If a greenhouse for vegetables and salad is set up, then it makes sense to use nutrient-rich and nutritious soil. The following instructions explain which soil is preferred here and what the mixture should look like.
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ingredients for mixing
What the soil in the greenhouse should look like depends primarily on the purpose for which it is to be used. Sowings and cultivations of vegetables, fruit and flowers are cultivated here in early spring so that they can move to the garden bed later after the last night frosts. Other plants such as tomatoes, peppers or cucumbers should all be cultivated in a warm greenhouse so that the harvest is successful. The existing garden soil should also be mixed with the various components and nutrients accordingly. Components that can be mixed into garden soil to create a nutrient-rich soil include the following:
- a third of garden soil
- one third compost
- Horse or cow manure (alternative to compost)
- to about a twelfth clay
- depending on the too high pH peat
- to a sixth sand
- to a twelfth lime
- when soil is too acidic
- Bark mulch as a finish
- give over the earth
Soil for growing and sowing
When sowing, it is important not to give the garden soil too nutrient-rich soil at the beginning. Because especially at the beginning, the seeds and seedlings need a rather nutrient-poor soil so that they do not thrive and grow too quickly. Slow growth of the seedlings is particularly important now, so that a strong and robust plant can develop. In order for the roots to develop well, the seedling should have to make an effort to get nutrients. Therefore, special growing soil is also offered in the trade, which meets these requirements. The soil for sowing should therefore be mixed as follows:
- garden soil
- Sand lowers nutrient content
- little to no compost
- Peat loosens the soil
- lowers the pH
Soil for tomatoes and co.
Local vegetables are also grown in the garden. Peppers, tomatoes or cucumbers are popular, but they also need a little protection and therefore ideally remain in the greenhouse for the entire growing season. Vegetables from the Mediterranean, such as aubergines, are often added here. Tomatoes, for example, have a very high nutrient requirement, as they are among the so-called heavy consumers. Above all, the pH value must be correspondingly high here. Cucumbers should be planted in a different bed as the pH is lower here. Therefore, when mixing the garden soil for cucumber, tomatoes and other vegetables, you should pay attention to the following:
- Tomatoes want a pH between 6.5 and 7
- as well as many other vegetables
- beans, celery
- Broccoli , peas, leeks, melon,
- Carrots, peppers, Brussels sprouts, beetroot, asparagus, spinach
- Kale, radishes , zucchini
- Cucumbers prefer a pH between 5.6 and 6.5
- Swiss chard , kohlrabi, pumpkin behave similarly to cucumbers
- the neutral pH is 7
- a soil is acidic below a value of 7
- a soil is alkaline above a pH of 7
As a rule, all plants prefer neutral to acidic soil. This also means that the plants want as little lime as possible. However, there are also exceptions where the plants, such as many lettuce or green and cauliflower, are well tolerated by lime, but the pH value of 7 to 7.5 should not be exceeded here either. To make the soil more acidic, peat can be used, which lowers the pH.
Example instructions: tomato soil
Based on the popular tomatoes, which are often cultivated in the local greenhouses, the instructions for the ideal mixing ratio for the ideal soil are given as follows:
- a third or more garden soil
- a third or more compost
- both should make up the largest proportion
- a small portion of clay
- provides moisture
- about a sixth sand
- ensures permeability
- a little lime if soil is too acidic
When mixing the suitable tomato soil, peat should be avoided completely, as the soil then becomes too acidic. The situation is different with cucumbers, for which the same mixture generally applies. Here, however, lime should be avoided entirely and a small amount of peat should be added for a slightly acidic soil. A layer of bark mulch can always be placed around the plants to ensure a regular supply of nutrients and to keep the soil moist.
Various ingredients
In order to obtain a good soil for the greenhouse, different components are needed, which bring different properties with them. These properties are therefore as follows:
garden soil
- mostly without nutrients if untreated
- can be loose or firm
Compost
- brings the plant nutrients
- are the most natural nutrients
- ideal for all vegetable and fruit plants
Rindenmulch
- also offers many nutrients
- spread on soil throughout the year
- releases nutrients regularly
- also keeps the garden soil moist
horse or cow manure
- as an alternative to compost
- contains a lot of animal manure
- can transfer unwanted substances to useful plants
- for example antibiotics
- not always useful for vegetable plants
- enter the human body when consumed
Clay
- makes dry soil wetter
- too much can make the ground firmer
- admit little
peat
- helps to lower the pH
- makes soil more acidic
- use only after pH value check
- add only a small amount to the mixture
- then measure the pH again
Sand
- loosens the heavy soil
- ensures freshness and moisture in the soil
- use carefully, reduces nutrient content
lime
- deacidifies the soil
- if it is too acidic sprinkle lightly with lime
- Use little lime
- many plants do not tolerate lime
- therefore mix soil with lime long before planting
- improves the soil structure
