You can grow your own lettuce from seeds or transplants in a prepared soil patch. When the plants are 8-10 inches tall, you will be able to harvest the greens. You can also trim them as the plants grow to extend their shelf-life. Harvesting is done at the close of the growing seasons. The harvesting process may involve washing and thinning the leaves. You can cut the mature leaves off if you're growing greens to be used in cooking.
Even if you're just starting out in gardening, chances are you already have all the tools necessary to grow greens. Greens grow well in fertile soil that is filled with compost. The most difficult part about growing greens is preparing soil. It can be tedious and time-consuming to till, amend, or change the soil. Fortunately, most greens don't require too much work. Make sure you have everything you need.
While most greens grow well in container gardens, you can also grow lettuce and other leafy vegetables in sunny windows. Sunlight is the most important factor for greens, so try to avoid south-facing windows. Sunlight should be indirect, as this may cause the greens to bolt. Don't forget to harvest greens at the right time. It is best to harvest them in the coolest time of the day. You can store them in the freezer or refrigerator once they have been harvested. You want to preserve their flavour so make sure you process them immediately after harvesting.
When you plant your greens into containers, it is important that they remain at the right temperature. The soil should feel like a sponge but not so wet that it becomes difficult to extract water. If you are growing your greens in containers, you may need to alternate the water with soil to achieve the proper moisture level. The greens should be spaced approximately 12 inch apart. They should also not be covered in soil. They may need to be transplanted if they grow quickly.
For greens to grow in greenhouses, it is vital that they are kept at the right temperature. The temperature will determine the amount of growth and flavor of your crops. Lettuce, spinach will thrive in warm climates. For optimum growth, it's best to plant them early before the short days and cold temperatures. The higher the chance of them getting transplanted, the colder it will be. When growing greens in a greenhouse remember that the temperature will vary depending upon the location. Some greenhouses allow plants growth in a time frame of 14-21 business days.
Growing your own greens has another advantage: they are easy to start from seed. You want to plant them at least 3 weeks before the last frost. You should space them about 12 inch apart. Greens, despite being cool-weather plants require lots of sun and can tolerate some shade. A minimum of two inches of water per week should be enough. You can also grow them in an unheated greenhouse.
FAQ
When to plant herbs
The ideal time to plant herbs is springtime, when the soil temperature is 55°F. To get the best results, they should be planted in full sun. To grow basil indoors you need to place the seedlings inside pots that have been filled with potting soil. Once they start sprouting leaves, keep them out from direct sunlight. After plants begin to grow, you can move them into indirect sunlight. After approximately three weeks, transplant them into individual containers. Continue to water them as needed.
What type of lighting is best to grow plants indoors?
Because they emit less heat, floralescent lights are great for indoor gardening. They can also provide steady lighting without flickering and dimming. Fluorescent bulbs can be purchased in regular and compact fluorescent versions. CFLs consume up to 75% less electricity than traditional bulbs.
What length of time can I keep an indoor flower alive?
Indoor plants can survive for several years. To promote new growth, it is essential to repot your indoor plants every few month. Repotting is simple. Remove the old soil and place fresh compost.
Statistics
- Most tomatoes and peppers will take 6-8 weeks to reach transplant size so plan according to your climate! - ufseeds.com
- Today, 80 percent of all corn grown in North America is from GMO seed that is planted and sprayed with Roundup. - parkseed.com
- 80% of residents spent a lifetime as large-scale farmers (or working on farms) using many chemicals believed to be cancerous today. (acountrygirlslife.com)
- It will likely be ready if a seedling has between 3 and 4 true leaves. (gilmour.com)
External Links
How To
Organic fertilizers for your garden
Organic fertilizers are made of natural substances like manure, compost and fish emulsion. Non-synthetic materials are used in the production of organic fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers are chemical compounds used in industrial processes. Synthetic fertilizers are used widely in agriculture as they supply nutrients quickly and efficiently to plants without the need for laborious preparation. Synthetic fertilizers can pose risks to the environment and human health. In addition, they require large amounts of energy and water to produce. Synthetic fertilizers also pollute surface and groundwater through runoff. This is a problem for wildlife and humans alike.
There are several types of organic fertilizers:
* Manure - produced when livestock eat food containing nitrogen (a plant nutrient). It has bacteria and enzymes that help to break down the waste, resulting in simple compounds that are easy for plants to absorb.
* Compost - A mixture of grass clippings from the lawn, decaying leaves, vegetable scraps, and animal dung. It is high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as well as calcium, magnesium, sulfur. It is extremely porous and holds water well.
* Fish Emulsion - a liquid product derived from fish oil. It works similarly to soap in that it dissolves oils and fats. It contains phosphorous, nitrogen, and trace elements.
* Seaweed Oil - A concentrated mixture of minerals taken from kelp, red and brown algae, as well as green algae. It provides a source of vitamins A and C, iodine, and iron.
* Guano - Excreta from amphibians and seabirds. It contains nitrogen and phosphorous, potassium as well sulfate, salt, chloride, carbon, sodium, magnesium and other minerals.
* Blood Meal: The remains of animal carcasses. It is rich in protein which is useful for feeding birds and other animals. It also contains trace minerals, phosphorus and potassium.
Make organic fertilizer by combining equal parts manure, fish emulsion, and compost. Mix well. If you don’t own all three ingredients, one can be substituted for the other. For example, if you only have access to the fish emulsion, you can mix 1 part of fish emulsion with two parts of compost.
Use a shovel to evenly distribute the fertilizer over the soil. You should spread about one quarter cup of the fertilizer per square foot. You'll need to add fertilizer every two weeks until new growth appears.