by Folk remedies for feeding vegetable seedlings will allow you to get healthy plants that will give an excellent harvest in the future. You will find many of the described remedies at home or easily buy them in a store or pharmacy.
In addition to naturalness, folk remedies have another advantage – they are not so saturated, so if you have prepared the preparation correctly, the probability of harming the plants is very small. Of course, in any case, you should not water the seedlings with these fertilizers too often. Observe moderation and you will soon notice that the seedlings of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, cabbage are filled with juice and grow well.
Let’s look at what folk remedies can be used at different stages of seedling development.
The first feeding of seedlings with folk remedies
The first seedling feeding should be done 10-14 days after picking. If the seedlings are growing in separate containers, then focus on their size: there should be at least 2-3 true leaves on the stems. Before planting the seedlings in the ground, you can do several feedings, but the interval between each should be at least 7 days. It is best to alternate different types of fertilizers. So, here is what you can feed the seedlings with.
Ammonia – fertilizer for seedlings
During this period, it is advisable to fertilize with ammonia, which contains 82% nitrogen and is easily absorbed by plants. Nitrogen will strengthen the stems of seedlings and increase leaf mass.
To prepare the preparation, dissolve 1 teaspoon of ammonia in 10 liters of water, mix well and carefully water the seedlings at the roots.
The mole cricket and wireworm do not like ammonia, so you can use it to protect plants after planting in the ground. Dissolve 3-4 tbsp of the product in 10 liters of water and pour 0,5 liters into each hole.
Feeding seedlings with eggshells
Eggshells contain a lot of calcium, which promotes cell division and, accordingly, active growth of seedlings. An infusion of the shell is used as a top dressing.
Take the shells of 3-4 chicken eggs, pour 3 liters of warm water and leave to infuse in a dark place. To prevent the smell of the infusion from spreading throughout the house, cover the container with a tight lid. After 3 days, when the infusion becomes cloudy and “aromatic”, dilute it in a ratio of 1:3 and water the seedlings.
Eggshells can also be used to protect seedlings from blackleg. To do this, finely crush the shells and sprinkle the soil in the containers with seedlings.
Feeding seedlings with coffee grounds
Coffee grounds saturate the soil with nitrogen. And although there is not as much of it in it as, for example, in ammonia (only about 2%), plants will like this fertilizer. Thanks to the grounds, seedlings will be able to absorb other nutrients from the soil faster. Before feeding the plants, rinse the used coffee with clean water, dry it, and then carefully dig it into the soil.
Used coffee grounds can also be added to the beds. This will improve the soil composition, attract earthworms and beneficial microorganisms.
Feeding seedlings with folk remedies after planting in the ground
The first feeding can be done 10 days after planting the seedlings in the ground. The next one – 14 days after the first one. The third feeding usually occurs during flowering. And here folk remedies will come to your aid again!
Feeding seedlings with yeast
Yeast top dressing for seedlings is very popular, because yeast helps to build up green mass, accelerates plant growth several times, increases their immunity and endurance. After using such top dressing, the root system gets a strong boost to development. Yeast is no less beneficial for the soil microflora. Therefore, if you want to get an excellent harvest, be sure to use this top dressing.
Pour 100 g of yeast into 10 l of water, add 2 tbsp of sugar and leave for 1 hours. Dilute the finished product in a ratio of 5: and water the plants at the roots.
Before flowering begins, yeast feeding can be repeated.
Feeding seedlings with ash
Wood ash is a valuable source of potassium and phosphorus, which are so necessary for plants at this stage. This fertilizer can be applied both in dry form (0,2 tsp of ash per plant) and in the form of an infusion.
Dissolve half a glass of ash in 10 liters of hot water, let it sit for hours. Then strain and water the plants.
Feeding seedlings with banana peels
Banana peels are rich in potassium and are successfully used in garden plots. To prepare a nutritious fertilizer, pour 2 liters of warm water over the peel of 3-3 bananas (you can pre-grind it). Infuse the peels for 3 days, then strain and water the plants at the roots.
Feeding seedlings with onion peel
Onion peel is an invaluable fertilizer for seedlings and is as accessible as banana peel or eggshell. It is especially useful to water weakened plants with onion infusion, since the peel contains many antioxidants that strengthen the immune system. Phytoncides are no less useful. Fungi and pathogenic bacteria are afraid of them like fire! And in terms of the amount of nutrients, onion peel is not inferior to other folk remedies, it contains vitamins A, C, PP, group B, potassium, phosphorus, iron, etc.
To prepare the infusion, you will need 2 glasses tightly filled with onion peel. Pour 2 liters of boiling water over them and leave for about 2 days. Then strain and dilute in a ratio of 1:3.
If the plant looks wilted, you can feed it with onion infusion as early as the 3rd day after planting.
Useful tips on feeding seedlings with folk remedies
Before you start making home remedies, be sure to read these tips!
1. Feeding seedlings in containers differs from feeding in the ground, when the plants are first watered and then fertilized. In the case of seedlings in containers, this can lead to over-moistening of the soil and the development of rot. Therefore, it is best to separate watering and feeding. For example, water in the evening and feed in the morning.
2. It is best to feed seedlings in the ground in the morning on a cloudy or overcast day.
3. Do not use concentrated fertilizer solutions, be sure to dilute them to avoid burning the plants.
4. Too frequent fertilizing weakens plants and reduces yield. The main rule is: it is better to underfeed than to overfeed.
5. Monitor the appearance of the plants. If the leaves and stems are strong and healthy, do not rush to use the preparations again. But if there are signs of weakness and wilting, it is time to feed. The following signs also indicate problems with the plants:
- the lower leaves are lightening – deficiency nitrogen;
- leaves turn yellow, tips dry out – deficiency potassium;
- thin shoots, leaves of purple or bluish tint – deficiency phosphorus.
6. Do not store ready-made preparations; make fresh ones for each feeding.
We have reviewed the most popular and accessible methods of feeding that will make your seedlings strong and healthy.
