Do peppers need to be picked and what are the best days for planting in 2020?

Pricking out peppers is a responsible task. To avoid damaging the seedlings, gardeners consider the purpose of the procedure and its specifics, and then decide on its feasibility. Those who rely on the lunar phases when choosing a favorable date for transplanting will be interested in the question of when to pick peppers in 2020 according to the lunar calendar. This will be a lifesaver for any gardener, as it makes it easy to determine the most favorable days for peppers in 2020.

Is it worth diving?

The structure of the pepper root system makes it sensitive to soil changes and requires a long recovery period after transplantation. Therefore, many vegetable growers are unsure whether it's better to replant these finicky plants or leave them in their current location. Moving plants from a common container to separate small containers allows them to absorb more nutrients from the soil and gives the roots room to grow. However, this cultivation method carries the risk of damaging the fragile roots, which often leads to pepper disease.

For this reason, it's recommended to repot only young seedlings, as the process is painless for them, unlike mature seedlings. It's also strongly recommended to separate peppers that were sown in small trays or 2-3 per container. In these cases, the transshipment method is used: the seedlings are transferred to a new container along with the soil, which minimizes the risk of damaging the roots.

The pros and cons of diving

When deciding on the feasibility of carrying out the seating procedure, summer residents weigh the pros and cons. The advantages include:

• increased yield due to sowing of planting material in large volumes;
• strengthening the stem;
• the growth of a root system that firmly holds the above-ground part of the crop in bad weather;
• increased growth of fibrous roots, which are responsible for saturating the sprouts with moisture and useful microelements from the soil;
• selection of the healthiest seedlings capable of producing a good harvest;
• saving space from sowing to transfer to the site;
• hardening of seedlings, increasing their resistance to diseases.

However, pricking out is not without its drawbacks. It's labor-intensive, as the roots are easily damaged. Frequent soil changes and root wounds can encourage infections that spread to the entire seedling, ultimately destroying it. Another drawback is delayed fruit ripening due to the slower development of the above-ground part of the plant. Sometimes the harvest can take up to a month longer to arrive.

The influence of the moon phases on pepper

Each of the four lunar phases has a different effect on the biological processes occurring within seedlings. The periods when the moon is in its waxing and waning phases are considered favorable for any gardening work, including transplanting. When choosing a favorable date, consider the condition of the plants. If their stems are elongated, transplant the peppers during the waning moon. If the seedlings have not yet had time to establish themselves, it is recommended to transplant them during the waning moon. It is recommended to leave the plants alone during the full and new moons.

When compiling lunar calendars, astrologers also take into account the zodiac sign the Earth's satellite will be in. Favorable periods are considered to be when the moon is in Taurus, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn, Scorpio, Pisces, and especially Virgo. When the moon is in "infertile" signs—Aries, Leo, or Aquarius—planting is postponed to another day. These are general rules that gardeners across the country strive to adhere to.

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Days for diving

Pepper seedlings are usually transplanted into new containers 17-20 days after sowing. The plants are ready when they reach the third true leaf. Sometimes, young seedlings, still in the cotyledon stage, or overgrown plants, which already have 4-6 true leaves at the time of transplanting, are transplanted. However, experts advise against either early or late replanting, as both options increase the already significant risk of damaging the delicate roots.

When determining the best time to transplant, many vegetable growers consult the lunar calendar. It indicates favorable days for agricultural work. The table below shows the dates for 2020 when transplanting will be most and least productive.

To ensure the timing is right, consider the growing region. In the central part of the country, including the Moscow region, the Leningrad region, and the Volga region, transplanting is scheduled for March 15th-20th, with the seedlings ready to be moved under plastic or into greenhouses by mid-May. In the Urals, Siberia, the Far East, and northern regions, peppers are being planted From late March to mid-April. Residents of southern regions (for example, Krasnodar Krai) do without transplanting.

How to properly transplant peppers

Before starting the procedure, the soil is moistened: this helps the root ball adhere better to the roots, making the plant easier to replant. Next, prepare new containers, such as cups, pots, or multi-section containers. The containers and soil are first disinfected, for example, with a solution of potassium permanganate. Fill each container one-third full with a layer of potting soil, compact it, and begin planting the seedlings:

1. Make a small hole in fresh soil and pour water into it.
2. Using a spoon or spatula, carefully remove the sprouts from the common container. They are transferred one at a time.
3. The pepper is placed in the hole at the same depth as in the original container.
4. They ensure that the roots point downwards and don't bend. Sometimes the seedling is buried a little deeper and then pulled out to ensure the root system assumes the correct position.
5. Sprinkle the roots with soil and compact lightly.
6. Water the plant with warm water.

The process for transplanting seedlings is fairly simple, but each step requires extreme care. Containers with transplanted seedlings are placed in a warm, dark place with a temperature between 20°C and 22°C.

Helpful tips

Once the seedlings have been transplanted into new containers, proper care becomes crucial. Experts offer several tips that will be helpful for both novice and experienced gardeners:

1. Place the pepper jars on trays and move them closer to the windows, avoiding direct sunlight. A south- or southeast-facing windowsill is ideal.
2. Regarding temperature control, during the first week after transplanting, maintain a room temperature of 20°C to 22°C during the day and no lower than 14°C at night. Then, increase it to 23°C to 22°C during the day and 18°C ​​to 20°C at night.
3. Moisten the soil only 4-6 days after repotting. Water the seedlings once a week in the morning with warm, settled water (the optimal temperature is about 27°C). Drainage should be provided in each pot to allow excess moisture to drain.
4. The culture loves fresh air, so the room is often ventilated.
5. Before planting, seedlings are fertilized twice. The first time is two weeks after transferring them to a new container. For this, 1 teaspoon of urea and 2 tablespoons of double superphosphate are diluted in 10 liters of water. The second feeding is given three days before planting outdoors. It consists of 1 tablespoon of potassium sulfate and 3 tablespoons of double superphosphate, diluted in 10 liters of water.

With proper care, the seedlings will be healthy, bright green, without drooping leaves or elongated stems. In this case, 80-85 days after picking, the seedlings are ready for transplanting to a greenhouse or garden plot.

Properly transplanting pepper seedlings will result in healthier plants. Choosing a favorable day is crucial. A lunar calendar can help determine the date. With proper care after transplanting into open ground, the seedlings will yield a rich and delicious harvest.