Sorrel is one of the most perennial plants containing a large amount of useful vitamins and minerals so necessary for the human body.
This type of plant is unpretentious in care, because it takes root in a wild-growing environment, but for a stable harvest, attention should be paid to the features of care.
In our article we will talk about how to properly grow sorrel in the open field and at home, as well as what kind of land the seedlings love.
The importance of good ground
Poorly selected primer or poor quality preparation of the available soil can lead to non-germination of seeds and, accordingly, to a poor harvest. The best option for planting this crop would be the place where other plants used to grow, such as: radish, onion, garlic, and greens.
Outdoor cultivation
Unlike many plants, sorrel does not like the sun's rays, so the place you need to choose the shadow. The best soil for growing sorrel is a moderately moist earth with the addition of humus.
Experienced gardeners prepare the soil in autumn:
- clean the earth from weeds and roots;
- digging up;
- humus and nitrogen fertilizers and organic fertilizers are added.
In order for the sorrel crop to be successful, it is better to choose a slightly acidic and fertile soil in specialized stores.
Usually Sorrel is planted in early spring, when weather conditions gradually improve, but you shouldn’t worry if frost suddenly hits - sorrel is not afraid of cold weather. Before planting, gardeners again dig up the soil and then sow the ground with seeds. If there is time, then it is better to prepare the seeds for better growth - put the seeds for a couple of days in gauze well moistened with water at room temperature and leave in a warm place for a couple of days.
After planting the seeds, it is necessary to monitor the soil moisture and, if necessary, water it. After the sprouts start to punch out of the ground, you will need to weed the beds of weeds.
At home
If you do not have your own plot or do not want to wait for spring to plant sorrel, then you can start planting in the house. Sorrel grows well on window sills and in glazed loggias. All that is needed is to buy sorrel seeds and ground.
Experienced home gardeners advise that the place where the beds will stand was southern and with natural light.
Any pots are suitable for planting, but it is best to make wooden beds of such size that they can fit on the window sill, some home gardeners adapt flower pots or plastic containers for this. At the bottom it is better to put small pebbles and it is desirable that the landing tank had holes to remove excess liquid.
After the sprouts appear, it is necessary to thin them. so that the sprouts do not interfere with each other's growth. As already noted that sorrel loves moisture, you need to monitor regular watering, just for favorable growth you need to weed the beds - for these purposes you can use a fork or a toothpick.
In order for the harvest to be constant it is necessary every month to plant new seeds in new beds, respectively.
What land does seedlings love?
On what basis is the seedling growing? If you take the soil in the store, it is better to take the soil intended for seedlings, because it contains more nutrients and minerals compared with the usual land from the site, though fertilized with humus. However, the composition of the universal soil is not so bad for the seedlings, the most important thing is that the selected soil meets the following characteristics:
- The soil should be crumbly, with the ability to pass moisture and air.
- The soil must be fertile, that is, contain a sufficient amount of organic matter and a complex of elements of mineral nutrition.
- Should not contain harmful microorganisms.
- Seedlings should be neither acidic nor alkaline. The optimum acidity (pH) ranges from 6.5 to 6.7 - it is close to neutral acidity.
- Should not contain heavy metals.
Which land is better - from the site or purchase, approximate prices in Moscow and St. Petersburg
Opinions gardeners differ on the purchase of soil. Some believe that it is very difficult and better to buy ready-made soil, which already contains the entire set of elements for plant growth, to grow sorrel in the ground from a plot fertilized with various fertilizers.
Pricing policy in respect of soil is very democratic. For example, in Moscow soil for sowing seeds can be bought within 300 rubles for 6 kg, universal soil within two hundred rubles for 10 liters. In St. Petersburg, prices range from one hundred rubles to two hundred rubles for 10 liters.
Care
In order to always get the crop you need to care for the soil. Regularly irrigate, loosen the ground to provide the plant with oxygen and inspect for the presence of pests. Sorrel's most common pest is downy mildew. It looks like a grayish bloom on the back of the leaves. Safe for the human body, but destructive for the disease of sorrel means - phytosporin. Apply it according to the instructions on the package.
Let's sum up
Choose for planting sorrel partial shade under the trees, but not a low wetland. Dig and fertilize the land before planting. For the best growth of sorrel, it is better to choose a quality soil of low acidity with the necessary set of fertilizers. Regularly care for the plants - water, loosen. And then you will always be delighted with vitamins sorrel at any time of the year!
