Selection does not stand still, and new varieties of vegetables and improved types of already known crops and root crops are constantly emerging. Therefore, there is no single answer to the question “when to sow seeds for seedlings”. Even experienced summer residents doubt the correctness of the chosen time, but beginners are even more lost among the huge amount of information regarding sowing seedlings. You can calculate the time using the formula.
There is no universal period for sowing seedlings even for one vegetable crop. There are many individual factors that determine the optimal sowing time. It is better to calculate this period for each type of seedlings individually. To calculate the formula, you need data on the following items:
- climate features in which the seedling will grow;
- how long does the vegetation of this plant last;
- at what age is it best to plant seedlings in the ground;
- the need of a particular culture for warmth;
- approximate ripening time;
- where this crop will grow, in a greenhouse, or on open ground;
- seed germination time.
Despite the apparent complexity, everything is simple. If you consider each item in detail, you will see that even a novice summer resident can determine the time for sowing seeds for seedlings.
Climatic conditions
This is the key criterion that will be the starting point. It is best to use the scheme of two main sowing dates, the so-called "cold" and "warm" terms.
In the "cold" period, which is indicated by the time period from March to May, crops that are resistant to cold are planted in open ground. Also planted early ripe cabbage. Under the film are vegetables that are more thermophilic. These include tomatoes, vegetable peppers, eggplant, cucumbers. During this period, the temperature of the soil at a depth of 10-15 cm should reach 9 ° C.
In the "warm" period, heat-loving seedlings are planted in open space. The period lasts from mid-April to mid-June.
Important! From the period in which it is possible to plant seedlings in open and closed ground in your climate, the time for sowing seeds will depend.
growing season
This is the time from the appearance of the first sprouts to the final harvest. Different crops have different growing seasons. The seedling method, as a rule, grows crops, the growing season of which is longer than the warm climatic period of the region. If you sow such crops in the ground, you can simply not have time to get a crop. It often happens that different varieties of the same crop do not have the same growing season.
There are garden crops:
- early ripe;
- medium ripeness;
- late-ripening.
Data on this parameter is always indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging of seeds.
Planting age
For seedlings of each crop, there is an optimal planting period. It was at this time that young, immature plants more easily transfer the process of transportation from comfortable growing conditions to the soil. If the seedling is transplanted in due time, it is less injured, does not get sick in the future and better adapts to new conditions. The time of sowing seedlings must be chosen based on this feature of the plants.
Planting dates for seedlings
| culture | Planting age of early variety seedlings in days | Planting age of medium grade seedlings in days | Planting age of late variety seedlings in days |
|---|---|---|---|
| tomatoes | 40-50 | 50-60 | 60-65 |
| cucumbers | 20-25 | 30 | 30-35 |
| eggplant | 45-50 | 50-55 | 60-65 |
| Pepper | 40-45 | 45-55 | 55-65 |
| 30-35 | 35-40 | 40-45 | |
| Broccoli | 25-30 | 30-35 | 35-40 |
| Kohlrabi | 20-25 | 25-30 | 30-35 |
| Cauliflower | 25-30 | 30 | 30-35 |
| Zucchini | 20-25 | 25 | 30 |
| Melons (watermelons, melons) | 20-25 | 25-30 | 30-35 |
Warmly
Almost all plants that we get by the seedling method are thermophilic. The exceptions are early cabbage and zucchini. Eggplants can be planted only when all risks of frost have passed. Peppers too. Cold-resistant plants can be sown on seedlings later. A later sowing date also implies planting under a film web.
ripening time
This is a relative criterion, since there is a technical ripeness of the product and biological ripeness. To bookmark the crop for storage, it is quite enough to wait for the first one. For immediate consumption, plants can be aged until the final biological ripeness of the fruit is reached.
Advice! Guided by one simple rule, you can influence the timing of the ripeness of the crop. By slightly changing the timing of sowing seeds, by sowing in several stages, you can get seedlings of different ages. It will ripen at different times, thereby increasing the length of the overall harvest period.
Greenhouse or soil
Planting vegetable crops in different conditions significantly affects their ripening period. If you plan to grow tomatoes in a regular garden bed, you should transfer seedlings to it no earlier than the end of May - the beginning of June. Under greenhouse growing conditions, planting can be moved three to four weeks earlier.
It is also worth paying attention to the materials that make up the greenhouse. The time of crop maturation also depends on what temperature will be in the shelter.
| culture | Time of planting seedlings in the ground | Planting time for seedlings in the greenhouse |
|---|---|---|
| tomatoes | 26.05 - 6.06 | 2.05 - 7.05 |
| cucumbers | 7.06 - 14.06 | 7.05 -14.05 |
| eggplant | 1.06 - 10.06 | 20.05 - 25.05 |
| Pepper | 25.05 - 05.06 | 01.05 - 10.05 |
| White and red cabbage | 05.05 – 15.06 | 30.04 - 15.05 |
| Broccoli | 25.06 - 1.07 | 20.05 - 25.05 |
| Kohlrabi | 20.06 - 25.06 | 25.05 - 30.05 |
| Cauliflower | 25.06 - 05.07 | 20.05 - 01.06 |
| Zucchini | 1.06 - 10.06 | 15.05 - 25.05 |
| Melons (watermelons, melons) | 5.06 - 15.06 | 20.05 - 30.05 |
Time of emergence of sprouts
The appearance of sprouts can occur within 3-15 days from the moment of sowing the seeds. This criterion is very important, since it directly affects the overall growth period of vegetable crops. It depends not only on the quality of the seeds, but also on the conditions in which they are located. This includes soil quality, temperature, humidity level, sowing depth. Shoots from dry seeds appear later than shoots from pre-wetted and prepared seeds. To speed up germination and make it uniform, you can treat the seeds with a special preparation - a growth accelerator.
Average seed germination rates
| culture | Germination time after preparation in days | Dry germination time in days |
|---|---|---|
| tomatoes | 4-5 | 7-8 |
| cucumbers | 2-3 | 5-7 |
| eggplant | 4-5 | 8-15 |
| Pepper | 4-5 | 8-15 |
| White and red cabbage | 3-5 | 8-10 |
| Broccoli | 4-6 | 8-12 |
| Kohlrabi | 3-5 | 8-10 |
| Cauliflower | 3-5 | 8-10 |
| Zucchini | 4-5 | 7-8 |
| Melons (watermelons, melons) | 7-10 | 14-18 |
Video - Terms of sowing vegetable seeds for seedlings. When to sow?
The optimal time for sowing
Climatic conditions are taken as a starting point. Then, from the table, the conditions under which the culture will grow are selected. Considering the information on the growing season specified by the manufacturer, the sowing time is selected. Subtracting from the obtained value the period of emergence of sprouts, you can get the exact dates of sowing for seedlings of seeds of a particular crop. This is a basic formula that can be supplemented with data from personal experience.
Advice! Eggplants and cucumbers for seedlings are best sown immediately in separate pots or cassettes, as their roots are very fragile and painfully react to the transplant procedure. Tomatoes can be sown in boxes, and when transplanted into open ground, divide them with a fork or knife into squares.
Too, in a hurry with seeding, it's not worth it. Very early planting may not meet expectations for an early harvest. Seeds sown according to the exact time will grow into healthy seedlings, and subsequently into a noble, generous harvest.
An important factor in successfully obtaining seedlings on the windowsill is a solid seed material. Buy seeds from trusted companies, from trusted stores. If you have your own seeds, then there is nothing to worry about.
Seed preparation
If you have last year's seeds (fresh), then it will be enough to process them for two to three hours before planting in a solution of potassium permanganate (pink).
If the seeds are more than a year old, then it is better to soak them first in warm water for several hours, and only then pickle in potassium permanganate for 2-3 hours. Otherwise, there will be no friendly shoots, some seedlings will grow larger than others and after a while will begin to oppress the smaller ones.
Seeds pickled in potassium permanganate are filtered and laid out on an ordinary blotter or cotton pad, after 30–50 minutes the seeds acquire a loose state, and now they are much easier to sow.
Purchased treated seeds (they are in green or red shells) are not pickled in potassium permanganate and not soaked, but sown dry in highly moistened soil. Soaking these seeds can only harm friendly germination.
Seedling planting dates
Seeds are sown for seedlings, not all crops at once, because they have a different growing season.
- and pepper - sown in early February.
- Tomatoes - sown in the second half of February or the first decade of March.
- Cabbage - (early), in the first half of March, (late) at the end of March-first half of April.
- Cucumbers - at the end of March, the first half of April.
Seedlings sown in the month of February will not be strong and lush at first, as a result of a lack of light. The onset of spring, the sun and heat, an increase in daylight hours, will lead to the fact that the seedlings will wake up in a couple of weeks, gain strength and strength.
When planted at the end of February, the seedlings in May will go through the entire cycle of vegetative ripening and eggplants and peppers 30-45 centimeters tall will be in the open ground, and the tomato will be even higher. Now they will only have to open up, bloom and bring a powerful harvest, much earlier than the seedlings sown later.
Planting seeds
The cups (or the container that was prepared) fall asleep with the planting substrate. After lightly tamping (kneading with your fingers), we bring the height of the mixture to approximately two-thirds of the height of the glass.
If the earthen substrate is wet, then the filled cups are ready for planting seeds. If the earth mixture (substrate) turned out to be dry, then the filled cups are poured with plenty of water. Then the seeds are laid out, on the substrate and the substrate mixture is poured on top, with a layer of 1–2 centimeters. Again, lightly tamp with your fingers and slightly moisturize.
The soil above the seeds should be no higher than two centimeters, otherwise the seeds germinate for a long time, or may not sprout at all.
Usually 2-5 seeds are placed in all cups. With confidence in the quality of the seeds, 2-3 pieces are enough (after picking, after a week one of them is left, the most healthy seedling).
If you are not sure about the seeds, then you need to sow 5-6 seeds in each glass. When growing seedlings in pairs (tomatoes and peppers coexist well in pairs), then 3-4 seeds are sown in a glass.
With the same quality of seeds of pepper, tomatoes, cabbage and eggplant, pepper has the lowest germination, and tomatoes have the highest germination. Therefore, when sowing pepper, it is better to play it safe and sow a couple more seeds in each glass.
After planting and watering the seeds, the cups are covered with cellophane (which prevents the substrate from drying out before the seedlings appear) and placed in any warm place (before the seedlings germinate, the sown seeds do not need light). It is necessary to look under the film daily so as not to miss the beginning of seed germination. After the emergence of seedlings, the film is removed and the cups with plants are placed in the light.
A responsible and long-awaited time for many summer residents is approaching: very soon the window sills of city apartments will turn into mini-plantations for flowers. And one of the most important decisions that the gardener-gardener has to make at this time is the choice of sowing time.
To get good seedlings, you need to choose the right sowing time
Experienced amateur growers usually have years of proven answers to the question: “When to sow?” Beginners dig through piles of magazines and books, sometimes extracting conflicting information. Meanwhile, new types of vegetable crops and new varieties of familiar ones appear on the market - and we all want to try to grow them. And new plants mean new dates. How to calculate them? I want to find universal formula, truth? Well, let's try!
Formula elements
The optimal sowing time for seedlings, even for the same crop, can vary markedly, which is why, for example, I am very skeptical of general recommendations such as “you need to sow tomatoes from March 1 to March 10.” Universal, in my opinion, is almost impossible to name - too many individual factors determine it. But it can be calculated, and with great accuracy.
The optimal sowing time, even for the same crop, can be different.
For this we need to know:
- the length of the growing season for a particular crop;
- the optimal age of seedlings for a given plant when it is planted in the ground;
- growing conditions (, open ground);
- desired harvest time;
- seed germination period;
- climatic conditions of your region.
Length of the growing season
We are talking about the time that passes from the moment of emergence to the full formation of the plant and harvest. Naturally, the duration of this period is different for different crops, and it is those that have a long growing season that we usually grow in seedlings - otherwise, in our latitudes, they simply will not have time to produce a crop.
You need to know what is the length of the growing season for the selected variety
In addition, the duration of the growing season differs for different varieties of the same plant. On this basis, distinguish early ripe, mid-season and late-ripening varieties. It is clear that late-ripening crops require more time to form a crop than early-ripening ones, and we, of course, must take this into account when determining the time of sowing.
The seed packet says length of the growing season in days- that's what we need. Well, for reference, you can remember the "average" data on the most popular vegetable crops:
- - from 80 to 140 days;
- - from 90 to 140 days;
- - from 100 to 150 days;
- - from 50 (ultra-early) to 190 (late) days.
As you can see, the range is quite large, therefore, for example, tomatoes of late varieties for seedlings are sown already in February, or even in January, and early ones - in March-April.
Optimum seedling age
For transplanting seedlings and planting them in the ground, each culture has its own optimal age - it is at this time that young plants most easily endure the traumatic procedure, take root faster and get sick less. Accordingly, it is necessary to choose the time of sowing in such a way that by the time of planting the seedlings have reached the most suitable age.
Each type of seedling has its own optimal age for planting in the ground.
- early ripe tomatoes- 40-50 days;
- mid-ripening tomatoes- 55-60 days;
- late-ripening tomatoes- 70 days;
- Sweet pepper- 50-65 days;
- eggplant- 45-60 days.
plant heat requirements
Most of the vegetable crops that we grow in seedlings are very thermophilic. The exception is, perhaps, only, which tolerates relatively low temperatures well. Why is this important to us? Because this indicator will ultimately affect the time of planting seedlings in the ground.
Most plants grown from seedlings are very fond of warmth.
One thing is important: do not rush. After all, overgrown, too early sown seedlings will not give, contrary to expectations, early and high yields. So is it worth tormenting plants and tormenting yourself? Those who have tried to get early seedlings know for sure that it is not easy: there is still little light, there is not enough heat either, and much more effort is required for growing!
Calculation example
For example, let's consider the calculation on specific data. For example, let's calculate when to sow seedlings of the popular variety "Moskvich" for seedlings in the conditions of the Middle lane for planting in open ground.1. Despite the fact that this variety of tomato is considered resistant to low temperatures, planting in open ground should not be started earlier term "HEAT". For the Middle lane (the latitude of Moscow), this is approximately June 10 (see. table number 1).
2. "Moskvich" - an early ripe variety, duration his growing season- 90-105 days, so optimal seedling age for landing in the ground will be 40-50 days. We subtract this period from the date of planting seedlings - we get the period from April 20 to May 1.
Let's check ourselves: Based on the length of the growing season (90-105 days), this variety of tomato, when planting seedlings at the age of 40-50 days, will need another 50-65 days to form a full-fledged crop. The number of frost-free days in the Middle lane is approximately 90 (see Fig. table number 2), which means that plants in the open field will be able to successfully grow and please us. Although we understand, of course, that the August cold snap can significantly shorten this period - but that is another story ...
3. tomato seeds germinate, on average, about 5 days. We subtract them from the received period - we get the approximate sowing dates: April 15-25.
So that there are no questions about calculating the timing of sowing for seedlings of the main vegetables, you can watch the following video.
When to plant seedlings. Terms of planting garden plants
When to plant what seedlings? Seedling Growth Calendar
The optimal time for landing is when the moon is below the horizon, that is, it has not yet risen or has already set, avoiding especially the rising and setting of the moon.
To get the best crop of inches, sow seeds in the ground during the growing moon - from new moon to full moon, preferably closer to the new moon. But not on the new moon: at this time, the seeds have a minimum of viability, they may not germinate. You can sow long-germinating seeds two days before the new moon.
The period two days before the new moon and seven days after the new moon is the best for sowing seeds that germinate and germinate very quickly or very long. The 3rd quarter of the moon is the best time for sowing seeds that germinate and germinate for a moderately long time.
You will get the best harvest of roots if you plant on the waning moon or two days before the full moon.
Any harvest intended for storage is best harvested during the waning moon and on days when the moon is in one of the "unproductive" signs of the zodiac.
It is best to dig up potatoes on the waning moon, closer to the new moon and when it is in Aries, Gemini, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius. It is permissible when the Moon is in Leo, Virgo. Scorpio, Cancer, Pisces - potatoes are poorly stored and tasteless.
Among the productive signs of the Zodiac, “wet” are noted, when plants most actively absorb water and accumulate it in the green parts. These are Cancer, Libra, Scorpio, Pisces. When the Moon is in these signs, watering is most effective. But harvesting grown products for the future (canning, pickling, pickling, drying, harvesting juices and wine) is effective with the growing Moon, when it passes the signs of Capricorn, Scorpio, Taurus. Less effective, but acceptable - with Gemini, Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Pisces, Cancer, Virgo. Highly discouraged - with the Moon in Aquarius.
Planting calendar for seedlings of garden crops
| culture | Sowing for seedlings | |
| Anise | 25.4-15.5 | |
| Basil | 15.3-10.4 | 10.5-10.6 |
| Eggplant | 10.2-15.3 | 5-25.5 (might need cover) |
| beans | 10.4-15.5 (might need cover) | |
| Swede | 20.4-5.5 | 20.4-15.6 (grow both seedlings and non-seedlings) |
| Peas | 15.4-5.7 (provided that the soil warms up over 6 degrees) | |
| Mustard leaf | 10.4-10.8 | |
| Melon | 1-15.4 | 10-30.5 (subject to warming up the soil over 15 degrees) |
| strawberries | 1.2-1.4 | 15.7-5.9 |
| Zucchini, zucchini | 25.4-15.5 | |
| early white cabbage | 1-15.3 | 15.4-10.5 |
| red cabbage | 15.4-5.5 | 20.5-25.6 |
| late white cabbage | 25.3-15.4 | 10-25.5 |
| Broccoli | 1.3-25.5 | 25.4 (might need to cover) -30.6 |
| Brussels sprouts | 25.3-25.4 | 15.5-15.6 |
| kohlrabi cabbage | 1.3-15.7 | 5.4 (might need to cover) -20.8 |
| storage kohlrabi | 20.5-10.6 | 20.6-10.7 |
| leafy cabbage | 10.5-30.6 | 10.6-30.7 |
| Cauliflower | 1.3-15.6 | 25.4 (might need to cover) -25.7 |
| Potato early | 20-30.4 (provided that the soil warms up over 9 degrees) | |
| Potato | 1-10.4 | 8-20.5 |
| cilantro | 20.4-10.8 | |
| Watercress | 10.4 (might need cover) -10.9 | |
| Onion, from seed | 1-30.3 | 15.4-10.5 |
| Bow-batun | 15.4-15.7 and up to 10.9 | |
| Leek | 10.3-5.4 | 1-30.5 |
| Shallot | from 15.4 (may be required) until October | |
| Marjoram | 20.3-10.4 | 15.5-15.6 |
| Melissa | 5.3-10.4 | 20.4-20.5 |
| early carrot | 10.4 (may need to cover) - 5.8 | |
| late carrots for storage | 20.5-5.6 | |
| Peppermint | March | April (also in autumn) |
| Cucumbers, greenhouse | 5-30.4 | 1-25.5 (subject to soil warming up to 12 degrees) |
| Cucumbers, open ground | 1-15.5 | 20.5 (you may need to cover: subject to soil heating over 12 degrees |
| Parsnip | 10.4 (might need cover) -25.4 | |
| Squash | 20.4-10.5 | 20.5-10.6 (subject to warming up the soil over 11 degrees) |
| culture | Sowing for seedlings | Planting (or sowing) in open ground |
| Bulgarian pepper | 10.2-15.3 | 5-25.5 |
| Parsley | March | April and/or October |
| Rhubarb | 10.4-10.5 | 1-15.9 |
| Radish | 10.4-25.5 | |
| Late radish for storage | 25.7-10.8 | |
| Radish, spring-summer varieties | 25.4-20.5 | |
| Radish, summer-autumn varieties | 10.6-10.7 | |
| Turnip | 20.4 (might need cover) -10.5 | |
| turnip storage | 5-20.7 | |
| head salad | 15.3-20.7 | 10.4 (might need cover) -20.8 |
| leaf lettuce | 15.3-20.7 | 10.4 (may need to cover) - 20.8 |
| Beetroot | 10-25.4 | 20.4 (you may need to cover; subject to warming up the soil to 8 degrees) - 20.6 |
| Beetroot for storage | 10-15.5 | |
| Celery rhizomes | 5-20.2 | 25.4-10.5 |
| leaf celery | 1.3-15.4 | 1.5-10.6 |
| Asparagus | 25.2-10.6 | 1.5-10.7 |
| Caraway | April or October | |
| early tomatoes | 10-25.4 | 25.5-10.6 |
| Pickled tomatoes | 20.5-10.6 | |
| Jerusalem artichoke | April | |
| Pumpkin ordinary | 5.5-25.5 | 25.5-15.6 (subject to soil warming over 11 degrees) |
| Butternut squash | 10-30.5 | 1-15.6 (provided that the soil warms up over 13 degrees) |
| Dill | 1.4-31.7 | |
| Winter dill | 15.10-30.11 | |
| Beans for grain | 20.4-20.5 | 15.5-15.6 |
| Beans tall, curly | 20-30.5 | |
| Horseradish | April | |
| Winter garlic | 10.9-5.10 (provided that the soil warms up to + 4 degrees) | |
| Spring garlic | 17.4-15.5 | |
| Sorrel | April to July | |
| Spinach | 20-30.3 | 10.4 (may need to cover) - 20.7 |
| Endive | March | 1-15.6 |
| Tarragon | 10.2-5.5 | 5.4-30.6 |
At the summer cottage, a wedge is necessarily allocated for garden crops, the bulk of which are vegetables. Each culture is distinguished by its biological characteristics, formed in the climate of the area of origin. The main condition for the successful cultivation of vegetable crops in an environment unusual for them is the sowing time associated with the temperature of the soil and air, the brightness of the lighting and the duration of daylight hours. The article proposes to get acquainted with the approximate dates for sowing seeds of the main vegetable crops in open ground for regions with different climatic conditions.
Spring sowing of vegetables in open ground. © openjarcollective
Soil temperature is the main indicator of the start of sowing
An indicator of the beginning of sowing is the temperature of the soil at the depth of the bulk of the roots of a particular crop. Its change and rate of warming are affected by snow cover, groundwater, soil type, and its humidity. It is the heating of the soil in the root layer that makes it possible to obtain an early harvest.
If seeds are sown in cold soil, then even cold-resistant crops can sprout, but they will not be able to form a crop. Roots in cold soil cannot function normally to provide conditions for the development of the above-ground mass.
To save sowing, heat-loving crops are sown only when constant warm weather sets in without returning spring frosts. When they are threatened, seedlings are covered with any cover material (spunbond, lutrasil), which is removed the next morning with the onset of warm weather. Solar heating of a covered bed can adversely affect seedlings and young seedlings.
Naturally, the timing of sowing by region may not coincide according to the numerical data of the spring-summer months. Therefore, the main reference point for the start of sowing in open ground in regions with a short warm period and early onset of cold weather will be soil temperature, lighting intensity and the establishment of a frost-free period.
In these regions, vegetable crops of southern origin are mainly grown through seedlings, the planting dates of which are presented in the article "".
Determination of soil temperature using thermometers
To do this, use Savinov TM-5 cranked thermometers, exhaust thermometers and probe thermometers.
It is more convenient for beginner gardeners to determine the temperature of the soil in layers with thermometers. Remember that they are used only in the warm period, and when the temperature drops to a depth of 5 cm to 0 ° C, they are dug up and removed into the room. The measurement procedure is specified in the recommendations.
Determination of soil temperature by plants
The state of the crown of trees, the above-ground mass of shrubs, the onset of flowering of perennial wild grasses are taken into account.
Take note:
- Blackcurrant buds have blossomed, vegetable and flower crops can be sown.
- The buds of the warty birch unfolded, which means that the soil at a depth of 5 cm warmed up well, it was time to sow early greens, plant early potatoes. The leaves turned a little - it's time to sow radishes, carrots, and other root crops. The birch is preparing for flowering - the soil has warmed up to 10 cm deep. It's time to sow tomatoes in open ground.
- Dandelions bloom when the temperature in the 10 cm soil layer warms up to + 6 ... + 8 ° С, and in the 10-40 cm layer - only up to + 3 ° С.
- Bird cherry blossoms - it's time to plant potatoes.
Determination of soil temperature by the physical state of the soil
This method is often used by experienced gardeners. A handful of earth is compressed into a lump. If liquid appears on the surface of the lump, it is too early to sow, and the lump has crumbled - sow early. It fell, but scattered into lumps - you can start planting early cabbage and potatoes, salads, radishes.
Sowing seeds of vegetable crops in early spring in open ground. © Sanna
Lighting is the second most important indicator of the beginning of the sowing
In the complex of main conditions, the next is light. It is regulated by a much larger list of requirements: sowing dates, air temperature, standing density, timely thinning, destruction of tall weeds that shade plants.
Each type of plant normally grows and develops under natural conditions at a certain length of daylight hours.
For some crops, the length of daylight does not affect the germination and development of plants. Such crops can be sown almost throughout the warm season. Others are quite sensitive to changes in lighting. Breeders, breeding new varieties, always accustom them to the climatic conditions of a particular area and, accordingly, recommend approximate sowing dates, which must be observed.
Groups of crops that react differently to lighting
Neutral. The cultures of this group practically do not react to the amount and period of solar energy received. These include peas, beans, some varieties of tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as watermelons, asparagus and others. The list is constantly updated by breeders who “instill” the ability to not respond to the length of daylight hours in new varieties and hybrids.
Short-day. Under the conditions of a shortened day (10-14 hours), plants bloom faster and proceed to fruiting. These are certain varieties and hybrids of tomatoes, beans, cucumbers. The same group includes other pumpkin (zucchini, pumpkin, squash), corn, sweet and bitter peppers, eggplant. A group of greens (dill, parsley, lettuce, spinach, sorrel, onion on a green feather) quickly turns to flowering (flowering).
Long-day. Plants of this group, with a sufficient duration of illumination (more than 14 hours), pass to the phase of flowering and fruiting. This group of plants includes all kinds of cabbages, radishes, swedes, radishes, turnips of northern varieties, parsnips, carrots, vegetable peas, and beets. If long-day plants are given short-day conditions, using early sowing or darkening, their development will be retarded. They will not be able to move on to the flowering and fruiting phases. They stop at the formation of lush rosettes of greenery (vegetative organs).
Seedlings of vegetables sown in spring in open ground. © fenugreeklove Terms of sowing vegetables in open ground
Early spring sowing (mid-March - mid-April)
This group of plants is made up of cultures with low and medium requirements for light. Sowing early spring greens and vegetables can be done in stages, in 10-12-15 days, which will prolong the receipt of fresh products.
List of crops for sowing at soil temperature in 7-10 cm layer within +3…+5°С.
- Green (spicy) - dill, parsley, coriander, fennel, parsnips, mustard, celery, asparagus, lemon balm and others.
- Leafy vegetables and with aboveground crop formation - all types of lettuce, horseradish, spinach, rhubarb, peas, early cauliflower, broccoli, early ripe white cabbage.
- Bulbous and root crops - onion sets and onion nigella on a feather and onion, early carrots, radishes, radishes, turnips, rutabaga.
Mid-spring crops (mid-April - second decade of May)
If the spring is cold and wet, sowing is postponed to a later date (for 5-8 days). Like cold-resistant ones, these crops can also be sown in stages, after 10-12-15 days, which will prolong the receipt of fresh products.
When the soil warms up in the root layer from +5°C, it is possible to continue sowing some crops that are low and medium demanding to the conditions of sun supply.
List of crops for sowing at soil temperature in 8-15 cm layer within +5…+8°С.
- Green - leaf celery, petiole, root, salad chicory.
- Vegetable - all types of cabbage: medium white, red, Brussels, Savoy, kohlrabi and others. Potatoes are planted early, medium, leek, spring garlic. Sow onion sets and beans, beans. Closer to May, vegetable sugar corn and sunflower are sown.
- Root crops: beets, medium carrots.
Late spring sowing (last decade of May - mid-June)
Sowing vegetables in open ground is carried out in the third decade of May-June when constant warm weather occurs without return spring frosts. For example, in the middle zone of Russia, Siberia, the Urals, warm weather without frost sets in after June 10-15. The soil in the root layer warms up to +12…+15-17°С. That is, crops in open ground, even early cold-resistant vegetable crops, are shifted to the pre-summer or early summer.
In these regions, it is more expedient to use early varieties, necessarily zoned for the local climate, use temporary shelters and grow vegetables in protected ground in the autumn.
Heat-loving crops, the sowing of which is carried out at a soil temperature in a 10-15 cm layer up to + 13 ... + 15-17 ° С
With the onset of a stable warm period, tomatoes, beans, melons (melons and watermelons), sunflowers, basil, marjoram, root crops (carrots, beets) are sown. Solanaceous seedlings (tomatoes, eggplants, sweet and bitter peppers) and pumpkin crops (cucumbers, zucchini, squash, pumpkin) are planted in open ground.
Thus, specialists have identified groups of plants that require a certain soil temperature, frost-free weather, the amount and duration of solar energy for germination and normal development.
Features of the selection of the timing of sowing vegetables in different regions
When choosing the timing of sowing vegetables on your site, you need to take into account that some short-day varieties need a darkness factor, but only at the beginning of the growing season (at this time they are shaded). With age, they develop normally and form fruiting under long day conditions. If short-day plants are provided with a day length of more than 14 hours, then their development will slow down, and the vegetative mass will begin to develop intensively. This property is used when forcing greens to quickly obtain fresh greens and early vegetable products.
In cold regions, shifting the sowing of vegetable crops to an earlier date, it is necessary to use temporary shelters and prepare insulated beds.
The Far East has a special temperature regime. Vegetable growing is concentrated in the Amur Region, Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories. Humid warm summer allows you to take quite high yields of cold-resistant varieties of sweet pepper and melons, bred specifically for this zone, as well as cabbage, carrots, which can be grown in open ground, sowing after June 15, that is, the crops will be pre-summer.
Green products of spicy vegetables grown in the open field are obtained only during summer crops. In these regions, it is more expedient to use early varieties, necessarily zoned for the local climate, use temporary shelters and grow vegetables in protected ground in the autumn.
Table 1. Sowing dates for the Southern region
| Name of crops | |||
| March 1-25 | — | June 5-15 | |
| leaf lettuce | March 5 - April 15 | April 15 - May 10 | — |
| Onion on a feather, onion on a turnip | March 10-30 | from April 15 | — |
| cucumbers | — | April 10 — May 10 | May 25 — June 15 |
| Spring garlic | March 1-10 | — | — |
| Potato | March 1 - April 10 | from April 20 | — |
| Carrot | April 5-25; | April 15 — May 30 | May 25 — June 10 |
| Radish | March 15-30 | — | — |
| Parsnip | April 5-10 | April 20 — May 10 | — |
| Peas | March 1-30 | — | — |
| sweet corn | — | April 20 — May 10 | — |
| Beans | — | May 15-20 | — |
| Beet | April 5-15 | April 15-30 | May 25 — June 10 |
| tomatoes | March 15-30 | from April 15 (varieties of medium ripening) | — |
| — | April 15 — May 20 | May 20-June 10 | |
| White cabbage | March 1-25 March 10-20(varieties of medium maturity). | April 10 - May 20 (late ripening varieties) | — |
| Zucchini, squash | — | April 20 — May 10 | — |
| Watermelons, melons | — | — | — |
Table 2. Sowing dates for the Central Black Earth region
| Name of crops | Early spring sowing in open ground (March 15 - April 15) | Mid-spring crops in open ground (April 15 - May 20) | Late spring sowing in open ground (May 20 - June 15) |
| Dill, fennel, parsley, celery | March 1-25 | April 15 — May 20 | May 20 — June 15 |
| leaf lettuce | March 5 - April 15 | April 20-30 | May 20-30 |
| Onion on a feather, onion on a turnip | March 10-30 | April 20 — May 20 | May 20 — June 15 |
| cucumbers | — | April 20 — May 20 | May 20 — June 15 |
| Spring garlic | March 1-10 | May 11-20 | May 25 - June 5 |
| Potato | March 1 - April 10 | May 20-15 | May 11-20 |
| Carrot | March 15-30, April 5-25; | April 25 - May 10 | May 20-30 |
| Radish | April 5-10 | April 20-28 | — |
| Parsnip | March 1-30 | April 10 - May 1 | — |
| Peas | April 5-15 | April 20-30 | April 20 — May 25 |
| sweet corn | — | April 20-30 | May 20 - June 1 |
| Beans | — | — | May 10-30 |
| Beet | March 15-30 | April 20 — May 10 | May 20-30 |
| tomatoes | From April 15 (under cover) | April 25 - May 5 | May 15 — June 15 |
| Eggplant, sweet and bitter pepper | From April 15 (under cover) | April 15-25 (under cover). From May 20, track the weather | May 20 — June 15 |
| White cabbage | March 1-25(varieties of early ripening). March 10-20(varieties of medium maturity) | May 20-30 (varieties of medium ripening) | May 20-25 (varieties of medium and late ripening) |
| Zucchini, squash | — | May 10-15 | — |
| Watermelons, melons | — | May 10-15 | — |
Table 3. Sowing dates for the Far East region
| Name of crops | Early spring sowing in open ground (March 15 - April 15) | Mid-spring crops in open ground (April 15 - May 20) | Late spring sowing in open ground (May 20 - June 15) |
| Dill, fennel, parsley, celery | March 20-30. Re-seeding April 10-20 | May 15-20 | May 25 — June 10 |
| leaf lettuce | March 1-20. Re-seeding April 1-20 | May 15-20 | |
| Onion on a feather, onion on a turnip | April 25 – 10 | May 15-20 | May 25 - June 15 (under cover) |
| cucumbers | — | May 15-20 (under shelter in a warm bed) | from June 15 |
| Spring garlic | April 10-15 | April 15-30 | |
| Potato | April 1-15 (under shelter). If cold spring April 10-15 | from April 15 to May 20 (under cover) | from May 20 (early maturing varieties) |
| Carrot | March 20-30(varieties of early ripening). April 10-20(varieties of medium maturity) | April 15 - May 20 (varieties of medium ripening); you can continue sowing varieties of early ripening | from May 25(late maturing varieties). May 20-25(sowing varieties of medium maturity) |
| Radish | March 20-30 | from May 20 (under shelter due to the lengthening of the day) | May 25 - June 15 (under cover) |
| Parsnip | March 20-30 | — | — |
| Peas | March 15-April 15 | from May 15 (under cover) | from June 15 |
| sweet corn | — | — | — |
| Beans | — | — | — |
| Beet | April 10-20 | — | from May 25 |
| tomatoes | — | — | — |
| Eggplant, sweet and bitter pepper | — | — | — |
| White cabbage | — | May 15-20 (early maturing varieties under cover) | from May 20 |
| Zucchini, squash | — | — | from June 15 |
| Watermelons, melons | — | — | from June 15 |
Table 4. Sowing dates for Siberia and the Urals
| Name of crops | Early spring sowing in open ground (March 15 - April 15) | Mid-spring crops in open ground (April 15 - May 20) | Late spring sowing in open ground (May 20 - June 15) |
| Dill, fennel, parsley, celery | — | April 20 — May 20 | May 25 — June 15 |
| leaf lettuce | — | April 20 - May 20 (under cover) | June 1-15 (under cover) |
| Onion on a feather, onion on a turnip | — | from May 20 | June 1-15 (under cover) |
| cucumbers | — | May 20 - June 10 (in warm beds or under temporary shelter) | May 25 — June 15 |
| Spring garlic | — | May 12-15 | — |
| Potato | — | April 28 — May 10 | May 10 - June 1 |
| Carrot | — | April 25 — May 20 | May 20 — June 10 |
| Radish | — | — | May 25 - June 15 (under cover) |
| Parsnip | — | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | — |
| sweet corn | — | — | — |
| Beans | — | — | — |
| Beet | — | May 15-30 | May 15-30 |
| tomatoes | — | — | |
| Eggplant, sweet and bitter pepper | — | — | — |
| White cabbage | — | From June 1 (under cover) | |
| Zucchini, squash | — | — | — |
| Watermelons, melons | — | — | — |
Table 5. Sowing dates for the North-West region
| Name of crops | Early spring sowing in open ground (March 15 - April 15) | Mid-spring crops in open ground (April 15 - May 20) | Late spring sowing in open ground (May 20 - June 15) |
| Dill, fennel, parsley, celery | — | May 15 -25 | May 25 — June 15 |
| leaf lettuce | — | May 15-20 (under cover) | June 1-15 (under cover) |
| Onion on a feather, onion on a turnip | — | May 15-20 | June 1-15 (under cover) |
| cucumbers | — | — | May 20 — June 10(in warm beds or under temporary shelter). June 15- open ground |
| Spring garlic | — | — | — |
| Potato | — | April 28 - May 10 (early ripening varieties) | May 10 - June 1 |
| Carrot | — | April 25 — May 20 | May 20 — June 10 |
| Radish | — | — | from May 25 (under cover) |
| Parsnip | — | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | — |
| sweet corn | — | — | — |
| Beans | — | — | — |
| Beet | — | — | May 15-30 |
| tomatoes | — | April 15 - May 5 (under cover) | — |
| Eggplant, sweet and bitter pepper | — | — | — |
| White cabbage | — | May 10-15 (early maturing varieties under cover) | From June 1 (under cover) |
| Zucchini, squash | — | — | — |
| Watermelons, melons | — | — | — |
Table 6. Sowing dates for the Middle lane and Moscow region
| Name of crops | Early spring sowing in open ground (March 15 - April 15) | Mid-spring crops in open ground (April 15 - May 20) | Late spring sowing in open ground (May 20 - June 15) |
| Dill, fennel, parsley, celery | — | May 1-10; (celery May 10-20) | May 15-30 |
| leaf lettuce | — | May 5-10 | May 20-30 |
| Onion on a feather, onion on a turnip | — | May 10-20 | May 11-20 |
| cucumbers | — | May 10-20 (under cover) | May 20 - June 15 (under cover) |
| Spring garlic | — | May 10-20 | May 11-20 |
| Potato | — | May 10-20 | May 15-25 |
| Carrot | — | May 5-10 | May 20 — June 10 |
| Radish | — | May 1-10 | from May 25 (under cover) |
| Parsnip | — | May 5-10 | — |
| Peas | — | May 5-10 | from June 10 |
| sweet corn | — | May 8-15 | — |
| Beans | — | May 8-15 | from June 10 |
| Beet | — | May 5-10 | May 15-30 |
| tomatoes | — | April 15 - May 5 (under cover) | — |
| Eggplant, sweet and bitter pepper | — | — | — |
| White cabbage | — | May 1-10 (early maturing varieties under cover) | — |
| Zucchini, squash | — | May 15-20 (under cover) | May 20-30 - June 5-10 |
| Watermelons, melons | — | — | — |
Dear reader! The article provides indicative data for sowing in open ground. Regardless of the region of the country, the main criterion for the timing of sowing is soil temperature, the onset of a frost-free period, and the intensity of sunlight. If you have other guidelines and approaches that justify themselves, write in the comments. This is a very interesting and necessary material for readers.
