At the beginning of April there is still enough time to grow vegetable plants yourself. However, you should pay attention to a few points so that the tender seedlings grow into strong and productive plants. We have great tips on how to do this correctly.
How do I start a successful pre-culture in the house?
To start a successful pre-culture in the house, use cleaned seed trays and special potting soil. Sow seeds well apart, pay attention to lighting conditions and water gently. Prick out and protect seedlings from soil fungi with horsetail tea.
Vessels and substrate
Do you have a lot of previously used pots in the garden and some leftover potting soil that you accidentally came across while cleaning up the arbor? However, using these for cultivation is not a good idea. Microorganisms have settled in old soil and porous clay pots that are not good for the newly sprouted seeds.
Preferably use well-cleaned seed trays. Plastic containers in which you bought fruit and which you rinse with hot water are also suitable. The seeds are always sown in special potting soil. Since this is low in nutrients, the tender roots are not damaged and develop more strongly.
Sowing and caring for correctly
- Don't sow too closely, because he althy plants should grow from two cotyledons.
- How many seeds can be used per pot is usually written on the seed bag.
- Count small seeds yourself.
- These can be easily portioned using tweezers with a wide surface.
- Pay attention to how much soil should be sprinkled over the grains (dark or light germinators).
- Cover the containers with a hood or foil. Ventilate daily to prevent mold.
- If necessary, the substrate is moistened with the gentle jet of a sprayer.
- Pick out as soon as the seedlings start to compete with each other.
- Spray the plants with horsetail tea once a week. This protects against soil fungi, which are the cause of the common “damping-off disease”.
Provide sufficient light
If you plan to grow plants regularly, you should invest in special plant lamps (€21.00 on Amazon). Unlike on the windowsill, all seedlings are evenly lit and grow significantly stronger.
Tip
As soon as the plants have grown a little larger, you should caress them lovingly with the palm of your hand every day. Feeling nature isn't just good for you. For the small plants, this acts like a gentle wind blowing over them. This means the plants grow stronger and more compact.
