Can a salad be grown at home?

The 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 seeds on a windowsill at home? This will be discussed further.

Is it possible to grow lettuce on a windowsill

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

For his growth needs a lot of sunshine... 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 growing head forms in an apartment. They are very moody.

This is an early maturing culture. To constantly have greens at home, it must be planted 1 time in 10 - 14 days.

The best varieties of lettuce to grow at home

Batavia is the most suitable salad variety for an apartment

The most suitable variety for an apartment is considered Batavia... In grocery stores, it is most often sold.

It grows even without additional illumination. Can withstand short-term drought, high air temperatures.

The most famous varieties for cultivation on the windowsill:

• Lollo rossa
• Emerald lace
• New Year
• Lollo bionda
• Vitamin

Lolla rossa is distinguished by its brown head, 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;
• pepper;
• broadleaf;
• ordinary.

Broadleaf watercress

Choosing a container for sowing and preparing the soil

Lettuce roots do not go deep into the soil. Large containers are not needed to grow it. Better to choose a plastic pot. The capacity should be volume of 1-2 liters... Depth - 10 - 35 cm. Depending on the variety. There should be holes at the bottom of the container.

The soil can be purchased at the store or used garden soil. Acidic soil is not suitable for planting. Better option - a mixture of turf, humus, sand... Another option is garden soil, coconut fiber, vermicompost. The ratio of the latter two is 2: 1.

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

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

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

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

Sowing seeds

• Before sowing, seeds are disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate. Time is 2-3 hours.
• A drainage layer is placed on the bottom of the pot.
• The drainage is covered with earth. Watering.
• Make a groove. Depth - 5 mm... Distance between rows - 10 cm.
• Seeds are placed in the groove. Fall asleep with a small amount of earth. Slightly compacted.
• Cover the container with a bag - create a greenhouse effect.
• They are placed in a dark place.
• When the first shoots appear, the bag is removed. Transferred to the windowsill.

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

The salad loves warmth. For its good growth, a temperature of 17-21 degrees is required. During a strong drop in temperatures outside, the container with plants should be removed from the windowsill.

Culture needs thinning... This is done 2 times:

1. After 1 week, as the first shoots appear; Leave a distance of 1–2 cm between them.
2. When 2 true leaves are formed; Distance - 4-5 cm.

If the lettuce grows densely, you will not be able to get a good harvest.

Lettuce needs to be thinned twice

Watering

Watering should be abundant... 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 on the south side, more often. In winter - less often. It is impossible to moisten the soil too much - 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 Once every 1.5-2 weeks... Fertilizers are suitable for indoor plants. It is a fast growing culture. If fertile soil was chosen for planting, it grows well without them.

You cannot apply a large amount of nitrogen fertilizers - lettuce is capable of accumulating nitrates. If you use a potassium iodide-based dressing, you can get a plant with a lot of iodine in the composition.

Lighting

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

Daylight hours when growing lettuce should last 12-14 hours

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

If it is not possible to add additional lighting to 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 grow quickly. It can be harvested over a period of several weeks. Plugged out by the roots or the outer leaves are torn off... Arrows form after 3 to 5 weeks. The plant is removed. Other seeds are sown in its place.

Experienced gardeners plant salad every 10 days... 40-50 grams of greens are obtained from one plant. But it all depends on the variety.

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 damp. But excess moisture can kill him.
2. The best place is a windowsill on the south, southeast side. It is impossible to grow it without enough light at home.

It is growing rapidly. Doesn't take up much space. But you need to choose the right variety for the pot.

3 methods: Traditional planting Method 2: Quick method Lettuce transplanting

Oddly enough, growing lettuce indoors is easy. The lettuce produces a short but bountiful harvest and requires minimal maintenance: regular soil for houseplants, water for irrigation and sunlight are all this plant needs. Lettuce is so easy to grow that you can even ditch the pots and containers and just plant the seeds in the soil in a plastic bag.

Method 1 Traditional fit

Training

1. 

   Choose a variety of lettuce that is suitable for growing in pots. Lettuce grows best at home, especially those varieties with the word "small" in the name.

2. Find a medium sized plastic container.

   The lettuce has a shallow root system, so there will be plenty of room for it in a small pot. Plastic is more suitable than clay because clay walls absorb moisture, taking it out of the soil, which makes it dry faster.

   • If you decide to use a ceramic pot, cover the walls with a plastic bag. Punch holes in the cellophane so that water can drain through them.
   • Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. When watering through them, excess water will drain into a saucer under the pot. This will also make it possible to make a so-called watering tray, and this is the way of watering that suits the salad best.
3. 

   Clean the pot. Be especially careful if another plant has grown in this pot before, as bacteria and insect eggs from old soil can move onto the roots of the lettuce. It will be enough to wash the pot of soap with warm water, but you can mix 9 parts of water and 1 part of bleach and rinse the container with this mixture.

4. 

   Take all-purpose potting soil. Lettuce is a very unpretentious plant, so the most common soil is needed. But do not use garden soil, as bacteria and insects can live in it, which will pose a threat to the salad.

5. Fill the pot with soil. The earth should cover almost the entire pot, but not completely. Leave about 2.5 cm to the edge of the pot.

6. 

   Sprinkle some seeds in your left hand if you are right-handed, or in your right if you are left-handed. The lettuce seeds are very small, so the pinch will be small.

7. 

   Take the seeds with the thumb and forefinger of your other hand. You don't have to try to collect all the seeds at once - a small amount will be enough to start.

8. Sprinkle the seeds over the soil. Try to spread them evenly over the surface, but don't worry if they end up far apart.

9. Repeat the process until all the seeds are scattered.

10. Cover the seeds with soil. The top layer should be no thicker than 5-8 millimeters. If you add too much soil, the seeds will not have enough sunlight, which they need in order to germinate.

11. Spray the seeds with water from a spray bottle. The soil should be moderately moist.

Care and harvest

1. 

   Sprinkle the seeds with water in the morning. The soil must be moist all the time, otherwise the seeds will not germinate. Germination should occur within 1 to 2 weeks after sowing.

2. Water the lettuce every other day to help maintain the moisture level in the soil.

   Depending on how warm and light your home is, lettuce may need to be watered more or less frequently. Check the soil regularly by dipping your finger into the ground 1.5 to 2 centimeters. If the ground feels dry, water the salad again.

   • Try placing the pot in a watering tray. Let water seep into the pot through the holes in the bottom and saturate the soil. This method of watering will prevent root rot and the spread of fungal infections.
3. 

   Place the salad in a cool place. This plant is best suited to room temperature (16 - 21 degrees Celsius).To simulate natural conditions, lower the temperature to 6 degrees at night.

4. 

   Place the seedling pot in the sunniest spot in your home. In order for the lettuce leaves to grow large and strong, the pot must spend at least 14-16 hours a day in the sun.

5. 

   Buy a fluorescent plant light. If the salad does not receive enough sunlight, place the pot under the lamp at a distance of 10 centimeters and leave it there for 14 hours daily. Remember to turn off the lamp after this time, because the plant should not be exposed to light 24 hours a day.

6. After the second bunch of lettuce has grown, pluck out the weakest sprouts.

   Leave about 7 centimeters between the remaining tufts to give them enough room to grow.

   • Do not throw away those sprouts that you uproot from the ground. Plant them in separate pots and keep growing or eat them. Small leaves taste almost indistinguishable from full-sized leaves.
7. 

   Apply a mild fertilizer if desired. The lettuce can grow without additional support, but if you mix the fertilizer in half with water to reduce concentration, and apply it to the soil, the yield will exceed your expectations. Apply fertilizer to seedlings every 7 days for three weeks and then discontinue use.

8. Cut the leaves as needed, or all at once.

   Small leaves taste almost the same as large ones and can be safely eaten.

   • Once the leaves have grown to the size you want, start cutting them from the outside. Leave the inner leaves to ripen.
   • If you want to cut large leaves, the ripening time will take 4 to 6 weeks. Cut or pluck the leaves one at a time, starting with the outer ones. Lettuce that has reached its maximum ripening point produces seeds, so it is important to cut it before this happens to prevent the lettuce from becoming bitter.

Method 2 Method 2: Fast way

1. 

   Cut the corners in a large plastic bag and punch a few holes in it. The holes should be small enough to keep soil from spilling out of the bag, but large enough to allow excess water to drain out.

2. 

   Fill the bag with soil about three quarters. Moisten the soil beforehand.

3. 

   Place the bag on a stand or plate. Excess soil and water can escape through the holes in the bag, and this will stain the windowsill if you choose to place the bag directly on top of it. Make a special tray to avoid dirt.

4. 

   Take a few dozen seeds in your left hand if you are right-handed and in your right if you are left-handed. Then, using your thumb and forefinger of your other hand, start sprinkling the soil with seeds.

5. 

   Cover the seeds with soil. This layer should not be thicker than 5 millimeters, as otherwise the seeds will not have enough sunlight.

6. 

   Spray the soil with water. There should not be too much moisture, as otherwise the seeds will float in the puddle, and the water mixed with the earth will start pouring out of the holes.

7. 

   Cover the package. If you leave it open, heat and moisture will come out, but if you close it tightly, the air inside will become musty. Leave a small air hole on one side and close the bag completely on the other.

8. 

   Leave the bag on the window, where there is always a lot of sun. Artificial light can be used by placing a fluorescent lamp over the bag. Even if you grow the lettuce in a bag, the plant still needs 14-16 hours of sunshine daily.

9. 

   Open the bag after the seeds begin to germinate. The sprouts should appear within a week. Continue to spray the soil with water and provide enough light for the sprouts.

10. 

    Pull off the leaves as they grow. The salad will reach full size in just a few weeks.Cut off the outer leaves first, and then move on to those on the inside. Do not wait for the leaves to grow very large - this method of growing does not involve the same leaf size as a normal planting.

Method 3 Transplant lettuce

1. 

   After picking off all the leaves you are going to eat, place the rest of the plant in a glass mold and add a little water there (just a couple of centimeters of water at the bottom will be enough).

2. 

   Place the dish where the lettuce can get enough sunlight (on a windowsill or under a lamp). New leaves will begin to grow within a few days.

3. 

   Change the water every other day.

4. 

   Cut the leaves as needed. Of course, you won't grow a whole bush, but the new leaves will be enough for one serving of vegetable salad or sandwich.

Tips

• If you have children, plant a salad with them. It is so easy to grow this plant that a child can cope with it with a little help from parents. You can start with the second method as this will make the salad grow faster and will be easier to plant.

Warnings

• When adding fertilizer to the soil, do not accidentally fall on the leaves. Apply the solution to the soil only.
• Rinse all home grown vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating.

What do you need

• Lettuce seeds
• Plastic container or pot
• The soil
• Plastic bag with clasp
• Scissors
• Spray
• Unconcentrated fertilizer
• Lamp for plants
• Garden knife or scissors

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Garden greens are rich in vitamins and various nutrients. It is used in various salads, in first and second courses, as well as to decorate festive dishes. But, if in summer there are no problems with where to get fresh greens, then in winter it is much more difficult to get greens. And the prices in stores in winter "bite".

Unfortunately, lettuce, unlike, for example, parsley or dill, is not stored frozen. But this plant lends itself well to growing at home. It does not require much effort and cost.

Choosing a salad variety

In order to get greens at home in winter, it is best to choose its leafy varieties. Lettuce on the windowsill can grow even at low above zero temperatures, and it does not require very deep containers, since it has a superficial root system. Before planting a salad at home, you need to purchase its seeds of a suitable variety. Early ripening varieties are especially good choices for growing at home on the balcony. When choosing a variety of lettuce to grow at home, it is also worth noting varieties that are resistant to lack of light. Below are examples of lettuce varieties suitable for growing in the winter at home on the balcony.

We advise you to read

Early ripening varieties of lettuce:

• Snowflake;
• excitement;
• golden ball;
• zorepad;
• the ball is crimson.

Lettuce varieties that are resistant to lack of light:

• ballet;
• emerald lace NK;
• celtic.

Containers or pots?

To use this growing technology, plant seeds are needed that can be grown in pots. Watercress on the windowsill is the best option, since this particular type of plant is well suited for growing at home. You can use other lettuce salads as well. It is best if the word "small" is present in the salad variety.

The root system of the lettuce does not penetrate deeply into the soil, so lettuce can be grown in shallow plastic containers or pots. It is best to choose plastic pots and containers, as clay products absorb moisture, thereby draining the soil and causing the surface to dry quickly.

How to grow salad in ceramic pots?

Just like in plastic, only the walls of ceramic products need to be covered with plastic bags, in which holes are made in advance to allow water to drain. Drainage holes are required at the bottom of the pot or container. When watering is carried out, excess moisture flows into the saucer, which creates optimal conditions for the life of plants.

Planting lettuce seeds at home

Buy a standard soil mix for your plants. You can, of course, use a mixture of garden soil with humus, turf and sand, but if you want to grow salad without fuss, you do not need to fantasize, coming up with ways to disinfect such soil. Avoid using soil from your garden directly, as it always contains bacteria and insects that can damage your crops.

Fill the pot with soil high, but not all the way to the top. You should leave approximately 2.5-3 cm of empty space between the soil surface and the edge of the container.

Articles about indoor and ornamental plants

Sprinkle the seeds on top - with a pinch, as if salt it. Try not to plant too much in one place, but you don't need 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 holes in half a centimeter 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.

Salad care at home

In the future, the care of crops consists in maintaining soil moisture and controlling the temperature in the room. At the same time, please note that soil moisture should not turn into waterlogging, otherwise the plants will begin to rot. Watering should be carried out by sprinkling every 2 or 3 days, it depends on the ambient temperature. The optimum temperature for the growth of lettuce is considered to be 16 - 20 ° C, although on a loggia during spring (mid-April) sowing, plants can ripen perfectly at 6 - 7 ° C. The elevated temperature and dry air of apartments have a negative effect on the culture, and therefore it is recommended to periodically spray lettuce leaves and more often arrange ventilation for crops on the windowsills. In the phase of 2 leaves, the seedlings are thinned at a distance of at least 8 cm. The torn seedlings can be planted along the edges of containers with tomato or cucumber seedlings, using the lettuce as a sealant.

Lettuce grows rather quickly under suitable conditions, building up a ready-to-eat leaf mass within 2 to 3 weeks. Ripe leaves of watercress are cut off and used for food, they grow back after root feeding with mineral fertilizers. Other lettuce salads are uprooted, shaken off the ground and stacked vertically in boxes or baskets in one layer for storage. It is recommended to store them before use under a film in a dark place at a temperature of 1 - 2 ° C ..

How to grow watercress on a windowsill using soil or sawdust?

In a room, you can grow watercress in the usual way using commercially available greenhouse potting mix or sawdust. Since the root system of watercress is relatively small, for planting, use dishes no more than 7 cm high.The dish is filled with soil or sawdust (it is advisable to pre-steam them in a water bath), the seeds are sown to a depth of about 0.5 cm, the distance between the rows should be about 10 cm, moisturize well. After the first shoots appear, the container is transferred to the windowsill, the temperature is maintained at + 8, and when shoots appear, it is increased to + 10 ° C. Seedlings need to be thinned, the distance between rows should be at least 5 cm.

Watercress is a moisture-loving culture, so it needs to be watered often, but without fanaticism, excess moisture also harms the plant, like overdrying the soil. When the first pair of leaves appears on the plant, it is time for feeding: dilute 2.5 g of urea in 1 liter of water, pour the watercress with this solution. After 14 days, the plant is fed a second time: take superphosphate - 2 g, ammonium sulfate - 1 g, potassium salt - 1.5 g, dilute it all in a liter of water.

The first harvest of lettuce can be cut after 10 days, the bulk of the leaves ripen about 18 days after sowing. Watercress is usually cut 2 times. After the plant reaches a height of 10-15 cm, it is removed. In this way, you can grow watercress even in winter, for this you just need to stock up on seeds.

Check also our articles

How to grow salad at home video

In the rating of usefulness in terms of the content of vitamins, microelements and nutrients, lettuce is confidently in the top ten. And the attitude of housewives and professional chefs to elegant salad leaves has been quite transformed. They have ceased to be a decor and decoration, but have become the main components of independent culinary delights - tasty, healthy and low-calorie. Consider in the article how to grow a salad on a windowsill at home, what methods are popular.

Five types of salad: choose the taste and color

Summer is over, work in the garden has already been completed, and the gardeners have begun a period of "vacation" - a quiet life without the daily hassle of watering, fertilizers, pests and other delights of gardening. But it is rightly argued that gardening is not a hobby. It is a way of life and even a diagnosis. Therefore, having moved from cozy and sincere garden houses to city apartments, people miss the riot of greenery and feel the spiritual need to arrange beds on the windowsill (or on a warm balcony) and continue to surrender to their favorite hobby. Read also the article: → "How to grow onions and other greens in an apartment."

If there is free space on your windowsill, pay attention to the salad - smart, healthy and unpretentious. First, get acquainted with its varieties and characteristics.

Name	Description
Kochanny	The plant forms a head of cabbage. The varietal characteristics determine the density, size and tendency to stem. In turn, heads of cabbage are divided into oily (dense, with tender juicy inner leaves) and crispy, forming dense heads of cabbage with firm crispy leaves.
Half-cabbage	Forms a rosette of leaves, raised above the soil surface. The head of cabbage is loose, the leaves are crispy and juicy. Ripening period depends on the variety
Sheet	A developed rosette of leaves of an arbitrary type (depending on the variety). The leaf plate is crispy or malleable and oily. In addition to taste and nutritional properties, it is distinguished by an elegant decorative appearance.
Asparagus	An alien from Southeast Asia with a juicy, dense stem. Two varieties are known, determined by the type of leaves: oval-elongated (short and thick stem) and narrow-elongated with a thin and high stem. The leaves have a bitter taste, which becomes tender and fresh after some time of chapping.
Romain	The varieties of this salad are distinguished by elongated heads of cabbage. Crispy, succulent leaves with distinct signs of graininess

Each of the species described above is suitable for growing at home. However, in the overwhelming number of cases, based on the size of the plant and the speed of growing, amateurs opt for leafy varieties - early ripening, vitamin and unpretentious.

Growing lettuce at home - fresh vitamins all year round

Choosing a variety for planting

It is impossible to grasp the immensity. Therefore, we will focus on a few popular and widespread varieties.They illustrate the nutritional and vitamin qualities of a complete line of home-grown salads.

Name	Description
Arugula	An annual plant with a rich flavor. It has been known since antiquity, when lettuce was ranked among aphrodisiacs (plants that increase sexual activity). The straight stem reaches a height of 40 cm. The leaves are dense, thickened, sparsely hairy or smooth. The composition contains essential and mustard oils, acids, steroids, flavonoids. The plant is rich in vitamins, proteins, fiber, macro- and microelements. It is believed that arugula successfully prevents cancer, the immune system and has an antiviral effect. Calorie content - 25 kcal / 100 g. See also the article: → "Growing leeks, arugula and other greens at home."
Iceberg	Elongated head of cabbage with crispy oblong leaves. The composition contains proteins and fats, carbohydrates and saccharides. The product is distinguished by its content of saturated fatty acids, coarse dietary fiber and ash. Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B9, C, E, K, PP, beta-carotene and choline. Elements of potassium, calcium, iron, sodium manganese, etc. Promotes metabolism, maintaining a healthy blood composition, strengthens the nervous system. Recommended for diabetes and obesity. Caloric content - 14 kcal / 100 g
Lettuce	More than a hundred varieties of this plant - headed and leafy - differ in different shapes and sizes. The composition contains vitamins (A, group of vitamins B, C, E, K), micro- and macroelements. The product initiates the cleansing of the respiratory system, is used as a diuretic, has a sedative (calming) effect, lowers cholesterol and improves metabolism. Has contraindications for acute colitis, gout, urolithiasis. Caloric content - 15 kcal / 100 g
Watercress	Thin stem, abundantly covered with green leaves. It is famous for its unpretentiousness and rapid growth - the first crop is removed 15-20 days after planting the seeds. An abundance of vitamins (A, B, C, K, PP), micro- and macroelements. The composition contains sulfur, glycoside, mustard oil, glutopropeolin alkaloid. Cleanses the body, normalizes blood pressure, stimulates appetite. Caloric content - 32 kcal / 100 g
Romano	A subspecies of lettuce in the form of a loose oblong head of cabbage. Juicy crispy leaves with nutty spice. Useful properties are characterized by saturation with vitamins (A, group B, C, E, K, PP). Content of fiber, acids and amino acids, micro- and macroelements. Known positive effect of the novel on metabolism, hemoglobin, blood pressure. Caloric content - 17 kcal / 100 g

With rare exceptions, the use of salads does not entail contraindications. Restrictions are governed by personal intolerance to the product. The calorie content of any variety is low, which makes it possible to use the leaves when preparing various dishes.

Popular varieties of lettuce for growing on the windowsill: 1 - Iceberg, 2 - Romano, 3 - Mitsuna (Japanese cabbage), 4 - Corn (field salad), 5 - Lettuce, 6 - Arugula, 7 - Radicio, 8 - Watercress , 9 - Frisse

Preparing the land for planting lettuce

Preparation of land and containers for cultivation are not a problem. It is recommended to purchase the soil in a specialized store - the earth is suitable for flowers, it is not for nothing that some species belong to the Aster family. Use caution and discretion when using garden soil. Together with the soil, harmful insects and pathogens will get into favorable home conditions. Lettuce is an easy catch for them.

Disinfect the garden soil in one or more ways:

1. Calcination. Put the earth on a baking sheet and place in the oven. At a temperature of 180 ° C, the bulk of pathogens will die in 1 hour. Pay attention to the admixture of plant debris. They can ignite in the oven.
2. Try using an ordinary skillet to ignite.In this case, the earth is stirred and moistened with a sprayer. The disadvantage of the first and second methods is that the temperature also kills beneficial microorganisms.
3. Steaming in a water bath. The procedure lasts 20-90 minutes, depending on the amount of soil.
4. The use of fungicidal preparations. The result is achieved by suppressing fungi and pathogenic bacteria. Manufacturers' recommendations help determine the rate of the substance for the amount of soil.
5. Chemical treatment with copper or iron sulfate, potassium permanganate.

When applying calcining the soil in the oven, pay attention to plant residues that are present in the ground.... During processing, they are capable of igniting. In addition, the temperature affects beneficial microorganisms that will die during heat treatment.

A small amount of land and unrestrained imagination will help to make an original element of plant design in a city apartment

Preparing seeds for planting

The preparation of planting material is a significant factor affecting the future harvest. When purchasing seeds from reputable manufacturers of planting material, do not be lazy to study the instructions and follow the prescribed recommendations. And do not forget about the general rules, universal and tested, that can help to leave only perfect seeds for sowing. Read also the article: → "Spicy herbs - we grow ourselves."

1. When purchasing seeds, inspect the packaging. Do not purchase wrinkled or torn sachets, it is impossible to guarantee the quality of the seeds in them.
2. Visually inspect the seeds before planting. If found, discard damaged ones.
3. Calibrate large seeds with an aqueous salt solution (30g / 1l). After 5 minutes, remove the grains floating on the surface. Rinse the rest with clean water and dry.
4. Soak in nutrient solution for 6-24 hours (depending on seed size and plant variety).

Tip # 1. Pay attention to the container in which the salad is supposed to be grown. For leafy varieties, a container depth of 25 cm is sufficient.Roots of head plants germinate deeper - for them, make a depth of 35 cm.

Cut thin stems of watercress with a sharp knife or scissors

Growing lettuce at home: step by step

The simplicity and vitality of salads gives them the potential for trouble-free growth. Although some nuances are inherent in the cultivation of each variety.

1. Iceberg. Recommended planting in a container of 60x60 cm. The roots of the head lettuce are developed, space is required for growth. Seeds are planted at a depth of 5-7 mm, the planting distance between plants is 12-15 cm. Water the planting, cover with a film to simulate a greenhouse and put it in a cool shaded place. Wait for germination and place the container in the light. When doing this, avoid the south side and direct sunlight. The organization of the backlight is recommended to increase daylight hours up to 12 hours.
2. Arugula. Surface planting of seeds or deepening into the ground to a depth of 10-15 mm is allowed. Seedlings will appear in 3-5 days, and after 7-10 days, remove weak seedlings. Regular watering is essential for this salad. Lack of moisture will result in rough and bitter leaves. Extend daylight hours to 8 hours. Flowers need to be removed.
3. Lettuce. For planting, a container 15 cm high is suitable. Place the seeds at a depth of 0.5-0.7 cm and moisten the soil. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a cool, dark place. When shoots appear, remove the film and place the container in the light. Water once every 2 days. Harvesting will begin after 1 month.
4. Watercress. Suitable containers for growing this species are 8-10 cm deep. The individuality of watercress lies in the fact that it can be grown in inert substances - sawdust or coconut flakes. Even a layer of scalded cotton wool is suitable for growing. Keep in mind that without soil, the plant will need additional fertilization. After placing the container with the fit on the windowsill, rotate it daily. This will allow the lettuce to grow evenly without leaning towards the direction of the light. After 15 days, the plant will grow 6-7 cm and pamper the owner with the first harvest.
5. Romano. A plant unpopular for growing on a windowsill. Although the agricultural technology of its cultivation is not distinguished by excessive complexity and is similar to the cultivation of an Iceberg. Perhaps the fact is that with improper care (violation of the temperature regime, watering), the leaves begin to taste unpleasantly bitter due to the secreted juice containing the bitter alkaloid lactucin. Although a piquant bitterness is present in a properly grown Romano.

All salads are characterized by a significant water content in the composition of the plant (up to 96%). Therefore, the frequency and abundance of watering play a primary role in the development of plants. Moistening the soil is done every other day.

Useful tips for gardeners

Council number 1. Get a spray gun. Lettuce reacts negatively to insufficient moisture, responsive to frequent water treatments, which improve the condition of the plant and its taste. Spray the leaves at least once a day.

Prolongation of daylight hours and regular water bath - lettuce will gratefully respond with good growth and a high yield of vitamin leaves

Council number 2. When preparing the soil for planting, be sure to provide drainage in the form of stones or expanded clay at the bottom of the container (1-3 cm). In addition to the function of water drainage, the drainage layer is intended to saturate the soil under the roots with oxygen.

Council number 3. When choosing a soil mixture for planting, give preference to the soil most saturated with nutrients and trace elements. The short growing cycle allows you to grow crops without additional fertilizer costs.

Expert opinion of a specialist

Veronika Sazhina, specialist in mixed cultivation of fruit and vegetable crops: “Responsibly approach the preparation of your own soil. For cooking, take the components in the following proportions:

• peat - 20%;
• rotted manure - 20%;
• compost - 20%;
• garden land - 40%.

Remember to disinfect the mixture to kill pathogens. Add nitrophosphate, urea and ash to the composition. This will accelerate seed germination, increase yields, and nourish the salad with useful substances. "

Common grower mistakes when growing

Mistake # 1. At home, amateurs neglect the observance of the light regime.

Lack of lighting forces the lettuce to stretch in height, slows down the formation of green mass and accelerates shooting and flowering. Varietal and species characteristics dictate the required daylight hours - 9-14 hours.

Mistake # 2. Heat is a spoiled crop.

Lettuce easily tolerates low temperatures, but has a negative attitude towards overheating. A temperature of 15-20 ° C satisfies the requirements of both leafy and head varieties. Overheating leads to early shooting (appearance of a flower arrow) of these plants.

Mistake number 3. Thickening of the planting.

Despite its unpretentiousness, the salad does not like a thickened planting. This leads to a lack of light, which we have already mentioned, and a lack of supply area. As a result - a slowdown in development, late harvest or even its absence.

Tip # 2. For head varieties, follow the planting pattern recommended by the seed growers. Thin densely seeded leafy varieties, removing weak plants.

Questions on the topic "Growing salad on the windowsill"

Question number 1. How to grow watercress on foam rubber?

Place the foam rubber, the height of which is at least 3 cm, in a container and cover with paper napkins. Saturate with water and spread seeds on top. After 3-5 days, growth will begin, and after another week you will cut off the first vitamin plants. When you are finished harvesting, clean the foam rubber from paper and plant debris, wash, dry and start the cycle again.Do not forget that the foam is kept moist during the growth period. Purchase a compound fertilizer and add it to your water.

The unpretentious watercress grows successfully even in a tea strainer: 1 - put a strainer with seeds in water, 2 - roots sprout from the seeds, 3 - growth begins after a few days, 4 - in a week the salad can be served

Question number 2. Are all types of lettuce suitable for growing on a windowsill, or is a special “home” variety purchased?

Specialty stores sell varieties recommended for growing at home. But you can not waste time on searches, but purchase seeds of an early ripening variety. They will easily take root on a home windowsill or a warm balcony.

Question number 3. Grow Romaine lettuce, but it doesn't form a head of cabbage. Why?

Gardeners form a head of cabbage by hand in this species. 2 weeks before harvesting, the outer leaves are tied with dark material, they themselves do not curl into the head of cabbage. After this procedure, the inner leaves become whitened, become tender and juicy, and lose their bitterness.

Question number 4. What and how many times to fertilize the salad?

Purchase a complex fertilizer - thanks to it, the plant will receive a balanced and nutritious nutrition. Determine the frequency of application following the manufacturer's recommendations. If you prefer organic fertilizers, use a 1:10 mullein water solution. Fertilize once every 7 days.

Question number 5. Do I need to loosen the soil in the container?

No, such an operation should not be performed. The roots are located directly below the surface of the ground and are easily damaged. Moisten the soil and keep it dry. Then a dense, air-tight crust does not form on the surface of the earth.

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