The eternal question of vegetable gardeners is how to grow healthy and strong seedlings? After all, its quality largely determines the timing and quantity of the future harvest. Properly grown seedlings, with a good root system quickly takes root in a new place, less sick, sooner begins to bear fruit.

    There is a lot of talk about fertilizers, the Internet is full of advice and recommendations, but I want in this publication to state my purely personal opinion on this subject, based on my long-term observations of plants at different stages of their growth.

     It’s no secret that tomatoes like extra attention, but don’t spoil them, excessive feeding can only harm them. Excess nutrients are as harmful as their lack, so “overfeed” seedlings should not be “overfed”. The first time, after sprouting, the seedlings have enough nutrition, which is laid in the seed itself.

    And, most importantly, we forget that when preparing soil for seedlings, we are already trying to bring in its composition of the whole complex of nutrients needed by plants at the first stage of growth (seedling). I prepare soil from vegetable garden soil, humus and part of the soil take from where the nettle grew.

   When mixing per bucket I add a glass of ash and a tablespoon of fish meal. It seems to me that the young greens are enough of the set of nutrients that are already in the soil to actively develop. Therefore, if the seedling grows well and looks healthy (bright green leaves, strong stem), then it does not need additional feedings.   

    While the seedlings are at home, the right watering, light and air temperature play a greater role than fertilizer. If these parameters are violated, the plants may slow down in growth, get sick and even die. Even yellowing and falling leaves does not indicate that the greens lack some microelements.

    First of all, it is necessary to analyze how correct was the care of seedlings – such a symptom can be observed with excessive watering.
If you notice that the seedling looks weak and weak, do not panic and do not hurry to “stuff” it with fertilizers, the situation can be corrected by reducing watering, increasing lighting and lowering the temperature.

    I do not discourage anyone to use different fertilizers, it is a personal matter of each gardener, just need to look at the circumstances and apply “gentle” fertilizers, if necessary. Last season, in the spring, there were few sunny days and my seedlings were “bored”, I fed it with sweet water, in this case it is useful for seedlings.

    Diluted 1 ampoule of pharmacy glucose in 1 liter of warm water. You can just 2 tsp. sugar dissolved in a glass of water and water one spoon under the seedling. Tomatoes absorb it with pleasure.
And water their “babies” vitamin cocktail: In a three-liter jar put banana skins, orange peels, a handful of onion and garlic peels. Pour not very hot water and insist in a dark place for 3-4 days.

    Then I dilute a glass per liter and use it instead of just watering. This is a feed – and vitamins, and trace elements and prevention of disease. As the tincture ends, I prepare a new one. “Babies” are healthy, growing beautifully and the hostess is satisfied.

    At the second stage of growth, when the seedling will get stronger and grow a good root system, I feed it 2-3 weeks before planting once “fertilizer” and 2-3 days before transplanting – iodine solution sprayed on the leaves (1 drop of iodine per liter of water).

    That’s all, and no stimulants, root formers, gas pedals and other nonsense.
And here are such beauties I move to a permanent place of growth.

    And if you feed plants with “chemistry” from a “child’s” age, then why all this fuss and hassle? I went and bought it in the store, and now fruits and vegetables are abundant all year round.

    I realize that many will not agree with me, but I am a staunch supporter of natural food and change my mind will not be able to. Let there be a smaller harvest and fruits not kilograms, but natural, tasty and grown with love!