Waiting for spring in Cologne

Last month we started seeding and this month we can see the first results. Some, like the Indian Cress, amazed us with it’s growing power and this means transplanting into bigger pots. With all this green beauty we are really get a spring feeling and ready for some more sunny days outside.

Transplant from seed to potting soil

Poor-quality soil, or ordinary earth, often leads to disappointing results. So a big tip is to not compromise on the quality of soil. In our search for the right soil we bought this one at Oerwoud Den Bosch. Also available at De Balkonie in Amsterdam. It’s a mix of potting soil with compost.

Compost is a natural matter that consists of digested plant remains. Compost contains minerals and has the property to retain water and nutrients longer. The Bio Kultura mixed soil is therefore ideal for the next stage of the already strong plants.

Tip: when repotting, pay attention to the fact that you lift the young plants by the leaves and not the stems. The stems are delicate and snap quickly.

Don’t sow too early

Due to insufficient sunlight in February and March seeds that have been planted too early can turn into elongated plants that are too weak. Every crop has its specific seeding moment, so always read the instructions to avoid disappointments. Therefore it’s good to create a vegetable garden plan in February.

Our first results

All the tomato seeds have been germinated and can become even stronger in the seed trays. These plants need a total of about 8 weeks to grow into plant-ready specimens. So we will let them continue to grow inside for another month.

The Chili Peppers, Peppers and Eggplants are already transferred into bigger pots. Because we did not feel like buying new ones, we made the pots from paper bags which we get at the supermarket. Check this tutorial video, it’s super easy and you will get nice and firm pots.

Power juice

To give plants nutrients later on, we have a Bokashi / EM system in our apartment. The first bin is now completely full of organic waste of the last month and has given us two bottles of powerjuice. This we have to mix with water to not overdose the plants. When the first ones go outside we will start to use it, as for now it’s too powerful for the young plants.

Looking for people that want to grow with us

Starting next month, we will post more updates from others who grow with us. If you are interested, let us know and we have a starter pack ready for you.