Getting your seedlings off to a good start with living soil

Living soil for seedlings 2 (1111 × 424 px) (1)
Under the term sowing hide several realities. There is the operation itself which consists of putting the seeds into the ground. There is also the cultivation of young plants until they are transplanted outside. During these two stages, the needs of the plants evolve.

Living soil from germination

Traditionally, it is considered that at this stage of cultivation, for a fairly short period, plants can do without living soil. Indeed, during the germination process, plants can grow very well using only the resources contained in the cotyledons. When the 2 true leaves appear, the entire metabolism of the plant starts moving and a living soil is then essential.

Contrary to this information still commonly conveyed, the Jardins de l'écoumène have been using living soil for seedlings for years, right from the start. That the seedlings be made in trays then transplanted, in multicell or even directly in containers such as CowPots compost pots where plants remain for several weeks, a living potting soil mixture is used as soon as the seeds are sown.

Le biochar is a support for micro-organisms that is added to the substrate during sowing, which contributes to the vigor of the seedlings. THE ash is both a source of microorganisms and a fertilizer.

Recipes for living soil from Jardins de l’écoumene

Potting soil organic ready to useBiochar fine-grained (structure)phrase black soldier flies (activator)Inoculant mycorrhizal
Germination soil (sowing)1 L20ml (10g)8ml (5g)0,25 g
Growing soil (transplanting & repotting)1 L50ml (25g)30ml (20g)0,25 g

Potting soil organic ready to useBiochar fine-grained (structure)phrase black soldier flies (activator)Inoculant mycorrhizal
Germination soil (sowing)9 L180ml (90g)70ml (45g)2,25 g
Growing soil (transplanting & repotting)9 L500ml (250g)300ml (200g)2,25 g

Potting soil organic ready to use 3,8 ft3Biochar fine-grained (structure)phrase black soldier flies (activator)Inoculant mycorrhizal
Germination soil (sowing)125 L1,25 kg625 g30 g
Growing soil (transplanting & repotting)125 L3,125 kg2,5 kg30 g

Prepare your own potting soil

When you want to make your own mixture, it can be based on sphagnum peat, compost ripe, of gypsum, vermiculite, pearlite and sand.

You can also add biostimulants which will make the mixture very lively:

  • Earth Alive Soil Activator : contains microorganisms that improve nutrient absorption, which supports plant growth and health;
  • Biochar : increases microbial activity, promotes greater soil fertility, contributes to water retention and stimulates plant growth. For seedlings we use the one with a fine particle size;
  • Bionik marine and forest compost : nourishes the various beneficial bacteria and fungi in the soil and provides nutrients to the soil;
  • phrase : contains organic matter, chitin which helps the plant to structure itself and defend itself against certain aggressors and antimicrobial peptides, powerful broad-spectrum antibiotics, with antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties;
  • Mycorrhizal inoculant : the 800 spores per gram of mycorrhizae optimize the absorption of nutrients and water by the plant, stimulate root growth, which reduces the shock of transplantation, and promote flowering and fruiting;
  • 100% pure worm manure: rich in beneficial bacteria, organic matter, humus, nitrogen nitrate, calcium, manganese, phosphorus and potash, it helps the development of plants.
THEmycorrhizal inoculant is packaged by Les Jardins de l'écoumène in order to offer you a professional quality product at an affordable price. Ready-to-use potting mixes contain a little and this product allows you to add more. Storage conditions may also have affected the mycorrhizae contained in your ready-to-use potting soil. 

The following elements should also be taken into account when preparing your own potting soil:

  • Porosity: the substrate must contain spaces, large and small, between the particles of the various ingredients to allow air and water to circulate;
  • The particle size: the substrate must be fine enough to allow the development of roots and the emergence of seedlings;
  • Water retention : the substrate must be able to retain water and remain moist throughout the growing period;
  • Compaction: the substrate, thanks to fairly large elements, must not compact too much following repeated watering;
  • The pH: the substrate must have a pH between 6 and 7, because this is what the majority of edible plants require;
  • Nutrients: the substrate must be sufficiently well supplied with food to ensure the survival of the young plants until planting;
  • Soil life: it facilitates growth and ensures good overall health of the plant.

To help you find your way, here is the potting soil recipe recommended by the Regroupement des Jardiniers Écologique:

Compost WallvermiculitePeat mossSand
Germination soil (sowing)3 parts3 parts3 parts1 part
Growing soil (transplanting & repotting)5 parts2 parts2 parts1 part

Make your own mix or buy it?

This is a question that many gardeners ask themselves. If by doing it yourself you obtain the mixture you want, you must have a good knowledge of the different basic products to balance them well. In addition, you have to buy several ingredients, not all of which you need, which means you have to store unused quantities. Making your own potting soil is therefore not necessarily cheaper.

Ready-to-use potting soils are well balanced between the various ingredients, but they are, with some exceptions, not very lively. Using ready-to-use potting soil as a base to which biostimulants are added dosed for the different stages of cultivation is a good way to obtain a mixture for specific needs.

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