The Best Soil For Your Seedlings

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Are you planting seedlings? Then this article is for you. On the disadvantages of ready-made potting mixes, how to choose in the store, and how to create a "healthy" soil yourself

Ready land for seedlings

Today there is a wide range of potting mixes. Manufacturers guide you and write on the packaging: “for peppers”, “for tomatoes”, etc. Of course, the advantage of this option is convenience, and the work with growing seedlings is simplified “bought and planted”. There is no need for additional processing, there are no larvae, the soil is moderately moist, enriched with macro- and microelements. The capacity can be selected from 1 to 50 liters.

But simplicity doesn't mean GOOD. Any ready-made mixtures have disadvantages. All of them consist mainly of peat, tend to dry out, cause difficulty in moisture. The range of acidity should range from slightly acidic to neutral (5, 3-7, 4). Where the pH level is indicated approximately 4, 5-7, 5 - this is nothing, or otherwise the inclusion of all parameters from strongly acidic to alkaline, respectively, it is better not to take it. The same with the amount of macro- and microelements 4-6 / 100 g.

Another negative point is that peat dust is often used instead of peat, which is unacceptable for growing seedlings. There is also a great possibility of violation of the norms of composition and lack of nutrients.

Choosing purchased soil

The large assortment is confusing, especially for beginners to navigate. So what do you need to know and how to choose?

Compound

Look for information on ingredients, additives and minerals. What kind of peat is indicated is very important. For example, low-lying peat brings the soil closer to a neutral and slightly acidic soil, high peat gives out an acid reaction, which provokes the appearance of keel and black leg. For seedlings of vegetables, it is better to take neutral acidity, in the range of 6, 5-7, 4. The proportions of high-quality material look like this:

• river sand - 4%, • lime (limestone flour) - 1%, • low peat - 75/80%, • humin (florgumate) - 5%, • sapropel - 10%.

Shelf life

Do not take an expired version, be sure to find information on the date of manufacture on the package. Peat, during long-term storage, tends to change its quality, this affects the chemical composition and physical properties. The ability of a peat bog to self-heating is known.

Don't buy a lot

For self-study of the content, it is better to make a trial purchase. One bag brought home will allow you to visually examine the contents. Take it in the palm of your hand, squeeze it, it should not stick together or release water. The structure should be with the presence of fibers and have a baking powder in the form of sand, perlite.

In a high-quality mixture, there can be no mold, no plant residues, spores, larvae, mold. Smell without putrefactive notes and mustiness. When drying on the surface, the formation of a whitish coating or salt crystals is not permissible. Do not use a sticky, viscous or overly dense mixture.

We prepare the land for seedlings on our own

The yield of eggplants, tomatoes and other crops depends on the quality of the seedlings. That is why the soil is so important, which will nourish, strengthen and stimulate growth. The best option is your own land for seedlings. Yes, it is troublesome, but the expected result is guaranteed.

A bag of earth prepared in the fall must be sieved or carefully sorted out with your hands. This is necessary to remove stones, worms, debris and pest larvae. You should take a portion of ordinary soil from the garden, add 2 parts of humus + 1 - sand. Or add 2 - peat, 1 - sand to 2 parts of the sod land. 1-2 glasses of ash are added to a bucket of the resulting volume. Doses should be adjusted to achieve different consistencies. For example, a light structure is required for sowing, a heavier one is preferable for a pick.

Looseness is important for the access of oxygen, it is for this that sand is introduced. There are other options for additives: coconut substrate, perlite, sphagnum moss, crushed foam, husks, grain husks. A crust often forms on the surface. Vermiculite helps to eliminate this fact. It not only increases looseness, but also regulates the moisture content of the earth: it absorbs well and gradually releases, eliminating rapid evaporation and drying out.

The food is organic and no other fertilizers are required. In the future, as you grow, you will need top dressing, which begins with the appearance of real leaves. The resulting mixture must be disinfected. There are different methods: steaming, freezing, roasting. The easiest option is to spill it with boiling water. Some people use a solution of Fungicide, Manganese, Funtazol for disinfection.

So, you should get a loose, neutral, moisture-absorbing, fertile mixture. Your seedlings will be strong and healthy. If you use other methods of seedbed preparation, then share your secrets!