Content
Can radishes be grown on a windowsill?
If you want to, then yes. It takes a minimum of time to get the harvest, the costs are purely symbolic, care is no more difficult than for an ordinary flower in a pot.
In addition, growing radishes on a windowsill does not mean placing boxes everywhere, turning rooms into a vegetable greenhouse. It is enough to allocate one room for a month or use an insulated balcony in order to have fresh vitamins in winter. Although the place for sowing is not as important as the observance of certain conditions for the selection and preparation of planting material, land, and care.
Where does the struggle for the harvest begin? Choosing seeds for winter planting
First, remember the basics!
You should buy seeds in specialized proven, albeit small, stores. Maybe a penny more expensive, but no problem. "Bazaar" points are unpredictable places.
It is important to know how to grow radishes on a windowsill in winter, but even more important is to know how to sort suitable seeds from unsuitable ones. First, we make a visual choice. When buying, we look at the appearance of the seeds.
Qualitative will be:
- approximately the same size;
- natural brown color;
- no traces of gray plaque;
- no musty smell.
You can practically check the planting material only at home. To do this, fill the seeds with water, let them stand to swell, look at the result. For landing we take the swollen ones that have sunk to the bottom. We delete everything that floats - this is a marriage.
An important factor in choosing seeds for home growing is the grade of the planting material. We need early ripening varieties (ripen in 20-30 days) that do not require special exclusive conditions.
Of the most famous we can use the following:
Deck - does not throw "arrows";
Dubel and Champion are not hollow;
Zarya, Carmen, Early Red, Quarta - unassuming to lighting and watering;
The 16-day variety is the leader in terms of harvest time. Two weeks, and the table is served.
Cooking seeds, earth, containers The process of preparing seeds for winter planting begins at the stage of checking their quality. On the one hand, we do culling, and on the other, we increase germination. After all, any grains thrown into the ground slightly sprouted give shoots much better and faster than dry ones.
Attention!
To determine the quality and reject the necessary from the unnecessary, we poured the seeds with water. For soaking at the stage of preparation for planting, this absolutely cannot be done. In water, seeds have every chance of dying. We germinate only in a well-damp cloth without excess water.
And further. To ensure the simultaneous germination of all planted radish seeds, a preliminary calibration of the seeds is required. That is, sorting by size. And it's good to do the prevention of planting material - hold the seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate. Germination will be better, less pain.
Nothing complicated here, now on the ground. The easiest option is to collect land, say, in the country or under the house. Something will grow, but we need a healthy harvest, and not single frail seedlings. Therefore, it is better for us to take the "correct" soil for growing radishes on the windowsill. It is quite possible to buy it, an outlet for the lazy, or mix it yourself. The second is more economical, but certain components are required.Here are some examples of possible soil options for growing radishes in winter on a window.
By composition:
Option one - garden soil, humus, sand in equal proportions.
Option two - garden soil (1 bucket), ash (1 glass), shells of half an egg.
Option three - a mixture of soil and peat in a 1: 1 ratio.
Carefully!
Used land from the street may have unwanted "tenants" - bugs, worms, other insects that can ruin the crop. Before preparing the soil, it is advisable to independently process the soil with temperature (steam).
In each of the substrates, in order to increase the yield and accelerate the growth of young shoots, we can add a certain amount of mineral mixtures. Sold in stores, instructions for use for each type of vegetables are attached.
The seeds were taken away, the earth was prepared - it's time to pick up the container. The best containers are wooden boxes. The tree breathes, and with it the soil. But this is not a rule, but as the best option. It is quite acceptable, which most do, use plastic store containers or separate containers. When growing radishes on a common "field", we make or buy boxes with dimensions according to the width of the window sill of the room, with a minimum container depth of 14 centimeters.
The next step is to plant radish seeds in the ground. The process available to the layman in practice looks like this:
1. In the ground we make holes, if these are single cups, or grooves, if these are boxes, to a depth of about 1.5 centimeters.
2. Water the indentations with warm water.
3. We distribute the seeds along the groove at a distance of about 3 centimeters from each other, cover them with earth and lightly water them again to slightly compact the substrate.
4. We cover the container with glass or polyethylene, which is not a pity, and we expect shoots. For full germination of radish seeds on the windowsill, the temperature on the balcony or in the room is maintained at 18-20 ° C. This is the ideal.
3-4 days after the appearance of the first "joy" (green shoots of radish), we remove the shelter, send the sprouted seeds to a place where the air temperature will be at 8 ° C. This is for hardening. We stood for 3-4 days - we take it back to comfortable growing conditions.
We go further - we create the most favorable conditions for the development of seeds
Lighting If we need a radish that is juicy, not hollow, and ripens quickly, we must provide the plant with the necessary amount of light. There will be no full-fledged lighting in time, except for green distillation we will not see anything on the "beds". Small daylight hours - add artificial lighting. Using standard incandescent lamps (not cold glow), we can not only provide the seedlings with light, but also raise the room temperature by several degrees. What is important for the winter cultivation of root crops on the balcony with a low air temperature.
Watering Even if we choose varieties that are unpretentious to growing conditions, it is still necessary to monitor soil moisture. The harvest, you know, on dry land will not be great. But an excess of water, as well as a lack, will not lead to good. We water the seedlings without additional feeding. Minerals that are in clean water and are required for growing a full-fledged crop on a windowsill in winter are quite enough for this vegetable. If you really want to have a record harvest, top dressing is permissible. The amount of fertilizer is determined by the instructions.
Remember!
If we decide to grow radishes in boxes on the balcony using top dressing in the amount of "envy your neighbors", then there is no need to offer such fruits to children. Chemistry is unpredictable.
Temperature
Radish is a culture that does not tolerate heat. If the climate is artificial, then let it be moderate. Therefore, if there is a choice in the arrangement of boxes with seedlings, then we choose a balcony. The temperature is lower there than in the room. It is possible not to put boxes with seedlings above the radiators.
That's all, if we talk about the main components of growing such a simple, but valuable in content, root crop in an artificial microclimate. Now we know how to grow radishes on a windowsill in winter, with a minimum of effort. But it should be noted that this type of harvest is suitable not only for winter. In the absence of a land plot, we can successfully grow root crops at any time of the year and in unlimited quantities. After all, the conditions for keeping the boxes with the substrate will depend only on us and our desire. published
Radishes are usually grown outdoors, sowing them in early March-April. But for the sake of interest, you can try to grow radishes at home on a windowsill, for example, even in winter. However, before planting work, you should familiarize yourself with how to choose the right soil and which varieties are suitable for growing at home.
Features of growing on a windowsill
Radish is considered a plant that tolerates low temperatures well. For growing at home, the climate in the apartment is completely suitable for the plant.
Do not put a pot of radishes on the windowsill, under which the battery is located. If the apartment is up to +20 C, then the root crop is comfortable. But when the temperature rises, the plant may dry out from lack of moisture and throw out the arrow.
The length of daylight affects the quality of growing radishes in an apartment. Ideally, if the plant is illuminated for 10-12 hours, then the plantings will be strong, forming a large root crop. Otherwise, the foliage will begin to stretch, and the underground part becomes thinner. This is especially important to observe when growing radishes at home in winter.
Attention! If it is possible to create a temperature regime with optimal degrees of +17 .. + 200C, as well as a long daylight hours, then it will not be difficult to grow your own radish.
In summer, it is recommended to shade radish seedlings by lunchtime so that the delicate leaves do not burn in the burning sun. In winter, do not forget to light up for at least 10 hours.
Which varieties are suitable for growing on a windowsill
You can grow the plant almost all year round. Radish is a self-pollinating root crop, so it can be grown on a windowsill without much effort and specific worries, even in winter.
There are many different types of seeds on sale. The main thing is to figure out which ones are suitable for rooting radishes at home.
Experienced gardeners identify radish varieties suitable for indoor planting on a windowsill:
- Dabel - a variety with fast ripening times. The roots of the root crop are small, the fruits have a large red hue. A variety of radish is resistant to the formation of a void in the cavity of the fruit, but does not tolerate strong drops in temperature. From the moment of germination of the first shoots to the moment of harvest, not even 25 days pass.
- Champion - fruits of a round shape, early ripening in terms of ripening. Has resistance to the formation of hollowness inside the fruit, and also does not fade or become flabby. The crop can be harvested within 25-28 days after the first green leaves appear.
- Soundboard - Root crops are distinguished by bright crimson roots with a red tint. The diameter of each vegetable reaches 3-3.2 cm. A peculiarity of the species is that even at elevated temperatures and prolonged illumination, the plant has no tendency to form flowering. Harvesting begins 20 days after the emergence of shoots after sowing.
- French breakfast - the shape of the root crop is elongated, pink in color. Even after overripe, the peel of the variety does not coarse and does not acquire a bitter aftertaste, and the pulp remains juicy and crunchy for a long period of time.
- Diego - a hybrid of early maturity. The grown fruits reach 5 cm in diameter. The hybrid has a higher yield.The fruits ripen within 21-26 days after the crops are hatched.
- 16 days - the fastest ripening variety. Harvesting can be done as early as 16 days after the appearance of the aboveground part. Fruits are round in size, distinguished by a bright scarlet color.
Important! By planting these varieties, you can achieve good yields and a daily intake of nutritious vitamins on the dinner table.
How to plant and grow radishes on a windowsill
In order for the radish to sprout well and quickly grow at home, while gaining not only the ground part, but also growing in the rhizome, certain rules should be followed. To do this, you need to know what the seeds should be, how to prepare them for planting, as well as the method of sowing and caring for the plant on the windowsill after the seedlings appear.
What should be the place
The optimal place for home radish placement in the apartment is the south window. This arrangement has a beneficial effect on seedlings. The duration of daylight hours is fully maintained, in addition, the sun's rays heat the room to the desired temperature.
Carefully! If radishes are planted in an apartment in the autumn-winter period, then you should not install a flowerpot with seeds on the windowsill, where there is a battery or other heating devices in the immediate vicinity. The optimum temperature for good and fast growth is +17 .. + 200C.
Under natural conditions, the growing season and harvesting period takes place at the end of May - early May. Therefore, when planting, it is recommended to use varieties that ripen quickly.
If the planting of seeds is carried out in the summer, then the increased length of daylight hours stimulates the process of flowering and seed formation. To prevent the process, it is recommended to cover the plantings in the evening.
Increased moisture is not needed for the plant. Excessive moisture leads to the appearance of diseases and parasites, which negatively affects the condition of root crops.
What container to plant
Before planting, you should prepare a container in which the radish will be grown. For this, gardeners use various shallow wooden oblong flowerpots or plastic containers, as well as various plastic pots or even cups.
For convenience, some are planted in special containers in which each cell is separated. In this case, one seed is placed in one compartment. The latter germinates, actively develops and receives the optimal amount of nutrients necessary for high-quality development and full-fledged growth.
Attention! Vases with a depth of at least 15-20 cm are best suited. There must be drainage holes on the bottom of the container, excess moisture must come out through them and not stagnate in the bottom of the pot.
What kind of soil
Special soil for growing radishes on the windowsill is not required, the most common one sold in specialized stores for germinating vegetable seedlings is suitable. If it is not possible to purchase a certain soil, you can first make it yourself.
In order to create a soil substrate, it is recommended to take 2 parts of ordinary garden soil or peat, it is better if it is black soil, 1 part of compost or humus and 1 part of river sand. If possible, you can additionally add wood ash. Then mix all the components.
Important! Before sowing radishes on the windowsill, the soil should be disinfected. This can be done by leaving it in the cold or, conversely, by roasting it in the oven. In addition, it is additionally recommended to spill the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
After the performed manipulations, it is required to sift the soil on a medium grid and remove all debris and stones. The resulting soil substrate is placed in a flowerpot, at the bottom of which expanded clay, broken brick or crushed stone is already present. The soil is filled up to the middle of the flowerpot.You need to give the soil time to sink.
During the entire growth, it is necessary to gradually add soil. This is necessary due to the fact that radishes tend to crawl out, where the fruits can burn in the sun, turn green and become bitter.
Preparing seeds for planting
Before planting radishes, you should pay attention to the seeds. If the latter have a fresh look, then they are fresh, of high quality and should rise quickly. Otherwise, if the grains have acquired a brown tint, they are old. Their germination rate can be 50-70%, or even lower.
In order not to risk it, it is recommended to check the seedlings. If the seeds are immersed in water, then high-quality seeds will settle to the bottom, while empty ones, on the contrary, will quickly rise to the edge of the water.
Before the appointed day of planting, the seedlings should be soaked in a warm solution for 24 hours. After that, the seeds are dipped into a weak consistency of potassium permanganate. They are now ready to plant.
Direct landing
In a pot or container covered with soil, small depressions up to 1-1.5 cm deep are made with the help of a finger. If the soil substrate is dry, it must first be moistened. 1 seed is lowered into the hole and carefully sprinkled with soil. Seedlings are placed at a distance of 4-6 cm from each other. This is the optimum distance for each root crop to grow normally.
Thus, preparation for planting does not take longer than for any other plant. Compliance with all the rules for placement, soil preparation and planting of seeds contributes to the rapid pecking of seedlings and good growth of radishes.
The next video shows an interesting way of planting already germinated seeds.
Video: growing radishes in pots in winter on a windowsill in 3 parts - from planting to the first harvest
How to care after planting and before harvest
After rooting, you should irrigation landings. This is done with warm water from a spray bottle. Watering in another way is prohibited due to the fact that in this case the seedlings will be washed out.
After that, the container or flowerpot should be covered with plastic wrap to create greenhouse conditions that provoke rapid germination. The main thing is to maintain the optimum temperature - +17 .. + 200C.
After 3-5 days, the first shoots will appear. Now they should be periodically opened, ventilated and moistened. In addition, it is recommended to harden crops - to place them in a room with a temperature regime of +5 .. + 80C.
Watering is carried out as the soil dries, but the plantings should not be overly moistened so as not to provoke decay.
Important! Additional feeding for radish grown on the windowsill is not required. During growth, it draws out from the soil all the nutrients necessary for normal development. However, you can still feed it with standard fertilizers for open ground.
If planting is carried out in a common container, without even distribution, then thinning will be required for the radish. It is required to remove all weak shoots within a radius of 1.5 cm from the plant.
Harvesting is carried out as it ripens. If you remove only those fruits that came up in time, then there is an opportunity to give time for the development of weaker root crops.
Video: radishes on the windowsill in winter
Diseases and pests
At home, under constant control, pests practically do not attack radishes, so you should not be afraid for the plant. Another thing is that cruciferous flea beetles or whites can settle on a root crop in the open field.
If the parasites in the room do not attack the radish, then this does not apply to diseases. Planting can be struck by black leg, bacteriosis or keela. These diseases are practically incurable, so it is better to prevent them than to regret the unfulfilled measures later. To do this, you should pre-treat the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate and spray the plants with fungicides for diseases.
Terms of germination and harvesting
The first radish seedlings sprout on the windowsill under optimal conditions when all recommendations are followed within 3-5 days. Collecting root crops is performed as soon as it is ready. For some types of plants, this period may come in 16 days, others need to withstand the time for 30-35 days.
The main thing is to remove the ripe crop from the soil in time. If the radish is overexposed, its top shell becomes dense, bitter, and may also lose its presentation.
Thus, you can easily grow radishes on the windowsill at any time of the year. Before planting, you should carefully choose the optimal place and temperature. As it grows, water and harvest on time.
Video: growing radishes at home
Radish is an early vegetable, usually available in the spring season. In addition to its wonderful taste, radishes have another advantage - they are good for the body. The plant contains a lot of minerals and vitamins that are so necessary for a person for health. But in winter, the prices for this vegetable can be considerable, so many are wondering how to grow it at home. Is growing radish on a windowsill a reality? Definitely yes.
This plant cannot be called whimsical to care for, and this is another plus for lovers of home gardening. Growing radishes on the windowsill can be not only a hobby for you, but also an excellent alternative in saving your family budget. What do you need to know to grow a good harvest?
Necessary conditions for growing radishes
In winter, for the location of the container with the plant, it is better to choose a south-facing window. Radish loves light, and if it is not enough, then use a special lamp for additional lighting.
Daylight hours for a good harvest should be at least 12 hours.
Radish on the balcony can be planted when there is no frost, that is, it is better to start from April-May.
to the content ↑ Temperature conditions and watering
For normal plant life, a temperature of 17-21 degrees is suitable. Maintain air humidity in the normal range. It is better to harden the seedlings before the cold weather. To do this, after the formation of the first sprouts, place the container with them in a room with a temperature of 7-9 degrees, and after three days, transfer the radishes to the heat again.
Such a procedure will make the seedlings immune to temperature fluctuations in the future.
When shoots appear, water in moderation every day. But it is not worth pouring radish, especially at first, as this way you can only harm young immature plants.
back to contents ↑ Landing container
Long wooden containers are best suited for planting this vegetable, but if there are no wooden containers, then plastic ones will do.
The depth of such trays should be at least 5-10 centimeters. Inside suitable containers, it is better to place special plastic cassettes that can be purchased at the store.
Each such cassette compartment is ideal for growing one large radish root crop in it. Although it is possible to do without cassettes, this will not greatly affect the harvest. At the bottom of the containers, holes must be made to drain excess liquid.
to the content ↑ Selection of soil and its fertilization
To grow a vegetable, a fertile soil mixture is needed, in which there will be enough minerals, humus and oxygen. The easiest way is to buy a ready-made potting soil mixture for vegetable seedlings at a gardening store.
But you can try to prepare the soil yourself. In its composition include forest land, humus, garden soil and sand in a ratio of 2: 2: 2: 1. The soil from the garden must be cleaned of stones, debris and roots.
In order for your small home garden to please you with an excellent harvest, you need to fertilize vegetables with organic and mineral fertilizing.
Fertilize the plants for the first time within the first week after the first shoots appear.To do this, add 7 grams to the mullein solution (5 liters). superphosphate and 5 gr. potassium salt. A couple of weeks before picking ripe roots, fertilize the soil with a solution of potassium salt (for 10 liters of water - 20 grams).
back to contents ↑ Landing instructions
- Buy seeds and inspect them thoroughly. There should be no signs of rot on them, an unpleasant smell is also considered a bad sign. The seeds should be approximately the same size and shape. Fresh seed has a brown tint, and if the color is grayish, then this indicates the age of the planting material.
- 2 days before planting in the ground, soak the seeds in boiled water at a pleasant temperature not higher than 34-35 degrees. You can add a little potassium permanganate to the liquid so that the water takes on a pale pink hue. This procedure will help eliminate the possibility of seed infection, and in the future it will protect the first seedlings from pests. Soaking the planting material allows you to grow tasty and healthy radishes faster.
- Water the prepared potting soil liberally before planting so that it is sufficiently saturated with moisture. Then plant the prepared seeds in the substrate to a depth of 2-4 centimeters.
- After planting, cover the container with clear plastic wrap to speed up the germination process. Instead of polyethylene, you can use a non-woven fibrous fabric - snapbond. It will protect young seedlings from low temperatures and pest attacks. This fabric is good for liquid, air and sunlight, so the sprouts will be as comfortable as possible.
- When the sprouts get stronger, then the film or tissue is removed. Root crops ripen within 3-4 weeks after the first shoots. Make sure that the tops do not grow, then you will get a large and juicy root crop.
to the content ↑ Plant varieties
Breeders have developed many different varieties of radishes. By the time of root crop formation, they are divided into early, middle and late. The color of the fruit in different varieties can vary from red to white and yellow, its shape and size can also vary.
For growing at home, early ripe species with an average root crop are ideal. For example, these are the following varieties: Zhara, Novired, Karmen, Sora, Donar F1.
If you plant a radish on a windowsill, you can get a great harvest if you take proper care of it and don't be lazy. Good luck!
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