How to sow successfully in the bed and on the windowsill

No-till sowing - guidelines for direct sowing in the bed

In April and May there is a lot going on in the flowerbeds and vegetable gardens. At the latest after the ice saints, the time window for the direct opens sowing native species such as sunflowers, snapdragons, carrots, runner beans or radishes. If you want to create a lawn, this time of year also selects for sowing Lawn seeds. How to proceed correctly step by step:

• Soil with rake and Rake Work until a weed-free, loose, finely crumbly structure is created
• Depending on the type of plant, sow the seeds broadly or in rows
• Row sowing: draw a furrow, insert seeds at the prescribed distance and cover with soil
• Press the seeds on with your hands or a Lawn roller and water with a fine shower head

Cover the seedbed with a protective net to protect against pecking birds and hungry snails. At the end, please do not fail to mark the rows of seeds with the labels of the seeds.

Growing on the windowsill - this is how you prepare the seeds

Numerous garden plants come from distant countries, such as popular ones Petunias and tomatoes. Higher temperatures are required for germination, so home gardeners sow the seeds on the windowsill or in the greenhouse. Pay attention to these preparatory tasks:

• Provide nutrient-poor, germ-free seeding substrate
• Clean the seed pots and check for drainage openings in the soil
• Fill the spray bottle with room temperature, stale water
• Have transparent hoods or plastic bags ready
• Soak seeds for 24 to 48 hours in lukewarm water or chamomile tea (thermos)

Environmentally responsible home gardeners do not use peat-based aids. Coconut fiber substrate, for example, is ideal for sowing. Sowing in peat pots is also frowned upon, because reusable seed trays, pots or discarded egg cartons are perfect growing containers.

Sowing instructions - the way from seed to seedling

While the seeds are soaking, fill each seed pot two-thirds full with substrate. Press the earth down and spray the surface with water. You can now sow the still moist seeds on the moistened soil. Press the light germinator with a wooden board for a good connection to the bottom. Sieve dark germs with substrate at a species-specific level. You can find out what type of seed it is on the seed label. So it goes on:

• Cover the seed pots with a transparent cover or plastic bag
• Set up at the partially shaded window seat at temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius
• Ventilate cover daily
• Sprinkle with water as soon as the soil dries up
• Do not fertilize seeds and seedlings

The germination time depends on the type of plant. Some growth rockets germinate after just a few days, while other seeds take weeks or even months to germinate. When the first cotyledons sprout, the hood has done its job and is removed. Keep the substrate slightly moist and do not apply fertilizer.

Prick out and harden seedlings - this is how it works

The first real leaves grow after the cotyledons. Both leaf types can be easily distinguished visually. In the course of further growth, the seed pot becomes crowded. High time to give the busy seedlings more space. To do this, repot the strongest specimens in their own pots. This process is known as pricking. Thats how it works:

• Small plastic pots fill with special piquing earth
• Use a pricking stick or spoon to drill a small planting hole in the center
• Lift the seedlings out of the seed pot one at a time and with a great deal of dexterity
• Plant in the pricking soil, press down and water

From mid-April, place your pupils in a warm, partially shaded spot on the balcony or in the garden during the day. The young plants spend the cold nights behind glass until mid-May. This hardening phase guarantees robust plants and vital growth in the bed right from the start.

A little sowing ABC - this is how you avoid tripping hazards

To ensure that everything runs smoothly when you first sow, we have summarized the most common beginner mistakes. Practical tips point out how to avoid the pitfalls:

• Dried out soil: keep the substrate slightly moist with soft, warm water
• Too much or too little soil on the seed: do not cover the light germinator, sieve the dark germinator at least thickly over the seeds
• Cold draft: do not set up the seed pots near tilted windows
• Aging shoots due to lack of light: if the shoots are long, thin, illuminate the seedlings with plant lamps

The most frequent and most fatal care mistake is waterlogging in the seed pot. The advice on regular watering and spraying should not lead to seedlings standing in the water. The result is fungal infections like the dreaded fall-over disease. Drainage holes in the bottom of the pot and a balanced water supply are the best prevention.