Planting Tomatoes for a Greenhouse in 2021: Favorable Lunar Dates

When planting tomato seedlings for a greenhouse in 2021, it's important to follow a number of recommendations. First, choose favorable dates according to the lunar calendar, and second, adhere to the sowing times for different regions. Other important factors to consider include the region where the work is being carried out, the type of greenhouse, and the seeds used. Avoid unfavorable dates and ensure rapid germination.

Moon phases and their influence on plants, table of favorable days

Each of the Earth's phases affects seedlings, so it's essential to take these into account. Understanding all the nuances is easy; once you remember them, you can use the information when planting any other plants. And the favorable days for planting tomatoes in 2021 are summarized in a table to make it even easier to choose the best times.

As for the phases of the moon, everything is simple:

1. The full moon and new moon are not suitable for any planting. Furthermore, avoid sowing tomatoes and other crops two days before and two days after these cycles. During these periods, avoid any soil work unless absolutely necessary, with the possible exception of loosening the soil.
2. The waning moon promotes enhanced root growth in plants. You can carry out hilling, fertilizing, and even sow any root crops.
3. During the waxing moon, it's best to work with plants that form above-ground parts. This is a good time to sow seeds and transplant seedlings into a greenhouse or open ground.

If precise data is unavailable, it's worth at least using the phases as a guide. Information on these can be found in wall calendars and weather forecasts. Even this will be enough to improve germination and ensure favorable conditions for plants. The seedlings will be stronger and develop faster.

For best results, sow during the following periods:

Ideally, you should match the dates in the table exactly. But if that's not possible, then use the phase information provided above as a guide. Also, remember unfavorable dates; work should not be performed at all during these periods:

1. In February: 10, 11, 12, 27.
2. In March: 12, 13, 14, 28.
3. In April: 11, 12, 13, 27.

The easiest way is to plan suitable dates in advance, ensuring they fall on weekends or days when you can set aside a few hours for work. Ideally, have everything you need ready, avoiding wasting time on shopping trips or long searches for containers in the pantry or basement.

Peculiarities of work implementation for different regions

Planting tomatoes according to the lunar calendar for a greenhouse doesn't guarantee perfect results. It's important to consider the region where you're planting, as the warm season arrives at different times, and choosing the optimal time should be based on the climate of the planting site. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. For the Moscow region and central Russia, planting should be done in early or mid-March. Then, by late April or early May, the plants will be ready for transplanting to the greenhouse and will have established themselves well.
2. Siberia and the Urals have a later spring, so the timing should be shifted by 2-3 weeks. The exact timing should be chosen based on the climate, as it varies greatly even in neighboring regions.
3. For southern regions, on the contrary, move the dates earlier and carry out the work in February.
4. When the greenhouse is heated, adjust the sowing dates individually. Decide in advance when to start heating and calculate the timing accordingly to ensure timely seedling harvest.

Determining the sowing time is easy if you know the regional climate. In a greenhouse, the soil warms up 2-3 weeks earlier than outdoors, which causes the sowing time to shift. Avoid over-sowing potted plants, as they begin to stretch, and when transplanted, they have a much harder time establishing themselves and take longer to adapt.

How to plant

The process consists of several stages, each of which is important. For best results, it's essential to follow the instructions. Some of these should be done in advance to avoid wasting time later, while others should be done precisely at the right time to ensure rapid germination and good rooting.

Seed preparation

First of all, you should select a variety for greenhouse cultivationYou can find out which varieties are zoned for your region and choose those specifically. There are many options, but the following species have proven to be the best:

1. Eagle's heart.
2. Abakan pink.
3. Königsberg.
4. Apple tree of Russia.
5. Cio Cio San.
6. Puzata khata.
7. Monomakh's Cap.
8. Eagle's beak.
9. Golden domes.
10. Bull's heart.
11. De Barao.
12. Hurricane F1.
13. Buddy F1.
14. Typhoon F1.
15. Blagovest F1.
16. Tolstoy F1.
17. King of the Giants.

The advantage of regular varieties is that you can harvest the seeds yourself, choosing them from the largest, ripest fruits. Hybrids are more resistant to adverse conditions and are less susceptible to disease, but you can't collect seeds; you need to buy them annually. If you'll be growing a closed greenhouse, use only parthenocarpic (self-pollinating) varieties. Keep the following in mind:

1. Check the seeds for germination using salted water. Dissolve a teaspoon in a glass of warm water, add the seeds, stir, and let sit for 15 minutes. Discard any that float to the surface, rinse the remaining seeds, and dry them on a cloth.
2. Prepare a pink solution of potassium permanganate. Soak the seeds in it for about 20 minutes, then remove and rinse to remove any remaining disinfectant. Alternatively, use hydrogen peroxide or a specialized solution.
3. You can prepare a growth stimulator and soak the seeds in it. Follow all instructions on the packaging, as different formulations have different proportions and soaking times.
4. Wrap the seeds in a damp cloth and place them in a bag or plastic container. Refrigerate for 12-16 hours to harden.

After removing the planting material from the refrigerator, allow it to warm to room temperature for several hours before using it immediately. If the seeds have been treated or coated with a special coating, there is no need to pre-treat them.

Preparing containers and soil

Planting tomatoes correctly is impossible without selecting a container and soil in advance that will provide everything necessary for the seeds to develop and grow. These steps can be taken in advance so that you can simply sow the tomatoes on the right day. Keep the following in mind:

1. Choose large containers or individual cups. The latter option is good because it's easy to transplant later, but the former will also work. The minimum depth is 8 cm, and there should be drainage holes in the bottom to allow excess moisture to drain. Buy special containers or adapt what you have on hand.
2. The easiest way is to buy ready-made soil for seedlings; it contains everything needed for plant growth, so there's no need for additional preparation. If you're making your own soil, mix equal parts humus, garden soil, and sand. Add a little wood ash or a suitable mineral fertilizer.
3. The container and soil should be moved indoors at least a day before starting work so that they can warm up.

If using garden soil, disinfect it first or bake it in the oven to kill pathogens. Also treat the container with any special soil preparation, prepared strictly according to the instructions, without altering the proportions.

Planting and caring for seedlings

Follow the instructions strictly. It's especially important to create optimal conditions early on, when the seedlings are just emerging and are particularly vulnerable and demanding. Temperature and lighting requirements vary, so it's important to thoroughly study all the details to avoid mistakes:

1. Fill the containers with soil to within 1 to 2 cm of the top edge. Carefully level the surface, moisten the soil, and make furrows or holes 1 cm deep.
2. Scatter the seeds 5 cm apart, leaving about 5 cm between rows. Place two seeds at a time; even if some die, the seedlings will still sprout evenly. Gently cover with soil, avoid compacting the surface.
3. Cover the container with plastic wrap and place in a dark place at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. Remove the film daily and allow fresh air to enter. If necessary, spray the surface with warm water.
4. Once the seedlings emerge, remove the plastic wrap and move them to a windowsill or other bright location with a temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius. Water as the soil dries out.
5. Two weeks after germination, transplant the tomatoes into cups or separate containers, providing the best conditions for growth and root development. Keep them on a windowsill with at least 12 hours of daylight; if the weather is cloudy, use supplemental lighting.
6. Grow to a height of 25 to 35 cm—the optimal height for transplanting. A few days before transplanting, it's advisable to begin hardening off the seedlings by leaving them near an open window for a few hours.
7. Fertilize once every two weeks. The easiest and most effective way is to use complex formulations that are dissolved in water for fastest absorption by the root system.

Avoid drafts and sudden temperature changes, as these will weaken the plants and slow their growth. Another important rule is moderate watering; overwatering the soil significantly increases the risk of blackleg and other fungal diseases. If the air in your garden is dry, mist the above-ground portions of the plant with a spray bottle in the morning and evening.

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Features of planting in a greenhouse

The work should be carried out only if a number of conditions are met; if they are violated, the tomatoes will take a long time to adapt or even die. It doesn't matter where plant tomatoes in a greenhouse or in a greenhouse, when everything is done correctly, the stress for the plants will be minimal:

1. The soil temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius, and the air temperature should be between 16 and 19 degrees Celsius. To speed up the warming process, you can cover the soil with black plastic.
2. Dig up the soil first. Disinfect the greenhouse; the easiest way is to burn a sulfur candle.
3. Dig holes according to the manufacturer's recommended pattern on the packaging. They should be slightly larger than the plant's roots.
4. Remove the seedlings so as to cause as little damage to the roots as possible. Then place the tomatoes in the hole, fill it with soil, compact it gently, and water generously with settled water.
5. In the first period after the work, pay special attention to watering, after 10 days feed with a complex compositionIt is best to dilute it with water or apply it immediately after watering.
6. Loosen the soil to prevent a hard crust from forming on the surface. You can simplify maintenance even further by using mulch.

For greenhouses, planting days should also be timed according to the lunar phases to ensure good rooting. Try to work in the morning or evening, but cloudy days make little difference. Avoid drafts when ventilating the space.

The most common mistakes

Gardeners often make mistakes when working on their plants, leading to plant death or stunted growth. To avoid this problem, it's important to understand the most common mistakes:

1. Insufficient light. This causes seedlings to become elongated and thin. Mature plants develop slowly, flower poorly, and produce little fruit.
2. Lack of water. Leaves begin to turn pale, growth slows, and in the most severe cases, the edges dry out.
3. Excess water. This greatly increases the risk of fungal diseases, and blackleg is a common problem for tomatoes. Root rot is another problem.
4. Nutritional deficiency. There are many options, so the easiest way is to use complex fertilizers.
5. Temperature imbalance. Cold temperatures slow growth, and heat causes leaves to dry out.

It's also important to constantly monitor your tomatoes, and treat them as soon as pests or signs of disease appear. This will make it much easier to solve the problem.

Planting tomato seedlings for a greenhouse in 2021 is easy if you know the most favorable dates and avoid dates when planting is prohibited. Additionally, choose favorable periods for your region and follow a few important recommendations to create ideal growing conditions.