The correct composition of soil for seedlings
Seedling soil is the basis for a good harvest in the future. Where to plant the seeds: in the soil or substrate? First, it's worth understanding these concepts: what do they mean, how do they differ?
The soil includes organic and inorganic substances selected in a certain way.
Substrate for seedlings can be called everything that comes to replace potting mixes. For example, it can be shavings, perlite, coconut fiber, ordinary sand, mineral wool.
What is better for future plants? You can use both. Everyone chooses for himself which option is better. But wherever you decide to place the seeds, you need to know some important truths of the gardener. First of all, familiarize yourself with the norms put forward to the soil for seedlings. So what do you need to know to prepare quality soil?
What is important for good soil?
- It should have a loose, porous structure that allows air and moisture to pass through well.
- Disinfected soil is the key to the good development of future vegetable crops, it should not contain weed seeds, fungal spores, harmful bacteria, as well as worms, insect larvae; the presence of toxins must also be excluded.
- The soil must be enriched with microelements of organic and inorganic origin.
- The balance of nutrients is important, that is, the optimal ratio of quantity and quality.
- The soil must comply with the permissible acidity standards (6.5-6, 9).
The right potting mix
Preparing the soil before planting seeds involves selecting the correct nutrient composition. The seedling soil should be organic and inorganic.
Consider the organic matter in the seedling soil.
- Sod, which must be decontaminated and specially prepared.
- Different types of peat - upper part, intermediate and taken from lowlands.
- A layer of soil taken from a meadow (based on sand) is also suitable.
- You can add sphagnum (moss).
- Compost and humus are important ingredients for the soil.
- Disinfected land taken from the garden will do a good job.
- The eggshells are used in crushed form.
- You can use wood ash.
- Sunflower seed shell.
- Wet wood shavings.
- Dead pieces of coniferous wood, such as bark or dead needles.
Inorganic constituents of soil soil:
- sand from the bottom of the river;
- perlite;
- expanded clay gravel;
- small particles of foam;
- moisture-absorbing hydrogel.
Preparation of the primer for use must be carried out carefully. There are some components that have a bad effect on the quality of the seedling soil.
- Clay compacts the soil, makes it heavy, it loses its ability to be saturated with air and moisture.
- Fresh manure will also degrade the soil. It will decompose, giving off a lot of heat causing nitrogen to deplete. Nitrogen is needed young seedlings, and excessive heat will destroy its root system.
Land taken from a garden plot
There is an opinion that such soil should not be added to the soil for seedlings, because it may contain harmful microorganisms (larvae of pathogenic bacteria and garden pests, as well as worms), weed seeds.
However, the correct preparation of the garden land will make it quite suitable for planting seeds. Why? When you plant young seedlings in the open soil of the garden, they adapt to it faster.
But before using a layer of soil taken from a garden plot, it must be disinfected. Let's see how this is done.
Disinfection of soil
There are several options for soil disinfection:
- freezing;
- heat treatment (steamed or calcined);
- etching.
Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.
Freezing future seedling soil will help get rid of larvae and weed seeds, as they cannot withstand very low temperatures. This is done with the onset of severe frosts (up to minus twenty degrees). How? The earth must be taken out in the cold for several days, then let it thaw in the warmth so that the wintering pests "wake up". Then freeze the soil again. And this is repeated several times.
Igniting is the heating of moist soil in an oven. The goal here is the same as in the previous method. The temperature should be around 80 degrees. Processing time is half an hour.
The earth can be steamed. The seedling soil, laid out in a colander, is placed over steam while boiling water in a saucepan. The duration of the procedure is about ten minutes.
What is pickling? A very simple soil disinfection procedure. Consists of watering the future soil with potassium permanganate (a saturated pink solution is prepared).
What are the soils?
The answer is simple - universal and specialized. Universal suitable for all crops. The special seedling soil is designed for planting a specific type of plant. For example, soil mixture for tomatoes, for cucumbers, peppers, cabbage, etc. These mixtures have a balanced composition for individual vegetable crops.
In addition, soils can be divided into ready-made, store-bought, and those that you can prepare yourself.
You can also plant seedlings in the substrate. Common option: mix sawdust or grain husk in the amount of 70% and sand - 30%. The seedlings are of high quality, all components are available, it is easy to prepare such a substrate.
A novelty is the coconut substrate. It is prepared from coconut flakes. Coconut peat or coconut fiber is also sold. This product is environmentally friendly, there are many advantages in its use: it has a porous air structure, it is moisture-permeable, and sterile. Coconut substrate has a balanced set of nutrients, its acidity is normal.
You can use so-called peat or coconut tablets for planting seedlings. Preparation of the tablet: first, it must be soaked in water, then the seeds should be placed there. The tablet placed in the container swells and fills the entire space. This method of growing plants is very simple and convenient.
Advice
Ideal for planting seeds of soil for growing cacti. It has a well balanced array of minerals and other nutrients. This loose, high-quality disinfected soil will be the key to a rich harvest of your vegetable crops.
Something about universal soil
Many do not want or do not have the opportunity to tinker with soil preparation. For this, a ready-made universal soil is bought. But it often needs additional elements, with each culture requiring its own addition.
The main element in such mixtures is peat. And it increases the acidity of the soil, worsens its permeability. As a result, seedlings will develop poorly and grow slowly. How can this be fixed?
Tips for improving purchased soil
- Add a disinfected layer of soil from the garden to the purchased soil.
- Reduce the acidity by splashing in chalk powder (dolomite flour works as well). Mix a bucket of soil with one tablespoon of the selected additive.
- To improve water permeability, a small amount of hydrogel is added to the soil.
DIY soil
When preparing the soil for planting seedlings with your own hands, do not overdo it with the amount of nutrients. In this case, the seedlings will grow with a weak root system, but a beautiful aerial green part. It will not take root well in the open field.
It is better to prepare a universal mixture.Then add individual additives to it, for each individual culture their own. The mixture is prepared as follows: mix one part of the compost with one part of the peat and part of the sand (sawdust is also suitable). Pour two parts of the land from the garden plot here.
So, what is the best seedling soil? Whatever the specialty store counters offer you, undoubtedly, the best will be the one that you prepared yourself, with your own hands. Do not be lazy, find time, study, because this is work for yourself, it will pay off the time and effort spent.
Be responsible for the selection of soil for seedlings. This is the key to your future harvest. Observe the results of your actions, remember what you did wrong, learn from your mistakes. Experience will help you develop the composition of the soil mixture that will be convenient for you.
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