How do I start to breeding?

The best spring crafts

In our climate, many plants need to be pre-cultivated. These are sown indoors and planted out when the risk of frost has passed. Making lush pots while winter thaws outside the window is undoubtedly the best springtime craft.

What do I need to pre-cultivate?

• Growing trays

Small pots, growing trays or rinsed food packaging – you can grow in most things. With a potting press you can make your own pots from newspaper.

Drainage is important. If it gets too wet, the roots can rot. Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the pot.

• Soil

Seed soil is most common for pre-cultivating. It is more fine-grained than potting soil and does not contain as much nutrients. It is well suited for later roots.

• Labels

A classic growing mistake is forgetting what you have sown. Avoid confusion by using labels (available in wood or plastic).

• Seeds

Do you have water at hand? Newspapers to protect the floor? Then just pick out the seeds. The seed bag contains information on the best time to sow.

Four steps from seed to seedling

1. SOWING

Put soil in the pot and water. Place the seeds on the soil surface and cover them with soil or plastic. Water the surface lightly, preferably with a spray bottle or watering can.

Many larger seeds such as chard, maize and peas will germinate faster if soaked. Beans, however, risk rotting when soaked. That’s why we wrap them in damp kitchen paper a couple of hours before sowing.

Different seeds should be sown to different depths. Read the seed bag or place the seed about three times as deep as its diameter. Some seeds, such as flower tobacco and petunia, are light-growing. These are easily pressed against the soil surface. Do not add soil but cover them with a transparent cover or plastic film with air holes.

Avoid sowing too densely. Then the roots will grow into each other. The larger the seeds, the more distance is needed between them.

Most seeds grow well at a temperature of around 20 degrees. Some like it warmer, for example chilli seeds. In this case, use an electric heating mat or place the seedlings on a radiator, underfloor heating or similar.

1. WATERING

Before the plant has developed roots, it cannot store water. It is therefore important to keep the seed moist. But do not water too much. A wet soil becomes heavy and oxygen-poor.

1. GROWTH

Once the seedling has emerged, most plants thrive in a cool, bright place. To get firm, compact seedlings, some extra light may be needed. Plant lighting is particularly important for seedlings sown early in the year, before spring light has appeared.

1. REPLANTING

After about 4-6 weeks, the pots start to get crowded. Then it is time for replanting. Plants with sensitive roots, such as sweet peas, can be given a deep pot when they are sown. That way you don’t have to disturb them with retraining. But most seedlings will have to spend some time in a larger pot before they are planted in their final location.

Put a layer of potting soil in the bottom of the new pot and move the plant over. Top up with soil all round. Be gentle with the roots and hold the leaves instead of the delicate stem. Water and press the soil surface lightly.

After a few weeks, when the plant has ‘eaten up’ the nutrients in the potting soil, you can start supplementing it.

Planting out

Depending on the growing zone and the frost sensitivity of the plant, it can be planted out from late May to mid-June.

Harden off the plant for a few days by keeping it outdoors for longer and longer periods, preferably under a fibre cloth to protect it from cold, wind and sun. Then plant in the final location.

Author: Johanna Damm

Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra

Last updated 2022-10-14