When to plant cucumbers for seedlings
The lunar calendar and the recommendations of experienced gardeners will help to determine the timing of When to plant cucumbers for seedlings in 2018. Planting cucumbers for seedlings should take into account many nuances: the climatic zone, the method of growing, the variety of cucumbers, and more. An equally important condition is the influence of the moon.
The best time to plant cucumbers for seedlings
The influence of the moon
The moon is capable of causing tides and the movement of juices, which directly affects the course of life on our planet. Each of the four phases of the moon has a different effect on the growth and development of plants, their ground part (leaves and fruits) and the underground (root system).
Moon phases
At the stage of the growth of the moon, the liquids inside the plants rise upwards - energy is released for the growth and development of the ground part.
The full moon is the peak of this process. Plants are full of energy and nutrients - this is the best time to pick fruits and herbs, but not to plant.
At the stage of the waning moon, fluid and energy gradually leaves the terrestrial part to the underground, to the root system.
During the new moon, plants are especially vulnerable to damage, but since by this time their strength has gone into the roots, this is a good time to harvest root crops.
Gardeners should remember a simple rule: all crops growing up (including cucumbers) should be planted on a growing moon, and those growing down (root crops) on a waning one.
Sowing and planting dates
First of all, sowing cucumbers for seedlings should take into account the climatic characteristics of the region. So, in the central regions and the Volga region, seeds are usually planted in April, in the southern regions - at the end of March; in Siberia and other northern regions - in early May. More specific terms are calculated, depending on the variety of cucumbers (early, mid-ripening or late) and the method of growing them (in a greenhouse or open field).
We determine the timing
The ripening period of seedlings from seeds is on average 3 weeks (plus a few days for seed preparation). The sowing time is calculated so that the planting of cucumber seedlings is carried out in a sufficiently heated ground (up to 16-18 ° C at a depth of 7-10 cm). Plants fully ripe for transplanting are distinguished by plump stems and 2-3 formed leaves of a dark green color.
Do not plant seeds in pots too early, or you may end up with overgrown seedlings that will not yield the desired yield. Conversely, if sowing too late, the seedlings may not mature at the optimum planting time. In this case, you should take into account favorable days for sowing and planting according to the lunar calendar, or at least adhere to the rules of the growing phase.
Recommendations by day
Follow the recommendations
In April 2018, planting cucumbers for seedlings is most favorable on the 17th and 18th, as well as from the 20th to the 24th. At the end of March, it is recommended to sow seeds on 20 or 21, as well as from 24 to 26. In May - 18 and 19, as well as from 23 to 26. In June, the waning moon falls in the first decade, this is an unfavorable planting time for seedlings of cucumbers. Later varieties can be planted on June 15, 21 and 22.
When is it not worth planting cucumbers for seedlings in 2018? In March, this is the period from 2 to 17, as well as the 31st. In April - the first half of the month, including the 16th and 30th. In May, the first half of the month is unfavorable, when the moon decreases, especially on the 1st, 2nd, 7th, 15th, as well as the period from 29th to 31st.
Features of preparation
When deciding when you will plant cucumbers for seedlings, do not forget about the seed preparation period. Since the Moon affects only germinated seeds, purchased ones (which do not need to be germinated first) can be planted a few days before the new moon. In this case, the seed will just begin to wake up in the growing phase according to the Lunar calendar.
Self-collected seeds should be planted only a few years after harvest (Best of all - after 3 years). Before planting in peat pots or tablets, they must be properly prepared: processed and germinated. Although many gardeners do not consider it imperative to germinate seeds that grow at home and not outdoors, this process will help test the seeds for germination and, as a result, save not only peat pots (or tablets), but also space on the windowsill.
When choosing auspicious days to sow seeds in peat pots, remember that sowing truly begins when the seed germinates.
Transplant features
Home-grown cucumber seedlings (in pots or peat tablets) should also be transplanted into open ground or a greenhouse on the growing moon. For the most part, favorable planting days coincide with the recommended planting days. The only difference is that the seeds are sown in the growing phase closer to the new moon, and the seedlings are planted in the same phase, but closer to the full moon. Plants planted before the full moon will grow tall, strong and full of vigor.
Watering
When transplanting, cucumber seedlings need good watering (1 liter per hole) and top dressing. Since the landing is carried out on the growing moon, mineral fertilizers are placed in the hole, and the soil is fertilized with organic matter beforehand, during the waning moon.
If the Moon is in the sign of Water or Earth, the root system of plants easily absorbs moisture, but being in the sign of Air, the Moon significantly complicates this process. If in the first case the plant is quite satisfied with 1 liter of water and even less, then in the second it will need more abundant watering.
Additional Tips
- In order for the harvests of cucumbers to be plentiful, of high quality and well kept, it is recommended to sow or plant a crop during the period when the growing moon is in the constellation Taurus.
- When the growing moon is in Cancer, there comes a favorable period for planting cucumbers, provided that, as they are grown, they will be immediately used for food. The fruits will turn out surprisingly tasty, but not too suitable for long-term storage.
- It is difficult to grow cucumbers planted during the period when the Moon is in the sign of Aquarius. It is better not to plant anything at all at this time and not to do garden work with the exception of weeding.