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Are you sure to ruin your seedlings? 5 fatal February mistakes that summer residents keep quiet about
12.02.2025 11:14
Are you sure that your windows with seedlings are an example of ideal care?
Gardeners' World magazine experts warn that even minor mistakes in February can lead to the death of young plants.
Experienced agronomist Mikhail Vorobyov noted in an interview for Komsomolskaya Pravda : “February seedlings are like a newborn: they require attention to details that many people don’t realize.”
Here are five hidden mistakes that are turning your windowsill into a seedling graveyard.
Mistake number one: water instead of air
Plant roots breathe, they don't float. Excessive watering in February is the main enemy of seedlings. Wet soil with low light and cool temperatures causes rotting.
“I ruined my tomatoes until I realized that the soil should dry out to a depth of 1 cm,” Olga from Tver shares in the blog “Good Luck on the Beds.”
Scientists from Wageningen University confirm that over-watering reduces oxygen availability, which is critical for the development of the root system.
Mistake two: chasing the sun
The February sun is deceptive. Many people put seedlings on southern windows, forgetting that the short daylight hours require additional lighting.
Phytolamps are not a whim, but a necessity. Fine Gardening recommends using LED panels with a spectrum of 400-500 nm to imitate natural light. Without this, the stems stretch out, becoming fragile.
Mistake number three: heat as an enemy
Heat from a radiator kills more sprouts than cold. The optimum temperature for most crops is 18-20°C during the day and 16°C at night.
Overheating speeds up metabolism, but in conditions of insufficient light it leads to exhaustion. "My peppers died until I moved them to a cool bedroom," writes Andrey, a user of the Dacha Club forum.
Mistake number four: early picking
The desire to transplant seedlings immediately after germination is fatal. Picking is carried out only when 2-3 true leaves appear. Early intervention injures the roots, slowing growth for 2-3 weeks.
A study published in the Journal of Horticultural Science proves that plants planted on time are 30% more resistant to diseases.
Mistake number five: invisible enemies
Spider mites and blacklegs are not asleep. Humidity and warmth under the film are a paradise for microorganisms. Prevention is the key. Spraying with a weak solution of potassium permanganate once a week reduces the risks.
“After the death of the eggplants, I now process everything,” admits Marina from Krasnodar in the podcast “ Harvest Beds .”
Don't repeat the mistakes of others. February is a time of fine-tuning, where every little thing affects the harvest.
As British gardener Monty Don said: "Seedlings are a dialogue with nature. Speak softly, listen carefully."
