Parsley in the winter at home

It will not be news to anyone that fresh parsley is very useful, it contains a lot of vitamins and useful microelements. And during the summer, when there is an opportunity to consume fresh herbs directly from the garden, our body stores these vitamins. But in winter, the quality of greens sold in stores often leaves much to be desired, and even then its dark green color suggests an excessively high content of nitrates. That is why I suggest that you grow parsley on a windowsill so that you have constant access to fresh, good quality herbs that do not contain any harmful impurities. Parsley in winter does not require much effort from you, and caring for it is no different from caring for indoor plants.

There are two ways to achieve the desired result: plant parsley seeds or transplant root vegetables that grew in your garden in the summer into containers. Let's take a look at both ways so you can decide which one works best for you.

How to grow parsley in the winter at home?

Parsley at home: photo

For planting parsley in the winter at home, both root vegetables grown in your garden and those bought in a store are suitable. You should start by preparing the container, which should be deep enough. Be sure to fill the bottom with expanded clay, which will provide good drainage. This is not a personal requirement of parsley, a drainage layer is necessary when planting any plants in order to avoid stagnant water and the subsequent rotting of the roots associated with this.

After laying the drainage layer, backfill the previously treated soil. There is no need to get complicated and prepare a special soil mixture; ordinary soil for seedlings, which is sold in any flower or agricultural store, is suitable. For additional disinfection, spill the earth with a manganese solution, or heat it in the oven, or steam it in a double boiler. After that, pour the soil into the container and the "bed" for parsley will be ready.

When choosing a root crop that you will transplant, give preference to larger specimens, more buds will form on them. In a prepared container with soil, make a hole the size of the root crop, lower it there, cover it with earth and water it. After that, put the "bed" in a dark place, which is also cool enough, water sparingly, not allowing the soil to dry out completely. The container can be transferred to the windowsill after the parsley adapts to a new place and begins to sprout; now it will need as much light as possible and more abundant watering. After a while, it will be possible to harvest the first crop, and then do it for a long time.

Sowing parsley seeds at home

Parsley at home: photo

Before sowing parsley seeds at home, you need to decide on the variety of parsley, since the stores offer you a very large selection of varieties. Choose among leafy early-ripening varieties, you can give preference to curly parsley - in addition to its pleasant taste and benefits for the body, it is also very beautiful like parsley in winter.

After you decide on the variety and purchase the planting material, you can start preparing. Prepare the "bed" for parsley in the same way as described above, not forgetting about the drainage layer and soil disinfection. Pay special attention to the preparation of the planting material: parsley seeds contain a large amount of essential oils, and because of this they germinate for a very long time.Soak them in water for a couple of days to help wash out the oils and speed up germination. Then dry the seeds and soak them again for 15-20 minutes, now in a weak solution of manganese. Dry again and now plant in moist soil, deepening by 1-1.5 cm. Then, as with planting root crops, the containers must be removed to a dark place and watered every couple of days.

For watering parsley in winter at home, it is best to use a spray bottle, as it will moisturize the soil in a gentle mode, and the seeds will remain in place. After sprouting, move the container with parsley to the windowsill, continue to water, not allowing the soil to dry out. After about a month and a half, it will be possible to pick the first sprigs of parsley.

How to keep parsley at home?

Parsley at home: photo

Your parsley will most likely grow on a windowsill at home, so be sure to rotate the parsley container 180 degrees daily so that the plants are even and not stretch to one side. In late autumn, winter and early spring, the daylight hours are very short, so during this time the plants can be additionally illuminated. For this purpose, you can purchase a special phytolamp or use fluorescent lamps, including them in the morning and evening hours.

Heating devices make the indoor air very dry during the cold season, so do not forget to spray the plants. Periodically, you can carry out top dressing with complex mineral fertilizers or a solution of liquid vermicompost to maintain the balance of nutrients in the soil.

As you can see, parsley grows without problems at home in winter. Either way is associated with minimal labor costs, and as a result, you will get fresh fragrant herbs to your table, which will support your health and improve your mood.