Dates for planting tomatoes for greenhouse seedlings in 2022

Tomato varieties for greenhouses

The success of growing vegetables and the amount of mature harvest depends on how well the variety is chosen. The best ones for planting are:

• Alliance F1, Sweet Bunch, Miracle of the Earth, Pink Raisins - early;
• Nevsky, Bull's Heart, Blagovest - mid-season;
• King, Mikado, Sevruga - large-fruited.

Excellent varieties for planting in a greenhouse are also:

• Eagle Heart;
• Koenigsberg;
• Abakan pink;
• Chio-chio-san;
• Yablonka Russia;
• Monomakh's hat;
• Golden Kupala.

In the north it is better to plant early varieties of tomatoes, in the south - late ones. Mid-season varieties are suitable for central Russia.

Tomato sowing calendar for 2022

Based on the above information, we sow tomatoes for seedlings according to the lunar calendar in accordance with the recommendations below.

Favorable days

Favorable days for tomato seedlings in February 2022:

Lunar calendar for sowing tomatoes for seedlings in March 2022:

Important to know: Correct picking of tomato seedlings

Lunar calendar for sowing tomatoes in April 2022:

Related article:

Tomato Monomakh's Cap - description and characteristics of the variety

Unfavorable days

Taking into account the characteristics of all the described periods, the following unfavorable days are included in the tomato sowing calendar for 2022:

Features of growing tomato seedlings

Growing delicious tomatoes is easy. To do this, you only need to know the basic rules for preparing soil and seeds for sowing seedlings, sowing correctly, observing the main conditions for tomatoes in the greenhouse and providing the seedlings with proper care in the future.

Preparing soil and seeds for planting

Store-bought seeds should not be additionally prepared for planting. They can be sown directly into the ground. But those assembled by hand at home require preliminary preparation.

Before sowing:

• dilute 1 g of potassium permanganate in 100 ml of water;
• lower the grains;
• keep them in liquid for half an hour;
• remove the seeds and wash.

The processed grains are dried and sown in preheated soil.

Land for sowing seedlings can be purchased at the store. It can be used immediately for its intended purpose. The personally prepared soil mixture (to prepare it, mix soil from the garden, sand, and turf in equal proportions) is pre-calcined in the oven. This will help get rid of harmful bacteria.

Sowing and caring for seeds

For sowing tomatoes, one large container is most often used. If it is not new, but has already been used before, then it must be disinfected. It should have holes on the sides and bottom for free passage of air.

It is imperative to place drainage at the bottom of the container. It will prevent moisture accumulation and prevent root rotting. Cover two-thirds of the dishes with soil and moisten them. Then the seeds are laid out - at a distance of several centimeters from one another, and covered with a thin layer of earth.

The crops are watered, covered with polyethylene or glass, and placed in a dark place. Periodically remove the cover and ventilate the ground. After the shoots appear, the containers are transferred to a bright room near the window. In winter, seedlings must be additionally illuminated - constantly for the first two days, then - at least 12 hours a day.

Water the seedlings as the soil dries. At the stage when the seedlings have two true leaves, they are planted in separate peat cups. Seedlings are planted in the greenhouse in accordance with the instructions of the lunar calendar.

Important conditions for tomatoes in a greenhouse

When growing tomatoes in a greenhouse, it is important to follow several main steps:

• prepare the greenhouse and soil;
• harden seedlings;
• plant seedlings correctly;
• provide proper care after transplanting plants.

Before planting seedlings, the greenhouse must be cleaned, covered with new film and disinfected. If the greenhouse is made of polycarbonate, it can be prepared in advance - in the fall.

To prepare the soil:

• remove the top layer of soil - at least 10 cm;
• treat the area with a solution of copper sulfate, loosen the soil, remove pebbles and weeds;
• During digging, wood ash and humus are added.

A few days before planting, the seedlings begin to be taken into the greenhouse and left there for 1-2 hours. This will help harden the plants and make them more resistant to environmental conditions. Seedlings should be planted when the air temperature inside the greenhouse reaches +20˚C.

The beds in the greenhouse are made at a distance of half a meter from one another. The holes are placed every 40-60 cm. Each of them is moistened, peat pots are carefully moved there and sprinkled with earth.

Further care for seedlings consists of:

• regular moistening of the soil - watering should be moderate, the earth ball should not be allowed to dry out, water should be poured at the root 2-3 times a week;
• periodic loosening - this helps to enrich the soil with oxygen and improve its saturation with moisture;
• fertilizing - fertilize plants transplanted into the greenhouse 4-5 times throughout the entire growing season.

Additional nutrients are added 14 days after plant transplantation, during flowering, fruit formation, and when they ripen.

Dates for planting in the greenhouse

You need to plant tomato seedlings in a greenhouse based on the temperature conditions. The optimal conditions for young plants are air heated to +15˚C and soil with a temperature of at least +12˚C.

The readiness of seedlings for planting is indicated by:

• stem thickness is at least 7 mm, height – 20-30 cm;
• the presence of a sufficient number of leaves - from 6 to 10.

The approximate planting time can be calculated by counting 50-60 days from the day the shoots appeared.

The influence of the moon on the germination of tomatoes

In a certain position relative to the Sun or while in a particular zodiacal constellation, the Moon has different effects on all life on Earth. In particular, under its influence, processes occurring in plants are accelerated, slowed down or stopped. Therefore, some days are favorable for the seeds to germinate, while others, on the contrary, “preserve” the seed and contribute to its long-term preservation.

By phase

Phases are a periodic change in the illumination and shape of the visible lunar disk in the earth's sky. Depending on how the satellite is positioned in relation to the Earth, and the Earth moves around the Sun, these phases gradually replace each other during one synodic (lunar) month, which is 29.5 Earth days.

There are 4 lunar phases in total:

1. Growing. This period lasts 13–14 days and causes active sap flow from the roots upward, promoting accelerated growth and development of sown or planted tomatoes. In the first half of the phase, it is recommended to sow or plant determinate tomatoes. At the end of the phase, closer to the full moon, you need to plant indeterminate varieties, since at this time the shoots are intensively stretching upward. Also during this period it is necessary to dive and plant tomato seedlings, since the root system, due to the outflow of juices, is much easier to tolerate damage.
2. Full moon. Unfavorable period for planting work. Its duration is 1 day, but the effect extends to the next 2 days - before and after. You cannot plant tomatoes at this time. You can only prepare the soil for future plantings.
3. Decreasing. This phase lasts 12–15 days. At this time, all the juices rush to the root system, so you can sow seeds, but you cannot pick up seedlings or plant them in a permanent place.
4. New moon. During the new moon, which also lasts 1 day, as well as the day before and the day after, sowing and planting work cannot be carried out. It is best to collect the seeds at this time, as they will be stored well.

Related article:

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The tomato planting calendar is compiled taking into account the characteristics of each described cycle.

Lunar phases in 2022 are shown in the table:

According to zodiac signs

The presence of the Earth's satellite in certain signs of the Zodiac also has an impact on plants. Depending on the direction of influence, zodiacal constellations are divided into 2 types:

• fertile (female) - Pisces, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn;
• infertile (male) – Aquarius, Aries? Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius.

In combination with the lunar one, their effect changes somewhat and becomes more specific:

• the most favorable days for tomato seedlings are when the Moon passes through the signs of Taurus, Cancer or Scorpio;
• the period when the Earth's satellite is in Pisces, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn has a neutral effect on the implementation of these activities (we plant tomatoes for seedlings according to the lunar calendar, but do not wait for the support of the night star);
• no sowing or planting work can be done when the Moon is in Aquarius, Aries, Leo.

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In addition, there are 2 more groups of zodiac signs:

• aquatic - Pisces, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio;
• dry - Aries, Gemini, Aquarius, Sagittarius.

The passage of the Moon in the water zodiac constellations is the best time for watering and fertilizing. Waning in “dry” signs is optimal for harvesting, since all collected tomatoes and seeds will be perfectly stored.

Eclipse days

Lunar eclipses occur only during the full moon, while solar eclipses occur only during the new moon. In 2022, such events fall on the following dates:

• lunar eclipses – May 26, November 19;
• solar eclipses – June 10, December 4.

During such an astronomical phenomenon, all plants freeze, and the processes occurring in them are inhibited. Therefore, no work on sowing, planting or replanting tomatoes is performed.

How to plant tomato seeds step by step

The algorithm for sowing tomato seeds for seedlings is the same for any method of growing seedlings:

• Step 1. Seeds are soaked in a growth stimulator solution. To do this, they are placed in a piece of cloth, which is moistened with a solution.
• Step 2. Preparing the container. Whatever you grow the seedlings in, the container must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate or fungicide.
• Step 3. Selection of soil. The soil for seedlings should be light, loose, with neutral acidity.
• Step 4. Pour the substrate into the container and make grooves 1.5-2 cm deep.
• Step 5. Plant the seeds at a distance of 1 cm from each other.
• Step 6. Cover with soil and water.
• Step 7. Cover the container with film. It turns out to be an improvised greenhouse.
• Step 8. Place the “greenhouse” in a warm place. Ventilate daily and water as needed. For watering, it is better to use a syringe or syringe so that the seeds are not washed out of the soil.
• Step 9. As soon as the sprouts appear, remove the film cover and move the container to a lighted place.

IMPORTANT! At the stage of 2 true leaves, picking is carried out, planting the seedlings in separate containers of 2 sprouts.

What is the right time to sow in a greenhouse?

Seeds are sown in the greenhouse in mid-April. Also in mid-April, you can plant seedlings in a sealed greenhouse. To do this, seeds are planted for seedlings within 60 days, that is, already in mid-February, seeds are planted that will grow into strong shoots. Then it will be transplanted into the greenhouse on April 15th.

For gardeners who do not have a large greenhouse, they can prepare soil up to 80 cm wide and of arbitrary length, cover this area with arcs and film. When the soil under the film warms up, seeds are planted there. With the onset of stable heat, the film is removed and the seedlings are planted in a permanent place.

IMPORTANT! Before planting in a permanent place, seedlings are hardened by gradually acclimating them to the open air.

Useful tips

When sowing tomato seeds, you need to take into account several subtleties and nuances that will help you get healthy, lush and viable seedlings.

1. When determining the timing for planting seeds for seedlings, carefully study the information on the seed bag. Most often, manufacturers indicate the optimal time for sowing seeds based on their variety and ripening speed.
2. According to the Lunar calendar, the full moon phase, which lasts 1 day, is not suitable for planting any types of seedlings. It is also better not to sow tomato seeds during the new moon.
3. When sowing seeds in February and March, in conditions of short daylight hours, the seedlings need to be provided with additional lighting, otherwise they will begin to stretch out and weaken.

Growing tomato seedlings requires compliance with several rules, including the optimal sowing time. They depend on the climatic characteristics of the region, the variety and timing of its ripening, and the method of further growing tomatoes. With timely planting of tomato seedlings, the gardener receives lush, healthy and viable seedlings that quickly adapt to open ground or a greenhouse.

How to determine the time to sow tomatoes?

Sowing time is determined by varietal requirements and certain phases of the moon. Gardeners have noticed that during certain lunar phases, seeds hatch more actively and grow quickly. Also with varietal characteristics:

1. To obtain the first harvest, very early and early varieties of tomatoes are planted; this is done in late March and early April.
2. Late varieties of tomatoes begin to be planted at the end of February.
3. Gardeners living in the south of Russia and having a greenhouse on the sunny side of the house can start growing tomatoes in early February.
4. And in the Central Belt of Russia, on the contrary, in the second half of March they only sow seeds for seedlings.

IMPORTANT! When starting to plant, you need to check germination, that is, soak in a weak saline solution, provided you collect the planting material yourself. Those seeds that floated up dead are not suitable for growing seedlings; work with the remaining seeds continues to cultivate them.

Rules for planting tomato seedlings in open ground

Planting work should be done in the late afternoon or in cloudy weather. If it is possible to carry out work only in the morning, and it will be sunny during the day, then the planted tomato bushes should be shaded or covered with non-woven material.

We will describe step by step how to properly plant tomato seedlings in open ground:

1. Prepared and fertilized holes are well poured with warm water (about ½ bucket for each hole). To disinfect the soil, the holes can be watered with a pink solution of potassium permanganate. Holes for planting tomatoes should be dug about 5 cm deeper than the height of the seedling container.
2. Recommended! To treat late blight, an hour before planting, prepare a solution of Fitosporin according to the instructions. The seedlings are completely immersed in the solution that has been steeped for an hour.
3. Now the bush needs to be carefully removed from the seedling container along with a lump of earth, placed at the bottom of the hole, torn off the lower leaves and covered with soil to the remaining leaves. This is necessary so that additional roots are formed on the stem, which will nourish the plant.
4. Pegs are immediately installed near tall varieties.

Seedling care calendar

While observing the calendar for planting tomatoes for seedlings, you need to take into account the timing of other agrotechnical activities. Favorable days for performing different types of work are given below.

Picking

Picking of tomato seedlings is carried out after the formation of the first pair of true leaves. If the planting turns out to be too thick, then the timeliness of this event becomes most important, as it can prevent the shoots from stretching and weakening.

You need to dive the seedlings when the crescent moon is turned with its “horns” to the left (growing). At this time, the roots easily tolerate minor damage and quickly begin to sprout new shoots. The optimal period for carrying out such work will be when the Earth's satellite is in Pisces, Cancer, Capricorn. When the Moon is growing while in Virgo, it is best to plant tomatoes sown in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio.

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You need to hold the sprout by the leaves. Its stem is still too fragile and can be easily damaged.

Watering, fertilizing

Moisten the soil in the seedling container as it dries and without fail before planting. It is best to water young seedlings (as well as adult tomatoes) on the waxing or waning Moon, when it is in the water constellations - Pisces, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio.

Immediately after germination and during the first weeks, tomato seedlings benefit from the nutrients contained in the seeds and proper watering. Fertilizers are applied for the first time 7 days after picking, adding them to the water for irrigation. The second time - 15 days after the first feeding. At this stage, tomatoes need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. From organics, “zelenka” is a good choice - an infusion of nettle and dandelion greens.

Tomatoes respond best to liquid fertilizers applied by the root and foliar methods. After transferring the seedlings to a permanent place, they are introduced during the first week. In total, the crop requires 3–4 feedings during the growing season. Plants absorb nutrients best when the waning Moon is in Pisces, Cancer, Virgo, Libra or Scorpio.

Tip: Tomato fertilizers that improve taste

Transplantation into the ground

Tomato seedlings are ready for transfer to a permanent place 50–60 days after sowing. The readiness of seedlings for replanting is indicated by the following signs:

• dense, strong central stem;
• the volume of the leaf part is larger than the size of the stem;
• the appearance of 7–12 developed leaves, among which there are no deformed, damaged, yellowed or dried leaves;
• preferably the presence of buds, flowers and ovaries.

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Seedlings that do not meet the specified requirements are rejected.

The transplant is performed when stable heat has been established. They can be planted in a greenhouse 2-3 weeks earlier than in an open bed. A week before planting, the seedlings are taken outside for hardening, gradually increasing the time spent outdoors. After planting, the seedlings are covered with agrofibre.

To determine when to plant tomatoes according to the calendar of your region, you need to take into account climatic conditions and the recommendations of astrologers. They advise transplanting seedlings on the waxing Moon in Pisces, Cancer, Libra, Scorpio or Capricorn.

Pruning, weeding

During the entire growing season, most tomato varieties require pinching - pinching out side shoots. Almost all determinate varieties that have a “self-regulation mode” do not require such an event. All other varieties require the removal of stepsons to prevent strong thickening of the bushes. They should be removed as they appear, and before the weather gets cold, the top should be pinched so that the plant can devote all its energy to ripening the fruits. According to the lunar calendar, it is recommended to plant tomatoes on the waning Moon in Gemini, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio or Capricorn.

Weeding and weed control also need to be done during the waning season, but in Capricorn. Loosening and mulching - in Aries, Gemini, Cancer or Aquarius. It should be borne in mind that during such a period the root system of tomatoes is very vulnerable, so you need to protect it from damage.

Protection, prevention

Preventive measures and control of diseases or pests are carried out regularly with a frequency that depends on the chosen means:

• when using natural recipes or biological products, treatment is performed 2-3 times a month throughout the growing season;
• the use of chemicals is regulated according to the attached instructions, and must be stopped 30 days before harvest.

In any case, work is carried out on the waxing Moon in Aries, Gemini, Scorpio, Sagittarius or Capricorn.

Harvest

Tomatoes intended for storage or ripening for seeds should be harvested when the waxing Moon is in a “dry” sign - Aries, Gemini, Aquarius or Sagittarius. You can also perform such work during the full moon.

To independently prepare seeds for sowing next year, select large and fully ripened fruits that best match the varietal characteristics and grow on the second or third cluster of the most powerful and prolific bushes. If hybrids are grown in the garden, the seeds are not collected.

Tomatoes are quite demanding in terms of care and weather conditions. It is especially important to follow the calendar for planting tomatoes in open ground so that young seedlings do not suffer from return frosts and at the same time have time to ripen before the onset of cold weather.

When to plant tomatoes depending on the region?

The transfer of seedlings to open ground is carried out at different times, and this depends on the region where the gardener lives.

Therefore, the dates for planting seeds for seedlings also differ. In regions located around the Black Sea, you can start growing tomatoes starting in February. The warmth comes earlier here. But in areas located in Siberia, as well as in the foothills of the Urals and the North-West, there is no need to rush into sowing. Return frosts often occur in these areas. Therefore, it is better to plant seedlings in April.

When to sow tomatoes in 2022 in Moscow and the Moscow region

At the latitude of these regions, return frosts on the soil occur as early as late May and early June. Therefore, based on this, we can confidently say that experienced gardeners begin sowing seeds for seedlings from mid-March to mid-April. But if the tomatoes are planted in a greenhouse, then sowing can begin in early March.

Planting tomatoes in Central Russia

In the center of Russia, tomatoes are traditionally sown as seedlings in the second half of March. For example, in 2022, good days for sowing are from March 16 to March 27 . But these are the days to plant tomatoes in open ground. To plant vegetables in greenhouses, seedlings begin a little earlier, from the end of February.

This planting period is optimal for growing strong, healthy seedlings that will be able to safely survive transplantation to a permanent location.

When to plant tomatoes in the Urals

In the Urals, frosts last a longer period and spring there is protracted, so they begin to plant seeds in early April. And when choosing seeds, preference is given to varieties with a rapid ripening period. Since already in early August the first frosts on the soil may occur, and the tomatoes will stop ripening.

How to choose the time to land in Siberia

In Siberia, it is recommended to grow tomatoes only in greenhouses, since this is a southern vegetable and does not tolerate sudden temperature changes. Therefore, assuming that the seedlings will be transferred to the greenhouse in mid-May, you can start planting tomato seeds from the first days of April, paying attention to the days recommended by the lunar calendar.

When to sow tomatoes in Belarus

Belarusian summer residents also should not rush to sow grains for seedlings. If you plan to grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, then sowing can be done even in early March. But, if tomatoes grow in open ground, then it is better to postpone planting until the last ten days of March and the first ten days of April, depending on the variety.