Since ancient times, the lunar calendar has been known as a gardener's best assistant. Planting seedlings on specific lunar days ensures increased yields. The 2020 season began immediately after the holidays and will conclude in June. The work schedule is determined by the positive or negative influence of celestial bodies.
This article is outdated. The current seedling planting calendar for 2023 You will find it at the link.
Lunar calendar 2019: sowing seeds for seedlings
The schedule of favorable (+) and unfavorable (-) days for preparing for sowing seedlings and sowing various crops is presented in the table:
|
Month / Work / Sowing seeds |
January | February | March | April | ||||
| + | — | + | — | + | — | + |
— |
|
| Prepare a place and containers for seedlings, and soil. Bell peppers, late-ripening tomatoes. |
1
10 12-14 16 19-20 29 |
6-9
21 22 |
— | — | — | — | — | — |
| Eggplants, hot and sweet peppers, late-ripening tomatoes, chrysanthemums, petunias, carnations, begonias, sage.
Salads, cilantro, spinach, arugula. |
— | — | 1
6 7 8 11-13 16-17 28. |
3-5
19 |
— | — | — | — |
| Mid-season tomatoes, early cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Drummond phlox, snapdragon, Chinese carnation, sweet pea. Add soil to the seedling containers, water generously and feed with mineral fertilizers.
|
— | — | — | — | 7
14 16 19-20 24 |
3
4 (up to 11 a.m.) 5 (from the second half of the day) 17-18 21 30 31 |
— | — |
| Marigolds, asters, early varieties of tomatoes, late cabbage, basil, morning glory. Cucumbers, ornamental cabbage, amaranth, zinnia, zucchini, pumpkin, squash. They take care of the seedlings. |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 7
8 9 11-12 16 18 |
1 (before 6 p.m.)
5 13 (from 11 a.m.) 15 (up to 13 hours) 19 26 (from 13:00) 28 |
Also read Lunar calendar for planting houseplants.
The influence of the Moon on seedlings when sowing plants
Scientists have proven that the growth and development of agricultural crops truly depends on the movements of Earth's satellite. In pursuit of a bountiful harvest, farmers monitor the planets' movements, but not everyone understands what happens to plants and how the Moon alters germination rates.
The impact of the lunar phases on the gardener's activities:
- The new moon passes within 24 hours. This period is used to remove weeds, dried out, and dead shoots. Any preparation of seedlings is strictly prohibited.
- From the New Moon onward and for 11 days, tall, spreading crops are sown; closer to the Full Moon, low-growing crops are recommended. When the Moon is waxing, loosening the soil and pruning are recommended.
- The full moon lasts three days. It's ideal for pest control and weed removal. During this period, all affected crops respond well to treatment.
- The waning moon lasts 12 days, and during this time, it's dangerous to touch plant roots. Damage will inevitably result in the death of the seedling. Watering, fertilizing, and pruning fruit trees and bushes are recommended.
Favorable days for growing pepper seedlings
Peppers are the slowest to germinate; the first shoots appear within two weeks. To ensure timely seedling production, sow in late winter.
The crop is sown in trays with soil, spacing the seeds 1 cm apart. The moistened soil is covered with a thin layer of soil and wrapped in plastic film. The container is placed near a heat source, and the humidity level is monitored to ensure it remains high. When the first shoots appear, the plastic film is removed, and the container with soil is moved to a well-lit area.
If natural light is insufficient, additional artificial lighting is installed. Fluorescent lamps are used.
In March, the best time to plant peppers is the 26th. And in April, the best time is the 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 13th, 16th, and 25th. More information is available here. here.
Favorable days for growing eggplant seedlings
This vegetable is sensitive to low temperatures and has a long ripening period. The first sowing is usually done in the last month of winter. However, it can be planted later, for example, on March 23rd and 24th, or on April 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 20th, and 21st.
Care for the seedlings carefully. The best days for transplanting are March 1, 2, 15, 16, 20, 22, 28, and 29, or April 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 16, and 17. Before transplanting into open ground, gradually acclimate the seedlings to temperature fluctuations. For over two months, the seedlings gain strength in a warm and comfortable environment. To ensure timely delivery of young plants, subtract 70 days from the planned transplant date.
Favorable days for growing tomato seedlings
Tomato seeds are prepared for planting depending on where they will be grown. Greenhouse tomato plants are sown earlier, while ground tomato plants are sown later. When preparing tomato seedlings for outdoor cultivation, gardeners rely on the weather. The later the weather warms, the later the crop is sown.
Tomato ripening time affects planting date. Different varieties require different times from germination to harvest.
There are 3 types of tomatoes according to ripening speed:
- early - up to 100 days;
- medium - up to 120;
- late ones - up to 140.
In 2019, tomato sowing is carried out on the following days:
|
February |
March |
April |
| 16-17 | 10-12; 15-16; 19-20 | 7-12 |
To improve germination, seeds are soaked in warm water for 24 hours.
Read about caring for tomato seedlings here.
Favorable days for growing cucumber seedlings
Cucumbers sprout quickly and are ready for planting in just 2-3 weeks. There are many different varieties of cucumbers, and the ripening time varies depending on the variety. Before sowing, carefully read the instructions on the packaging.
Young plants should not be kept indoors for too long; the sooner they are exposed to the open air, the easier the adaptation period will be.
In 2019, cucumber sowing is carried out on the following days:
| March | April | May | June |
| 10-13, 15-16 | 7-8; 11-13; 16-17 | 9-10; 21-23 | 27-30 |
Favorable days for growing cabbage seedlings
This vegetable is considered an easy-to-grow crop; however, good lighting is necessary for its cultivation. Cabbage sprouts quickly and grows well. Ripening time depends on the variety and is divided into the following types:
- early - up to 40 days;
- average - up to 50;
- late - up to 60.
The sowing date is determined as follows: a week is added to the ripening time for the first shoots to appear.
In 2019, cabbage sowing is carried out on the following days:
| March | April | May |
| 10-12; 15-16, 19-20 | 6-12, 16-17 | 13-15, 21-223 |
To summarize, based on the influence of the satellite on seedlings, the most dangerous times for sowing are the full moon and the period when the moon begins to wan.
