Flower seed bags are cheaper than young plants and their content is sufficient for many, many balcony boxes and even entire beds. The variety of seeds also far exceeds that of the young plants. You are happy to accept that sowing takes longer. Plus: This way you know for sure that your vegetables are really organic!
Sowing indoors is particularly suitable for frost-sensitive balcony and summer flowers. Sow robust vegetables such as lettuce, kohlrabi or peas directly into the bed from mid-March or early April.
You need this:
- seed
- lean potting or herbal soil
- possibly some bird sand
- Cultivation trays or pots
- Piece of wood for stripping and pressing down the soil
- Ball shower, alternatively laundry sprinkler or DIY tip: take a small PET bottle and poke holes in the lid with a hot needle
- Sieve
- Cover hood / transparent film
- Pricking pen or old pencil
- if necessary, cardboard and aluminum foil
- salt shaker
- scissors
The right soil for sowing
Only sow in special soil that you can get as seed soil or herbal soil. Sowing soil is lean, so that the seedlings cannot “eat up” right away. The low nutrient content of the soil forces the plantlets to develop many roots so that they can meet their nutrient requirements. If you later put the young plants in balcony boxes, tubs or beds – all places with nutritious soil – they can “strike” immediately and will develop well.
When will it be sown?
The starting signal is given by the longer days at the end of February or beginning of March. In this way, the seedlings get enough light and do not become long, thin and therefore susceptible to disease. Therefore, you should also choose a window sill that faces south or south-east as brightly as possible. It is generally brighter in heatable greenhouses or conservatories, so you can get started here as early as mid-February.
1.Sow in bowls: fill the bowl with soil
If the bowl isn’t brand new, you should brush off any plant or soil debris and clean the bowls with hot water. Otherwise harmful fungi will spread quickly.
Then fill the bowl about halfway with seed soil and press it down lightly with both hands before you fill the bowl completely.
Scrape off excess soil by holding the piece of wood at a 45-degree angle. This compacts the soil without compressing it.
2.press earth
Shape the soil with the help of a piece of wood, for example, so that its surface slopes slightly towards the edges. This ensures good water flow and prevents puddles in the middle.
3.Prepare seed
Seed is often also in germ protection packaging in the seed bag. Cut them open and pour the seeds into the bag.
Tear open the seed packet so you can see the seed on the bottom surface. This makes sowing easier. Distribute the seeds in the bowl by gently shaking them with your wrist.
4.sowing
Mix very fine seeds with sand and distribute them with a salt shaker. Larger quantities with a kitchen sieve.
Press down dusty seeds, sieve larger ones with sand or earth.
