What is critically forbidden to add to the soil for seedlings and how to prepare the perfect one yourself

The strength and quality of seedlings depend not only on the planting material but also on the soil condition. You should take into account the acidity, the level of air permeability, the chemical composition of the substrate, and the presence of beneficial bacteria.

Gardeners often despair when, despite all their efforts, the seedlings grow weak and sickly despite the optimal watering and temperature conditions. Read the OBOZ.UA article to find out what is strictly forbidden to add to the soil for seedlings and how to prepare the perfect substrate yourself.

What not to add to the soil

The most common mistake beginners make is adding fresh manure to the soil. Saturated components can damage the root system. It is better to use compost or humus.

Fresh sawdust is also an undesirable component. It will pull out nitrogen, which is necessary for the growth of green mass.

Folk life hacks for adding coffee grounds are a rather dubious practice. Coffee compacts the soil and can cause fungal diseases.

It is also strictly forbidden to add ordinary construction sand instead of river sand.

How to prepare the perfect substrate

You can use lightweight soil from your garden, but it must be sifted and disinfected.

Vermiculite, perlite, or sand should be used as a leavening agent. These components affect the structure of the soil and facilitate the absorption of nutrients. The ratio of sand to soil should be 1:3 or 1:4.

Ecological fertilizers such as chicken manure, horse or cow manure, and organomineral additives are ideal. Experts advise adding 3 g of fertilizer per liter of soil mixture.

It is worth periodically adding lime or dolomite flour to the soil at the rate of 6 g per 1 liter of soil mixture.