The moon affects not only the water bodies, but also the growth of plants. Many gardeners rely on this when it comes to sowing tomatoes. With the lunar calendar for 2022 you will find the right dates when it is particularly worthwhile to grow tomatoes yourself.
time
The best time to sow tomatoes?
Tomatoes are one of the best-known and most commonly used nightshade plants that end up on the dining table, especially in the western world. Actually a plant from Mesoamerica, it was brought to Europe by Spanish seafarers in the 16th century and has been an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine since that time. However, many gardeners like to grow it in Germany and due to the cooler climate, a different time for sowing is necessary here than in the original homeland. Above all, the period is determined by the following locations.
- Living rooms: mid-February - mid-March
- outdoor: Mid May - June
- Greenhouse (not heated): Mid March - mid April
- Greenhouse (heated): End of February
Since the seeds of the tomatoes do not germinate at temperatures that are too low, without a heating element, the time has to be moved further back. However, it is not just the time period mentioned above or enough heat that is necessary for the fruit to grow, and this is where the lunar calendar comes into play. This determines individual days of the month that are very well suited for sowing and ensure harmony between temperature, soil conditions and seed. This provides the best conditions for growing strong tomato plants that develop splendidly over the summer and provide a rich harvest in the fall.
sowing time frame
Consequences due to incorrectly chosen times
Tomatoes are extremely delicate and there can be a variety of negative effects if the timing of sowing is not right. This is mainly due to cold, frost or too little sun, because despite their belonging to the Solanaceae family, they need a wind-protected location in full sun. In addition, a soil with a lot of moisture is absolutely necessary, which poses a danger to the seedlings in spring. These could be attacked and killed by the frost. Therefore, any tomato seed that you grow unprotected outdoors should never be sown before May.
The following problems could occur:
- Seedlings wilt if sowed too early
- Tomatoes do not ripen sufficiently due to late sowing
You can recognize overgrown seedlings by the brittle stalks that develop due to a lack of light, since the seedlings cannot carry out photosynthesis. The leaves also turn light green, which is also a sign of a lack of light.
Notice: Tomatoes have less trouble ripening in the garden when it's warmer and the sun is high in the sky. The further south you live, the earlier you can sow the seeds, even a little earlier than mid-May.
sow tomatoes
In the flat
If you decide to sow the seeds indoors, you should do this in the period from mid-February to mid-March. This period is perfect for taking advantage of the increasingly frequent rays of sunshine that can be seen again more often after the cold days. To get the tomato plants to germinate, be sure to choose a spot by a window that doesn't face north. Do without the balcony or the winter garden, unless it can be heated. South-facing windows are particularly suitable here, as the seeds can get enough sun.
Proceed as follows when sowing:
- use either small pots or seed trays for the tomato seeds
- Cultivation containers are particularly worthwhile if you want to grow several tomatoes
- fill the vessels with sufficient seed soil, which should be rather nutrient-poor
- the rule here is that each pot or part of a seed pot receives one, a maximum of two seeds
- Tomatoes grow extremely reliably and therefore you only need a few grains of seed
- then cover the seed with about five millimeters of soil and moisten the surface with a spray bottle
- now they are covered with a transparent lid and left to germinate in peace, which takes about ten days at a minimum temperature of 18°C
In the garden
If you decided to sow seeds in the garden without a greenhouse, then here you must definitely wait until the middle of May, otherwise the seeds will freeze or the young seedlings will not receive enough light. It is advisable to only sow the tomatoes when the night-time temperature no longer falls below 15°C. Otherwise the seedlings could freeze. The seeds are sown on a special seedbed that is sheltered from the wind. Proceed as with sowing seeds indoors, except that you do not have to close the spots with a lid. Within a short time the seedlings sprout from the ground.
Tip: If you planted early potatoes and harvested them in June, you can then transfer the young plants to this bed. The soil is already supplied with nutrients and the bed does not have to be just a piece of open space for the rest of the year, but can be used for growing tomatoes.
In the greenhouse
The greenhouse, heated or unheated, is an excellent option for growing tomatoes without any problems. In a heated greenhouse, you can sow the seeds of the nightshade family as early as the last week of February, giving them an extremely long ripening period. When sowing in the greenhouse, make sure that the temperature does not fall below 18°C and is a maximum of 21°C so that the seed remains moist enough. An advantage of the greenhouse is the possibility of installing a light source if the sun is not yet strong enough to enrich the greenhouse with the rays of light.
Tip: If you want higher crop yields, you should sow the tomatoes at different times. Since these then germinate one after the other, you extend the harvest period and can look forward to the fruits from the end of June to mid-September or even later.
lunar calendar
How does the lunar calendar work?
With the lunar calendar, you can optimize the period of sowing, thereby increasing crop yields and improving plant growth. The use of the moon as a timer has been used for centuries, as the celestial body is said to have a positive effect on the growth of plants. This is due to the gravitational forces of the moon, which together with the sun are responsible for the tides that primarily affect large seas and oceans. Scientists have not yet found a direct connection between the moon and tomatoes, plants in general, but there are farmer and gardener rules that support this practice.
- Sow plants that grow downward during a waning moon (potatoes, carrots, celery)
- Sow plants that grow upward during a waxing moon (tomato, zucchini, squash)
- sow peas and beans at full moon
- sow barley at new moon
Many gardeners rely on the fact that tides also affect and stimulate plant saps, which at the same time encourages growth. However, the power of the moon is not sufficient to influence, for example, lakes or many inland seas, which largely excludes the influence of plants. In addition, the gravity of the moon can be influenced by external influences such as the weather on Earth. If you want to stick to the lunar calendar when sowing tomatoes, you should always do so in the second quarter of the waxing moon.
Lunar calendar 2022
Warmth, earth, light and water are the four elements that support different plant organs. In addition to the roots and leaves, this also includes fruits, flowers and seeds. Tomatoes belong to the fruit vegetable family and they are associated with the element of heat. This includes the three signs of the zodiac that are in fire: Leo, Aries and Sagittarius. So if the moon is in front of one of these constellations, we favor the sowing of tomatoes.
If you want to sow tomatoes according to the phases of the moon, the following dates are suitable for all types of fruiting vegetables.
- February 7th to 9th for rearing in the heated greenhouse and living quarters
- March 3, 4, 8, 15 and 17 for apartment, greenhouses
- April 13 and 14 for greenhouse rearing
- May 2nd, 10th and 11th for open field tomatoes
You should take care not to mix up the days and you can easily sow during the night. According to experience reports, the phases of the moon strengthen the plants and increase their resistance to diseases and pests.