Making a fertile mixture using peat

Many gardeners start preparing potting soil in February. An important component of this potting mix is ​​peat. Thanks to the microorganisms that live in the peat, the root system of the seedlings will receive sufficient heat and nutrients. In the process of their vital activity, bacteria recycle the remains of marsh plants and generate heat. In peat soil, seedlings develop faster than in a sandy fertile mixture, for which sand perlite and humus are mixed.

Peat is highly acidic. Therefore, it cannot be used as a basis for a fertile mixture. If the seeds are sown in acidic soil, they will rot after germination. The acidity of the peat must be balanced with neutral soil or garden soil.

To prepare a fertile seedling mixture you will need:

• lower (lowland) peat;
• sand;
• potash and phosphate fertilizers;
• garden land or neutral purchased soil.

As a fertilizer for a fertile peat mixture, you can use an alcoholic tincture of high-moor peat. Its solution is also used to treat flower seeds and other plants. To prepare the solution, you need to pour the peat with alcohol and insist for a week. Then one tablespoon of the tincture must be dissolved in 10 liters of water. Plant seeds are treated with this solution. This solution is used as a bioactive fungicide and insecticide.

Preparation of peat mixture

To prepare a soil peat mixture, you will need calcined river sand, which is used as drainage. Garden soil or neutral soil must be sieved through a sieve.

Since peat contains a lot of resin, it repels water. Therefore, before preparing the mixture, the soil must be steamed. Under the influence of steam, the soil becomes looser and more water permeable.

In 10 kg of sifted soil, you need to add one tablespoon of potash and phosphate fertilizer. Potassium salt and superfossphat are used as these fertilizers. Next, the soil is poured into the tank. A container with soil is placed in a larger tank. Up to 10 cm of water is poured into such a "matryoshka" and put on fire. The soil should be on the gas stove for 30 minutes. The steamed soil is mixed with 5 liters of peat and 5 kg of river sand. Such a peat mixture is poured into containers, and then seeds are sown in them.