The most favorable days for planting tomatoes in Ukraine in 2021, based on the phases of the moon.

Tomato is a heat-loving crop that is grown both in open and closed ground. When determining the timing when plant tomato seedlings In Ukraine in 2021, the variety, climate, and weather conditions of the region are taken into account. To determine the optimal date, favorable days are calculated according to the lunar calendar. Helpful tips for growing seedlings will help you achieve a good harvest.

The influence of the Ukrainian climate on tomato cultivation

The climate in most of the country is temperate continental. Kyiv and Uzhhorod have mild winters and warm summers, but the weather is unstable, and spring harvests can be ruined by recurrent frosts. Luhansk has a steppe climate with an early spring, a long summer, and a short autumn. Kharkiv has cold winters and long, dry summers. In the south, summer begins early, with March being the driest month.

Atmospheric pressure, temperature, and precipitation vary across regions. Given the variable weather conditions, it is recommended to grow tomatoes only from seedlings. The intense summer heat affects the growing conditions of tomatoes, requiring ample watering. In cold climate zones (Goloshina, Beregi, Vilkovo), it is recommended to grow tomatoes indoors.

Suitable varieties

In the Ukrainian climate, early and mid-season varieties produce good yields. In the south of the country, with its long summers, late varieties can also be grown. The main requirements for varieties are resistance to cold, heat, and drought. The table below lists popular varieties that produce good yields when grown in Ukraine.

In the central and western parts of the country, the varieties Farmer, Oberig, and Perseus produce good harvests. In the eastern regions, De Barao, Bagheera, Rufus, and Upgrade tomatoes are popular. In the south, the summer tomatoes grown include Bychye Serdtse, Snegopad, Raketa, and Babushkin Podarok. To ensure delicious tomatoes all summer long, several varieties with different ripening times are planted.

Favorable days for sowing

When determining the timing of tomato planting, consider the variety, weather conditions, and the lunar calendar. Tomatoes are classified as early (75-105 days), mid-season (110-120 days), and late (over 120 days). Early varieties take 40-50 days to grow seedlings, mid-season varieties 60 days, and late varieties 70 days. To determine the planting date, take the estimated time for planting in the greenhouse, subtract the average seedling growth time, and allow 5-7 days for germination.

Astrologers recommend planting tomato seedlings. in Ukraine in 2020 according to the lunar calendar During the waxing moon. During this time, plant sap flows upward, toward the green mass. During the waning moon, you can water, till, and weed. During the full moon and new moon, gardening should be postponed—seeds will germinate poorly, and seedlings will be susceptible to disease and environmental stress. The table shows the planting days for tomatoes in Ukraine for 2021.

Features of cultivation

Before sowing, prepare the soil and seeds, and treat the containers with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. When growing seedlings, avoid high humidity and temperature fluctuations. Plant containers should not be placed near heating devices. Tomato seedlings should not be grown together with other nightshade crops or melons.

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Soil requirements

For sowing seeds, you can buy store-bought soil—it's balanced in terms of acidity and nutrients. You can also prepare your own soil by mixing:

• peat, garden soil, humus, sand (4:2:2:1);
• wood sawdust, peat, river sand (2:2:1);
• turf and peat (1:3).

The soil is disinfected by watering with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, warming it in a water bath, or freezing it. Tomatoes grow well in loose, breathable soil. On the day of sowing, add fertilizer—superphosphate, urea, or organic matter (a 1:10 solution of rotted cow manure and water).

Seed preparation

The seeds are sorted, discarding any small or damaged ones. Before sowing, a germination test is performed by placing the seeds in a salt solution (1 teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water). The seeds that remain at the bottom are viable. If you prepared the seed yourself, you should soak them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. After this, place the seeds on cotton wool to germinate. The sprouted seeds are hardened for two days, then placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator overnight.

Sowing and care

Tomato seeds are sown in large containers, pots, plastic cups, or trays. A drainage layer of small pebbles or eggshells is placed at the bottom of the container. Soil is added to the container and watered. Using a sharp object, make 1-1.5 cm indentations in which the seeds are placed. When sowing in a large container, make furrows 4 cm apart. Cover the seedling tray with plastic wrap, maintain a temperature of 25°C, and maintain high humidity. After sprouting, the plants require care:

1. Temperature +17º…+20ºС, no drafts. To prevent moisture stagnation, the room is periodically ventilated.
2. A fluorescent lamp will help provide 12 hours of daylight.
3. When the top layer of soil dries out, mist with a spray bottle. After watering, loosen the soil to promote oxygen flow to the roots.
4. Weed removal.
5. When three true leaves have formed, the seedlings are pricked out—the plant is removed with its root ball and placed in a separate container. To ensure the tomatoes survive the pricking process, water them two hours before transplanting.

Seedlings are fertilized four times. The first application is a week after transplanting. Subsequent applications are repeated after 10 days. Complex fertilizers are recommended, such as Agricola, Biohumus, and Vermikofe. After watering, the soil is dusted with ash.

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Disease prevention

Tomatoes are resistant to late blight, gray mold, fusarium, and powdery mildew. Micronutrient deficiencies can lead to blossom-end rot and bacterial canker. To prevent these diseases, proper care is essential, including avoiding dense plantings and excessive humidity. Affected plants are removed, and the remaining seedlings are sprayed with fungicides such as Fundazol, Quadris, and Acrobat.

Tips for growing tomatoes

To get a good harvest, it's important to follow proper planting times and care guidelines. Agronomists' advice will help improve tomato yield:

1. When the plants have formed 6-8 true leaves, the seedlings can be planted outdoors. Two weeks before planting, harden off the tomatoes by placing them on the balcony for 10-15 minutes, increasing the time each day.
2. When transplanting to a greenhouse, the lower part of the stem, up to the first leaves, is buried in soil. This procedure promotes the development of lateral roots.
3. To keep vegetables juicy, during the period of inflorescence formation, the plants are watered with a solution of potassium permanganate (2 g of potassium permanganate per 1 bucket of water).
4. If you use settled water with added compost when watering, tomatoes will ripen faster.
5. Excess nitrogen fertilizer leads to excessive foliage growth. Nitrogen is applied during seedling development and is discontinued once fruit set begins.
6. Remove lateral shoots so that the plant spends its energy on forming fruits, rather than on growing green mass.

If seedlings are developing poorly and stunting, the cause is a lack of micronutrients or insufficient sunlight. Tomatoes will thrive if you practice crop rotation—it's recommended to rotate the crop each year. Vegetables can be planted in the same area every 3-5 years. Avoid planting tomatoes in beds where pumpkins, cucumbers, or potatoes were grown the previous year. To protect the beds from pests, plant marigolds and nasturtiums around the perimeter.

By following these recommendations, you can get a good tomato harvest in any region of Ukraine. The key is to plant on time and carefully care for the seedlings. If you garden on favorable days according to the lunar calendar for Ukraine, you'll achieve uniform germination and a fruit yield consistent with the variety's characteristics.