Sowing or cultivation soil is a special soil that promotes the growth of seedlings and young plants. This article tells you where you can buy good seed soil in stores or even make it yourself.

Sowing soil contains only the nutrients that young plants need

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Buy seed soil
  3. Make your own seed compost
  4. Why use seed compost?
  5. frequently asked Questions

    6. the essentials in brief

    • Young plants need fewer nutrients than large plants, which is why seed soil is low in nutrients
    • Young plants are particularly susceptible to germs, which is why sowing soil is germ-free
    • Even mixed seed soil should be sterilized with heat, for example

    Buy seed soil - you should pay attention to this

    Seed soil can be purchased in many stores and from numerous vendors. They are available in very different qualities both in specialist shops and on the Internet or even at discounters. In view of this large selection, the question naturally arises as to which characteristics can be used to identify good seed soil? After all, not all products offer the same quality and many a hobby gardener has had to worry about a poor germination rate and/or ailing young plants because the selected substrate type did not have the required quality. So that you don't have to get angry, we have summarized the most important selection criteria here.

    The most important criteria

    Sowing soil should offer seedlings and young plants optimal starting conditions. These are particularly the case when the substrate has the following properties:

    • low in nutrients
    • free of or low in mineral salts
    • germ-free (also free of fungal spores and weed seeds)
    • loose and airy
    • permeable to water and air

    You can first determine the quality of the seed soil by looking at the information on the packaging and then by taking a sample. The packaging provides information about the respective ingredients and the pH value of the substrate. Ideally, this should be between 5 and 6.5.

    Sowing soil is crumbly, loose and slightly moist

    Take a sample of the substrate and feel it between your fingers. The earth should

    • loose and crumbly
    • easy
    • and a little damp (but not wet!)

    feel Good seed soil also smells pleasantly of "earth" and does not have an unpleasant or even smelly odor. In this case, unpleasant smells are always an indication of poor quality.

    Where should you buy seed soil?

    The manufacturer and the place of sale are further indications of the quality of the seed soil. Basically, you should not buy "no-name" soils from the discounter, since these cheap goods are almost always of poor quality and your plants will not grow as well as desired. In addition, these soils often contain fungal spores and other germs; it is also common for weeds to suddenly grow out of it. You are actually best advised to go with the higher-priced branded products, even if all that glitters is not gold here: just because a product is expensive does not mean that it is of good quality. Therefore, be sure to look at the list of ingredients and check the seed soil before use.

    digression

    Is peat-free seed soil any good?

    No question: peat is a good water reservoir and has been used successfully in crop production for a long time. Unfortunately, peat extraction also has serious effects on the environment, which is why this raw material can no longer be recommended in good conscience. The mining of peat from the few remaining moors is destroying these unique natural landscapes with their rare flora and fauna - irretrievably. Instead, large amounts of the climate-damaging gas CO2 are released during the extraction and through the use of peat, which in turn contributes to the ubiquitous global warming. Fortunately, however, there are a few alternatives that work just as well for a seed mix as peat. When buying, make sure that the soil is as peat-free as possible.

    Make your own seed compost

    On the other hand, you do not necessarily have to buy good seed soil, you can mix it yourself at a fraction of the price. Most of the ingredients you need can be found in your own garden.

    ingredients

    Basically, you only need three basic materials for your self-mixed seed compost, which you mix with one third each:

    • garden soil: Very good is the earth thrown up by moles, which usually annoys you in the form of molehills. This loose soil, which comes from deeper layers and is therefore usually free of weed seeds, is perfect for your purposes. Alternatively, you can also remove soil from the garden, whereby you should dig about ten centimeters deep to remove it. Soil from the surface mostly contains weed seeds and other unwanted debris.
    • sand: Ordinary sand, such as that sold in hardware stores, is perfectly adequate for this purpose. However, please do not use play sand or sand suitable for ornamental bird cages, as these materials clump together very quickly when they come into contact with water and then become hard - not a good prerequisite for the root growth of young plants.
    • Humus / mature compost: Although young plants initially only need a few nutrients for their growth, they cannot do without them. Mature compost or even humus soil are the ideal suppliers of nutrients, and these substances are both loose and permeable as well as being good at storing water. Bark humus is particularly suitable.

    You can also add additives such as perlite, (37.51€) coconut fibers, wood fibers or even cat litter to your self-mixed seed soil. All of these substances are intended to help loosen up the substrate and improve its water storage capabilities. However, they are not absolutely necessary.

    On the other hand, it is much more important to sift through the raw materials carefully and several times in order to free them from coarse components. Then mix them well and fill them into culture vessels. You can also buy these in specialist shops - or you can also make them yourself from egg cartons, paper or cardboard in a completely ecological way. The following article shows how easy this works:

    Video:youtube

    sterilization

    Before that, however, there is another very important step: sterilization. This process kills any pathogens or weed seeds that may be present in the substrate, giving your seedlings better growth opportunities. Chemicals are not necessary for this, because you only need an oven or a microwave for sterilization. The following table shows you how this works:

    oven microwave
    preparation Spread the earth out flat on a baking sheet and moisten slightly Spread the soil out flat on a plate, moisten it slightly
    temperature 200ºC 600 to 800 watts
    duration of use 30 minutes 10 mins
    benefits sterilize larger quantities germ-free soil within minutes
    disadvantage higher time requirement only suitable for small quantities

    digression

    When is the best time to repot young seedlings?

    As soon as the seeds have emerged and the young plants begin to grow, it is time for the so-called pricking out. You should do this as early as possible: As soon as the young plant has a “real” pair of leaves next to the two cotyledons, it is time to transplant. This is especially true for heavy-consuming plants, which also include tomatoes, cucumbers or peppers. Medium or weakly consuming species, on the other hand, can be left in the growing substrate a little longer - but they must be transplanted at the latest when space in the growing container is tight.

    Why should you use seed soil at all?

    Sowing soil provides young plants with everything they need

    “No one would ever think of serving a juicy steak to their newborn baby. Young plants also have very different needs than adult plants.”

    Of course, young plants also grow in conventional potting soil. However, in a nutrient-rich substrate, they do not form as many and, above all, not as strong roots as in a nutrient-poor one: in a seed soil poor in nutrients, mineral salts, etc., the young plants are practically forced to build a strong root network in search of "food". to train. This will benefit you later as an adult plant, because many roots ensure better supply and thus better and healthier growth.

    frequently asked Questions

    How long does seed soil last?

    Conventional potting or potting soil should be used as fresh as possible and not stored for too long. The reason for this are the nutrients present in these soils, which break down over time, as well as the mostly present fungi and bacteria. Since sterilized potting soil is low in nutrients and ideally does not contain any pathogens, it generally has a longer shelf life. Nevertheless, you should always mix or buy them fresh before sowing.

    Are there alternatives to seed soil?

    Sowing soil is commercially available under many names, so you can also use potting soil or (not pre-fertilized!) herbal soil. There is also the option of using coconut hum or a special substrate made from coconut fibres. This is often sold in compressed form and is only made to swell with warm water. The disadvantage of this swelling earth is, however, that the raw materials have to be flown in from far away countries - this is not particularly sustainable for various reasons.

    What is better, seed soil or swelling tablets?

    So-called swelling tablets or swelling tabs mostly consist of pressed coconut fibers or peat. They are very practical to use, but make little sense for ecological reasons. In fact, it's best to buy a high-quality, peat-free, coco-free seed soil or mix it yourself. The latter will also help you save money.

    What to do if the seed soil becomes moldy?

    If the seed compost becomes moldy, it is either too wet and/or has not been properly disinfected. Unfortunately, it is now unlikely that the seeds inside will germinate. Larger plants, on the other hand, can be saved with a quick pricking out and repotting in a germ-free substrate. Do not water seeds and seedlings with a watering can, but only lightly moisten the soil with a spray bottle. This will help you avoid overwatering and therefore mold growth. In addition, greenhouses or indoor greenhouses must be ventilated daily, since high humidity also contributes to mold growth.

    tips

    If you let the seeds soak in lukewarm water for a few hours before sowing, they will germinate better. Also, always use fresh seeds.

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Vegetable garden