If you have a subsidiary farm or a summer cottage, you, like no other, understand how important each stage of growing your future crop is. For everyone who only knows the basics of gardening, we offer our article in which we describe in detail the features of planting in open ground at each stage.
How to prepare seedlings before planting?
The first step to obtaining the desired result is the preparation of seedlings. When it has found its necessary maturity for further planting in the ground in the fresh air, we begin a very important process. This process can be called hardening or adaptation to new conditions, where the vegetable crop will continue to grow and develop. It starts 14 days before the expected date of disembarkation.
The first day of adaptation begins with 1 hour of the plant on the balcony or street. At this stage, the seedlings are still very sensitive to any changes, so protect it from direct sunlight. This continues every day with an increase of an hour in the time spent by seedlings.
2 days before planting in open ground, the plant is not watered. And when there is a landing in the ground, all seedlings are abundantly watered for a better “hitch” and further adaptation.
Outdoor planting process
It is impossible to plant the future vegetable crop in unprepared soil. She also needs special care and training.
Dig the whole soil and loosen it. Adding mineral fertilizers will allow the soil to become a favorable environment for your future crop. Having formed the beds, make small holes in each. So you will know the exact amount of seedlings required for this site.
On the day of planting, each such hole is poured with potassium permanganate or liquid fertilizer, humus, ash and toxic substances for pests are added.
Be sure to note that the holes should not be too close to each other (rely on the estimated size of the crop). For example, tomatoes should be located at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other (depending on the variety), and cucumbers - after 20-30 cm, up to 90 cm wide.
If the seedlings are planted too close to each other in the open ground, the plant will have little light and will grow poorly.
What is the time for landing in the fresh air?
Each vegetable crop has its own planting dates, and the climate in a particular region is also taken into account. Vegetables that love heat (tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant) begin to grow only from +18 in the afternoon and +12 at night. If even in one night the temperature drops sharply to +2, the plants will freeze in the open ground and die. Therefore, the most optimal period for them will be the end of May - the beginning of June. But only when the temperature regime becomes stable.
Frost-resistant crops can easily survive temporary frosts of up to +1. They also begin to grow and develop well at a temperature of +12 in the afternoon. These include crops such as white and cauliflower, broccoli, vegetable physalis, celery and leaf lettuce.
What are the features in the care
Not only the planting process, but also outdoor care determines the success of your future crop. Of course, each culture has its own characteristics. But we will consider the general criteria:
- Loosening the soil allows you to get rid of the crust, which forms after a while. And as a result, the procedure improves the flow of oxygen and water to the root system of the plant. Additionally, you get rid of weed grass and improve the condition of the roots.
- Watering. Here individually. For greens, for example, you need regular watering. But the volume and amount of liquid depend not only on the plant variety, but also on weather conditions.
- Timely dressing will allow the plant to receive the necessary minerals for its growth and development, make it stronger and improve the quality of the fruit.
- Hilling with dry ground or peat helps maintain moisture and inhibits weed growth.
- Mulching also retains moisture and fights weeds. Covering the ground around the plant with sawdust, straw, or specialty film helps the plant survive in the event of freezing.
We examined the features of soil preparation, seedlings, and also found out what planting and care of vegetable crops in open ground are. All of the above recommendations will allow you to achieve high yields on your site.