Basic knowledge

70 % of all life on our earth consists of microorganisms. They are part of humans and animals, the plant world, the soil and the waters. Effective microorganisms are mixed microbial cultures consisting mainly of lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and photosynthetic bacteria. These microorganism cultures are the basis for all Multikraft products, which are produced by fermentation. The main property of Multikraft cultures is to prevent putrefaction and the toxic metabolic end-products it produces, and to support regenerative (renewable) processes. This results in a wide range of possible applications.

A positive microbial environment is the basis of fertile soils. The consistent use of Effective Microorganisms promotes humus build-up and soil fertility. Multikraft plant aids are used for preventive plant strengthening to avoid pest infestation or fungal diseases in a completely natural way.

Self-sufficiency in a small space

If you don't have your own garden, you don't have to bury your head in the sand. Gardening self-care is possible even with little space. A pot of soil on the windowsill is enough to enjoy small garden pleasures. Many vegetables can easily be grown on the balcony in planting bags, troughs or a small raised bed, and even a flower pot on the windowsill can hold many a beautiful harvest. Herbs or chilies in pots are especially decorative and happy with a sunny spot.

For beginners and gardening novices, uncomplicated vegetables such as radishes, spinach and chard, carrots and zucchini or picking lettuces such as arugula are particularly suitable. Carrots in a pot? Yes, this works very well. Carrots need a tall pot, but otherwise they are quite undemanding. Regular watering and a sheltered bright spot will make them thrive. Even potatoes can be grown in pots. They need at least a 20-liter pot. Regular watering is important so that the soil does not dry out, but waterlogging should not occur. So there are many ideas and ways to start spring with self-sufficiency in a small space!

From good distance

The anticipation of a large harvest basket easily tempts to place vegetable plants much too closely. What was good intentions later block plants from growing. To ensure that plants have enough light and space during the growing phase until harvest, it is important to pay attention to plant spacing at the very beginning.

As a novice gardener, it is easiest to follow the planting distances recommended on the seed bags. Self-grown seedlings should also be planted with the spacing recommended in planting plans.It is helpful to keep in mind how large the plant will be when it is ready to harvest. Accordingly, the plants need a lot of distance from each other to develop well.

Mulch as a matter of course

Proper mulching improves soil quality. Covering the soil with natural, easily decomposable organic materials keeps soils and roots moist during prolonged heat, provides food for beneficial soil inhabitants and suppresses weed growth. Tip: Mix 10 ml Multikraft Roots (alternative: 20 ml EM Active, 10 ml Terrafert Soil) to 10 L of water and spray this spray solution when mulching. This supports a regenerative, living soil environment.

Mulch has different effects depending on the material. Lawn clippings can be used on all plants, but should be slightly dried and applied in a thin layer, otherwise there is a risk of rotting. It enriches the soil with nitrogen and potassium. Dried nettles rot quickly and should be re-mulched more often in quite thick layers ten centimeters high. They enrich the soil with minerals during their decomposition and are well suited for cucumbers, tomatoes or beans. Strawberries ripening on straw mulch remain clean and less susceptible to slugs and gray mold. 

Planting partners in mixed culture

If you want to grow several types of vegetables in your garden or raised bed, you should opt for mixed culture. Mixed cropping succeeds even in small areas, and with a clever cropping plan, you can achieve an abundant harvest from spring through fall. It's tried-and-true old gardening wisdom: With the right partners, vegetable plants form meaningful symbiotic relationships in mixed culture. If the vegetable species are grouped appropriately in the bed, the plants promote each other's growth and protection against pests. In mixed cultures, unwelcome garden inhabitants have a much harder time spreading, because there they have to search for their preferred plants with great effort. Properly combined, the plants support each other in terms of growth and health. With the right partners, the plants also grow better because there is less nutrient competition. 

Herbs in mixed culture also naturally keep pests away. Using their essential oils, sage, rosemary, thyme and mint drive away cabbage white butterflies. If chives are planted between strawberries, there is less risk of gray mold attacking the plants.Good soil conditions, sufficient light and the right plant spacing also ensure healthy, vigorous growth in mixed cultivation.

For a long time the rumor has persisted that a garden life consists mainly of watering. This is not the case. On the contrary. Watering can save labor and water. Much better is to water less often, but so that the soil is really penetrating wet. Morning is the best time for watering. The soil is still cool, the water seeps in well instead of evaporating.

After planting seedlings, water them well and thoroughly and keep the soil nice and moist without waterlogging for the first few days after planting. Once the plants have had their first growth spurt, watering is less frequent. Organic gardener Andrea Palmieri: "I don't water young plants too much so that the plants learn to look for water themselves and root more deeply. The roots become stronger and more robust that way."

Vegetable beds tolerate being watered less frequently, but more extensively, so that the soil retains the water. It is also advisable to apply a layer of mulch to vegetable beds and spray them with EM Active once a week. In this way, the garden soil is well aerated and protected from drying out. Thanks to greater water storage capacity, watering needs to be done less frequently.

Watering with the Multikraft system

To strengthen roots and improve soil health, water regularly with 10 ml Multikraft Roots to 10 L of water. Alternatively: 20 ml EM Active, 10 ml Terrafert Soil to 10 L of water. Water immediately after mixing. Regular application keeps the soil healthy and full of life and strengthens the plants in a completely natural way.

Multikraft Plant Strengthening

Regular spraying with 40 ml of EM Active, 10 ml of Terrafert Foliar, 10 ml of MK 5 to 1 liter of water strengthens defenses and prevents pests as well as fungal diseases, such as downy mildew on zucchini and cucumbers, powdery mildew on cucumbers or blossom end rot on tomatoes and peppers. Naturally strengthened plants are healthier and more resilient!

Airy, living soil is worth its weight in gold. Multikraft Roots ensures active soil life and healthy plants. The soil additive strengthens roots and increases resistance to pests and fungal diseases right from the start.

Watering

It's easy: After planting, water the plants thoroughly. 10 ml of Multikraft Roots is needed per liter of water.

Regular watering

Then water regularly once a week with a mixture of 10 ml Multikraft Roots per 10 liters of water. The ready solution is best always consumed immediately. The comparison makes sure. Plants regularly supplied with Multikraft Roots form much stronger roots and thus already thrive as young plants much more robust and healthy.