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How to plant lettuce at home from seeds. Lettuce varieties that are resistant to low light. Crop care and harvest

In recent years, the demand for greens at any time of the year has increased dramatically, primarily due to healthy lifestyle trends and the struggle for your body. Moreover, growing greens on the window when snow is flying outside and frosts are not so difficult as it seems at first glance. One such plant can be lettuce, which will give you the necessary vitamins and minerals in the winter. Belonging to the aster family, a vegetable is common in all corners of the planet, having many varieties and varieties. How to grow lettuce at home? We will talk about this in our article.

Decide on lighting and temperature

The place where lettuce will be grown should be well lit, but not in direct sunlight. If the lighting seems insufficient, then it is best to organize the backlight with fluorescent lamps. Their lifting height should be at least 50-60 centimeters from the container with plants.

If this happens in the off-season, then it is necessary to transfer the salad to the loggia, where there is a lot of fresh air. Landings can easily endure temperatures of 8-10 degrees above zero.

The optimal temperature for growing lettuce is 18-20 degrees, if it is higher, the plant will start to go "into the arrow", so it should be shaded in the hot summer months.

container for growing lettuce

The best container for planting at home will be a box with a depth of at least 12 centimeters, and the dimensions should be more than half a meter.

Such a container will not allow the soil to dry out quickly. The plant loves moisture very much, if its deficiency begins, then the salad becomes lethargic and gives very little greenery, flower stalks grow, and the leaves become bitter and become stiff.

The bottom of the box is best lined with landscape fabric to better hold moisture when watering. The container must be supplemented with high-quality drainage. To do this, the bottom is laid out with small pebbles or shards from a broken clay pot. If there are several large boxes, it is recommended to put a tray under them so that the moisture does not leave too quickly. The best material for a planting container at home will be a plastic product, due to the fact that terracotta loses moisture too quickly after watering and the plant begins to dry out.

Soil and fertilizer for the plant

When planting lettuce at home, a number of rules must be followed. One of them: the soil must be nutritious and thoroughly mixed. Such a mixture, as a rule, is prepared from sand, a peat component and humus. The first two components are taken in single proportions, and the humus should be twice as much. You can purchase specially adapted soils, such as "Biogrunt" or "Universal".

To ensure an uninterrupted harvest, it is best to sow the plant at intervals of 10-14 days. Removing all the greenery, the plant is simply pulled out, loosened and watered the soil in order to grow the next batch of green salad.

Usually growing lettuce is not additionally fertilized. But after harvesting the first crop and planting the next, you need to feed the soil with ammonium nitrate. You can also use mineral fertilizers, the main thing is that the root system does not get burned.

Seed selection

This plant can only be grown from seeds. You can buy them in specialized kiosks or through an online store. An important condition will be to choose the right variety for planting.

Often, novice gardeners do not lend themselves to cultivating a plant due to precisely the wrong variety. The best option for growing at home will be fast-ripening leafy varieties. For example, you can buy salad "Amanda", "Noran", "Quick", "Yellow". Such varieties of it are not too picky about light, watering, and soil. They grow quickly, give lush greenery, which can be eaten three weeks after planting in the ground. But head lettuce, on the contrary, is very picky about light, temperature and the distance between plantings. If he doesn’t like something, he may not start heading at all.

Often, watercress is also taken for planting. It is unpretentious and grows in almost any soil, it can be grown with minimal light. Its most optimal varieties are "Curly", "Pepper".

In order to sow the seeds, it is necessary to water the soil abundantly, tamping it down and planting it at a short distance from each other. Planting in rows is also possible, it is enough to make a distance of 12-15 centimeters between them (watercress), a little less for leaf lettuce 6-8 centimeters.

After sowing, the seeds are covered with a minimum layer of soil (about a centimeter) and sprayed with a spray bottle with warm, but not hot water. Plantings are irrigated on average every three days. And when the first sprouts sprout, the boxes are placed under the lamps for better lighting.

After that, the salad does not require careful care. It is only necessary to loosen the soil after watering and water it so that the earth does not dry out. Do not expose the temperature to changes in the room, this plant does not like. It should be noted that with all the love for moisture, the salad does not tolerate waterlogging, in such conditions the root system rots. Usually the plants are watered once every two or three days, if it is not hot outside, then this is quite enough. If the street is more than 30 degrees, then the plant must be sprayed every day, and the room must be often ventilated.

When the plant produces two leaves, it must be thinned out so that the distance between them varies from eight to ten centimeters.

On average, lettuce can grow its green mass in two to three weeks. After that, ready-to-eat lettuce leaves are cut and used to add salads, snacks and sandwiches.

After the full maturation of the green mass, the old seedlings are uprooted and new ones are sown in their place.
The lettuce is usually harvested after about eight leaves appear, otherwise the late greens become rough and tough, and lose their taste.

It is best to pluck the green mass when there is a minimum of humidity in the air, otherwise it quickly begins to succumb to decay. If it is stored outdoors for no more than 24 hours, and in the refrigerator for no more than a crescent. It is important to remember that before this it is necessary to rinse it. Wash only the leaves, without affecting the roots, otherwise the roots succumb to decay. It is not necessary to pluck the entire plant completely, you can simply cut off the green mass. In this case, new leaves grow in place of the old leaves and the lettuce produces fresh leaves longer.

Salad and its types

  • Leaf lettuce. The taste of this lettuce is fresh, the plant has curly leaves that quickly wither and have delicate juicy greens. Usually used fresh in cooking.
  • Lettuce. Visually similar to leaf lettuce, and veils are collected in heads of cabbage. Greens have a delicate texture, so it is better not to tear them and lay them whole on a dish when serving.
  • Ice salad. Visually similar to cabbage heads, its leaves are light green in color. Crispy well. The taste is bland, ideally requires the addition of herbs in salads. The name comes from American farmers. It was sprinkled with ice so that it would not sluggish on the way.

Leaf lettuce is a cold hardy plant that can be grown all season long. In order to get a lettuce crop in the winter, it can be planted on a windowsill. To grow leaf lettuce in winter, it needs to provide additional lighting, as well as choose the right container for sowing and soil composition.

Varieties of lettuce for growing on the windowsill

The most undemanding to growing conditions is the Batalia lettuce variety. It belongs to the disruptive ones, it is he who is most often seen in grocery stores. Its advantages for planting at home are as follows: - less demanding on light, - tolerates short-term drought and elevated temperatures, - can be grown hydroponically. A good harvest of Sora Batalia lettuce can be obtained on the windowsill even without an extra branch, although the leaves will not be as large as if they were grown in the garden.

Among the many varieties of lettuce, watercress is also suitable for growing at home. He loves moisture, but when watering, make sure that the roots do not begin to rot from its excess. The most suitable varieties of watercress for growing on the windowsill: Pepper, Ordinary, Broadleaf, Curly.

For growing on the windowsill, early ripening varieties are also recommended: Red Credo, Grand Rapids, Lollo Rossa, Lollo Bionda and Odessa.

Soil requirements for growing lettuce at home

In winter and off-season, the salad will need to be illuminated with fitolamps for 2-5 hours. The best substrate for lettuce is a mixture of coconut fiber and biohumus in a ratio of 2 to 1. Seeds must be pickled in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for 2-3 hours before planting. Land for planting must be drained. Use expanded clay, broken brick or pebbles for these purposes.

Soil is poured over the drainage and watering is carried out (the soil must be moist at the time of planting). For growing lettuce, it is best to use 1-2 liter pots. Seeds are planted to a depth of 5 - 10 mm and cover the container with plantings with cellophane to create greenhouse conditions. After 4-5 days, the first shoots will appear on the surface. For the further development of leaf celery, the average daily temperature should be kept within the range of +17 to +21 C.

Choosing a container for growing lettuce at home

To get started, choose a medium-sized container. The plant does not have a particularly deep root system, so a medium container will do, for example, 60 by 60 cm or 40 by 80, about 10-15 cm deep. Plastic pots are preferable to clay pots, since the clay absorbs water and the soil in them dries out faster than in plastic.

When using clay pots, you can line it inside with a plastic bag, fill it with earth and plant seeds. Don't forget to make holes in the bag to drain the water.

Make sure any of your pots have drainage holes to allow excess water to drain into the tray if you water the plant from above. The holes also allow the use of tray watering, which is especially useful for salads. Empty the container if it has been used before. Bacteria and insect eggs can destroy your plants afterwards. Standard soap and warm water should kill most potential threats, but you can also wash the container with a solution of nine parts water and one part bleach for a more thorough cleaning, or a baking soda solution followed by a potassium permanganate rinse.

Growing lettuce on a windowsill at home

Sprinkle the seeds on top - with a pinch, as if salting it. Try not to sow too much in one place, but you don't have to worry too much about how far apart the seeds are. Subsequently, the seedlings will still have to be thinned out. You can, if the size of the container allows, poke half a centimeter holes with your finger and throw seeds into them, or make even grooves - do as you like.

Sprinkle soil on top, covering the seeds with a layer of 0.5-0.7 cm. If you use more soil, the seeds will not be able to get the light they need to germinate.

Use a spray bottle to spray your planting with water. The soil should be thoroughly moistened, but not sour. Water like this every morning. The ground must remain constantly moist for the seeds to germinate, this happens within one to two weeks. Lettuce may need more or less frequent watering, depending on how warm and sunny your home is. Check the soil with your fingertip, deepening it by 1-1.5 cm. If you feel dry, water more.

Keep greens cool, ideally from +16 to +21 degrees. A temperature drop of 6-8 degrees at night is encouraged to mimic natural conditions.

Salad care at home

watering lettuce

Lettuce at home needs regular watering once every two or three days, it is especially important to water the salad during the hot season, since drying out of the substrate accelerates the formation of flower arrows and, accordingly, the appearance of a bitter taste in the leaves. In general, the optimum temperature for growing seedlings is 16-20 ºC, although they feel great on the loggia at a temperature of 6-7 ºC. More dangerous than coolness for salad is high temperature and dry air, so fresh young greens must be sprayed daily with a spray bottle. Both water and spray the salad in a pot with settled water at room temperature.

salad dressing

Intensive growth of lettuce is possible only with good nutrition, so it is advisable to add liquid complex fertilizer to the substrate every week. But since lettuce has the ability to accumulate nitrates, the amount of nitrogen introduced must be controlled, and it is even better to feed homemade lettuce with organic matter, for example, an aqueous solution of mullein in a ratio of 1:10.

Growing watercress at home on a windowsill

There is no need to create any special conditions for growing watercress, it is enough just to provide it with good lighting and regular watering.

Naturally, growing watercress on the windowsill attracts, first of all, with a small amount of time and effort spent. As a container for growing, any container with a height of about 8-10 cm is suitable, into which it is necessary to fill in any soil mixture purchased from a specialized store, which is already rich in a large number of trace elements and substances necessary for cultivation. We strongly do not recommend using the soil from the garden - the soil may contain pest eggs - which later can destroy your watercress crops in a matter of hours. Seeds must be sown to an average depth of 50 mm. After the appearance of the first shoots, your main task will be to maintain the temperature within the low positive range - this is about 6-8 C. First of all, this contributes to the development of the plant's root system and its strengthening. But, when unfolding the first leaves, the temperature must be raised to 15 C (no more, since this is the recommended maximum for growing this plant). Raising the temperature to higher rates is highly discouraged, as the plants stretch very quickly, become exhausted, and subsequently simply wither and disappear. The ideal option for placing a container with a plant would be to place it between window frames, where in winter the temperature meets the recommended standards. If you follow these simple tips, then the average yield of watercress rises to 700 g/sq. meter.

Growing spinach at home on the windowsill

It is best to choose early early maturing varieties for growing on a windowsill. Here are some popular varieties: Virofle, Gaudry, Gigantic, Stoic.

For quick germination, the seeds need to be soaked in warm water for a day, then they can be kept for several hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, then blotted and dried slightly.

First, the seeds are sown in one seedling box, after which they need to be picked. Shallow grooves are made in the box - with a depth of 1 to 1.5 cm, they are lightly sprinkled with a layer of earth and watered with a spray gun. After sowing, a greenhouse should be built over the pot, or simply covered with a plastic bag. After the emergence of shoots, the cellophane should be removed.

Usually shoots appear in 5-7 days. Plants remain in seedling boxes until 2-3 true leaves appear, and then they can be dived into separate pots.

Features of growing arugula on the windowsill

Despite its value and original taste, this salad is not capricious. You can also grow a “beauty salad” at home on the windowsill, provided that there is good lighting, since arugula is a light-loving plant. Land for salad can be purchased at the store, special for vegetables. The most convenient and economical way to grow arugula is seedlings.

Shoots appear in 4-5 days. After that, small plants are planted separately from each other in boxes, or it is very convenient to grow arugula in flower pots. Planting 1-2 plants in one container. In order for the lettuce leaves to be tender and tasty, do not give the plant the opportunity to bloom, the flowers must be cut off. Growing arugula on the window will allow you to enjoy a healthy salad all year round.

Salad contains a huge amount of nutrients. Therefore, many lovers of this greenery want to grow it not only in their summer cottage, but also at home. Is it possible to grow lettuce from seed on a windowsill at home? This will be discussed further.

Lettuce can also be grown at home. Both in winter and in summer. But this plant at home requires a lot of attention.

For his growth needs a lot of sunlight. On short winter days, it needs additional lighting. If there is not enough light, it begins to bloom early. Does not tolerate drought, heat. In this case, the leaves become bitter. Beginners should not take on the cultivation of head forms in the apartment. They are very capricious.

The best varieties of lettuce for growing at home

Batavia - the most suitable salad variety for an apartment

The most suitable variety for an apartment is considered Batavia. Most grocery stores sell it.

It grows even without additional lighting. It can withstand short-term drought, high air temperatures.

The most famous varieties for cultivation on the windowsill:

  • lollo rossa

Lolla rossa is distinguished by a brown head of cabbage, curly light green leaves. Counts the most vitamin. It has a delicate taste.

Lolla bionda - the most beautiful. The leaves are wavy. Yellow-green color. The taste is pleasant, bitter with a nutty flavor.

The apartment also grows watercress. This is a moisture-loving plant. The best varieties for the windowsill:

  • curly;
  • peppery;
  • broad-leaved;
  • ordinary.

The choice of capacity for sowing and soil preparation

Lettuce roots do not lie deep in the soil. Large containers are not needed for its growth. It is better to choose a plastic pot. The capacity must be volume 1-2 liters. Depth - 10 - 35 cm. Depending on the variety. There should be holes in the bottom of the container.

Soil can be purchased at the store or use garden soil. Acidic soil is not suitable for planting. Better option - a mixture of sod land, humus, sand. Another option is garden soil, coconut fiber, biohumus. The ratio of the last two is 2:1.

For sowing, it is necessary to use drainage: pebbles, expanded clay, broken bricks, small pebbles.

When using garden soil, the soil should be disinfected with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The soil is filled into the pot, not bringing it to the edges of 2.5 - 3 cm.

Some varieties can be grown without soil. One of them is watercress. For cultivation, such improvised materials as a sponge, cotton wool, paper are used.


Some varieties of lettuce can be grown without soil - on paper or cotton

Sowing seeds

  • Seeds before sowing are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate. Time - 2-3 hours.
  • A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the pot.
  • Drainage is covered with earth. Watered.
  • They make a groove. Depth - 5 mm. Row spacing - 10 cm.
  • Seeds are placed in the groove. Fall asleep with a small amount of earth. Lightly compacted.
  • They cover the container with a package - they create a greenhouse effect.
  • Put in a dark place.
  • When the first sprouts appear, the package is removed. Transferred to the windowsill.

The first shoots can be seen after 4 - 5 days. You need to keep it away from direct sunlight. On bright sunny days, it is necessary to shade it - the leaves can burn.

Lettuce loves heat. For its good growth requires a temperature in the range of 17-21 degrees. During a strong drop in temperature outside, the container with plants should be removed from the windowsill.

culture needs thinning. This is done 2 times:

  1. After 1 week, when the first shoots appear; It is necessary to leave a distance between them of 1-2 cm.
  2. When 2 true leaves are formed; Distance - 4-5 cm.

If the lettuce grows densely, it will not be possible to get a good harvest.


Watering

Watering should be plentiful. With insufficient soil moisture, arrows begin to form earlier than usual. Watered with settled water 1 time in 1 - 2 days.

If the container is located on the south side - more often. In winter - less often. Do not over-moisten the soil - the roots and lower leaves will begin to rot. The air in the room should be humidified. The leaves are sprayed with water from a spray bottle.

top dressing

Feed up 1 time in 1.5–2 weeks. Suitable fertilizer for indoor plants. This is a fast growing culture. If fertile soil has been chosen for planting, it grows well without them.

You can not make a large amount of nitrogen fertilizers - lettuce is able to accumulate nitrates. If you use a top dressing based on potassium iodide, you can get a plant with a large amount of iodine in the composition.

Lighting

Light-loving plant. In winter, in short autumn - spring days, you need to use additional lighting- fluorescent lamps. You need to turn them on for 2 - 5 hours. Hang at a height of 50 - 60 cm above the plant.


In total, daylight hours should last 12-14 hours. It is impossible to highlight during the day. Greens need to rest.

If it is not possible to additionally illuminate the plant, it is best to plant it at the end of winter.

loosening

Lettuce has very fragile, superficial roots. Loosen the ground under the seedlings it is forbidden.

Harvesting

Greens are growing fast. It can be collected within a few weeks. Uproot or tear off the outermost leaves. Arrows form after 3-5 weeks. The plant is removed. Other seeds are sown in its place.

Experienced gardeners planting lettuce once every 10 days. From one plant, 40-50 grams of greens are obtained. But it all depends on the variety.

Leaf lettuce can be grown both outdoors and at home. But when planting it in an apartment, you need to remember that it requires daily care.

  1. This is a moisture-loving plant. The soil should always be slightly moist. But too much moisture can kill it.
  2. The best place is a window sill on the south, southeast side. Without enough light at home, it is impossible to grow it.

Grows fast. Doesn't take up much space. But you need to choose the right variety for the pot.

In winter, there is so little fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden. What can be grown on the windowsill to enjoy natural products? The list of crops suitable for housing conditions is quite wide - from parsley and lettuce to tomatoes and cucumbers.

You can grow greens on the windowsill in winter or summer the same as in the garden. But it should be noted that some plants are quite demanding. In this article, we will look at easy-to-care crops.

If you are a beginner gardener, and therefore do not know what can be grown on the windowsill, then it is better to start with green parsley. And spicy herbs - basil and rosemary - will not only come in handy in the kitchen, but will also spread their aroma throughout the apartment. More experienced lovers can immediately start by growing cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers.

Children will also like the winter garden. Even a toddler can grow on a windowsill. Caring for plants will not only captivate the child and give him a new useful experience, but also provide vitamins.

Preparation

After you have decided what to grow on the windowsill, you need to prepare pots, soil, seeds. The set is the same for most cultures. Experienced summer residents who know how to grow seedlings on the windowsill already have almost everything they need.

To arrange a garden on the windowsill, you will need deep boxes or wide flower pots for planting. They can be fitted with plastic lids to create a greenhouse effect. For these purposes, you can use ordinary plastic bags.

Pots need to be filled with earth from a flower shop or self-prepared substrate. It is better to refuse to use land from a garden or vegetable garden, because insect larvae and weed seeds may remain in it. If the ground from the street is not prepared and calcined, then it is likely that one weed can be grown on the windowsill.

You also need to prepare a container for settling water - tender young plants should not be watered directly from the tap. You will also need a spray bottle or a small watering can.

Foil, which is placed behind plants to reflect sunlight, will also be useful. If foil is not used, plant boxes and pots need to be turned 180 degrees daily or they will lean towards the window and grow crooked.

If the plants are grown in spring and summer (planting in February-March), then they will have enough sunlight from the street. But the winter garden, planted in the fall, will require additional lighting. For this, fluorescent lamps are suitable.

It should be understood that only undemanding herbs can be grown on the windowsill in winter without illumination, but it will not work to get a good crop of tomatoes without the use of fitolamps. In winter, on sunny days, additional lighting will be needed in the evening, but in cloudy weather, the lamp will have to be turned on for the whole day.

green onion

How to grow onions on a windowsill is shown to children in kindergarten. This is the easiest crop to grow at home, it does not require special care, it grows quickly and is very useful.

For forcing a feather, you can use both large onion sets (samples) and ordinary turnip onions. Feathers from a small bulb are more delicate, but the small head is depleted quickly. A large bulb gives abundant greenery for a longer period.

Not only self-grown onions are suitable, you can also use those bought in a supermarket or a store for summer residents. The easiest way to plant onions for distillation is in water. To do this, take a small glass and fill it with plain water or a nutrient solution. The bulb must be installed so that only its tip touches the surface of the liquid. You need to change the water every day.

When planted in water, the bulb may begin to rot and spread an unpleasant odor. This can be avoided, since it is possible to grow onions on the windowsill with planting in the ground. The substrate must be poured into a shallow plastic box. If there are no drainage holes at the bottom of the container, then to prevent root rotting, it is reasonable to pour a small drainage layer of expanded clay, pebbles, broken bricks, etc.

It is not necessary to deepen the heads, plant tightly, the bulbs are not afraid of close proximity. Plantings must be watered frequently, preventing the soil from drying out. Do not use all the seed material at once, it is better to break it into several portions and plant it with a difference of 2-3 weeks, then there will be enough fresh onions for the whole winter.

Green onions can be grown not only in boxes. Forcing onions can be planted vertically. To do this, you can purchase a special flowerpot in a store for summer residents or make holes yourself in a plastic bottle filled with soil.

Watercress

What can be grown on the windowsill for a beginner? Another simple crop to grow on a windowsill is watercress. It is known for its health benefits, and its unpretentiousness makes it one of the most common salads to grow at home. Watercress is ready to eat within 2-3 weeks after planting. Seeds can be purchased at a gardening store.

For growing lettuce, you do not need a deep container, a regular tray will do. As a substrate, you can use a thin (about 3 cm) layer of clay or peat soil, a cloth folded several times, cotton wool or paper towels.

Watercress should be planted thickly so that the young plants support each other. Press the seeds a little into a moist substrate. The plant does not require additional lighting, it is enough to put it on the windowsill.

How to grow lettuce on a windowsill? The main thing is to prevent the soil from drying out, although you should not pour the salad either. Dislikes plants and heat. The optimum temperature is not higher than 18 degrees Celsius. To avoid overheating in winter, it is enough to move the container with the salad closer to the window.

In order for green watercress to be constantly present on the table, you need to plant it according to a scheme that is convenient for you. You can sow a new container every week or two, or add a small amount of seeds every 3-4 days.

Leaf salad

Growing leafy lettuce is already somewhat more difficult. To know how to grow lettuce on a windowsill, you need to consider the variety of the plant being grown. The varieties Lollo Rossa, Lollo Bionda, Odessa, Vitamin, New Year, Red Credo show themselves best in an apartment.

In autumn and winter, leaf lettuce will need additional lighting. If the room is hot and dry, the plant does not receive enough moisture, then the leaves will become bitter, coarsen, flower stalks quickly form. Leaf lettuce loves moisture, coolness, feels good on a glazed balcony until late autumn.

Leaf lettuce is planted in the ground quite tightly, at a distance of 1-2 cm. Before the first shoots, the container is covered to create a greenhouse effect. Over time, thinning will be needed at a distance of 4-5 cm. The plant needs watering and good lighting.

After the bushes begin to release arrows, they become unusable. They can be removed and new seeds planted in their place.

Parsley

Many housewives wonder about being on the windowsill. Indeed, often only a few leaves of this plant are required, and you don’t want to buy a whole package in the store. In spring and summer, parsley can be grown from seed. The plant is photophilous, so in winter it will need additional lighting. Seeds germinate rather slowly, but the bush will serve for a long time. Parsley is not demanding on temperature, it grows well on the windowsill or on the balcony. watering is plentiful. In winter, parsley should be watered less often.

It will be possible to cut the first greens only after a month and a half, but it will be possible to do this for a whole year. Before it is better to soak in a solution of potassium permanganate. You can plant parsley in small containers, in peat cups or immediately in flowerpots.

In autumn and winter, because growing from seeds at this time is too long and laborious? There is another way - distillation from the rhizome. This method is somewhat simpler and is better suited for the autumn-winter period. Planting material can be prepared independently on a personal plot or bought at a regular grocery store.

The rhizome should show no signs of wilting, and the apical bud should be intact. The root crop must be placed in a pot and sprinkled with moist soil. Too long roots can be planted obliquely.

The first green shoots will appear within a few days after planting, and it will be possible to cut the leaves in a couple of weeks. Greens will appear on the rhizome within six months.

Basil

What can be grown on the windowsill besides the usual onions, parsley, lettuce? Something more exotic like basil or rosemary.

The variety of basil does not matter, both green and purple will do. Basil can be propagated by both seeds and cuttings. The plant is thermophilic - the optimum temperature is 20-25 degrees, and moisture-loving - good drainage and abundant watering are required.

Cuttings are a quick way to grow basil. You can just buy a few branches in the store, put them in water, and after one or two weeks, move the seedling with roots into a pot. Young shoots will be ready for cutting in a couple of weeks. It is better to cut side shoots.

Basil, planted from a cutting, grows quickly, but it also blooms quickly. As you know, after the start of flowering, the plant is unsuitable for food. To have fresh basil on your table all the time, you need to update the plantings every 3-4 months.

Planting basil with seeds will require more effort. But such a bush will not bloom for about a year. Seeds need to be soaked, covered, sprouts transplanted into pots. It is better to grow basil from seeds in the spring, as additional lighting will be needed in winter.

Rosemary

Rosemary on the windowsill will not only decorate the kitchen, but also come in handy when cooking. This plant can be grown in the summer in the country, and in the winter it will feel great at home.

You will need a wide pot in which a thick drainage layer is poured. Rosemary is demanding on lighting and air. He prefers the south side, and in summer the pot with the plant must be planted in open ground, taken out to the balcony or put out of the window, otherwise the leaves will not accumulate enough essential oils.

Both seeds and cuttings are suitable for planting rosemary. The seeds of the plant have poor germination. They need to be soaked for 2 days, then put on the ground, without sprinkling on top, covered with foil and sprayed every day with a spray bottle. If seedlings have not appeared after 4 weeks, new seeds are planted. When the seedlings release three or more leaves, they are seated in spacious pots.

It is easier to grow rosemary from cuttings. To do this, you need a stiff shoot of the plant. It is placed in a container with water or wet sand, and after rooting it is transplanted into a pot.

Rosemary loves frequent but moderate watering. It is better to dry the soil than to flood it. With a lack of moisture, the lower leaves of the plant will begin to turn yellow, and with an excess, the roots will rot, which will lead to the death of the plant.

If in winter the plant is provided with a low temperature (up to 5 degrees), then rosemary will bloom in spring. An adult plant needs to be constantly trimmed, forming a bush.

cucumbers

Growing cucumbers on a windowsill in winter is a pretty tempting prospect. This can be done not only by an experienced gardener, but also by a beginner. Cucumbers grow quite quickly, you can get the first harvest in a month and a half.

Not every variety of cucumbers is suitable for growing on a windowsill. First, it must be self-pollinating. During flowering, the bush must be shaken daily for pollination to occur. Secondly, it will be much more convenient if the plant is bushy. Thirdly, an early variety is better suited for home cultivation. Finally, a shade-loving plant is ideal. You can grow cucumbers on the windowsill in winter varieties Connie, Masha, Legend, Debut, Flight, Babylon. Knowing the necessary parameters, you can choose another variety.

Growing cucumbers at home has its own subtleties. After all, it can be difficult to provide all the necessary conditions. Cucumbers are photophilous, so windows on the south and east sides are suitable for growing them. If there is still not enough light, then additional illumination with the help of fluorescent lamps will be required.

The temperature in the room should not be below 20 degrees, so you should not move the flowerpots too close to the cold window. Cucumbers are very fond of moisture, so you need to make sure that the soil does not dry out. A flowerpot with a plant can be placed in a bowl of water. Leaves should be sprayed with a spray bottle twice a day.

Tomatoes

It seems to many that growing tomatoes on a windowsill is a very difficult and inaccessible business for a beginner. But that's not the case at all! Moreover, there are special varieties for indoor cultivation.

When visiting a gardening store, note that some of the seed packages say "Recommended for pot growing", "Harvest on the window", "Home garden". Yes, and the names of the varieties themselves are speaking - Room Surprise, Balcony Miracle, Japanese Room. There are also ampelous varieties that will look great in flower pots - Peruvian homemade, Cherry, Talisman.

Even if you don't find special indoor varieties, regular ones will do. Please note that these tomatoes must be determinate (undersized, and preferably dwarf), self-pollinating (bushes are shaken during flowering for pollination) and small-fruited. For example, Alaska, micro, Pearl (red and yellow), Canada News, Minibel, Pinocchio, etc.

Tomatoes can be planted immediately in large pots or pick, choosing the strongest sprouts. During flowering and fruit set, tomatoes should be watered abundantly and sprayed with leaves.

The room where tomatoes grow should be regularly ventilated - plants do not like stagnant air. In winter, they need additional lighting. The plant needs to be fed periodically. The first fruits can be obtained in 3-4 months.

Tomato is a perennial plant. At home, with good care, it will bear fruit for several years. After a period of active fruiting, the bush needs to be transplanted into a larger pot and updated by pruning the branches. In addition, the tomato can be propagated by cuttings. A plant grown from cuttings will begin to bloom in a few weeks.

Sweet pepper

How to grow peppers on a windowsill? This is no more difficult to do than growing tomatoes. True, it will take longer to wait for the harvest - 5-6 months. But pepper is a perennial plant, with good care, annual transplantation and pruning, it will bear fruit for several years. The plant can be propagated not only by seeds, but also by cuttings. Caring for pepper is also similar to caring for a tomato, but with one significant difference - if the tomato does not tolerate stagnant air, then the pepper is afraid of drafts, so it is better not to settle them on the same window.

Self-pollinated early-ripening varieties are best suited for growing in an apartment - California Miracle, Oda, Jupiter, Patio-Ivo.

Pepper needs good lighting, warmth, loose soil (it is regularly necessary to loosen the soil). This plant is not capricious, and will delight you with its fruits for a long time. You can also grow hot peppers at home, but these plants should not be in the same room, otherwise cross-pollination will occur.

Whether you've run out of space in your garden or just want to grow lettuce all year round, this plant is easy and simple to grow at home. Because lettuce thrives at room temperature and direct sunlight, lettuce adapts well to home environments and survives well with basic care. Even if you've never kept any plants in your home before, you won't need anything more than a regular potting soil, water, fertilizer and lighting, or a sunny window to keep your plants growing strong. A month after planting the seeds, it will already be possible to harvest lettuce!

Steps

Part 1

Sowing lettuce seeds in pots

    Choose a salad variety that feels good at home. While most varieties of lettuce can be grown at home, some will be easier to grow with than others. Purchase any of the following varieties of lettuce from a garden center or seed store:

    • "Moscow greenhouse";
    • "Emerald lace";
    • "Parliament";
    • "Oakwood";
    • "May";
    • "Paris Green";
    • "Bettner";
    • "Merlot".

  1. Fill the pot with potting soil. The forcing soil should be light to promote root growth and provide good drainage without allowing water to stagnate. If you can't find a special potting soil, you can make your own using equal parts sphagnum or coir, vermiculite, and sand.

    Sow the seeds in the ground at a distance of about 2.5 cm from each other. Dig a hole 1-1.5 cm deep in the soil and place lettuce seeds in it at a distance of about 2.5 cm from each other. Limit yourself to four seeds per pot so that you don't need to thin out seedlings when they emerge. If you want to plant more than four seeds, prepare several pots ahead of time.

    Lightly cover the seeds with soil and water. Take a handful of soil and carefully sprinkle lettuce seeds over it. Fill a spray bottle with water and gently moisten the soil so you don't wash out the seeds.

    If you do not want to wait for seedlings, immediately plant lettuce seedlings. If you do not have the patience to wait for shoots to appear, lettuce can be planted with seedlings. Use the same technique as if you were planting seeds: plant no more than four plants in pots.

    • Ready-made lettuce seedlings can be bought off hand or searched at garden centers.

    Part 2

    Seedling Care

    1. Moisten the potted soil daily with a spray bottle until seedlings emerge. Once the seeds germinate, the lettuce will need watering equivalent to about 25mm of rain per week. Twice a day, check the condition of the soil with your finger and water it when it is dry.

      • The soil should remain moist, but not waterlogged.
      • Another way to check the moisture level is to lift the pot. If it is heavy, then the soil is saturated with water.

    2. Grow lettuce at room temperature. Lettuce grows best at 18-21℃. If necessary, turn on the air conditioner or heating to provide the plants with the most stable temperature conditions.

      • If it is warm or cool outside, you can periodically expose the plants to fresh air.

    3. Place the lettuce pots in a sunny window or under a fluorescent light. Lettuce grows best in direct sunlight. If you live in a place with very little sun, buy a fluorescent light from a garden center and hang it about a foot above the lettuce.

      Water the salad when the leaves begin to wilt. Lettuce leaves begin to wilt noticeably when the plant lacks water. If you notice that the leaves are drooping, water the lettuce to keep the soil moist again, but not waterlogged and sour.

      • The higher the air temperature, the more often it is necessary to water the salad.

    4. Feed your lettuce three weeks after planting. Lettuce needs nitrogen fertilizers to grow, so three weeks after planting the seeds or when the first leaves appear, spray the seedlings with liquid fertilizer. Spray the fertilizer closer to the soil so it doesn't hit the leaves directly and burn them.

    Part 3

    Harvesting

    1. Start harvesting lettuce 30 to 45 days after planting. On average, lettuce takes 30-45 days to grow from a seed into an adult plant. Mark your calendar accordingly to start harvesting in about 30 days.

      • Homemade lettuce is constantly growing and maturing, so after you pluck the leaves from it for the first time, you can continue to harvest later.
      • A grown lettuce at home usually grows up to 10 cm in height.