Growing plants from seeds: this is how the cultivation works | manual

The sowing of flowering and vegetable plants begins as early as the end of March. These are preferred indoors, as it is still far too cold outside. In the field, sowing does not begin until after the Ice Saints. Growing the seedlings is actually not complicated, but a few factors must be taken into account. Above all, the equipment is crucial:

• Soil, if necessary cultivation soil
• Pots
• Pikierstab
• Young plant fertilizer

Find the right seeds

Whether in the garden center or in the supermarket, seeds for sowing are everywhere. The selection is huge, too, herbs, berries, flowers – there is everything that makes a gardener’s heart beat faster. Almost every year new developments come onto the market, and sowing will certainly not be boring.

There is of course a larger selection of seeds in specialist shops. Anyone who visits a seed drill is rewarded with a huge variety of plant seeds. However, not all of them are amateur-friendly, sometimes you need some idea how special plants are cultivated.

The shelf life of the seeds
Even if they are only seeds, the shelf life plays a major role. In most cases, one sachet will last for several years, so it makes sense to aim for a use-by date of at least three years.

Growing flowers – here Tagetes (marigold)

The marigold is one of the most popular flowers and it is not rocket science to grow it yourself. The seeds are commercially available and belong to the light germs. There are a few points to consider in order for flower pulling to be a success.

The accessories:

• Flower pot / nursery bowl
• Potting soil
• Spray bottle with water
• Growing hood or plastic bags
• Together

Sow step by step:

• first the flower pot is filled with potting soil
• The soil is moistened with the spray bottle
• Now carefully place the seeds on the ground and press down
• the seeds are moistened with the spray bottle
• Cover the pot with a hood / plastic bag to simulate the greenhouse climate
• a bright place without full sun is suitable
• daily ventilation is required

After this procedure, cotyledons develop after two weeks. When the second pair has emerged, it is time to prick out the young plants.

Accessories for pricking:

• a lot of small pots
• Pikierstab
• Mixture of potting soil and sand

And this is how it works:

• the pots are filled with substrate
• Earth needs to be moistened
• a hole is now made with the finger
• The marigold seedling is lifted out of the vessel with the prick stick
• Plants are now inserted and lightly pressed with the earth
• Moisten again a little, do not over-wet

The marigold is sensitive to frost, so it only moves outside after the ice saints.

Grow herbs yourself – here parsley

Who does not know the vitamin C bomb parsley! The herb is very popular and easy to grow.

Facts about sowing parsley:

• are dark germs
• the plants germinate slowly
• Seeds need to be soaked
• The right time for pot parsley is February
• in March it is time for sowing in the field

What is needed:

• Pots
• Parsley seeds
• Spray bottle with water
• Potting soil
• normal earth

And this is how it works:

• 7 – 8 seeds are sown per 15 cm diameter pot
• The pot is filled with potting soil, the seeds are inserted individually and pressed down
• the substrate must be moistened with the spray bottle
• as soon as the plants have reached a height of approx. 10 cm, they are separated
• Normal soil is poured into the new pots
• a hole in the middle of the pot is prepared with your finger
• the parsley plant is inserted and lightly pressed and covered with earth
• finally it has to be cast on lightly

Sow vegetables – here paprika

Bell peppers need warmth and light to grow properly. In most cases, therefore, sowing in the greenhouse makes sense. In the open air, paprika is only in good hands in warm regions; in grapevines, for example, it is possible.

The necessary accessories:

• Planter bowl
• Together
• Potting soil
• spray bottle
• Transparent film

And this is how it works:

• first of all, the planters are filled with soil
• Paprika seeds are stuck an inch deep into the ground
• the holes are lightly covered with earth, the seeds pressed down
• the soil is watered with the spray bottle
• the seed tray is covered with cling film

It now takes around three to four weeks for the pepper plants to form four leaves. Now it’s time to prick out, into pots around 10 centimeters in size. They can then be further cultivated in individual pots.

This is how it is pricked:

• Carefully lift the plants out of the potting soil with the prick stick
• Fill new pots with normal substrate and make a hole
• Carefully place the seedling in the hole and press the soil into place
• the substrate is moistened with the spray bottle
• a temperature of 20-22 degrees is necessary in order not to endanger growth

Outside with the vegetables

From May onwards, the peppers may occasionally move outside so that they are hardened and get used to the sun. When there is no longer any risk of frost at the end of May, a warm, sunny bed is the ideal place for the plant.

The soil can be enriched with horn meal, because paprika plants need a lot of nutrients. The planting distance should be at least 50 cm, between two rows 60 cm must be kept free.

Growing berries yourself – here currants

They should not be missing in any garden and taste great for young and old. We are talking about currants, which are now available in different fruit colors. It is not difficult to grow a currant bush in your own garden.

The perfect conditions:

• sunny location with wind protection
• Partial shade is possible, but the sweetness of the fruit is missing
• humus-rich, well-drained soil is suitable

And this is how it works:

• dig a planting hole at a suitable location
• Soil is enriched with compost
• Insert the currant bush and press the soil into place
• Water well, avoiding waterlogging
• Planting distance should be between 1.5 and 2 meters
• the harvest begins in June

General tips on growing seeds

Location: In
order for the young plants to germinate, they need it to be bright and warm (provided they are light germinators). Avoid direct sunlight when pulling, as the plants can otherwise burn.

Germination temperature:
The optimal germination temperature depends on the individual plant and can be found in the seed sachet. In general, however, it is important that the temperature is constant.

Germination time:
Depending on the type of plant, there are very different germination times when growing yourself, which can vary from a few days to several weeks. Patience is very important when growing your own plants. Sometimes germination can be accelerated if the seeds are wrapped in a damp cloth beforehand.

Watering and fertilizing: 
Whether herbs, flowers, vegetables or berries – every plant needs a little irrigation water after sowing. This is the only way the seeds can be washed by the earth and become stuck.

It is helpful to keep the soil moist, but not wet, during germination. A little liquid fertilizer can increase growth, but should only be given after the first leaf development.Cultivation in pots
There are two reasons why cultivation takes place in pots :

• the plant must be brought forward in the house and later relocated
• the plant should remain in the pot

During pre-breeding, mainly plants with sensitive roots are sown in very small pots. The advantage is that they can be completely relocated later. With this form of cultivation, a maximum of 1 – 3 seeds get into the substrate. The weak seedlings are removed after germination.

Seed trays are suitable for growing several plants. Once germination has taken place, it is first thinned out. If the remaining plants have enough space, they can develop stable roots.

As soon as the seedlings have developed four leaves on average, prick out. Now the plants are placed individually outdoors or in another pot.

Conclusion
Growing your own plants is not rocket science if a few points are observed. Most hobby gardeners enjoy it when a self-grown plant develops in their own garden. The cultivation of flowers, herbs, berries or vegetables is similar in some ways.