You can plant your own lettuce using seeds or transplants grown in a prepared dirt patch. When the plants reach 8-10 inches in height, you can harvest them by gently picking them up with your fingers or a pair of scissors. You can also trim them as they grow to increase their shelf life. The harvesting period is at the end the growing season. The harvesting process might involve washing the leaves and thinning them. To ensure that your greens don't turn bitter, you can trim the old leaves.
Even if you're just starting out in gardening, chances are you already have all the tools necessary to grow greens. Fertile soil with compost is good for growing greens. Preparing soil is the most difficult step in growing greens. Tiling, amending or other soil-related techniques can be difficult and time-consuming. Fortunately, most greens don't require too much work. Be sure to have all the tools necessary.
Most greens are best grown in container gardens. However, you can grow lettuce and other leafy vegetable in sunny windows. The most important thing for greens is sunlight, so avoid south-facing windows. Because greens may bolt from direct sunlight, indirect sunlight is recommended. In addition, remember that the nutrients contained in greens depend on when they are harvested. Aim to harvest them during the cool part of the day. Once harvested, store them in the refrigerator or freezer. To preserve their flavor, it is important to process them as soon following harvesting.
You need to make sure your greens are properly hydrated when they are planted in containers. It should feel like a sponge-like soil, but it shouldn't be so dry that it makes it difficult to squeeze water out. To maintain the right moisture level, you might need to mix water and soil if you grow your greens in containers. You should space the greens about 1 inch apart, and cover them with very little soil. If they grow rapidly, you might need to transplant them.
For greens to grow in greenhouses, it is vital that they are kept at the right temperature. Your crops' flavor and growth will depend on the temperature. Lettuce, spinach will thrive in warm climates. It is best to plant your lettuce and spinach early in the morning before it gets too cold. The lower the temperature, the more likely they will be to be transplanted. When growing greens in a greenhouse remember that the temperature will vary depending upon the location. Some greenhouses allow plants to be grown in a 14-21 day sequence.
Another advantage of growing your own greens from seed is their ease of cultivation. For best results, plant them at least three weeks before the last date of the last frost. They should be spaced about 1/2 inch apart. Even though they are cool-weather plants, greens can tolerate some shade and need to be exposed to a lot of sunlight. It is sufficient to water them for at least 2 inches per week. You can also plant your greens in an open-air greenhouse or row cover.
FAQ
How do you prepare the soil?
It's easy to prepare the soil for a vegetable gardening. The first step is to remove any weeds that may be in the area where your vegetable garden will be planted. Add organic matter such as leaves, composted manure or grass clippings, straw, wood chips, and then water. Let the plants grow by watering well.
When to plant flowers
Spring is the best season to plant flowers. It is when the temperatures are warmer and the soil is still moist. If you live in a cold area, plant flowers only after the first frost. The ideal temperature for growing plants indoors is around 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
What amount of sunlight does a plant require?
It depends on the type of plant. Some plants need 12 hours direct sunlight each day. Others prefer 8 hours in indirect sunlight. Most vegetables need at least 10 hours of direct sunlight per 24-hour time period.
Which type of lighting is best for indoor plants?
Because they emit less heat, floralescent lights are great for indoor gardening. They are also consistent in lighting, and do not flicker or dimm. Fluorescent bulbs can be purchased in regular and compact fluorescent versions. CFLs use up to 75% less energy than traditional bulbs.
Statistics
- It will likely be ready if a seedling has between 3 and 4 true leaves. (gilmour.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)
- According to the National Gardening Association, the average family with a garden spends $70 on their crops—but they grow an estimated $600 worth of veggies! - blog.nationwide.com
- Today, 80 percent of all corn grown in North America is from GMO seed that is planted and sprayed with Roundup. - parkseed.com
External Links
How To
Use organic fertilizers in your garden
Organic fertilizers are made from natural substances such as manure, compost, fish emulsion, seaweed extract, guano, and blood meal. The term "organic" refers to using non-synthetic materials in their production. Synthetic fertilizers contain chemicals 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. These fertilizers also require high amounts of energy, water and time to make. Many synthetic fertilizers are also harmful to groundwater and water surface because of runoff. This pollution can be harmful for both wildlife and humans.
There are many organic fertilizers available:
* Manure - produced when livestock eat food containing nitrogen (a plant nutrient). It's made of bacteria and enzymes which break down the waste to simple compounds that can be taken by plants.
* Compost - a mixture of decaying leaves, grass clippings, vegetable scraps, and animal manure. It is rich for nitrogen, carbon, potassium and magnesium. It's porous so it is able to retain moisture well, and slowly releases nutrients.
* Fish Emulsion- A liquid product that is made from fish oil. It dissolves fats and oils in a similar way to soap. It has trace elements such as phosphorous, nitrogen and nitrate.
* 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, excrement taken from amphibians, bats, reptiles and seabirds. It contains nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfate, chloride, and carbon.
* Blood Meal - The remains of animals slaughtered. It is high in protein, making it suitable for feeding poultry and other livestock. It also contains trace minerals like phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.
Make organic fertilizer by combining equal parts manure, fish emulsion, and compost. Mix well. If you don’t possess all three ingredients you can substitute one for the other. If you only have the fish-emulsion you can substitute one with another.
Use a shovel to evenly distribute the fertilizer over the soil. Spread about a quarter cup of the mixture per square foot of growing space. You'll need to add fertilizer every two weeks until new growth appears.