In ancient times, when planting garden crops, people focused primarily on various kinds of natural phenomena. And many old signs regarding planting or harvesting have survived, including to this day. For example, some summer residents are trying to sow seedlings, focusing on the lunar calendar.
Many gardeners believe that in this way you can protect plants from all kinds of diseases and get large yields. In this article, we will consider when it is best to plant seedlings of the most popular garden crops, depending on the position of the night luminary in the sky.
What is a gardener's lunar calendar
In the Universe, as you know, all celestial bodies in one way or another exert influence on each other. The closest cosmic object to the Earth is, of course, the Moon. And it is precisely from its position in the sky that the life of plants on our planet depends most of all.
Scientists dendrologists in the study of annual tree rings have established one very interesting fact. Favorable and unfavorable conditions for plant growth on our planet alternate every 7 years. And the simplest explanation for this is the cyclical effect of the moon on the electromagnetic field of the earth.
A full circle - this celestial body in the orbit of our planet does in 24 hours 50 minutes. That is, the lunar day is slightly longer than the earth. The synodic month, starting with the new moon, is shorter than the sun. It lasts 29.53 days.
In one month, our natural satellite manages to cross all the signs of the zodiac. At the same time, it is believed that each of them in a certain way corrects the influence of the moon on earthly plants. In some cases, the signs of the zodiac can complement the effect of the satellite on cultures, in some it can be enhanced, in others it can be reduced.
How, when and how exactly all this happens, and can be determined by referring to the lunar calendar. You can find such a source of astrological information, for example, on the Internet, on some site specializing in gardening. In newsstands and shops selling garden supplies and seeds, you can also purchase a printed version of the lunar calendar of planting and caring for plants.
Quarters of the moon
The main phases of the natural satellite of the Earth, as you know, there are four - the new moon, growth, decrease and full moon. And in each of these periods, the night luminary has a special effect on plants. After the new moon, I and II quarters are distinguished, and after the full moon III and IV. It is considered that:
in the I quarter it is necessary to plant seedlings of crops that give a land crop in the form of leaves and other green mass that does not contain seeds;
in the II quarter it is worth sowing annuals with fleshy fruits and seeds;
in the third and sixth quarters root crops are planted on the waning moon.
According to astrologers, on the new moon, the potential of the aerial parts is greatly reduced in terrestrial plants. At this time, fluids, along with vital energy in the tissues of garden crops, begin to flow down. It is believed that it is impossible to interfere in any way with the life of plants at this time. That is, this period is not the best answer to the question of when to plant seedlings of garden crops according to the lunar calendar.
According to astrologers, in the full moon, on plants, on the contrary, the biopotential of the root system and immunity decrease. Their energy is moving up at this time. Therefore, sowing in the full moon any crops, including seedlings, is also highly not recommended.
When to plant seedlings on the lunar calendar: general rules
On the windowsills, domestic gardeners begin to grow mainly only thermophilic annuals, giving a land crop of green mass or fruits. Therefore, in most cases, seedlings are sown by gardeners on the growing moon.
In the first quarter it is worth planting, for example, cabbage, sorrel or salads. In the second quarter of the moon, a good solution would be to sow seedlings of tomatoes, eggplant, pepper, etc.
Seed collection
Very often, Russian summer residents use seedlings for growing seedlings. However, some gardeners grow seeds of garden crops on their own. This allows you to save money and subsequently get good yields.
It is believed that the best results can be obtained if the seeds for sowing seedlings are collected on the day when the moon is in the constellation Scorpio.
When to plant tomatoes in boxes
In Central Russia, the seeds of this popular crop are usually sown between February 10 and March 20. When to plant tomatoes for seedlings according to the lunar calendar? As we found out, it is best to sow the seeds of this culture at a time when the night sun will be in the second quarter.
You can determine the phase of the moon at a given moment, for example, via the Internet, on some astrological site. A good solution will also be to visit one of the scientific resources of the Network specializing in astronomy for this purpose.
When to plant tomato seedlings on the lunar calendar, thus, it is clear - in the second quarter. It is also believed that it is best to plant tomato seedlings when the natural satellite of the Earth is in one of the fertile signs of the zodiac. This can be, for example, Cancer, Capricorn, Pisces, Libra or Taurus. If the Moon is in Leo, Aries or Virgo, it is better to refuse to plant tomato seeds in boxes.
Planting cucumbers
This plant is no less popular with domestic gardeners than tomatoes. And of course, many summer residents are interested in when to plant cucumber seedlings best. In this case, of course, it’s also very nice to focus on the lunar calendar as well.
It is believed that the seedlings of this garden crop are best sown in the second quarter on the growing moon. The largest harvest in the future can be obtained by planting cucumbers at a time when this celestial object will be in the sign of Taurus.
Cucumbers do not tolerate transplanting into open ground very well. Therefore, the timing of their sowing, of course, must be chosen in such a way that by the time the seedlings are transferred to the bed, the seedlings are already strong enough and have a developed root system.
It is better to plant cucumbers not in boxes, but, for example, in plastic cups. When using this method of sowing, it will be possible to transfer plants to the bed in the future without damaging the roots. In Central Russia, cucumbers are planted for seedlings usually from April 25 to May 5.
When to plant pepper
Summer gardeners plant most varieties of heat-loving garden crops in boxes in February - April. But some plants are sown for seedlings in January. "What to plant in the middle of winter?" - the answer to this question is, for example, bell pepper.
This culture, depending on the variety, begins to bear fruit on 105-140 days after sowing. That is, the growing season in pepper is quite long. That is why the answer to the question of when to plant pepper for seedlings is from mid-winter to March.
You can plant this crop on seedlings starting January 15th. The latest seeding time in this case is March 17th. If seedlings of this crop are planted at the end of March or in April, the peppers in the future may simply not have time to ripen before the onset of cold weather.
According to the lunar calendar, this plant should be sown on the growing moon in the second quarter. In this case, it is advisable to pick up a moment when the night luminary will be in the sign of Scorpio, Libra or Taurus.
Dates for eggplant
Many domestic gardeners would also like to know about when to plant seeds of this crop on seedlings. Eggplant in Central Russia is usually sown for seedlings in late February - early March. Like tomatoes, cucumbers or peppers, this culture according to the lunar calendar is supposed to be planted in boxes in the second quarter of the moon. In addition, it is believed that this plant is patronized by such zodiac signs as Leo, Aries and Sagittarius.
Eggplant seedlings are usually planted in open ground at the age of 75 days. Therefore, the optimal timing of their landing in Central Russia is 2 and 3 decades of March.
When to plant cabbage seedlings
The growing season in this garden crop is shorter than in nightshade. Late cabbage varieties are usually planted in seedlings in April, and early ones in mid or late March. Some summer residents sow the seeds of this culture and later in May. In this case, cabbage seedlings are not grown in crates, but directly on the plot - under the film.
According to the lunar calendar, in order to get a good crop of this crop, it should be planted in the first quarter of the moon. In this case, it is best if the natural satellite is in the sign of Aries or Cancer. The cabbage planted at this time will subsequently give the largest and strongest heads of cabbage.