When to plant strawberry seeds for seedlings

If you're planning to grow strawberries from seeds, wait until the Moon is in Pisces or Gemini. This should coincide with the full and new moon phases. It may seem strange, but the lunar calendar is recommended for sowing seeds for seedlings.

Since this calendar is not as static as the usual one we are accustomed to, each year has its own favorable dates for carrying out various agricultural procedures.

Unfavorable days for sowing and planting

In 2018, favorable dates for sowing seeds for seedlings will be February 8th and March 6-7th, as this is when the moon will be close to Gemini and Pisces. If you're unable to catch this elusive celestial body and the favorable dates have passed, you can plant at other times, but avoid these dates:

• in January – 1-2; 11-13; 27-29;
• in February – 4; 10-12; 24-27;
• in March – 5; 11-13; 20; 23-25; 27-28;
• in April – 10-12; 19-21; 25-26.

During these days, it's best not to touch the soil at all, much less plant any berry crops. This is because the moon transits zodiac houses on these dates, which adversely affect the growth and rooting of these plants. Full and new moons should also be avoided, as seedlings sown and transplanted on these days will be weaker.

How to plant strawberries and wild strawberries for seedlings

Strawberries can be planted in any container; even a bowl or box will do. The key is to have a drainage hole to prevent excess moisture from stagnating. Next, prepare the nutrient-rich soil—a 4:1 mixture of peat and sand. Fill the bottom of the container with expanded clay to a depth of 2 centimeters, then add a layer of soil. Ordinary soil from a garden bed, pre-baked in the oven, will also work. You can also add vermicompost if you have it. Once the container for planting the seedlings is prepared, you can begin sowing. The seeds are evenly distributed in the furrows to avoid excessive density.

There's a very interesting method for sowing strawberry and wild strawberry seeds, which is especially popular among gardeners. You'll need a regular plastic bottle. Cut it lengthwise to create a roof. The bottom and neck of the bottle should be left intact. Fill the bottle to the brim with fertile soil, top it with a layer of snow, and then spread the seeds on top. The planting material is clearly visible against a white background, making it easy to evenly distribute it in rows. Next, seal the container tightly with tape. Strawberries will grow well in this greenhouse-like structure.

May is considered the best time to plant strawberry seedlings in the garden in 2018. In fact, planting can be done throughout the month. If the weather is favorable and warm, frost-free weather has been stable for a long time, you can begin transplanting young plants even as early as April. However, make sure the soil has warmed sufficiently under the spring sun. Fall planting is also possible. You can plant young plants until mid-September. The main thing is to give them time to establish themselves before the cold weather sets in.

Strawberry beds are typically positioned north to south. This ensures sufficient snow cover and protects them from strong winds. It's also important to consider what previously grew in the area. Growing strawberries immediately after cucumbers and cabbage is not recommended. Garlic, onions, and herbs, however, are the best precursors, as they discourage pests that enjoy young shoots and juicy fruits.

How and when to propagate strawberries using tendrils

Strawberries are a perennial crop that can grow in the same place for up to five years. The best harvests come from mature plants. The best replacement for an old plant is a buried runner, which emerges in the summer and takes root.

A runner is essentially a shoot from a strong bush. When a plant produces runners, its yield temporarily decreases. Therefore, unless you're trying to propagate strawberries, it's best to remove the runners immediately. Typically, a strawberry bed is renewed every five years, and strawberry growers should keep this in mind. Old bushes can be replaced with new ones using daughter shoots. If desired, you can plant a new variety grown from seed. Seedlings should be started 1.5 months before the expected harvest.

Is it worth planting strawberries in February 2018?

Strawberries and wild strawberries awaken from hibernation immediately after the snow melts, as soon as the sun begins to warm. Fresh, young leaves can be seen almost immediately, as long as the outside temperature is above freezing. These crops are not afraid of cold, and they only need heat to ripen the berries. Therefore, it is quite reasonable to plant seeds for seedlings as early as February. However, strawberry plants do not germinate very quickly. To transplant young plants to the garden in April, you need to prepare the seedlings in late winter.

It's best to choose seeds from small and medium-sized varieties. They produce a good harvest, rich in vitamins and possessing a special sweetness. Larger, hybrid varieties are most often used in greenhouses and for commercial harvesting. This is why store-bought berries don't have the same rich flavor as those grown at home.

When to sow strawberries and strawberries for greenhouses in 2018

Frosts and extremely low temperatures can cause young leaves to turn black. Therefore, berry seedlings can be planted in a greenhouse in the fall. This will protect the future harvest, and the first juicy berries will appear as early as June of the following year. Gardeners typically choose late November to early December for this time. However, simply planting the bushes under plastic is not enough. Providing special lighting and warming the air and soil is also essential.

Timing of sowing and planting strawberries in Siberia and the Urals

The Siberian region has its own rules and timing for sowing and planting strawberries. Since the climate there is harsher for most crops, a balanced approach is necessary. The Siberian summer lasts only 45 days, so there aren't many warm, sunny days for ripening berries. This should be taken into account when choosing a sowing date. The first ripe fruits may not appear until late June or early July. Therefore, seeds should not be planted in containers with soil until March. It's best to keep the seedlings indoors, gradually hardening them off. Transplanting them to the garden is best done on a rainy day in late spring or early summer.

The Ural region's climate is very similar to Siberia's. At least for strawberries, they differ little. Therefore, the timing for planting seeds for seedlings is roughly the same. The optimal time in 2018 is from March 4th to 8th. The best time to transplant the plants to the garden is from June 1st to 7th or May 27th.

Strawberry sowing and planting dates in the Moscow region in 2018

For the Moscow region, the ideal time to begin germinating strawberry seeds is January and February. In 2018, according to the lunar calendar, February 3rd to 8th falls. These are the most favorable days, which, according to astrologers, have a positive effect on future growth. Therefore, the bushes should be planted in the ground on April 28th to 29th. The ideal time for propagation is from June 30th to July 4th. During these days, you can root the runners of the selected bush to significantly increase the harvest this year. The best time to replace old bushes with new ones is the last days of May, between the 27th and 28th.

Growing strawberries on a windowsill

Growing greens on your windowsill, once a fashionable pastime, is still popular. However, today, in addition to green onions and dill, you can find seemingly unusual crops like cucumbers, tomatoes, and even strawberries. If you're planning to harvest strawberries on your windowsill, it's best to start preparing for this important undertaking by choosing your planting material. Not all varieties intended for greenhouse cultivation are suitable for such conditions. It's best to choose varieties that are tolerant of environmental conditions. Furthermore, the indoor temperature, lighting, and humidity levels must be optimal. Otherwise, you can forget about harvesting the berries.

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South- or east-facing windowsills are ideal for placing strawberry pots. Without these, you'll need to constantly provide supplemental lighting for the seedlings, which will create additional problems. The optimal temperature range for strawberries is approximately 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. If the air isn't humid enough, you'll need to mist the plants with a spray bottle. This is especially true during the winter.

Strawberries grow well from seed, but most gardeners still use runner propagation. Knowing these simple rules, you can easily update your garden with new varieties of this berry crop.