Spring planting of young seedlings in open ground and greenhouses require careful preparation. Having equipped the place for planting, it is necessary to begin an important procedure - preparing and improving the quality of the soil for planting vegetable crops.
Preparing the soil for planting in open beds and greenhouses
In the Moscow region, soil preparation work should begin in April, when the soil is sufficiently dry and warm. Since the climate changes every year, you need to be able to independently determine the readiness of the soil for the planting season:
- it is necessary to monitor the air temperature (10-15 degrees Celsius, the best time to prepare);
- pay attention to the soil itself: it should be dry and not stick to the shovel.
Caring for garden beds in spring
Under the weight of moisture and snow cover the soil settles. It should be loosened with a rake or cultivator to preserve the absorbed moisture and structure. If the site was planted with winter crops, the land must be cultivated using a harrow. It is best to mulch the area in the fall so that the soil remains loose when spring arrives.
If you did not prepare the beds before winter, then with the arrival of warmth you will need to dig up the area, removing the roots of the weeds. The procedure should be carried out after lunch, when the top layer of soil has warmed up sufficiently.
After turning over, the bottom layer will also heat up. The dug up bed must be loosened with a rake so that it does not dry out. Remains of vegetation can be sent to the compost pit.
You can improve soil quality with the help of microelements. Garden crops are often deficient in iron, copper, manganese, molybdenum and zinc. It is necessary to add green sand or algae meal to the soil (can be purchased at a specialized store, or made independently if you have a reservoir), which are rich in these elements.
For this procedure, purified sludge and rotted leaves remaining after cleaning gutters are ideal. This method is completely organic.
How to prepare the soil in a greenhouse
The soil in the greenhouse must be changed periodically, even if crop rotation is observed. If you plan to grow the same plants as last year, this procedure is mandatory.
Upper layer the soil is sent to a compost pit and replaced with ready-made humus. The beds are sown with early greens and radishes. When you harvest them in a month, the area will be ready for planting vegetable seedlings.
How to prepare a new area for planting
If you decide to expand the planting area, then you should properly process the virgin soil. To do this, you need to cut the turf in small squares. Using a shovel, make cuts on four sides, and then trim from the bottom.
There are several ways to use the resulting material:
- The removed turf is sent to the compost pit. The soil at the site of the future garden bed is loosened with a fork and covered with a layer of humus, compost and loose garden soil. In this area it is recommended to plant large-seeded crops, such as: pumpkin, beans or corn;
- With absence compost heap, you can turn the pieces of turf over with the grass side down and cover the area with them, then beat it well with a shovel. This place must be covered with black film so that the weeds do not grow and the turf is well rotted. This soil will later be suitable for seedlings of tomatoes or berry bushes.
How to improve the quality of soil for planting garden crops
There are a number of measures to improve the quality of soil for planting garden crops.
- For the active development of the above-ground parts of plants, nitrogen is necessary, phosphorus is useful for the roots, and potassium helps fight diseases. The description of each crop contains information about the plant’s need for these elements and their proportions;
- Give preference to organic fertilizers, since synthesized ones only temporarily feed the plants, but do not improve the quality of the soil. Fertilizers of plant and animal origin create and maintain the necessary microflora in the soil;
- Use compost own production. Properly organized and prepared compost pit will allow you to receive high-quality fertilizer within six months that can significantly improve the characteristics of the land without special costs;
- Use mixed soil with compost for new crops. Each plant has its own ratio of fertilizer and soil. For example, vegetable crops require 20% compost and 80% mixed soil. This will create conditions for good growth seedlings and increase productivity;
- Crop rotation planning. You should not plant the same crops in the same place year after year, this quickly depletes the soil and weakens it. Create a plant rotation schedule and stick to it every year;
- Introduction of fungi and bacteria into the soil. Such additives can be purchased in specialized stores. Their main task is to improve soil health. For example, the Mycorrhiza fungus helps the root system of plants receive more moisture and essential nutrients, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria enrich the soil with nitrogen.
Bottom line
When preparing the soil for planting in the spring, it is worth remembering that each garden crop has its own needs for fertilizers and additives. Regular crop rotation should be carried out, organic fertilizers and retain moisture to avoid soil washout. It is important to take into account the recommended norms of certain microelements indicated on seed packages, and, if necessary, conduct a laboratory soil analysis.
So, what is the best soil for seedlings, and what kind of soil should it be sown in? In the literature devoted to the problems of vegetable growing, one can find many recommendations for preparing soil for growing seedlings; their composition depends on biological characteristics crop, the period of its cultivation and on the available components.
We should start talking about seeds with the fact that, having a reserve of nutrients, they do not require fertile soil. They need water and air the most. To use them fully, the soil for seedlings must, first of all, be loose, porous, moisture-absorbing, air- and water-permeable. Then the seeds will germinate without any problems, throw out the cotyledons and be in excellent condition for picking.
Knowing what kind of soil is needed for seedlings, you can buy a soil mixture in a specialized store or prepare it yourself by combining the available ingredients - peat, humus, compost, sawdust, sand, etc. The composition depends on the crop and the funds available to the gardener. Listening to the advice of experts, however, try to create your own recipe for the best soil for seedlings, based on your own capabilities. The only thing that everyone agrees on is that you should not use damp garden soil for sowing seeds, soil from the area where cabbage and potatoes grew, and from flower beds due to the fact that the former is unsatisfactory in structure; in other cases, infection by pests and spores is possible fungi and pathogenic microorganisms.
Speaking about which soil is best for seedlings, most gardeners recognize the following mixtures as optimal for sowing seeds:
- compost, garden soil and coarse sand (1:1:1);
- humus, turf soil and sand (2:1:1);
- humus and sand (1:1).
These are the best soil options for seedlings, which are suitable for crops intended for picking at the stage of formation of cotyledons or 1-2 true leaves.
By the time of transplanting the seedlings, it is necessary to prepare the seedling boxes and fill them with soil. Compared to seed soil mixture, it should be more nutritious (all other qualities should also be present), especially since the plants will remain in it until planted indoors or. This does not mean that you can immediately fill the soil with minerals and forget about fertilizing. Remember that nutrients even in the most better soil enough for vegetable seedlings for no more than 2 weeks.
Composition of the correct soil for seedlings in a greenhouse and at home
If you decide to make soil for seedlings with your own hands, then you need to take care of it in advance and prepare turf soil, manure humus, non-acidic peat, coarse river sand, lime (chalk, dolomite flour), wood ash, mineral fertilizers, sawdust, etc. Of course, not all of this must necessarily be included in the mixture. From these components, you can choose what you have and make a soil mixture from them in the required quantity. For example, soil for seedlings at home from soil for seedlings in a greenhouse may differ in the quantitative content of manure (at home - less, in a greenhouse - more), because inhaling its vapors is an unpleasant task. Some components are interchangeable. For example, instead of humus or compost, you can use vermicompost (vermicompost).
So, we prepare the soil for seedlings ourselves, but first, check out some of the recipes that are most popular among gardeners. The composition of soil for seedlings can be as follows:
- peat, turf soil, humus (compost) and sawdust (coarse sand) (3:2:4:1);
- peat, compost and sawdust (3:5:1);
- humus, turf soil and coarse sand (2:2:1);
- turf soil and manure humus (1:1);
- peat, humus and sawdust (2:2:1);
- humus and peat (2: 2);
- turf soil, humus and mullein (3:6:1);
- peat, humus, turf soil and mullein (5:3:1:1).
In the soil for seedlings that you prepare yourself, add an additional 2 tablespoons per bucket of each mixture. wood ash and 1 tbsp. superphosphate.
High-quality soil for seedlings: how to prepare the soil
Turf soil deserves a few words. This component is included in many mixtures of high-quality soil for seedlings, since it is nutritious (contains rotten remains of plant and animal origin), porous and retains moisture well, but is not prone to compaction and does not allow excess moisture stagnate.
Before preparing the soil for seedlings, in order to get real turf soil, at the end of June it is necessary to cut layers of turf 20-30 cm wide and 8-12 cm thick (the length can be any) and lay them in a stack (width and height - 1.2 -1.5 m). The bottom row consists of layers laid with grass up, manure should be placed on it and another row of turf with grass down. If the soil is wet, then it is enough to sprinkle the layers with phosphate rock (5 kg/m1) and lime (2-3 kg/m3), but if it is dry, then water it with water, or even better, slurry (this will speed up decomposition). Once all the sod has been laid, lift the edges of the stack to create a depression. It will retain liquid after moistening.
In the summer of next year, shovel the soil at least 2 times, and in the fall, sift through a sieve and pour into containers or paper bags. You cannot leave it in the open air, as it will quickly lose those qualities for which so much time and effort was spent on it. If you decide to prepare the soil for seedlings as best as possible, keep in mind that turf soil with best properties It turns out, after 2 seasons.
What soil is needed for seedlings: soil composition
The soil for seedlings often includes sand. It is best if it is clean river sand that does not contain clay. It is enough to sift it to clear it of stones. Soil containing sand never forms a surface crust, which is a big plus.
When preparing soil for seedlings, refrain from using quarry sand, since it always contains clay and may contain toxic impurities such as iron or manganese salts (the brightness of the color of the raw material indicates their presence), which negatively affect plants.
In recipes for mixtures you can find manure or mullein. If you grow seedlings in an equipped greenhouse, there are no contraindications to their use. In the event that we are talking about residential premises, this issue must be approached with knowledge of the matter.
Manure happens:
- fresh, in which the straw is clearly visible;
- half-rotted, the straw is still visible in it, but it has already darkened and is easily torn;
- rotted, representing an almost homogeneous (homogeneous) mass;
- in the form of manure humus. This is the most the best option, since in such manure the nutrients are in the form that is most accessible to plants.
What kind of manure for soil is better when growing seedlings in a residential area? At home, only manure humus can be used as a component of the soil mixture, which is good not only from the point of view of hygiene and aesthetics, but is also beneficial for plants.
When preparing soil for seedlings, compost is also used, which still needs to be properly prepared, since the pile in the corner of the plot, consisting of food waste and weeds, has absolutely nothing in common with a real compost pile. If heating is not provided during its preparation, then plant debris and everything else that is usually put into compost will simply slowly decompose, losing nutrients and accumulating harmful microorganisms. For seedlings, only mature compost obtained through the process of aerobic decomposition (that is, in the presence of oxygen) and accompanied by heating is suitable.
Preparing the soil for planting seedlings: preparing the soil
When preparing soil for seedlings, in order to obtain crumbly dark-colored soil as a result of composting, you must follow some rules:
- In addition to organic substances that quickly decompose (manure, plant residues, etc.), the necessary components of compost are slowly decomposing sawdust, shavings, chopped stems, leaves and garden soil, and not in an arbitrary, but in a strictly defined ratio -1: 1: 0 ,5.
- Place compostable materials in layers, the last of which should be soil. If this requirement is not met, plant residues are compressed and begin to prevent oxygen from penetrating deep into the stack.
- When laying compost, moisten the layers and sprinkle them with lime. The ripening of compost is accelerated by watering with slurry, but waterlogging and drying out are equally harmful to the compost.
- To ensure heating to 55-70° C, the compost pile must have sufficient big sizes- 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 m.
If the above conditions are met, the compost will mature in 5-7 months, during which it must be shoveled several times so that the process proceeds evenly, and in winter the pile must be covered with dry leaves. When the compost is ready, sift it. Use everything that is not sufficiently decomposed to lay the next pile, and add the fine fraction to the seedling soil mixture.
If you want to further verify whether the compost is ready for use, conduct the following test: prepare shallow containers, fill one of them with sand and the other with compost, moisten them and evenly distribute the watercress seeds over the surface, then place them in transparent plastic bags . When the seeds begin to germinate, compare their number and root length in both containers. If the result of seeds germinated on compost is worse, this means that it is not yet ripe.
The composition of the soil for sowing seeds for seedlings may also include peat. It is usually sold in specialized stores, but you can also check its quality. Do the same test as for compost, but replace the watercress with radishes.
If for some reason you have not prepared soil for seedlings, you can buy soil at the store. Such mixtures can be wet or dry. The latter are more profitable, since you yourself are able to add to them required amount water to get 6 liters of soil from a dry briquette weighing 750 g. There are mixtures specifically designed for individual crops- sweet peppers, eggplants, tomatoes (the difference is in the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), and universal. You can sow seeds in them and pick up seedlings. However, gardeners, especially beginners, should be careful. Recently, in the literature there have been unflattering reviews about the quality of purchased soil mixtures. They write that often a freshly opened bag smells of mold or ammonia (the first means that the pound is contaminated with mushrooms, and the second means that it contains a large amount of undecomposed organic matter), that often the soil contains harmful microorganisms, or is even depleted soil, thrown out of greenhouses. In this regard, it is recommended to buy soil from well-known manufacturers with a good reputation.
Ideal soil for sowing seeds for seedlings
No matter what kind of primer you plan to use, there are General requirements which must be taken into account:
- The non-toxicity of the components of the soil mixture is the main condition, and do not be fooled by the black color of the soil (in our minds there is a strong connection between black soil and fertility).
- Components ideal soil for seedlings must be free from pathogenic microorganisms and fungi, since seedlings are highly sensitive to them, which is why seedlings often suffer from black leg, root rot, etc. In this regard, the greatest danger is posed by soil from a garden or vegetable garden that has not undergone the necessary pre-treatment (for example, steaming in a water bath), and compost obtained without heating.
- If the soil for seedlings contains materials of organic origin, they should not quickly decompose, significantly raising the temperature of the soil, because at 30 ° C the roots of the seedlings die. With a small volume of soil, this is, of course, unlikely, but it is impossible not to provide for the active absorption of nitrogen that occurs during this process.
- It is equally important that the components form a mixture that will not harden and form a soil crust, which is typical when it contains clay.
- The rule, which has no exceptions, states that if the main component of the soil for seedlings of vegetable crops has been sterilized, it must be supplemented with a bioadditive with beneficial microflora, in particular vermicompost (a product of processing organic waste by the red Californian worm). Of course, it is more common to add manure or bird droppings, but believe me, this will not work for seedlings best choice. Dietary supplements are distinguished by the fact that they are not contaminated with pathogens, fungal spores, helminth eggs and harmful insects, and also do not contain seeds weeds. In addition, their potential as fertilizers is immeasurably higher. For example, vermicompost is 10-20 times more effective than manure. Do not confuse the amount of nutrients in the correct soil for seedlings with a complex of beneficial microorganisms. Dietary supplements act indirectly. They do not increase the nutritional value of the pound, but increase the fertility of the soil. When adding them to the seedling soil mixture, you enrich it with beneficial microflora - an antagonist of mortise microorganisms, which means you take care of the health of seedlings and seedlings.
Tilling the soil before planting seedlings with your own hands
If you are going to prepare seedlings for own use, then mixtures based various types soils (turf, compost, leaf, etc.) are quite suitable. When growing seedlings for sale, when the number of boxes is not 10, but several hundred, when there is a need to rearrange or rotate the boxes, the weight of the soil mixture turns into tens of kilograms, and you want to find a recipe for such a mixture so that it is as light as possible and does not harm health gardener, but at the same time retained all the qualities necessary for plants. One such option is a substrate based on sawdust (it was tested more than 10 years ago and received quite a high rating). It is advisable to use rotted sawdust, but if you cannot find any, you can use fresh sawdust, but they will have to be pre-treated in a special way.
When cultivating the soil for seedlings, dissolve 200 g of ammonium nitrate in 10 liters of water, pour sawdust with it (this amount is enough for 3 buckets), mix, cover the container with black plastic film and leave at a temperature of at least 20° C (especially good if you have a greenhouse). Sawdust is considered ready for use when it darkens and loses its specific odor.
The process described above is called fermentation. Before preparing the soil for seedlings, it must be done, because if you use fresh sawdust, the nitrogen that will be added to the mixture as part of a nitrogen or complex fertilizer will be spent on decomposing the sawdust. Consequently, your plants will be left without the necessary nutrition, which will naturally affect the quality of the seedlings.
When the season for growing seedlings approaches, combine the sawdust substrate with mineral fertilizers - superphosphate and potassium sulfate (15 g per bucket), scatter it into boxes in a layer of about 6 cm, add soil mixture for seedlings on top, then pour in biofertilizer and cover with plastic wrap. If you strictly followed all the recommendations on how to make soil for seedlings, after 1 week the substrate will be ready for use. The seedlings feel great in it and develop well, and the boxes weigh almost nothing.
Preparing soil for seedlings: how to make high-quality soil
You can also make soil for seedlings based on sawdust, as described below.
Combine fermented sawdust with coarse river sand in a ratio of 3: 1. Add 30 g of lime and 15 g of complex fertilizer (for example, nitroammophosphate) to 1 bucket of the mixture. Mineral fertilizer will successfully replace a 10% aqueous solution of mullein - fresh cattle manure.
The next stage of the operation, called “Preparing soil for seedlings with our own hands,” is filling planting boxes or individual containers with the resulting soil mixture. Don’t forget to add drainage to the bottom, the role of which can be played well by crushed eggshells, fine expanded clay or perlite (volcanic glass in the form of small balls), if possible. Next comes watering. When preparing the soil for seedlings, it is necessary to adhere to a certain technique. Do not pour in a large amount of water at once. Do this gradually, in small portions, making sure to mix the soil with your hands so that the moisture is evenly distributed throughout the entire volume. There should be no dry areas left, since then moisture will flow around them, and watering will not be uniform, as a result of which the plants will suffer. In addition, it is more convenient to sow seeds and plant seedlings in a wet pound.
The optimal moisture content of the mixture when preparing the soil for seedlings is 75-85%. To check if you did everything correctly, take a handful of soil and squeeze. Is water not dripping? Then open your palm.
Didn't the lump of soil crumble or crack? This means you did everything as it should.
After tilling the soil before planting the seedlings, level the surface of the soil and be sure to check the corners to ensure they are also filled. Remove excess soil by running a regular slat along the sides of the box. To allow the soil to settle a little, carefully moisten it. Now everything is ready to sow the seeds.
How to prepare the soil for seedlings if you plan to grow seedlings of different varieties of the same crop? In this case, care must be taken not to confuse them. The following method is often used: the boxes are numbered, and the numbers are applied to all their sides oil paint, which allows, without disturbing the plants and without turning the container, to know exactly what type of crop is sown or picked in it, since at the same time a diary is kept in which it is recorded what is in which box. In addition, during the season, it records data on when sowing began, when picking took place, which varieties turned out to be the best and which did not live up to expectations, etc. These records can be used in subsequent years, which is very convenient. This technique is recommended primarily for those who grow a large number of seedlings for their further sale.
Why is it important to know how to make soil for seedlings?
It may seem unnecessary to a novice gardener to attach such importance to soil mixtures for seedlings. Why is this so important to know? It would seem that what could be easier than pouring garden soil into boxes (you can also add fertilizer to it), after all, vegetables grow in it, and often not at all bad! Isn’t this unnecessary fuss, isn’t this a far-fetched problem designed to create additional difficulties and discourage the desire to garden? Everything said above should have convinced you that growing seedlings is a technology that must be followed if you want to get not just what you can manage, but plants that will give a bountiful harvest. Therefore, the formation of a soil mixture is far from being an idle matter, but rather a pressing issue.
Regarding garden land, the following must be said. Of course, you can increase the fertility of such soil by fertilizing it appropriately, but you cannot change its physical characteristics, and this is what is most important when growing seedlings. Typically, garden soil is poor in humus and in most cases does not have a water-resistant structure, which looks like this: when watering, water is not absorbed immediately, but remains on the surface for some time and only then slowly penetrates inside. As a result, unsatisfactory air mode soil, a crust forms on its surface, which further impedes soil aeration. In addition, garden soil is usually contaminated with pathogens, fungal spores and contains weed seeds. And if we add to the above that the seedlings are grown in a residential area, then what plants can withstand the onslaught of so many negative factors!
All of the above together leads to the conclusion that it is undesirable to use garden land for the purpose of obtaining high-quality seedlings.
How to prepare the soil for seedlings: healing the soil
Since circumstances may be different, and therefore sometimes you have to use garden soil, you should know about some ways to improve its health.
The negative side of sterilizing soil when preparing soil for seedlings is that along with pathogenic microorganisms, beneficial microorganisms that help grow plants are also destroyed. Moreover, the soil does not remain completely clean for long after this, since, for example, fungal spores can be in the air. To reduce the risk of this happening, transfer the treated soil into bags and tie them tightly, and when the time comes to scatter it into boxes and moisten it, add vermicompost or supercompost.
A good harvest always has several components. All of them are important: the quality of the seeds, their proper preparation for sowing, the choice of variety, conditions and care. But there is one parameter whose influence is most important. This is the quality composition of the soil in which seedlings are grown. The harvest of all seedling crops (and in our climate most vegetables are grown through seedlings) depends to a large extent on properly composed seedling soil.
There is no one universal soil that meets the needs of all plants. Each garden crop requires an individual approach. Each plant has its own requirements for the soil mixture. But there is general rules, which allow you to create a base soil and then optimize it for one or another crop with minimal labor costs.
Initial requirements for seedling soil
Depending on the type of plants that are grown as seedlings, the soil mixture can be made up of different components mixed in certain proportions. But in all cases it is necessary to comply with the initial requirements for seedling substrates.
- Fertility. The soil must contain in sufficient quantities all the substances necessary for the sprouts to develop quickly and successfully.
- Nutritional value. This means that the content of all components is balanced, organic elements are present in the soil and the mineral component is present, and in the form and compounds available to plants.
Soil components
The soil intended for sowing seeds must contain components of organic and inorganic origin.
Organic ingredients:
- soil – turf, leaf, garden;
- vegetable compost;
- rotted cattle manure;
- peat – lowland and highland;
- sphagnum, coconut fiber, seed husks, bark, sawdust;
- wood ash.
Peat is one of the popular components of seedling soil mixtures.
It is not necessary that absolutely all components from the list are present in the soil, but most of them are. It is better to mix the soil from three different soils: garden soil, which can be taken directly from the ridge (unless, of course, sick or insect-infested plants grew there); leafy (from leaves rotted with the ground); turf (which is obtained by cutting turf). Soil is the basic element of the seedling substrate.
Compost - rotted plants - must be mixed with rotted manure, which is called humus. This is a supplier of necessary substances.
Advice! Do not sow vegetable seeds in humus, compost or lowland peat. Too much organic matter will cause the seedlings to produce excessive leaf mass at the expense of root formation. As a result, the seedlings will take root poorly when planted in a garden bed or greenhouse soil.
You will definitely need peat, it is what makes the soil fertile. The lowland contains about 70% organic matter, the upland, consisting of sphagnum, makes the soil structure loose.
Peat is found in most soil mixtures for seedlings. It is obtained from swamps. This is not to say that it is a non-renewable resource. From decomposing organic components under the influence of natural processes, it is formed in swamps, but very slowly - over thousands of years. In addition, peat is part of the natural ecosystem - if it is completely removed from the swamps or at least a serious deficiency is created, the ecological balance will be disrupted.
That's why scientists have been trying to find a replacement for peat over the past decades. And finally they found it. More and more manufacturers of soil mixtures for seedlings are now switching to using.
Benefits of Coconut Fiber.
- It is 100% organic without chemical impurities.
- They are able to absorb and retain water, working like a sponge, retaining moisture for plants and not removing useful substances from the soil.
- The layer of soil in a pot or container with a substrate that includes coconut fiber remains dry, which prevents the appearance of soil fungi.
- Coconut fiber has a pH level of about 6, so it normalizes the overall acidity of the entire substrate.
- The fiber contains phosphorus, potassium, and other substances needed by plants in significant quantities.
Coconut fiber prices
coconut fiber
Sunflower seed husks, tree bark, rotted sawdust, dry moss and other loosening agents are also used to loosen the soil. Wood ash is added to normalize soil acidity.
Advice! Do not add more nutrients to the soil than normal - an abundance of fertilizing is appropriate during the growing season; the seeds, which contain the plant embryo, have a sufficient supply of substances to form and release a full-fledged sprout. Enhanced nutrition of the seed is not required.
Inorganic components:
- river (or, in extreme cases, quarry) sand;
- perlite;
- vermiculite;
- expanded clay;
- mineral supplements.
Advice! Do not grind the components of the soil mixture too much and do not sift the mixture through a sieve with small cells - the fine-grained substrate will sour and “swim” after each watering.
Is an excellent component of seedlings soil mixture. This substance has a number of significant advantages.
- Sterility - spores of fungal diseases and pathogens of infectious diseases do not settle in perlite.
- The absence of insects - they simply do not grow in the substance.
- Lack of weed seeds - they do not take root in the soil mixture with perlite and do not sprout.
- Preservation in its original condition for a long time - perlite does not rot.
- Light weight - perlite is very light.
Vermiculite– porous, environmentally friendly material, which contains a record number of sprouts needed already at initial stages life of magnesium, potassium and calcium.
Drains the soil, acting as an organic loosening agent and helping to improve the structure and moisture capacity of the soil.
- a polymer compound, which, due to its properties, also serves to maintain high moisture capacity in the soil.
Advice! To simplify the watering procedure and maintain the required humidity, add hydrogel to the prepared soil before sowing.
Price for hydrogel
hydrogel
In addition to the required components, the soil mixture also includes the following elements:
- ash;
- urea;
- potassium sulfate;
- potassium chloride and sulfate;
- ammonium nitrate;
- superphosphate.
What should not be in the soil
This small but important point is often ignored. Amateur gardeners neglect it, as a result, all efforts to create the right soil are wasted.
The following components should not get into the soil mixture:
- clay;
- fresh manure;
- not rotted plant residues;
- tea leaves, coffee grounds and other similar waste;
- salty sea sand.
Clay will make the soil heavy, impervious to moisture and air, and dense. Unrotted organic matter and coffee/tea will cause rotting processes - they can begin to decompose, increasing the temperature of the substrate, which will be detrimental to many seeds and seedlings. Also, the decomposition of organic matter will entail the release of nitrogen, which will evaporate, depleting the substrate.
Soil for various crops
The table below shows the composition of the soil for each of the most commonly grown vegetable crops.
Table. Composition of soil mixture for common vegetable crops.
| Culture | Components of soil mixture and their proportions |
|---|---|
| About 2 kg of garden soil, 1 - humus, ½ kg of sawdust (rotted), fine wood bark or coconut fiber. For 6 kg of finished substrate – 40 g of ash, 20 g of superphosphate, 10 g of urea. |
| 5 kg of turf soil, 5 kg of high peat, 2.5 kg of sand, 2 kg of humus, 1/4 kg of lime, 1/2 kg of ash or dolomite flour. |
| 6 kg of peat or 3 kg of leaf soil and coconut fiber, 2 kg of turf soil, 1 kg of humus, 1 kg of sand, ¼ kg of lime. |
| 4 kg of peat, 2 kg of turf soil, 1 kg of rotted sawdust or coconut fiber, 1 kg of humus. |
| 2 kg of peat, 2 kg of turf soil, 2 kg of humus, 1 kg of coconut fiber or rotted sawdust, 1 kg of sand. For 6 liters of mixture - 40 g of ash and 15 g of potassium sulfate and superphosphate. |
| 8 kg of peat, 2 kg of turf soil, 1 kg of river sand, mullein or humus, or 2 kg of vegetable compost, 1 kg of sawdust or coconut substrate. For 6 kg of mixture - 10 g of ammonium nitrate and potassium chloride, 20 g of superphosphate and 45 g of ash. |
| 2 kg of leaf soil, 2 kg of humus, 2 kg of peat or coconut substrate, 1 kg of sand. For 6 kg of mixture – 50 g of ash, 15 g of potassium sulfate, 20 g of superphosphate. |
How to prepare soil mixture
When preparing the soil for sowing seedlings, it is recommended to follow the instructions and follow step-by-step recommendations. It is necessary to start preparing components in the fall. They are also mixed in the fall. Then the finished soil is sent for freezing, which will serve as additional sterilization.
Important! At the stage of mixing soil components, do not add nutritional mineral additives. Nutrient additives are applied to the soil in the spring, after basic sterilization, before planting seeds, in the form of solutions.
Step-by-step instructions for preparing soil
Step 1. Prepare all the necessary components that you plan to add to the substrate. They must be dry and in different containers.
Step 2. Spread oilcloth or other suitable bedding on the floor in the utility room, or take a large container (basin, trough, tray, tray) in which you will mix the soil components.
Step 3. Take a measuring container (glass, mug, etc.) or prepare a scale. Prepare your tools - a spatula, small rakes - and put on gloves.
Step 4. Measure required quantity the necessary ingredients, place in a container or pour onto oilcloth, mix thoroughly.
Step 5. Pour the finished substrate into small bags (ideally no more than 20 liters). If the bags are plastic, make several small holes at the top to allow the soil to “breathe.”
Step 6. Place bags of soil in the barn or utility room, where the temperature will remain below freezing in winter.
If we talk about the middle zone, then it is preferable to grow watermelons here (as well as some other crops - for example, melon) through seedlings. In reality, there is nothing complicated in this process, the main thing is to know and how to do it.
Disinfection procedure
Harmful microorganisms contained in garden soil, leaf soil, turf soil, peat, sand, humus and other essential components of the seedling substrate can harm the seeds, introducing infection and reducing their germination. To prevent this from happening, the substrate must be disinfected. This is a very important procedure that should not be neglected if you want to get strong healthy seedlings and productive plants.
There are four ways to disinfect the substrate:
- freezing;
- steaming;
- calcination;
- etching.
You can limit yourself to one method, but it is better to combine any of the first three with subsequent etching.
Important! Freezing is carried out during the winter. All other methods begin to be used in January - February, when it is time to prepare the soil for sowing.
Freezing
The method of disinfection by freezing consists of leaving a bag of soil in a room where the temperature is maintained at sub-zero temperatures in winter. If there is no such room, closer to spring the soil is taken out into the cold and left for a week at a temperature of about -10°C...15°C. Then the frozen soil is returned to the heat and allowed to defrost for a week. During this time, all the germs of weeds and pests that were not destroyed by the first freezing will “wake up” in it. After this, the soil is again sent to the frost. And so two or three times.
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Every gardener strives for a large and healthy harvest at his or her summer cottage. Growing seedlings is the most basic stage, which must be carried out according to all the rules to obtain a rich harvest.
In order to approach planting seedlings, it is necessary to comply with all requirements during soil selection, watering, disinfection of the soil mixture, and the like.
Primary requirements
When choosing soil for planting seedlings, it is important to pay attention to the crop that will be planted in this soil.
The process of soil preparation.
Different seedlings prefer soil with different levels of minerals and moisture. When choosing soil for sowing seeds at home, the gardener must observe basic requirements:
- The soil for sowing seeds should not have a too dense structure;
- The soil for sowing should have moderate moisture and looseness;
- The acidity of the soil must correspond to the crop that is sown for seedlings;
- The soil should not be oversaturated with mineral additives and fertilizers;
- The presence of foreign elements in the soil for seedlings, such as stones, roots, sand mixtures and others, is not allowed;
- The prepared soil must be completely mixed and homogeneous in structure;
- Before planting seeds, it is necessary to disinfect the soil using special solutions from bacteria and harmful insects;
- Every self-respecting gardener should calcinate the soil at home. Calcination can be carried out in microwave oven, in the oven or in a large iron container on an electric or gas stove;
- Soil sampling must be carried out away from roadways and industrial enterprises, to avoid oil products and heavy salts getting into the soil.
We prepare the ground according to all the rules
To prepare the soil for planting, you need not only soil dug in a place where there are no harmful impurities and elements, but also mixtures for feeding it. Mixtures for obtaining fertile soil include: peat mixture, humus.
Where is it better to take land - in the forest or in the garden?
When preparing a mixture for growing vegetable or flower seedlings, you can use soil collected from forest areas. This forest soil should make up the bulk of the soil mixture for planting. To obtain good and strong seedlings, you should dig the soil in places with a deciduous or turf base.
Watering the soil before planting seeds.
When choosing forest soil, you should pay attention to the trees under which the soil will be collected. Trees should not have dry trunks and be susceptible to disease. The most fertile soil is considered to be taken from under oak, willow and other species that do not release large amounts of acid into the soil.
When collecting soil from gardens and summer cottages it is necessary to follow the rules that will protect the seedlings from death after planting and germination.
Rules:
- Disinfect garden soil for sowing.
- Observe crop rotation, that is, do not use soil after certain vegetable and fruit crops.
Composition of soil mixture for seedlings
The composition of the soil mixture for planting seeds must be mixed and meet all standards to obtain a high-quality result after the crop ripens. When preparing a soil mixture, the soil is of two types in its composition: organic and inorganic. When using soil without organic matter, you can add the following fertilizers to it to increase soil fertility:
- processed peat mixture;
- ash from the furnace to enrich the soil with microelements and reduce high acidity in the soil;
- humus is necessary only for those plants that are not susceptible to diseases that cause black stem;
- twisted moss;
- sawdust from different breeds wood that does not allow the soil to accumulate high moisture.
All these additives have an organic structure that quickly rots and gives the soil necessary elements and fertilizing for better seed growth.
Substrate with the addition of vermiculite.
The soil for planting seeds can also be mixed with elements that are not of organic origin:
- agroperlite - necessary to control the moisture content of the soil mixture for planting;
- expanded clay;
- sand mixtures to improve air flow into the soil for seedlings.
Technology for preparing a high-quality mixture
The main nuances in order to prepare high-quality soil for planting the seed of a particular crop include:
- The time of year in which land is harvested. It is recommended to prepare, collect and mix all components for the soil mixture in the autumn. Since by the time sowing begins in the seedling container, all the collected components will ripen and mix with each other, forming a fertile soil mixture.
- Storage of pre-prepared soil mixture. The soil should be stored in closed containers for better interaction of substances with each other. Plastic buckets can be used as containers, plastic bags, large plastic containers.
- Avoid getting clay into the growing soil.
Soil at home
Preparing a substrate for growing seedlings of various crops requires a lot of attention and concentration. A well-collected soil mixture will allow you to grow an excellent harvest with strong seedlings.
How to cook: step-by-step instructions
Properly prepared seedling soil should include many components, the preparation of which should be carried out in advance of planting the seeds in the ground.
Various types soil mixtures.
All components for the soil must be collected at the beginning of the autumn period. To prepare high-quality soil for planting, every gardener must follow the instructions.
- Checking the necessary soil and other components. All components should not be wet and should have their own containers.
- Prepare a place and container for mixing pre-prepared components. A large basin, trough, box, etc. can be used as a container.
- Prepare equipment for planting (rakes, scales, gloves to protect hands, watering container).
- Pour the ingredients in equal parts into a mixing container and mix.
- Pour the mixed prepared soil mixture into containers or bags for subsequent storage with sufficient ventilation.
- Expose ready mixture, poured into storage containers in a room with a low temperature.
When preparing the soil, you should not add components that have a mineral structure. All these substances are added when planting seeds in already prepared soil.
Disinfection of soil substrate for planting seeds is important point during the preparation of the soil mixture for the period of planting seeds in the ground. Disinfection of the land should be carried out several days before planting. This method of disinfection cleanses the soil from unnecessary exposure to pests and other microorganisms that entered the soil during its collection and preparation.
Soil ready for sowing seeds.
When using the method of freezing the soil, which is carried out by exposing containers with soil to frost, it is necessary, after completing the procedure, to bring the soil into a warm room and spray it with an aqueous solution. After spraying, leave it to soak on oilcloth material for a week to avoid subsequent late blight infection.
- During the steaming procedure, the soil in which the container is disinfected should be covered with a lid.
- When calcining the soil on an open stove fire, it is necessary to maintain optimal temperature.
- Depending on the above methods, etching of the soil substrate is carried out with a not very concentrated solution of manganese, which is prepared with cold or hot water.
- The solution can be prepared by eye until pinkish water forms.
Useful video
Many gardeners who use soil prepared for seedlings independently and using all technologies and rules consider it the best and highest quality for growing fruit and vegetable crops. In order to prepare the soil, you need to know the basic rules, methods, time of soil preparation and methods of purification from harmful impurities and microelements.
This article will be useful not only for a novice gardener, but also for a person who is accustomed to growing seedlings on his windowsill in winter-spring period. Using the tips presented in the article, you will find a lot of useful information that will help you grow a strong and fruitful crop.
Seedlings develop and increase vegetative mass in a limited volume of substrate. And this volume must satisfy the plants’ needs for nutrients and provide normal conditions root growth.
The concept of “universal soil composition” is common among gardeners. Such versatility is conditional, since each plant, even closely related ones, has specific requirements for the composition and parameters of the soil mixture.
To give the soil the desired properties, various components are added to it in a certain proportion. The components are divided into organic and mineral. The basis is, of course, the soil: turf or garden.
Turf soil is a priority because it does not contain fungal spores and toxins. Garden soil requires thorough disinfection. The soil cannot be completely replaced with compost or humus. In conditions of excess nitrogen, seedlings will stretch out and form a weak root system.
Below are the components that are used to prepare soil for seedlings.
| Organic: | Mineral: |
| leaf soil (rotted leaves from the forest) | river sand (not fine construction sand!) |
| compost | perlite |
| humus | vermiculite |
| lowland peat (preferably with a high degree of decomposition) | expanded clay |
| sphagnum moss | mineral wool |
| sunflower seed husk | coconut fiber |
| sawdust | hydrogel |
| eggshell | foam crumbs |
| rice husk | wood ash |
Organic components are a source of nutrients, and mineral ones are used to improve structure, breathability and moisture capacity. Each substance has its own specific properties that determine its advantages and disadvantages.
On a note! The sand is washed several times before use to remove iron and manganese.
Ready-made soil mixtures are filled with complex fertilizers and, in case of high acidity, neutralized with dolomite flour, chalk or lime.
Parameters of quality soil
To determine how suitable the finished soil is for growing seedlings, it is assessed according to the following parameters:
- nutrient content;
- breathability (light and loose structure);
- moisture capacity (the ability to absorb and retain water);
- reaction of the soil solution, pH (checked with a special device or litmus strip, must be neutral or slightly acidic);
- phytosanitary condition (absence of pathogenic microorganisms and weed seeds, presence of beneficial microflora).
The soil mixture should not contain toxins, heavy metal ions and radionuclides, so organic components are taken from environmentally friendly areas. The addition of fresh organic matter (manure, dry leaves, straw) is not allowed, since the active process of decay leads to an increase in temperature in the soil. Overheating - severe stress for the roots.
The soil mixture should not be perceived as a disinfected, stable substrate. This is a living dynamic system in which complex biochemical processes take place with the participation of beneficial microorganisms. Normal development of seedlings is impossible in sterile soil.
Soil mixture composition depending on the crop
The composition of the soil is determined by the biological and physiological characteristics of the crop. It is prepared according to an individual recipe. This does not mean that seedlings will die on “universal” soil. But they will develop worse and will not realize their potential productivity.
We have collected proven recipes for preparing soil mixtures, which are based on many years of experience of practicing gardeners and research by scientists. The table below can be printed and used as a reminder.
| Culture | Composition of soil mixture | Additives (based on 10 liters of mixture) |
| Tomato | 1. Soddy soil + peat + humus (1: 2: 1) | 3 tbsp. l. superphosphate and 0.5 liters of wood ash |
| 2. Sod soil + compost + sand (1:1:1) | 10 g ammonium nitrate, 20 g potassium salt and 50 g superphosphate | |
| 3. Leaf soil + humus + peat + coconut fiber (1: 1: 1: 1) | 1 tsp. urea, 1 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate, 3 tbsp. l. superphosphate, 150 - 200 ml wood ash | |
| Cucumber | 1. Peat + humus + rotted sawdust (2:2:1) | 100 ml wood ash and 1 tsp. urea, potassium sulfate and superphosphate |
| 2. Sod soil + leaf soil + compost + vermiculite (3: 3: 3: 1) | ||
| Pepper | 1. Soddy soil + peat + sand (1: 2: 1) | 30 g ammonium nitrate, 40 g potassium sulfate, 60 g superphosphate |
| 2. Sod soil + humus + perlite (1: 2: 1/2) | ||
| Eggplant | 1. Soddy soil + humus + peat (3: 5: 2) | 100 ml wood ash |
| 2. Compost + leaf soil + peat + rotted sawdust (1: 1: 1: 1/2) | ||
| Cabbage | 1. Peat + humus + sawdust (3:1:1) | 10 g ammonium nitrate, fluffed lime (500 g per 1 sq.) |
| 2. Sod soil + compost + sand (1: 1: 1/2) | fluff lime (to prevent damage to blackleg and clubroot) | |
| 3. Sod soil + ash + sand (5: 1: 1/4) | fluff lime (added in the same amount as sand) | |
| Garden strawberries | 1. Leaf soil + compost + wood ash (3: 3: 1/2) | |
| 2. Peat+sand+vermiculite (3:3:4) | ||
| Annual flowers | 1. Soddy soil + sand + peat (3: 1: 1) | 1 tbsp. eggshells and 50 g of charcoal |
| 2. Peat+compost+turf soil+sand (3:2:2:1) | ||
| Petunia | Peat (sifted)+turf soil (sifted)+sand (vermiculite)+coconut fiber (2:1:1:1/2) | |
| Marigold | Humus+peat+sand (1:1:1) |
To prepare the mixture, the components are thoroughly mixed until the substrate is homogeneous. For seedlings of vegetable crops, it is not recommended to sift the soil to a fine fraction.
Rules for preparing soil before sowing seeds
in autumn experienced gardeners It is recommended to stock up on organic ingredients and sand in the required volume. When stored in a heated room, the soil dries out, but low temperatures are not harmful to it. Before the start of the seedling season, the material is brought into a warm room and after 4 days they begin to prepare it.
The finished soil mixture is disinfected in 4 ways.
Freezing
Long-term exposure to temperatures below minus 20 degrees, from 30 days, is effective against fungal diseases and wintering stages of pests. The soil is protected from precipitation and is not allowed to be covered with snow. This method is used in the northern regions.
Steaming
Steam treatment can be carried out using 2 methods:
- place the mixture in the bag on a wire rack over a container of boiling water and process for an hour;
- pour the soil into the basin with the holes and pour boiling water over it.
After completion of treatment, the soil is dried by scattering thin layer on newsprint.
Calcination
Spread the damp soil on a baking sheet in a 5 cm layer and place in the oven for half an hour. Processing temperature - 60 degrees. The method is considered aggressive, although grandmothers still only recognize it.
Etching
Potassium permanganate (3 g per 10 liters of water) or a solution of biofungicides is used as a disinfectant. A gentle method is watering with biological products (Fitosporin, Baikal EM-1, Trichodermin, etc.). They contain beneficial microflora that suppresses the development of pathogens. They can also be used after calcination and steaming to restore beneficial microflora.
How to choose ready-made soil in the store?
With all the advantages of the prepared soil mixture, many gardeners prefer to buy ready-made soil for seedlings. It's easier. And one cannot but agree with this. But in order to get decent seedlings, you need to be able to distinguish a multicomponent mixture, seasoned with a complex of fertilizers, from acidic peat.
Before making a purchase, study the composition of the mixture and the acidity level. The composition must contain 2 or more organic components and one mineral (sand, vermiculite or perlite), as well as microelements and complex fertilizers. Conscientious manufacturers add dolomite flour, ground limestone or chalk to normalize acidity.
You can go the hard way: buy universal soil for seedlings and improve it yourself depending on the requirements of the crop.
To improve the structure, add vermiculite or river sand, to increase moisture capacity, add a little hydrogel, neutralize wood ash or chalk, increase nutritional value with complex fertilizers.
