyacinths are a fairly heat-loving crop, naturally growing in conditions similar to those found in southern Russia. However, even in the south, it's recommended to dig up and replant the bulbs in the fall. The appropriate time to plant hyacinth bulbs in open soil depends primarily on the climate of the region where they're grown:

In the temperate climate zone – Moscow region, Tver, Smolensk, Yaroslavl, Bryansk, Tula, Kaluga – the bulbs are planted deep in the last ten days of September, first of October.
In the Leningrad region, hyacinth bulbs are planted at the same time as in central Russia. However, during rainy autumns, they should be planted in well-drained beds that are insulated for the winter.
In the Urals, bulbs are planted in open ground throughout September, with the exact timing depending on the weather forecast. They are chosen so that severe frosts will not occur for at least three weeks after planting.
In the Siberian climate, hyacinths are planted before winter no later than the first ten days of September.
In the South – the Caucasus, Crimea, Krasnodar Krai – it is permissible to plant hyacinth bulbs in open soil until the last ten days of November.

The exact timing is determined by the weather forecast, as if the bulb doesn't have time to develop roots, it won't survive the winter. Also, in the climate of central Russia and harsher regions, bulbous perennials need to be insulated before winter. Wood sawdust, shavings, agrotextile, or peat mixture are used to cover the beds.

Varietal affiliation

When planting hyacinths outdoors in the fall, their variety doesn't significantly affect the order in which they are planted. However, it's recommended to consider the bulb size—the larger the bulb, the earlier they should be planted. This is because smaller bulbs root more quickly, while larger ones require more time to acclimate.

Landing features

When planting hyacinths, choose a location that takes their characteristics into account. The better the site, the more luxuriant the plant's blooms will be. It's important that the chosen location closely matches the hyacinth's natural growth pattern. The key conditions required for this beautiful flowering plant to thrive are as follows:

The location should be chosen so that it is well lit throughout the day.
The area must be protected from winds and drafts.
The plant cannot be planted in lowlands, as it does not tolerate stagnant water and close groundwater levels.
The area needs to have a slight slope so that water after precipitation does not accumulate near the bulbs.
Hyacinths should not be planted in tree trunk circles, as this will cause them to lack nutrients.
The soil needs to be neutral, permeable to air and moisture, loose, light and well-drained.

Attention!

Hyacinths do not tolerate acidic soils, as well as heavy or clayey soils. In the latter case, it is necessary to add sand to the area where the bulbs will be planted.

Preparing the bulbs

Before planting, carefully inspect the bulbs. The bulbs should show no signs of disease or pest infestation; it's best to discard any such specimens. These bulbs are not recommended for planting, as the disease or pests may spread to healthy bulbs. After sorting, soak them for 10-30 minutes in a solution of any fungicide—Fundazol or a similar product—diluted according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Soil requirements

It's important to prepare the soil in the area you're planning to plant hyacinth mother plants in advance. A minimum of 2-3 weeks is recommended, but 1-2 months is better. This will allow the soil time to settle after planting. Late soil preparation can cause root breakage as the bulbs settle. Basic soil preparation steps include:

We dig the area to a depth of 40-50 cm - 2-3 bayonet garden spades or cultivate the area with a cultivator.
To increase the overall nutritional value of the soil, you can add organic and mineral fertilizers according to the instructions for the compositions.
For heavy and clayey soil, be sure to add lowland peat and river sand at a rate of 1 bucket per 1 m².
For light sandy soil, it is recommended to add 1 bucket of lowland peat, leaf humus or turf soil per 1 m².
If the acidity in the selected area is increased (pH below 6.5), then the soil is treated with alkaline compounds.
When adding any additives to the area where hyacinths are planted, be sure to re-dig or cultivate the soil.
When all work is completed, you need to loosen and level the surface layer with a rake.

Attention!

To combat increased acidity, you can use special compounds purchased from a garden store according to the instructions, or dolomite flour - at least 500 g per 1 m² at a pH of up to 4.5, 400 g per m² at a pH of 4.5-5.2, and 300 g per m² at a pH of 5.2-6.

Planting and care

To properly plant hyacinth bulbs in open ground, it's important to consider the planting pattern for individual plants. To ensure proper flower development, the distance between the holes should be at least 15 cm. If the bulbs are small, it's acceptable to reduce the distance to 10 cm. It's best to space the beds approximately 20 cm apart. The planting depth is calculated based on the height of the bulbs:

The size of the mother plant needs to be multiplied by 3 – for a 5 cm bulb, the planting depth is at least 15 cm.
If the soil in the designated area is heavy and nutritious, then even when diluted with sand, it is recommended to reduce the depth by 2 cm.
In light soil, it is recommended to plant large bulbs 2-3 cm deeper than the calculated depth.

If the soil has not been pre-treated with fertilizer, it is recommended to increase the depth of the hyacinth planting holes by 3-4 cm to accommodate a small amount of compost underneath the plant. This fertilizer should be covered with sifted sand to protect the mother plants from rotting. Otherwise, such a layer is also necessary. The rest of the planting process follows this procedure:

We place all the sprouted bulbs in the prepared holes, placing the plants with the bottom down and the top up, without pressing them into the sand cushion.
Cover all plants with a layer of dry, sifted river sand. This layer will improve drainage and reduce the risk of rot.
We pour soil on top of the sand, up to the main level, without compacting it, so as not to crush the hyacinth mother plants.

Methods of transplanting bulbs

Repotting hyacinth bulbs is an important task. This procedure is necessary to maintain abundant flowering and maintain the plant's normal condition. Leaving them in one place for a long time not only depletes the soil but also leads to the accumulation of pathogenic bacteria, which leads to the death of the bulbs. To ensure the plant blooms in the spring, dig up the hyacinths immediately after all the leaves have fallen.

The digging period is from June to early July, 1.5 to 2 months after flowering has finished. Replanting in open ground is done in the same way as the initial planting—in the fall, from September to November. The exact timing depends on the region's climate and weather forecast. If the summer is damp and the bulbs are left in the ground, there is a risk of rot.

Common growing mistakes

When grown outdoors, hyacinths are resistant to various plant diseases and pests. Problems are more common when growing young seedlings and in greenhouses. Various deformities of the flower stalk, stunted plant development, or rapid wilting indicate a violation of agricultural practices. Common causes of hyacinth problems include:

Purchasing infected or damaged bulbs without subsequent processing and culling.
Planting hyacinths in an area with acidic or heavy soil without preliminary liming.
Use of fresh manure or high concentrations of mineral compounds as fertilizer.
Planting flowers after other tuberous or root crop plants without renewing the soil layer with fertilizers.
Refusal to disinfect the soil in seedling containers and in the area where flowers are permanently grown.
Over- or under-watering of the soil during the period of active plant growth.
Failure to comply with the nominal storage conditions for bulbs after digging in the autumn season.

Attention!

The main reason for underdevelopment of a plant or its flower stalks is improper bulb storage. Excessive or insufficient temperature conditions lead to changes in cell division activity.

If you take into account the climatic features of the region's location and agricultural practices, there won't be any problems with the growth and flowering of hyacinths. However, to ensure normal plant development, it's recommended to take the time to study the 2021 lunar calendar. Favorable and unfavorable days for growing bulbous plants are marked based on the influence of the Earth's satellite on vegetation and its position relative to the zodiac constellations.