Planting tulips in the fall according to the 2020 lunar calendar for the Moscow region

Among the vast variety of spring flowers, tulips occupy a special place. When the plants open their buds, the world seems completely different: festive, bright, and renewed. But achieving a luxurious spring bloom is only possible with proper gardening practices and planting timing.

It's important to know when to plant tulips in the Moscow region in autumn 2020 and what factors to consider. Experienced gardeners can easily determine planting times, taking into account the climate, weather conditions, and soil. Beginners will need to master the intricacies, and then the results will surely be pleasing.

Autumn planting: advantages

Tulips are being planted Spring and fall. The downside of spring planting is the lack of flowering that year or the delayed release of buds. This occurs because the bulbs miss the chilling period during which flowers accumulate nutrients. Therefore, gardeners have adapted to planting bulbs before winter, achieving abundant, lush spring blooms.

Advantages of autumn planting:

• better plant adaptation;
• flowering in the spring of next year;
• the ability to accumulate nutrients in the bulbs;
• large buds;
• long flowering in spring.

Florists note that plants planted on time take root well, survive the winter, and produce luxurious blooms in April and May.

Features of the Moscow Region climate

Due to climatic conditions, the Moscow region and the surrounding areas are suitable for growing cropsThe region experiences cold winters and heavy snowfalls, but overall, the Moscow region is suitable for growing tulips.

Summers are long, though not always hot. The emerging trend of global warming has also affected these areas, so winters often experience thaws and sharp temperature fluctuations. In such conditions, it is necessary to consider reliable plant protection during the winter, using additional shelter.

Choosing the timing

At autumn planting Several factors are taken into account. First, bulbous plants require approximately 3-4 weeks to develop a root system. Second, the timing is chosen based on the current season's weather forecast (late or early fall, frosts).

Use soil temperature as a guide: when the soil cools to 6ºC…8ºC, plant the bulbs in the flowerbed. Lower temperatures slow down the growth and development of tulips, so experimenting with them is not recommended.

Approximate planting dates: from September 20-25 to October 15-20. However, exact dates are determined based on weather conditions and the lunar phase calendar.

Recommendations for the phases of the Moon (table by day)

A reliable aid for experienced gardeners is a lunar calendar. Plants are sensitive to the moon's cycles, and bulbous plants are no exception. The basic rules of the lunar calendar for tulips:

1. Planting work is excluded on days of the full moon and new moon.
2. The suitable period is the waning moon phase (moreover, the best days are the first or last in the cycle).
3. Working during the waxing moon phase is not recommended. This time is suitable for plants with edible above-ground parts. For bulbous plants, which store nutrients for abundant flowering underground, the waning moon is the best time.
4. Tulips will delight you with their vibrant blooms if you plant them when the Moon is in the sign of Cancer, Pisces, or Scorpio.

Storing tulip bulbs after digging before planting

When the tulips finish blooming in the spring, the bulbs are dug up and stored. To ensure high-quality planting material, it's important to store the bulbs properly after digging.

Preparation for storage:

• remove wilted buds from plants;
• after about 8-10 days, the heads are cut off;
• when the leaves turn completely yellow, cut off the stems;
• the bulbs are dug up and cleared of soil;
• soak for disinfection in a pink solution of potassium permanganate (for 20-30 minutes);
• dry slightly in a shady place (not in the sun);
• calibrate by separating large bulbs and small bulbs;
• put away for storage in a dark place.

Recommended temperature and humidity conditions:

• +20ºC (without sudden changes);
• humidity – 68-70%.

Boxes or perforated containers are convenient for storage. The bulbs are sprinkled with wood shavings or dry sawdust.

Fall Planting: Step-by-Step Instructions

When autumn arrives and the weather is favorable, the bulbs are removed and prepared for planting. It's best to plant the baby bulbs separately, with larger bulbs placed in the center of the arrangement. The most profuse flowering occurs with medium-sized bulbs.

Choosing a location

The plant prefers sunny locations. It dislikes excessive moisture and areas with a high water table. It is unsuitable for low-lying areas or flowerbeds where snow accumulates for extended periods in the spring.

Plants thrive in elevated areas with good drainage. Plant bulbous plants in areas protected from winds, near outbuildings, near the house, or under the shelter of trees.

Soil preparation

Tulips are considered low-maintenance plants. However, vibrant and abundant blooms are only possible when the bulbs are planted in fertile soil. Black soil, humus-rich soil with a neutral pH, is suitable.

Acidic and heavy soils are unsuitable. Chalk, slaked lime, or dolomite flour are added to acidic beds. Heavy soils are amended with coarse river sand and humus.

Planting in light, sandy soil is not recommended. To cultivate the soil, add humus, compost, and turf beforehand. Fertilizers include:

• wood ash (one liter per 1 square meter);
• potassium nitrate.

Prepare the soil 2-3 weeks before planting the bulbs, removing weeds and turning the soil over. It's not recommended to plant tulips in the same spot every year; it's better to rotate plantings. This helps prevent infections and bulb contamination.

Preparation of planting material

Before planting, the bulbs are calibrated again. The planting material is inspected, and any dried or rotted bulbs are removed. Medium-sized bulbs are suitable for planting.

Carefully remove the husks and soak them in any growth stimulant (such as Epin solution or aloe vera). If the plants were not disinfected after digging, it is recommended to disinfect them with a solution of potassium permanganate or any suitable fungicide.

Also used for disinfection:

• Vitaros preparation (soak for half an hour);
• Fundazol (according to the instructions).

Landing plan

When calibrating, separate large, medium, and small bulbs. This is important for determining planting depth. The basic rule is to plant the bulbs three times their diameter into the soil. For example, if the bulb is 3 cm in diameter, plant it at a depth of no more than 8-9 cm.

In heavy soils, plant slightly higher; in light soils, plant deeper (approximately the same diameter as the tulip's diameter). Correct planting determines the tulips' winter survival. If the plant is not planted deep enough, there is a high risk of freezing. Planting too deep will delay flowering in the spring.

When planting, observe the following distances between plants:

• for large fractions, 10-12 cm is maintained;
• for average ones – up to 6-8 cm.

The bulblets are planted frequently, usually in separate beds for further cultivation. Leave 25-30 cm between rows. When planting in a staggered pattern, space them 10-12 cm apart. The bulblets are planted deep, with the bottom facing down, without pressure, and covered with soil on top, compacting them lightly.

Post-planting care

Further care is simple and includes inspection of the plantings, irrigation (if rainfall is low), and mulching. Immediately after planting, it is recommended to cover the flowerbed with mulch:

• straw;
• leaf litter (use clean fallen leaves without mold or signs of rot);
• sawdust;
• peat crumbs.

A layer 4-6 cm thick protects the plantings from freezing and retains the moisture and nutrients the bulbs need. After snow falls, the flowerbeds are covered with a snow "blanket."

One of the challenges is protecting tulips from rodents. Without protection, mice can sometimes consume entire flowerbeds in some areas. Therefore, daffodils are planted next to tulips (rodents dislike their scent), and the planting material is disinfected with a kerosene solution. This scent is harmless to the flowers, but mice avoid areas with strong odors.

In addition to kerosene, the following are used:

• hot pepper mixture (added to the soil in the flower bed);
• Vishnevsky ointment (used to treat bulbs);
• Mesh containers. Tulips are planted in them before winter. The bulbs, protected by this "armor," are reliably protected from mice.

Tips for florists

Achieving lush spring flowerbeds is no easy task. Tulips aren't particularly fussy, but it's important to know basic gardening techniques. Furthermore, every gardener has a few "secrets" in their arsenal. Here are a few helpful tips:

• When storing bulbs after digging until fall planting, it's important to maintain a stable temperature. Otherwise, the planting material will dry out or rot.
• Change the planting location every year. Only then will the tulips not shrink and delight you with their vibrant blooms;
• During the growing season, plants are fed with potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. Complex formulations containing essential nutrients and microelements are suitable.
• Avoid planting tulips in lowlands.

By following simple gardening practices and ensuring the right autumn planting times, even novice gardeners will have vibrant, lush tulip beds in the spring. Results come with experience, and difficulties will become fewer with each subsequent season.