Content
Growing dill on a windowsill is quite simple. However, in comparison, for example, with green onions, it requires mandatory lighting and even a single fertilization. Thanks to proper care, the first harvest can be obtained within 1.5 months after seed germination. The second wave will come after another month.
Is it possible to grow dill on a windowsill
It is quite possible to grow dill, parsley, onions and other herbs at home, since the right temperature is always maintained in the apartment. This is a simple process, but there are some nuances that should be taken into account.
For growing dill on the windowsill, special conditions are not required, the main thing is to provide good lighting
To successfully grow dill on a windowsill in winter, beginners should pay attention to the basic practical tips:
- planting plants is desirable in spring, and harvesting in summer;
- even in the warm season (in cloudy weather), it is imperative to highlight the culture (the length of the day is at least 12 hours);
- the temperature should be room temperature or slightly lower: the plant tolerates 13-15 ° C well;
- dill is fed only after the first shoots appear, and watered regularly so that the soil is moderately moist;
- buying seeds is better than fresh harvest and only in stores. You can harvest them if the variety produces good greens. Before planting, they must be disinfected with potassium permanganate;
- the seeds of the plant do not germinate for a long time (for two weeks), this is normal - there is no need to worry.
Otherwise, the rules for growing dill at home are practically no different from growing, for example, parsley. It needs to be watered regularly and, most importantly, to ensure that the greens do not fade and do not go into flower stalks. To do this, maintain an acceptable level of humidity by spraying, which is especially important in the hot season.
Dill varieties for windowsill
There is no special variety of dill for growing on the windowsill. For these purposes, you can select one or another species, depending on the speed of its maturation.
- Gribovsky - a good early ripening variety, undemanding to care, tolerates temperature differences and various diseases. Greens smell good, bushy enough;
- Grenadier - another early ripe dill, which will give a quick harvest on the windowsill;
- Richelieu - fragrant dill with blue-green foliage, refers to mid-season varieties;
- Kibray - late-ripening species, giving wide, beautiful leaves, which are perfect for serving dishes;
- late-ripening varieties of high-yield dill: Salute, Gourmet, Russian size.
Grenadier is one of the classic salad varieties of dill
How to plant dill on a windowsill
Sowing dill on the windowsill is easy. To do this, you should choose a convenient container, purchase soil (or compose it yourself) and prepare the seeds.
Preparation of soil and planting capacity
Any soil for growing dill on the windowsill is suitable. For example, you can purchase seedling mix at a store or make your own. For this, several components are used:
- garden land - 1 part;
- humus - 1 part;
- sand - 1 part;
- peat - 2 parts.
You can mix the same amount of humus with your garden soil by adding 2-3 handfuls of sand. If in doubt, it is advisable to disinfect the soil by putting it in a container with a weak solution of potassium permanganate overnight.
Any container for growing dill on the windowsill is suitable: small flower pots (volume 1.5-2 liters) or wooden boxes. The latter option is more practical - you can plant a number of greenery.
In aesthetic terms, it is better to choose pots, then the dill on the windowsill will decorate the interior
Preparation of planting material
You can plant dill at any time, from March to the end of August. At the same time, it is early spring that is considered the optimal time, since there will be fewer problems with backlighting due to natural sunlight. Dill is a thermophilic culture, and it is better to cultivate it in the summer season.
Dill on the windowsill is grown from seeds that must be prepared in advance. For several days, they are laid out between layers of damp gauze, which is placed in a warm place, for example, next to the radiator under the windowsill, where the dill will be grown. After 2-3 days, they start planting. A few hours before, the seeds are pickled. They are placed in a container with a weak, slightly pinkish solution of potassium permanganate. The water can be changed 1-2 times.
Rules for planting dill at home on the windowsill
The planting technology is very simple. It consists in the implementation of the following points:
- The dill pot is washed and a small layer of small stones is placed on the bottom. Then the prepared soil is poured
- Grooves are made on the surface.
- Seeds are planted to a depth of 1 cm.
- Sprinkle with soil on top, no need to tamp.
- Water it abundantly and place in a warm place (temperature 25 ° C) for several days.
The container is covered with film or glass, periodically removed so that the soil has time to dry out a little. At night, it is recommended to transfer the pot to the windowsill and open the window slightly so that the temperature drops, for example, to 16-18 degrees.
The first shoots will appear after 10-15 days. Both in the open field and on the windowsill, dill grows rather slowly. The soil should be periodically moistened with a sprayer so that its surface is always moderately moist (but not too moist).
As soon as the first shoots have appeared, the film is removed, but the boxes continue to be kept in a warm place. After a week, it can be transferred to the windowsill, where the room temperature is maintained (18-22 ° C). In other conditions, dill will not feel so comfortable and may turn into color rather than green.
At the same time, an interval of at least 10 cm is maintained between the rows of seeds.
The first shoots of dill will appear 2 weeks after planting.
Dill care on the window
For the successful cultivation of dill on the windowsill, the main condition is to ensure stable lighting, moisture and a temperature not lower than room temperature.
Optimal conditions for growing dill on a windowsill in winter
Garden greens are very light-requiring.Therefore, at home, you will need mandatory backlighting using one or more phyto or fluorescent white lamps. Rules for their application:
- lamp power must be at least 100 watts for lighting 1 m2 area;
- hang it at a distance of 50 cm from the tops of the shoots;
- the total length of daylight hours is 12-15 hours;
- supplementary lighting is performed not only during twilight, but also in cloudy weather;
- the daily routine should be constant. For example, you can turn on the lamp every day from 8 am to 10 pm;
- in summer, in sunny weather, additional lighting is used only for northern and western windows.
Every day, the room needs to be ventilated to create conditions that are as close to natural as possible. It is not necessary to additionally humidify the air and greens from the spray, except on hot days. Moistening will also be needed if it is noticeable that the leaves have begun to fade.
Watering dill at home
Water the plant as needed 2-3 times a week, maintaining a moderate soil moisture. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature. It is preliminarily recommended to defend it for two days. If your home has a filter, it is best to use purified water as the tap water may be too hard.
How to feed dill on the windowsill
Despite the fact that dill belongs to unpretentious plants, when growing it on a windowsill, top dressing is required. In a limited amount of land, nutrients are consumed faster, and the soil cannot be replenished with new compounds.
The first time feeding is applied after the appearance of three leaves. During this period, the plant needs a complex fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. This will make the grass grow even faster and the greenery will be truly lush. The second (phosphate-potassium) top dressing can be applied at the stage of the formation of umbrellas, but it is needed only to obtain seeds, and if there are no such plans, then fertilization is optional.
For a lush harvest, it is enough to feed dill only once - after the first shoots
Useful Tips
For successful cultivation of dill at home, it is useful to know about some tricks.
The first crop is obtained within 6 weeks after germination. The greens must be cut with a knife so that a distance of 10 cm remains between the nearest branches. This can stimulate further growth. As a result, the next crop can be removed in a month.
In winter, it is advisable to water the greens with melt water. To do this, collect snow in a pan, let it melt and warm up to room temperature.
For a small window, it is enough to buy 1 phytolamp and hang it in the center (it is often sold together with a support, like an ordinary lamp).
To give the plant more light, the walls of the window can be laid out with several sheets of foil.
In May, containers with dill can be taken out to the balcony or to the glazed loggia. There they will be better ventilated and receive more sunlight. However, it is not necessary to do this - if the described conditions are observed, dill also feels good on the windowsill.
It is not necessary to specially treat with insecticides and other preparations, since at home the culture is practically not affected by infections or insect pests. The only problem may be associated with a lack of moisture - if the foliage begins to turn yellow or wither, watering should be increased. It will not be superfluous to sprinkle greenery in the evening, after sunset.
Conclusion
To grow dill on a windowsill, you need a container and regular soil. From the equipment, it is enough to purchase a phytolamp. These conditions are enough to get your own rich harvest of fragrant greenery.
