You can grow fragrant herbs full of health even in the middle of winter, when there is green leaves, vegetables, herbs and generally fresh sources of vitamins.
Herbs represent a relatively wide group of plants. For residential cultivation and use during winter we will focus on growing kitchen herbs or green spices. There are several possibilities. First of all, you can buy pre -grown seedlings and then grow them in the apartment and gradually harvest for as long as possible. Another option is seed sowing. Many species can also be grown only for harvesting young juicy leaves.
Herbs from pre -grown seedlings
So -called finished herbs can be purchased both in garden centers and in supermarkets. In any case, look at the plants very well. Buy only those that are vital, without signs of mold, rotten roots or yellowing. Beware of herbs in discounts, often in poor quality, do not provide good harvest and usually do not even “save” them. Most often you will meet basil, chives, parsley, thyme, coriander, rosemary, mint and lemon balm.
Plants need to create optimal conditions in which they will benefit and grow, even if you regularly harvest them. The most important factor is light – Always put them as close to the window as possible and it will definitely not consider explaining. Winter days are short, often very dark and special lamps for growing herbs in the apartment are an excellent solution. Often they have adjustable height and light source can be lifted as herbs grow. Mostly they are LED lamps labeled LED GROW bulbs or LED Grow panels.
Of course there is also regular watering. Because herbs are regularly harvested and are thus weakened, you must not forget them once every 14 days fertilize liquid fertilizer. A complementary measure that will benefit almost all plants grown in apartments is regular fog.
Transplanting and grouping
Herbs can be grown separately in pots in pots, or they can be dismantled together in larger growing containers. Anyway For transplanting is the best choice a substrate designed directly for herbs. It contains a starting dose of fertilizer and a balanced ratio of elements. If you mix the substrate yourself, it should definitely not be heavy and impermeable. You will get a good result by mixing quality composting soil, perlite, and peat or leaf in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. You can also add a little small gravel.
How to reap properly?
Larger planted containers look nice and just growing in a larger clump you avoid the fact that the plants will look non -aesthetic due to continuous harvesting. Also, during the harvest, try to proceed gently and rather as if you were shaping a shrub. Never rejoice only by tearing the leaves. In the pot, there will be bare stems that do not do any great. Even the plant does not benefit this method of harvesting. For use, cut the whole twig or stem, preferably above the bud or above the leaves of the leaves. This method stimulates the plant to sprout new shoots. For example, if you harvest chives, for example, cut the stems just near the ground, do not leave their lower halves in the pot.
But some herbs just have to harvest the whole. These are the one -year and you need to replace the new ones with new ones. Mint, lemon balm, thyme and rosemary are persistent and after sharpening have another chance. You can place the flower pots in a cooler room and pour them from time to time. In the spring, move them to the garden, or move them to a new pot with fresh soil and you can continue to grow on the window.
Own sowing for young leaves and “microgreens”
Plants can also be harvested in a very young phase, when they start to grow and have only a few leaves. This cultivation has several advantages – first of all it is a taste, because young plants are a real delicacy, second it is ease of ease and speed of cultivation. You harvest the plants early, so you don’t have to try to keep them in good shape for a long time. Usually you will reap them quickly and sow new seeds. In this way, not only herbs, but also a large number of vegetables can be grown.
We mentioned young leaves and microgreens. How do these two phases differ? In the stage of harvest and thus in the process of cultivation.
Microgreens
As microgreens The plants are harvested when they germinate, show the first uterine leaves, or they throw away the axiation. Due to their size and consumption, you will only add them to the salad as a supplement, not as a basis. They are perfectly combined with baby salads, Roman salad and Asian leafy vegetables such as Mizuna, Mibuna and Perila. Growing microgreens has a number of advantages:
- It is very fast, depending on the species you get quality plants in 1 to 3 weeks
- You can grow anywhere even if you don’t have a garden
- Young plants are very well digestible and healthy, contain a number of minerals, vitamins and enzymes
- Growing microgreens is very variable thanks to a very wide range of species that can be used. Excellent are, for example, radishes, broccoli, peas, alfalfa, beet, arugula, coriander, kerblík, sunflower, kohlrabi, basil, mustard, buckwheat or fenam.
Several bowls and flower pots are sufficient for your own self -time by various microgreens. Growing is possible even without the soil on the chicking bowls. All you have to do is supply enough species and try.
How to proceed?
Sow the seeds quite densely to the surface of the substrate and lightly sprinkle with a layer of soil. Place the containers near the window. Once the plants have grown a little, harvest them with scissors and use immediately. If you prepare microgreens on a napki bowl, let them sprinkle and grow to the uterine leaves. Then rinse on the strainer before use and let it drain for a while. They can be consumed by an IS root, but if it is stiff, such as sunflower, cut the roots with scissors or chip your fingers.
Young leaves
For young leaves or baby leaves, plants are harvested in the phase of several real leaves. Again, a number of species can be used, the best are all sorts of salads, spinach, arugula, beet or chard.
Select a sowing substrate for cultivation. Nakličoví bowls are not very suitable, you grow plants a little longer. And by providing them soil, they will significantly improve their nutritional profile compared to growing only in water. They can get a number of minerals from the soil that are valuable for us.
A shallower bowls are best suited for sowing:
- Fill them with a substrate that slightly press
- Sow the seeds to the leveling surface
- Cover them with a layer of soil, and press once more again
- Water using a sprayer
Like microgreens, harvest with scissors. It is best to harvest in rows when you gradually cut the plants. It is also advisable to have several growing containers and when you reap one, immediately re -mount it.
Cress
Gap cress It has a long tradition in our country. The seeds germinate very well and above all fast. Sowing can be done on almost any substrate – into a common substrate, sand, perlite or even a moistened cotton wool. Cress is harvested in a phase of about 2 centimeters high and the plants show the first right ticket. Harvest with scissors once or gradually within a few days. Harvesting can also be timed due to the gradual sowing of a smaller amount of seed. It is excellent for sprinkling for bread, curd and cheese cheeses, into various spreads and salads. Like the cress, you can harvest young plants of the coriander and kerble.
Parsley growing
The parsley is a two -year -old and hibernates her root. In autumn, before the arrival of frosts, parsley can be ripped out of the flowerbed and moved into a larger pot. At home, place it in a cooler place with plenty of light. The whole winter will grow young tickets that you can cut at will. Fresh leaves always taste better than frozen or dried.
About the author
Daniela Dušková graduated from the Secondary School and then a college focusing on gardening and gardening. She enjoys ornamental and utility garden and likes to connect these parts into one whole.
Source: Recipe magazine
