When can you plant potatoes in May 2021 by lunar phases

Potatoes are one of the most popular garden crops. It is not for nothing that they call it “the second bread”. To grow an excellent harvest on the site, you need not only to properly care for the plantings, but also to plant root crops according to the lunar calendar.

Potato planting dates in May 2021

Planting potatoes is quite labor-intensive. Many gardeners leave large areas for this crop. It is better to plan the sowing season in advance. In this case, you should be guided by the lunar calendar. A competent choice of the date will help to avoid many problems in the future, will save planting material (the tubers do not have to be planted).

Moon phases and potato planting calendar for May 2021

The moon affects all plants, including potatoes. In one cycle, it goes through several phases: a new moon, a waxing moon, a full moon, a waning moon. In the growth phase, sap flow in stems and leaves is accelerated, seeds and tubers germinate faster. Astrologers advise gardeners to plant potatoes on the growing moon.

Traditionally, the sowing season for potatoes is planned for May. In April, it is still cold in most regions of Russia. May 2021 begins with the waning phase of the moon. This period lasts from the 1st to the 10th day. From May 3 to May 4, the Moon sets in the sign of Aquarius. This zodiac sign is considered favorable for all vegetable crops. For this reason, May 2-4 are ideal days for planting potatoes in 2021. The full moon in May 2021 falls on the 26th. From May 1 to May 10, the moon decreases. The new moon falls on May 11th. From May 27 to May 31, the descending phase resumes. At the same time, on May 30-31, the Moon sets again into the sign of Aquarius.

Table of favorable landing days

When can you plant potatoes in May 2021 by lunar phases

If the time allows, astrologers advise to plan the sowing season on the most successful days. In this case, the tubers will germinate faster and will grow well. Favorable days for planting potatoes in May 2021 are shown in the table:

Planting method / State of the Moon Growing Moon (favorable days) Growing Moon in a good zodiac sign (ideal days for planting) Planting tubers in open ground 12-25 13-25, 20, 22 Sowing potato seeds for seedlings and transplanting seedlings into the ground 16- 20 13, 17

On a note!

Potatoes can be planted not only with tubers, but also with seeds. The second method is rarely practiced by gardeners, since it is associated with much greater labor costs. But it is necessary when you need to grow a new variety or there is a desire to update the planting material.

Sowing seeds should be planned about 2 months before transplanting seedlings into open ground. In central Russia, these works begin to be planned in March. It is permissible to sow seeds in early May, but at the end of the month it will be too late. It is worth noting that potatoes can be planted not only in May, but also in June, and even at the beginning of July. The planting period is somewhat wider. Much depends on the variety, from the region. In any case, it is recommended to plan garden work according to the lunar calendar in accordance with the table:

Type of planting material / Month March April May June July Tubers (outdoors) – 24-30 1-6, 23-31 1-4, 22-30 1-4 Seeds (for seedlings) 1-8, 25-31 1 -7 1 -6 – –

Planting tubers in June, July is possible only for ultra-early and early maturing varieties. The growing seasons in mid-season and late varieties of potatoes are long, so the root crops may not have time to ripen. Planting potatoes in May will minimize all risks.

Shifting landing dates by region

When can you plant potatoes in May 2021 by lunar phases

Planting dates depend on the climate in the region. In the Moscow region, St. Petersburg, in central Russia, potatoes are planted in May and June. It is possible to extend the period until the beginning of July, if the variety is early. You need to focus not only on the lunar calendar, but also on weather conditions. By the time the root crops are planted, the soil should warm up to + 10 ° C. It is usually still cold in April. If you place the planting material in too cold soil, the germination processes will stop. In some cases, this leads to partial decay of root crops.

In the southern regions of Russia, in Ukraine, you can plant potatoes from late April to early July. Later in May, it is permissible to plant only early varieties. In the northern regions of Russia, potatoes are planted from mid-May to mid-June (for early-maturing varieties). In 2021, it is better to plan the landing on May 21-31. For cold regions, this period is optimal. In central Russia and in the south, potatoes are planted in the spring from May 1 to May 6.

Does the variety affect the planting time

When choosing the timing of planting, it is worth focusing on the duration of the potato growing season. Different varieties ripen over different periods of time. According to this principle, potato varieties are divided into:

  • ultra-early with a growing season of 40-50 days (“Riviera”, “Timo”, “Karatop”);
  • early ripening, ripening in 50-60 days (“Zhukovsky early”, “Breeze”);
  • mid-season, which can be dug out 60-85 days after germination (“Aurora”, “Blakit”, “Zhuravushka”);
  • late ripening with a vegetation period of 85-140 days (“Atlant”, “Seagull”).

Ultra-early and early ripening varieties can be planted from late April to early July, if the climate in the region allows it. Some gardeners harvest potatoes in season 2. They plant the first batch in late April, early May. In late June or early July, young tubers are dug up, after which the field is planted again.

Mid-season varieties are recommended to be planted from late April to mid-June. Late varieties are planted strictly in May. Moreover, the most late-ripening varieties are planted only at the beginning of May. Otherwise, young tubers simply will not have time to ripen. These varieties are not suitable for cold climates.

Bad days

When can you plant potatoes in May 2021 by lunar phases

Astrologers do not recommend planting potatoes in the ground or sowing their seeds for seedlings on the waning moon, on the full moon, on the new moon. On the waning moon, potatoes do not germinate well. But in each cycle, these periods last about 2 weeks. If, for some reason, the dates have been missed, and the Moon has just begun to wane, the lunar calendar can be neglected. In this case, it is worth paying special attention to the preparation of planting material. Additional planting care may be required. Unfavorable and forbidden days for 2021 are reflected in the table:

Moon Phase / Month March April May June July Waning Moon 1-12, 29-31 1-11, 28-30 1-10, 27-31 1-9, 25-30 1-9, 25-30 Full Moon 28 27 26 24 24 New Moon 13 12 11 10 10

In the new moon and full moon, sowing seeds for seedlings and planting tubers in the soil is prohibited. These periods are only 1 day long, so it is best to skip them and choose a more favorable date. When determining unsuitable days, you need to take into account the weather conditions. If it is very cold outside, the ground has not warmed up, it is better to postpone the sowing. An unfavorable weather forecast should also be a reason for later planting potatoes. Return frosts are dangerous for this culture. If the potatoes have time to germinate and the outside temperature drops to 0 ° C, the sprouts will freeze. There are folk signs for potatoes. In the old days, it was believed that planting can be started only after the birch leaves grow the size of a penny. Such a penny is equivalent in size to a modern ruble.

Growing tips

When can you plant potatoes in May 2021 by lunar phases

Compliance with planting dates does not guarantee an excellent harvest. To grow good potatoes, you need to choose the right soil and prepare it. Planting material also needs preparation. Next, you must follow all the rules of agricultural technology. It is not recommended to grow potatoes in areas where nightshades grew last year. The best predecessors are legumes, onions, garlic, beets.

Ground Requirements

Potatoes grow well on loamy and sandy loam soils. The soil should be loose and fertile. Fertilizers are recommended to be applied to the site in the fall. During the winter, all nutrients will pass into a form that is conveniently absorbed by tubers. The potato field can be fertilized with superphosphate (40 g per 1 m²) and potassium salt (20 g per 1 m²). Once every 3 years, manure must be applied to the site.

On a note!

It is forbidden to apply nitrogen fertilizers before planting or after germination. If you neglect the rule, the tops will grow, and the tubers will remain small, few of them will form. Nitrogen fertilizers also tend to accumulate in tubers.

Before planting potatoes, the plot must be plowed, cut furrows about 10-15 cm deep at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other. If fertilizers were not applied in the fall, wood ash can be scattered in the furrows.

Planting and care

When can you plant potatoes in May 2021 by lunar phases

Potato tubers must be properly prepared for planting. They should first be germinated. The length of the shoots should not be more than 1-2 cm. For germination, it is enough to place the tubers in conditions with room temperature for 5-7 days. You do not need to cover the planting material. As you know, in the light, potatoes turn green. It is dangerous to eat such a product. But for tubers intended for planting, the formation of harmful substances responsible for the green color will only be beneficial, since these substances have fungicidal properties.

On a note!

Large tubers can be cut into several pieces. In this case, there should be 1-2 “eyes” in each part. It is better to cut the potatoes after germination so that you can see from which “eyes” the sprouts have appeared.

When planting potatoes for a second harvest, there may be problems with the planting material. Last year’s tubers, as a rule, are already becoming unusable. It will not be possible to germinate a new crop under natural conditions, since this requires the tubers to lie for several months. The problem can be solved by using special biostimulants.

The use of biostimulants is justified when the planting date has already approached, but the tubers have not yet sprouted. You can use Epin for these purposes. This drug increases disease resistance, improves germination. To prepare a solution, 1 ampoule is diluted in 10 liters of water. The resulting composition must be sprayed on the tubers 3 days before planting. Directly on the day of planting in the ground, you need to spray the potatoes with Fitosporin-M or another effective fungicide. To prepare a solution, 10 g of Fitosporin-M in the form of a paste is diluted in 10 liters of water. The resulting composition can be sprayed with potatoes or even soaked tubers in it for 20 minutes, and then you can immediately plant.

Prepared tubers or their parts must be placed in the cut grooves at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. In this case, the sprouts should be directed upward. After this, the grooves should be filled up. There is no need to water the potatoes after planting.

Subsequent care should include timely weeding, loosening row spacings, hilling. If the weather is dry, the potatoes must be watered. Fertilizers are optional. Enough of the autumn introduction of mineral dressings. Astrologers advise harvesting according to the lunar calendar. In this case, it is worth focusing on the growing season, on the condition of the peel. It must be strong enough. If the skin is thin and can be easily scraped off the tuber with a knife, these potatoes will not be stored. It is better to dig up tubers on the waning moon, but in dry weather. It is important to dry the potatoes before storing them, and a week later look at the tubers again, sort out all the rotten and damaged ones. Only then can the crop be lowered into the cellar.

Frequent mistakes of gardeners

When can you plant potatoes in May 2021 by lunar phases

In addition to violating the timing of planting potatoes, gardeners often make other mistakes. This leads to a loss in yield. Gross miscalculations can lead to the death of plantings or even rotting of seed tubers. The most common mistakes include:

  • neglect of the processing of tubers (when using dubious planting material, processing is mandatory, since infected tubers germinate poorly; fungal diseases can completely destroy the planting);
  • the introduction of manure or poultry droppings in large quantities or immediately before planting, after the emergence of seedlings (excess nitrogen leads to increased growth of tops, and the tubers are formed at the same time small);
  • thickening of plantings, non-compliance with the recommended distance between rows and tubers in rows;
  • lack of watering;
  • late harvest (potatoes will not be stored).

On a note!

When the first signs of fungal diseases are detected (blackening of the leaves, the appearance of spots and rotten areas on the fruits), it is necessary to immediately treat with fungicides. After 2 weeks, spraying should be repeated. This is also true in relation to pest damage, but in this case you need to use insecticides.

To get a good harvest, you need to plant potatoes in May 2021 according to the lunar calendar. Astrologers advise planning a landing on the waxing moon. Compliance with all the rules of agricultural technology will help grow healthy tubers.

Anna Evans

Author-editor

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