Not everyone has a dacha, but every family needs fresh parsley, dill, and green onions. The solution is simple: growing greens on the balcony or on the windowsill will provide you with vitamin-rich seasonings all year round. Some housewives tried this method and gave up because the herbs turned out tasteless and not aromatic. The reason is improper care: in winter there is little light in the apartment, the air is too dry and other favorable conditions that need to be taken into account when growing vegetables at home.

What can you grow at home?

Many spices can grow in a small amount of soil, so they can be grown in containers, boxes and pots on a windowsill.

Suitable for growing at home:

• dill;
• leaf mustard;
• parsley;
• green onions;
• watercress;
• celery;
• leaf salad;

You can start creating a home garden with green onions. It does not require soil - take a jar with a narrow neck, fill it with water and place the onion so that its edges rest on the sides of the container and the roots are immersed in the liquid. You will only need to change the water from time to time and cut off the green sprouts for food. When the bulb shrinks and becomes soft and shoot growth stops, replace it with a fresh specimen.

It’s easier to grow each species in a separate container, so you can choose the right soil composition, ensure necessary conditions and watering. In addition, a large heavy box is difficult to move and turn towards the light so that the plantings are evenly illuminated. You can grow each species and variety separately in small pots and containers, take them out onto the balcony in good weather, and bring them indoors when there is a threat of frost. For proper hydration, there must be drainage holes in the bottom. It’s easy to fit a tray under a compact container, and excess liquid will not create puddles on the windowsill.

When you have little space or containers, you have to grow in one container different types greenery Group plants according to their heat-loving qualities: dill, watercress, celery and parsley in one container; in the other - thyme, marjoram, basil.
Don't forget to allocate at least one container for children. Let them decide for themselves what herbs will grow there, sow the seeds with you, and take care of their own plantings. Even a first grader can do this kind of work. Explain that plants are alive and can die of thirst, and the child will become responsible for their pets.

You need to start with preparation necessary equipment and materials. Containers should have drainage holes. To excess moisture did not accumulate on the windowsill, place the containers on pallets. In winter, the air in apartments is often too dry. Add hydrogel to the soil; it will supply the roots with moisture if you forget to water the plantings on time. Place small pebbles on a tray and regularly moisten the stones, then the plants will not suffer from dryness at home.

Each crop requires a special approach when planting and growing.

• Green onions can be grown either in water or in soil. Take sets or small ones onions and plant them in the ground 2 cm from one another, burying them in the ground at half the height.
• For feathers, you can plant perennial onions in boxes. Dig it up from your garden, cut off the green feathers and plant it in a container.
• Parsley seeds germinate slowly due to abundance essential oils. Soak the grains for a day in a saucer of water, and then sow. You can plant rhizomes with a good apical bud in the ground, placing long roots obliquely.
• Sow watercress in rows at 10 cm intervals.
• Leaf lettuce seeds should be sown in separate holes, so that the distance between plants is about 5 cm. You can sprinkle several grains into each hole, and then leave the strongest specimens.

At home, vegetables are usually grown for food use. aboveground part. To ensure that shoots and leaves develop well, sow herbs during the waxing moon. If you need good rhizomes, sow when the night star is in its waning phase.

Place expanded clay on the bottom of the container, then the nutrient mixture. You can purchase it in a store or prepare a composition from the same amount of peat, sawdust and sand. After sowing, sprinkle the seeds with a 0.5 cm thick layer of soil, cover the container with film and keep in a warm, dark place until shoots emerge. To ensure that the green conveyor constantly supplies you with fresh seasonings, make new plantings every 2 weeks.

How to properly grow greens on the balcony

For those who do not have a summer house, you can grow greens on an open balcony in the summer. If you build deep boxes, you can sow other crops: radishes, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes. In summer, caring for plantings in boxes is not much different from cultivating herbs in open ground, the only difference is that the soil dries out quickly and watering should be more frequent. Frost-resistant species can be sown as soon as warm days arrive, while basil, rosemary and other southern crops are kept at home on the windowsill and taken outside only when the spring frosts end.

In winter, greens can be grown on glazed and well-insulated loggias. Try to plant unpretentious species, which will withstand short-lived cold snaps. Don’t forget about lighting; equip your balcony with comfortable fluorescent lamps. If stationary boxes are used for planting, which cannot be brought indoors during severe frosts, keep heaters at the ready.

Residents southern regions can be grown on glazed loggias and heat-loving crops: basil, rosemary. You need to plant greens only in small containers, which can be easily brought into the garden if the weather forecast is unfavorable. warm room. It is desirable that all bindings have sashes. Winter in the South is unpredictable; even in January the temperature can rise to +20⁰. On warm, clear days, open the windows to let your plants enjoy the sun and fresh air.

Caring for greens at home

IN northern regions In winter, the plantings do not have enough light, so often the greens on the windowsill grow tasteless and without aroma. The plants themselves will tell you that it is too dark for them: they will begin to stretch upward. Install energy-saving lamps and provide your pets with at least 12 hours of daylight. To take full advantage of the light's brightness, surround the containers with mirrors or foil.

The next problem is crowding. Each bush should have enough space to develop. If you sprinkled the seeds too thickly when sowing, destroy the excess specimens. When plants have more space, they will produce more tasty, juicy shoots and leaves. If you notice that buds are appearing on the plantings, trim the flower stalks and the greenery will be more luxuriant and tender.

For good development, plants need sufficient watering. In very dry apartments, be sure to add hydrogel to the soil, and cover the surface of the soil between the plants with small pebbles. Water at least every other day and spray the greens with a spray bottle. If the soil begins to crust, loosen it. Every 2 weeks, feed your garden on the windowsill with a solution of complex fertilizer.

Greens for sale

If the area of ​​the apartment allows, growing greenery at home on the windowsill can be a good addition to family budget. There are many methods that allow you to organize your business selling herbs. If you wish, you can build racks in several tiers or purchase a hydroponic installation. There are entrepreneurs who earned start-up capital from parsley and dill. To be able to promote your business, you need commercial skills, and an ordinary housewife can simply sell excess greens.

You don’t have to stand at the market; you can meet a seller of herbs and give the herbs for sale. Another option: offer your products to a small cafe or snack bar. Owners of small establishments are already tired of imported herbs, which are expensive, look good, but do nothing taste qualities They can’t boast. They will be happy to buy from you spicy bunches, which half an hour ago grew in fertile soil on your windowsill and absorbed the aromas familiar from childhood.

The easiest way: hang a notice on the door of your entrance. IN apartment building your neighbors will instantly buy up all your surplus and will sign up for the next harvest. If you are on maternity leave, freelance, or for some other reason do not have a regular income, containers on the windowsill will help replenish your budget.

Conclusion

Fresh herbs can be grown at home all year round. In the summer, your dacha or balcony will provide you with vitamins, and in the winter you can grow herbs in a heated greenhouse, on a glassed-in loggia, or right in the room on the windowsill. You will receive double benefits: a harvest of succulent leaves and a natural humidifier for dry air in the apartment.

It is advisable to grow each species in a separate container. If there are few containers, group plants so that the same container contains herbs that require the same growing conditions and ripen at the same time. Prepare a pot with new seeds in advance, then fresh herbs will be present on the table uninterruptedly. Remember that rhizomes planted for forcing are quickly depleted; after about 2 harvests they will have to be replaced with new ones.

For greens to gain flavor and aroma at home, they need a lot of light. Install energy-saving lights and reflective screens and keep stems from stretching. Water and loosen the soil in a timely manner, do not forget to feed your pets, and you will never have to stop at stalls with wilted parsley and dill that look more like camel thorn.

In winter, there is such a shortage of fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden. What can you grow on your windowsill to enjoy natural products? The list of crops suitable for apartment conditions is quite wide - from parsley and lettuce to tomatoes and cucumbers.

You can grow greens on a windowsill in winter or summer in the same way as in the garden. But keep in mind 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 you can grow on the windowsill, then it is better to start with green parsley. And herbs - basil and rosemary - will not only come in handy in the kitchen, but will also spread their aroma throughout the apartment. More experienced amateurs can immediately start by growing cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers.

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

Preparation

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

To arrange a vegetable garden on the windowsill you will need deep drawers or wide ones. flower pots for planting plants. They can be equipped with plastic covers to create a greenhouse effect. For these purposes, you can also use ordinary plastic bags.

The pots need to be filled with soil from a flower shop or a self-prepared substrate. It is better to avoid using soil from the garden or vegetable garden, as insect larvae and weed seeds may remain in it. If the soil from the street is not prepared and calcined, then there is a high probability that you can grow one weed 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 placed behind plants to reflect sunlight will also be useful. If foil is not used, then boxes and pots with plants must be turned 180 degrees daily, otherwise they will tilt towards the window and grow crookedly.

If the plants are grown in spring and summer (planting in February-March), then they will have enough sunlight from the street. And here winter Garden, planted in the fall, will require additional lighting. Fluorescent lamps are suitable for this.

You should understand that you can grow only undemanding herbs on a windowsill in winter without lighting, but you can get good harvest You won’t be able to grow tomatoes without using phytolamps. IN winter period V 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 onions

Children are shown how to grow onions on a windowsill as early as kindergarten. This is the easiest crop to grow at home; it does not require special care, grows quickly and is very useful.

To force feathers, you can use both large onion sets (selections) and ordinary onion turnips. Feathers from a small bulb are more delicate, but the small head wears out quickly. A larger bulb produces abundant greens for a longer period of time.

Not only self-grown onions are suitable, you can also use those purchased at a supermarket or a store for summer residents. The easiest way to plant onions for forcing is in water. To do this, take a small glass and fill it with plain water or 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 bad smell. This can be avoided, since you can grow onions on a windowsill by planting them in the ground. The substrate should be poured into a shallow plastic box. If there are no drainage holes at the bottom of the container, then to prevent rotting of the roots, it is reasonable to pour a small drainage layer of expanded clay, pebbles, broken bricks, etc.

There is no need to bury the heads; plant them 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 2-3 weeks apart, then there will be enough fresh onions for the whole winter.

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

Watercress

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

To grow lettuce, you don’t 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, fabric folded several times, cotton wool or paper towels.

Watercress should be planted densely so that the young plants support each other. Press the seeds a little into the moist substrate. The plant does not require additional lighting; just place it on the windowsill.

How to grow lettuce on a windowsill? The main thing is not to let the soil dry out, although you shouldn’t overwater the salad either. The plant does not like heat. Optimal temperature- no higher than 18 degrees Celsius. To avoid overheating in winter, just 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 leaf lettuce is already somewhat more difficult. To know how to grow lettuce on a windowsill, you need to take into account the variety of the plant being grown. The varieties Lollo Rossa, Lollo Bionda, Odessky, Vitaminny, New Year, and Red Credo perform best in apartment conditions.

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, become coarse, and flower stalks will quickly form. Leaf lettuce loves moisture and coolness and feels good on a glassed-in balcony until late autumn.

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

After the bushes begin to produce arrows, they become unsuitable for consumption. They can be removed and new seeds planted in their place.

Parsley

Many housewives are wondering how to grow parsley on a windowsill. After all, you often only need a few leaves of this plant, and you don’t want to buy a whole package in the store. In spring and summer period Parsley can be grown from seeds. The plant is light-loving, so in winter it will need additional lighting. The seeds germinate rather slowly, but the bush will last a long time. Parsley is not picky about temperature; it grows well on a windowsill or balcony. Watering is done abundantly. In winter, parsley needs to be watered less often.

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

In autumn and winter, because growing from seeds at this time is too long and labor-intensive? There is another way - forcing it from the rhizome. This method is somewhat simpler and better suited for autumn-winter period. Planting material you can prepare it yourself at personal plot or buy it at a regular grocery store.

The rhizome should show no signs of wilting, and the apical bud should be intact. The root crop should be placed in a pot and sprinkled with damp soil. Roots that are too long can be planted at an angle.

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

Basil

What can you grow on a windowsill besides regular onions, parsley, and lettuce? Something more exotic like basil or rosemary.

The type of basil does not matter; green or purple will do. Basil can be propagated either from seeds or from cuttings. The plant is thermophilic - the optimal temperature is 20-25 degrees, and moisture-loving - good drainage and abundant watering are required.

Cuttings - quick way growing basil. You can simply 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. The young shoots will be ready for cutting in a couple of weeks. It is better to cut off the side shoots.

Basil planted from cuttings grows quickly, but 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 replant the plantings every 3-4 months.

Planting basil from seeds will require more effort. But such a bush will not bloom for about a year. The seeds need to be soaked, covered, and the sprouts transplanted into pots. Grow basil using seeds better in spring, since additional lighting will be required in winter.

Rosemary

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

You will need a wide pot with a thick drainage layer. Rosemary is demanding of light and air. He prefers the south side, and in summer the pot with the plant must be planted in open ground, take it out to the balcony or place it outside the window, otherwise the leaves will not accumulate a sufficient amount of 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 placed on the ground without sprinkling on top, covered with film and sprayed every day with a spray bottle. If seedlings do not appear after 4 weeks, new seeds are planted. When the seedlings produce three or more leaves, they are planted in spacious pots.

It is easier to grow rosemary using cuttings. For this you need a woody 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 out the soil than to flood it. If there is a lack of moisture, they will begin to turn yellow. lower leaves plants, and if there is an excess, the roots will rot, which will lead to the death of the plant.

If you provide the plant with a low temperature (up to 5 degrees) in winter, then rosemary will bloom in the spring. Mature plant it needs to be trimmed constantly to form a bush.

cucumbers

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

Not every variety of cucumber is suitable for growing on a windowsill. Firstly, 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 a bush plant. Thirdly, for home grown would be better suited early variety. Finally, ideal option will be a shade-loving plant. You can grow cucumbers on the windowsill in winter of the varieties Connie, Masha, Legend, Debut, Polet, Babylon. Knowing the necessary parameters, you can choose another variety.

Growing cucumbers at home has its own subtleties. After all, to provide everything the necessary conditions may not be easy. Cucumbers are light-loving, so windows on the south and east sides are suitable for growing them. If there is still not enough light, then additional illumination will be required using fluorescent lamps.

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

Tomatoes

Many people think that growing tomatoes on a windowsill is a very difficult task and inaccessible to a beginner. But this is not true at all! Moreover, for indoor growing there are special varieties.

When visiting a gardening store, note that some seed packages say “Recommended for pot growing”, “Window harvest”, “Home garden”. And the names of the varieties themselves are telling - Room Surprise, Balcony Miracle, Japanese Room. There are also hanging 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 (short, or better yet dwarf), self-pollinating (for pollination, the bushes are shaken during flowering) 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 picked, choosing the strongest sprouts. During the period of flowering and fruit set, tomatoes need to be watered generously and the leaves should be sprayed.

The room where tomatoes grow needs to be regularly ventilated - plants do not like stagnant air. In winter they need additional lighting. The plant must 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, tomato can be propagated by cuttings. A plant grown from a cutting will begin to bloom within a few weeks.

Sweet pepper

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

Self-pollinating ones are best suited for growing in an apartment. early ripening varieties- Californian miracle, Oda, Jupiter, Patio Ivo.

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

Do you want to ensure that your favorite vegetables are never out of stock in your home? Nothing could be simpler. Set up a miniature vegetable garden on your balcony or windowsill. Find out what vegetables and herbs you can grow at home in our article.

Green favorite

Cucumbers are ideal for growing vegetables at home. But only if these are seeds of self-pollinating varieties, such as “Mashenka”, “Kuzya’s brownie” or “Marinda”. The growing container must be spacious, at least 5 liters, and have holes in the bottom. We fill it with drainage, moistened soil and plant the seeds. Remember, drink a lot of water, avoid drafts and love warmth. Just don’t overheat them above 20–25 °C. Did you notice the first 10–12 leaves? Trim the top, otherwise you will be left without a harvest.

The sun is in the window

Tomatoes are another vegetable that is easy to grow at home. Here we give preference dwarf varieties, tolerant of a lack of light: “baby”, “hummingbird” or “balcony miracle”. Seeds can be planted either in large boxes or in plastic bottles no neck. The main thing is to feed them more often, moisten the soil, but do not overdo it with watering. They feel most comfortable at a temperature of 23–25 °C. When the first fruits become heavy, tie the branches so that they do not break.

Bow and arrows

What vegetables can you grow at home with cucumbers and tomatoes? , which is easiest to obtain from onions. The most productive are multi-germ varieties, such as “Rostovsky” or “Spassky”. Before planting, fill the bulbs hot water overnight, then remove the husks and trim the tops a little. We plant the bulbs at a distance of 1–2 cm from each other, without deepening them into the soil. Make sure that the temperature does not exceed 18–20 °C. As soon as the green arrows stretch 25–30 cm, feel free to cut them off.

Sweet traffic light

A vegetable that is not at all burdensome to grow at home. The “Treasure Island” or “Winnie the Pooh” varieties will help with this. First we germinate them in plastic cups. When 6–7 leaves appear, transplant the pepper into a 4–5 liter ceramic container. Do not forget to regularly water and spray the seedlings, treat them against aphids once a week and maintain the temperature no higher than 25 °C. We remove ripe fruits immediately - there should be no more than 4 peppers on the stems.

Beauty sits on the windowsill

What vegetables can you grow at home on the windowsill besides this? You may be surprised, but this is . Unpretentious and prolific mini-varieties “parmex”, “sophie” or “granddaughter” are the most good choice. Growing containers should be deep so that the root crops have room to grow. Carrots are very heat-loving, but they wither away from direct sunlight. The optimal temperature range is from 15 to 25 °C. Water it more often and don’t get carried away with fertilizers, otherwise you’ll end up with tops instead of root vegetables.

Queen of Greens

Is it possible to grow greens at home? It is possible, and very different. First of all, we will need parsley. The fastest way is to grow it from mature root vegetables weighing 30–60 g, always with a bud on the top. We plant them in a pot or box, sprinkle the tops with soil and water them generously. It is best to keep parsley in a cool place until sprouts appear. The greenery that has broken through needs more heat and light, ideally 20–25 °C. To make the bushes lush, water them moderately and often.

Good salad

Your own watercress is a great way to tell children how to grow greens at home on the windowsill, and at the same time show them a small miracle of nature. This is one of the most unpretentious herbs, so failure is almost impossible. The main thing is to provide the watercress with a temperature no higher than 18 °C and moderate shade. Regularly moisten the soil and the air around you - and after 2-3 weeks the first harvest will appear in your balcony garden. Trim small amounts of greens as watercress will wilt quickly.

Young, green and tasty

Juicy leaf lettuce is very capricious. So the question of how to grow greens at home needs to be approached competently. The salad loves an abundance of light, so additional lighting will not hurt on cloudy days. At the same time, it painfully tolerates drought. The heat makes the leaves hard and bitter. Try not to overheat them above 25°C. And the seedlings need to be constantly thinned out - the first time a week after their appearance. Without this, the leaves will weaken and wither.

Gourmet seasoning

What greens can be grown at home as an excellent seasoning for any dishes? Basil is one of them. The fastest way to grow it is from fresh shoots. Soak them for 2 weeks in water, then transplant them into a pot with expanded clay and soil. From seeds, basil will grow much longer, but the bush will be thicker, and it can be used more than once. Make sure the soil is always moist. Basil also needs a lot of heat and light. The optimal temperature for it is 20–25 °C.

To grow greens at home all year round, as well as vegetables, you don’t need to be a seasoned gardener. Basic care, a little patience, a little care - and soon you will be able to be proud of your own harvest.

And fruits.

Modern technologies make it possible even for beginners to organize a vegetable garden on a windowsill in winter.

There are plenty for beginners practical advice from professionals and home nursery enthusiasts.

Having studied the right approach, you can pamper yourself with juicy vegetables and herbs all year round without leaving your home.

To create a small home garden in winter, you will need careful preparation:

• Plastic containers (cut bottles, glasses are suitable) or flower pots.
• Polyethylene to organize a mini-greenhouse.
• High-quality soil and fertilizers intended for vegetables and herbs.
• UV lamps to create daylight.
• Thermometer to control the temperature of your home garden.
• A small watering can for watering the garden.

Soil can be purchased at any specialized gardening store. Then they need to fill the prepared containers and water so that the soil gets wet. Then the seeds or seedlings are planted. In the case of seed planting, the containers must be placed in a warm place and covered with film to create a greenhouse effect until the crops begin to germinate.

As soon as the sprouts appear, the polyethylene must be removed to ensure air circulation and transferred to the windowsill, where the plants will have access to daylight.

The key to quality plants and successful home harvest is timely watering, fertilizing and access to daylight. Since there is little natural light in winter time, you will need a daylight lamp.

If you don’t want to plant seeds, you can purchase already sprouted crops in the store and simply transplant them into containers at home.

Growing greens

Greens are not only a flavoring for many dishes, but also a source of vitamins that every body needs, especially in winter. You can grow absolutely any type of greenery on the windowsill.

Let's look at the most popular ones, which are very easy to plant at home.

Onion

You don't need to plant everything at once. It is enough to plant 7-10 heads, after 2 weeks the same number and so on.

Thus, you can provide yourself with onion greens all year round without interruption, and without cluttering all the window sills.

Watercress

Watercress, like green onions, is not fussy and does not require a lot of attention in an indoor garden bed. It grows very quickly, which is important for home windowsill, already 2 weeks after planting you can enjoy the greenery.

In addition to taste, this type of salad has many beneficial properties for the body:

• improves blood circulation
• normalizes blood pressure
• promotes hemoglobin production
• saturates the body with vitamins A, B, C, E

Cress does not require special lighting or temperature regime. For him, a perfect environment is considered to be +15 degrees and above. The main thing is to water it all the time, since the plant dies from lack of moisture. For a constant harvest of greens, it is recommended to plant a portion of seeds once a week.

Leaf salad

According to experts, two types of lettuce are ideal for gardening on a windowsill: Lollo Rossa and Lolla Bionda.

But these, unlike onions or watercress, require additional lighting.

To make the leaves juicy and soft, it is important to maintain neutral moisture; drought or excessive watering will lead to bitterness.

When the seeds begin to sprout, it is important to break them at a distance of 1-1.5 centimeters.

When the plants get stronger, the distance between them needs to be increased to 4 centimeters. In cramped conditions, the salad will weaken and will not produce juicy fruit leaves.

Considering the compactness and miniature nature of the garden, you should not wait until the leaves grow to their full size. You can feast on young leaves by cutting them off in time and allowing new leaves to appear.

Parsley

This type of greenery is one of the most not picky and fast-growing. There are several ways to plant parsley:

• Sowing seeds. Seeds, previously soaked in Guma, are sown in a container with moistened and fertilized soil. Then they are covered with a layer of earth on top and placed in a warm place for germination. With the appearance of greenery, it can be rearranged on the windowsill. When planting this way, you need to know that parsley seeds germinate very slowly.
• Planting forcing - roots prepared in advance. This option is a little easier, since you don’t need to sow seeds. Medium-sized roots are planted in moist soil. A plastic box, container or flower pot is perfect as a container.

Parsley does not require special watering or lighting. It is enough to moisten the soil as needed. This plant also does not need thinning.

Chives

In order for chives to delight you with a juicy harvest throughout the winter, it is necessary to carry out preliminary preparations in the fall. Onion peels should be planted in a container and sent to the balcony or basement. When the time comes to plant it on the windowsill, the preparations are brought into warm room. Feathers grow back very quickly.

As practice shows, you can get two harvests from one fruit, after which the plant deteriorates. Therefore, you need to prepare several containers for the winter.

There is no need to fill the chives with water, but you should not allow the soil to dry out either. When dry, the feathers become bitter and flower stalks form. For a high-quality harvest, it is recommended to add hydrogel to the soil before planting.

Basil

Basil is planted by cuttings or sown with seeds.

In both the first and second cases, an excellent harvest is obtained.

At temperatures from +18 and above, the seeds germinate on the 6th-7th day.

I take cuttings to take root from 10 to 15 days.

In the case of basil, it is better to use the sowing method.

This plant loves loose soil, and to create favorable conditions for it, coconut fibers are placed in a container with soil. They can be purchased at “Garden” stores.

Basil should be watered as needed, without allowing the soil to dry out. As for lighting, natural is quite enough light mode in winter.

Mint

The easiest way to grow mint is on a windowsill, since it is not sensitive to light, moisture, or soil quality. Different kinds they get along well with each other, even if you plant assorted mint in one pot.

It is not recommended to sow mint seeds at home - it takes too long. It is better to buy seedlings with roots in a store or market. Mint takes root in 12–14 days, and then begins to grow quickly, spreading throughout the apartment incredible aroma.

Rosemary

The rosemary cuttings are immediately planted in the ground for rooting. There is no need to pre-plant it in water. You need to create a greenhouse on top - film or glass jar. The root will get stronger in 2 weeks, then the “greenhouse” must be eliminated.

You need to put drainage at the bottom of the container with soil. Rosemary loves fresh air, but is afraid of drafts. There are no special instructions for watering this plant, but you need to sprinkle the leaves with water from time to time.

Growing vegetables

In addition to greens, you can grow them in the garden on the windowsill in winter. For beginners, the lighting should be of the highest quality possible so that there are no problems with the plants. Those who have already practiced growing crops already know from their own experience what kind of light is needed for which vegetables.

cucumbers

It seems that growing cucumbers in an apartment is unrealistic. With the right approach and proper care, everything is possible! Cucumbers are not very picky, so you can enjoy fresh salad in December and March.

Advantages of planting cucumbers on the windowsill:

• it's not difficult, even a beginner can easily cope with this task
• one and a half months after planting, you can enjoy juicy and healthy fruits
• You can provide your table with delicious fresh salads all year round

Before breeding in an apartment, it is important to know that not all varieties are suitable for this. It is better to give preference to self-pollinating, bush and shade-tolerant ones. The following varieties are suitable for this:

• Legend F1
• Marinda F1
• Connie F1
• Debut
• Athlete
• Babylon
• Claudia F1

To do this, you need to create favorable conditions so that the plant is quickly saturated with vitamins and soon bears fruit:

• Light. Cucumbers are light-loving, so natural light it won't be enough for them. It is necessary to purchase fluorescent lamps to illuminate the plant when it gets dark outside or the weather is cloudy.
• Warm. For these plants, it is important to provide a regime from +20 to +24 degrees. At a lower temperature, the fruits will take a long time to ripen and will not turn out juicy and crispy.
• Moisture. Cucumbers do not tolerate drought either in the garden or on the windowsill. It is necessary to strictly monitor soil moisture.

Bush hybrids are best planted in a plastic container or flower pot (large). The seedlings are planted immediately. You can buy it, or prepare it in advance, in the fall.

You can watch the video on how to grow cucumbers and tomatoes on a windowsill:

Tomatoes

A tomato on the windowsill is the dream of every housewife. Bush indoor tomatoes are not picky about moisture and temperature. They need to be watered as the soil dries and keep the temperature from +17 to +24 degrees. The room where the tomatoes are located can be ventilated, since, unlike cucumbers, they are not afraid of drafts. The following varieties of seedlings are best suited for the home garden:

• Balcony miracle
• Room surprise
• Betta
• Bansai
• Cherry
• Florida
• Talisma

As a rule, the seeds indicate that this variety Suitable for growing indoors.

To ensure that the tomato bush is beautiful and even, and the fruits ripen evenly, it is recommended to turn the pot with the tomato to the window in different directions every day.

Sweet pepper

bell pepper one of the most simple vegetables for growing at home.

It does not require special heating or lighting.

But the first fruits appear 6 months after the seed sprouts.

That is, in order to provide yourself with peppers, you can plant several bushes every month, which will result in an uninterrupted harvest.

Indoor varieties:

• Patio-Ivo - bright yellow juicy fruits
• Jupiter F1 – produces red and green fleshy peppers
• Oda is one of the most productive varieties sweet pepper

Initially, you need to sow the seeds and create a greenhouse for them. After sunrise, the sprouts are moved to a container with fertilized soil on " permanent place residence." Peppers are unpretentious, but require sun and warmth. The best mode for them is +22-26 degrees. Additional lighting should also be present, since, after all, this is a southern plant.

It is better to protect sweet peppers from indoor bitter ones. Otherwise, hybrid pollination may occur, resulting in both varieties spoiling.

Hot pepper

Spicy indoor pepper will bear fruit, regardless of temperature and light availability. 3-4 hours a day of sun or artificial lighting is enough. After sunrise, the fruits appear in 8-10 weeks. One plant can bear fruit for up to five years. In addition, hot pepper is very beautiful and will complement any interior. Varieties that are suitable for the windowsill.

Home garden on the windowsill - a great opportunity pamper your family with fresh herbs at any time of the year. It's nice to cut a sprig of basil from the kitchen garden for pizza or salad, and you know for sure that it wasn't used in the growing process. chemical fertilizers and nitrates. In addition, green plants purify indoor air and are an element of interior decoration. If you want to get your own vegetable garden on the windowsill so that even in winter it will always be summer at home, use our recommendations.

Garden beds on the windowsill do not require agricultural skills, so children can also be involved in this activity - they usually like to work with the soil and watch how a green sprout appears from a seed and grows into large plant or bush. So, you will need flower pots, boxes, jars of sour cream and yoghurt, plastic cups, soil from a flower shop, seeds, a small watering can and a spray bottle.

Tip 1. Don't plant in one pot different plants. The point is that they need different conditions cultivation, besides many garden crops don't fit with each other. If you want to increase the area of ​​your home garden, make special racks for the window sills that can accommodate many pots, and also use hanging flowerpots.

Tip 2. Do not use soil with summer cottage, since it can be infected with pests, which are almost impossible to get rid of at home. The ideal composition of the soil is sand, earth and humus. It is better to buy seeds and seedlings in specialized stores.

Tip 3. The best place for the garden - kitchen windows, because the kitchen is humid and warm, which is favorable for growing greens. Sometimes mini-greenhouses made from plastic bags are used to germinate seeds faster.

Tip 4. The seeds are soaked in water, and their readiness for planting can be determined by their swelling - if sprouts emerge from the seeds, the plants can be planted in the soil. For soaking, use a saucer and a damp cloth on which the seeds are placed. They need to be filled with a little water and moistened as needed.

Tip 5. The seeds are planted in very moist soil at a shallow depth, covered with earth on top, moistened again, and the earth is slightly compacted. The container is covered plastic bag, and after germination the improvised greenhouse is removed. The seedlings are watered warm water of necessity.

Tip 6. Despite the fact that most plants are adapted to indoor conditions, it is advisable to provide your home garden with adequate lighting. For this purpose, phytolamps are suitable, the light of which is as close as possible to solar radiation. To ensure suitable humidity, you will need air humidifiers and a high-quality sprayer for spraying plants.

Tip 7. Don't forget about drainage, which is easy to do at home. To do this, pour a 2–3 cm layer of expanded clay onto the bottom of a pot or other container, and cover it with earth on top. This is necessary to ensure that water does not stagnate in the ground and air exchange improves. Drainage prevents root rot and mold from forming in the soil.

Tip 8. Plants need nutrition, so choose quality ones. organic fertilizers that will not harm the health of your loved ones. Some housewives get creative, using not only ash, but also eggshells, banana peels or yeast.

Hit parade of plants suitable for home “beds”

It is best to choose unpretentious crops that quickly produce crops and do not require large time and material costs. And there are a lot of such plants - choose to your taste!

Green onions. You don't even need land to grow it. Plant the bulb on a jar of water so that its lower part is always moistened, and after two weeks, harvest the first harvest.

Dill. Dill seeds can be sown in the soil without soaking, the main thing is to ensure regular watering. To spoil a dill bed, you need to try really hard. The most productive and unpretentious variety dill - “Gribovsky”.

Parsley. It is better to soak parsley seeds in warm water for a day, then dry and rub with dry sand - thanks to this, the seeds will be hardened and enriched minerals and they will rise faster. Parsley loves moisture, so water it often and do not let the soil dry out.

Basil. When planting, leave about 5–6 cm between the basil seeds, as the bushes are very spreading and freedom-loving. Place the plant box in the warmest part of your kitchen, as basil does not like the cool.

Spinach. It should not be planted deep, otherwise you will have to wait too long for the harvest. All you need for complete happiness is sun and abundant watering, and the best varieties for growing at home - “gigantic” and “melody”.

Saffron. This plant is propagated by bulbs, which are planted in moist soil, and then the pot is stored for two months in the refrigerator until the sprouts grow 5 cm. After this, you can put the saffron in a sunny and warm place, water it moderately and use this aromatic spice in dishes.

Arugula. There are only three things you need to know about arugula. Its seeds should be planted at a depth of 1–1.5 cm, the plant should be provided with excellent natural or artificial lighting and water it often.

Ginger. Place ginger root in warm water with a temperature of 36–38 °C for four hours until the buds sprout from it. Then plant it in a spacious pot with the buds up to a depth of 3 cm and water the soil as it dries. Provide ginger good lighting, but not in direct sunlight, and after 5–7 months you can dig up the overgrown roots and eat them.

Watercress. It is amazing unpretentious plant can be grown in a layer of damp cotton wool, but the seeds must first be soaked in water. Create a greenhouse effect using plastic film and place the cotton wool in a semi-dark place. After a few days, when the seeds begin to germinate, remove the film and do not forget to moisten the cotton wool. In a week you can harvest and enjoy fresh herbs.

Celery. It does not like moisture and germinates very slowly - within 2-3 weeks if you grow it from seeds. There is an easier way to get tasty and healthy greens. You need to cut off the base of a stalk bought in a store, put it in water, wait for the roots and first leaves, and then plant it in a pot. After two weeks there will be more leaves and you can prepare a salad for the whole family.

Coriander. 1-2 year old plant varieties germinate well, but it is better to plant them three per pot. Water the coriander generously and loosen the soil, and the first shoots will appear in two weeks.

Hot peppers. They germinate perfectly early ripening varieties, which also do not require additional lighting. Germinated seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm and covered with film, and when sprouts with several leaves appear, each plant should be planted in separate pot. If you manage to create excellent conditions for pepper, it will delight you with a harvest for five years.

Cucumbers. Buy special indoor varieties For cucumbers that are capable of self-pollinating, sow the seeds in the soil and water generously. Shoots appear already on the 2-3rd day, and all you have to do is feed the cucumbers with an infusion of wood ash.

Strawberry. Decorative ampelous strawberries bear fruit all year round in low light conditions, so they are ideal for room conditions. First, plant the bushes in pots, keep them in a cool place for two weeks, and then move the strawberries into special soil. Now you will have to water it, and after flowering, “work” as a bee, pollinating the inflorescences with cotton swabs.

Leaf salad. It requires additional lighting, abundant moisture and periodic thinning. However, do not over-water, otherwise the lettuce roots will begin to rot.

Leaf mustard. After sowing the seeds, take the pot to a warm and dark place, and as soon as the first shoots appear, provide them with optimal lighting. Leave three bushes in each pot, and after a month you can add spicy fragrant leaves to the salad.

Radish. For planting, choose large brown seeds - they are the most viable and “promising”. Radishes can sprout as early as the third day - they love cool temperatures, so the room should be ventilated more often.

Bell pepper. Perennial It is enough to plant only once, and then it will delight you with harvests all year round. Sweet pepper is a very pampered crop; it does not like drafts and dark places, and requires loose soil and warm temperatures.

Mint. Purchased mint sprigs should be placed in a glass of water, wait for the roots and plant in a pot. Water regularly and enjoy its fragrant aroma.

Rosemary. It is propagated by seeds and cuttings - the cuttings are first planted in damp sand under a film, and after the roots appear, they are transplanted into the soil.

Marjoram. It grows well from seeds, can overwinter on an insulated balcony and easily tolerates a lack of light. Marjoram - perfect plant for home in harsh climatic conditions.

Oregano. This spice is undemanding to the quality of the soil, loves a lot of sun and takes a long time to sprout, so you will have to wait three weeks for sprouts. Oregano should be watered sparingly, avoiding stagnation of water.

Thyme. Indifferent to heat, but loves light, preferring dry and light soils. Needs constant ventilation and moderate watering.

Tomatoes. Even such complex crops can be grown on a windowsill, but you should choose self-pollinating hybrids, which are also small-fruited and low-growing varieties. The seedlings are planted in pots with the “correct” soil and watered moderately. New bushes can be obtained by cuttings - they take root well and bloom faster.

You can grow tangerines, lemons, pomegranates, etc. on the window, but this is a more complex and troublesome process. It is not necessary to turn all the windows into plantations, but even if dill, parsley and green onions “settle” on your kitchen windowsill, the room will look more cheerful, and the dishes will become much tastier. Tested by personal experience!