We are all looking forward to spring, but not always this time of the year pleases with warmth. Sometimes it seems that winter has not receded: snow, freezing temperatures and strong winds in March are not uncommon. Summer residents are at a loss as to when to start work on their personal plot in cold spring. Whether it is worth sowing seeds at the usual time or waiting a little has been a long-standing debate about this.
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How to correctly determine the time of planting seeds
Weather is an important condition, but when it comes to planting seeds, the individual characteristics of a particular crop matter, namely:
- features of its growth and development;
- seed germination rate;
- the presence of additional lighting;
- the ability to maintain the required temperature in the room;
- characteristics of the open ground where the plants will be planted.
If you plan to grow vegetables in a greenhouse, then feel free to sow the seeds at the right time. So, for tomatoes, this period is 50-60 days from the date of sowing to planting. Cucumbers are enough for 25 days, etc. But in the case of transplanting into open ground, in a cold spring, it makes sense to wait a week or two with sowing.
Alternatively, to accelerate germination, you can use growth stimulants, a large selection of which is available on the market. Aloe juice will become an alternative to soaking in ready-made preparations. It is also worth paying attention to the shelf life of the seeds. It is better to replace old material with new one, as they germinate longer and worse.
Seedling backlight value
There are special phytolamps in shops for gardeners. They consume a minimum of electricity, but the effect exceeds all expectations. It is allowed to use household fluorescent lamps. When there is no opportunity to supplement the planting, postpone the sowing of crops. Without the required level of lighting, the seedlings will begin to stretch and quickly outgrow.
When sowing, you need to keep the distance between the seeds. So, there should be a distance of 3-4 cm between tomatoes, peppers and eggplants - from 4 to 5 cm. It is allowed to sow cabbage a little thicker.
Hardening and soil quality
Thanks to hardening, it is possible to improve the germination and endurance of future seedlings. Swollen seeds are placed in the refrigerator on the lower shelf and kept for 10-12 hours. After a 12 hour break, the material is put back in the refrigerator. This is repeated three times, even if sprouted shoots have appeared.
The sprouted seedlings are hardened: first, the vents are opened in the room where it is located. After that, tubs with plants are taken out on the veranda or on the balcony. Leave first for a couple of hours, and then overnight, provided that the ambient temperature is acceptable.
Soil properties are critical. Breathable, lightweight and full of nutrients, it is guaranteed to get strong and resilient growth. After the appearance of true leaves, vegetable seedlings especially need phosphorus, but you need to adhere to the dosage and not overfeed the plants.
Do you know when to sow seeds for seedlings in a cold spring?
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