How to grow rocket on the windowsill

Rucola is a plant aphrodisiac and green doctor that protects against diseases of the thyroid and prostate gland, normalizes hemoglobin levels and removes edema. Leaves with a spicy nut-mustard flavor turn ordinary salads and soups into works of culinary art. It is better to grow spice on the windowsill, because in the garden it is attacked by the cruciferous flea, which can destroy the entire crop in a matter of hours.

Selection of planting material

Arugula is sold in stores for summer residents. Seeds are treated before packing in bags, so they do not need disinfection and treatment. The harvest will ripen in 25-30 days, if you choose the early varieties. Mid-season varieties are ready to eat after 35 days. It is recommended to plant arugula in boxes or pots at intervals, so that the house always has fresh greens.

Seasoning lovers can reject empty shells by submerging seeds for planting in saline. The sediment is used to grow the plant, and the material floating on the surface is poured into the sink with water.

Soil preparation

Some experienced gardeners recommend buying land in specialized stores. The soil should be intended for the cultivation of seedlings, not indoor plants. This variety is enriched with phosphorus and nitrogenous components, so arugula will be strong and the harvest will be rich.

An ordinary black soil from the garden, on which pumpkin or legume crops grew, will also be suitable. The plant loves slightly alkaline, and preferably neutral soil. It dies if there is peat in the base.

Suitable homemade version made from turf land, humus and sand. The first and second components in equal proportions, the third will need less. The main thing is that the ground turned out crumbly and loose.

Arugula must be protected from fungus and pests by burning the earth in the oven. Half an hour at the highest possible temperature. The alternative is boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate, which is poured over the earth.After disinfection, the base is insisted for 1–2 weeks so that useful microorganisms appear in it.

What boxes to use

Arugula unpretentious, takes root in almost any container. Wooden boxes, plastic containers or flower pots will do; you can turn milk bags into a mini-garden. The height of the sides should be at least 12 cm. Mandatory holes below, through which excess moisture will go, and air to the roots.

Boxes put on stands or trays, so as not to smudge the windowsill. The width of the container depends on the size of the window on which the seasoning will grow. The pots move to the glass so that the plant gets a lot of sun.

Important: You can not plant arugula in peat pots or tablets, because it dies in acidic soil.

Preparation and disembarkation

It is recommended to start planting seeds in March, when there are more sunny days. In winter, without additional illumination, the plant grows slowly, pulls up, weakens and quickly fades.

Do not do without the drainage layer. Useful crushed brick, you can gather up small pebbles or rub a piece of foam.Fill pot with pottery or coarse sand. What should be the thickness of the drainage layer? Approximately 1.5–2 cm plus 6–8 cm of soil, which is slightly tamped.

Seeds that have been in brine are washed and dried. The earth is moistened with an atomizer, you can make shallow holes or rows, but this is not necessary. Retreat 3 cm from each seed so that the rucola has room to grow.

Wet match pick up planting material, put in the ground. When all the seeds are in the box, sprinkle with warm water from a spray bottle. The watering can is not suitable for flowers, because it blurs the soil. Sprinkle with a centimeter layer of earth on top, gently press it with a spatula, and close each box or pot with a plastic bag. Useful trash bags, glass can be used instead of the lid.

Care of arugula to the first shoots

Seeds that are in the ground, the sun is not required. Tanks with arugula should be placed in a warm room without drafts, in which the temperature does not fall below +18 degrees, otherwise shoots will be weak.

The soil should remain wet.If it dries, it is slightly moistened with a spray bottle. Waterlogged land is ideal for the development of fungi, so the plant is watered moderately, preferably not more than once every two days.

Light and warm

After 5–7 days, the first tender shoots that need the sun are pecked. Packages to remove, you can leave the glass for another week, and move the boxes and pots to the south window sill. It is in this part of the house most of the world. If the weather is gloomy, you should install an ordinary desk lamp near the rocket. Between the plant and the lighting device should be 60 cm, so that artificial rays do not overdry the earth. You can increase the amount of watering if the ground inside becomes dry. Determining the humidity is simple: stick your finger in the ground and try.

In winter, the lamp after sunset is left on for at least 4 hours so that the sprouts do not stretch. In the spring, the daylight duration is 9–11 hours, so the lighting device should work from 7 am to 5–6 pm.

Sprouts protect from drafts. They are dangerous for any plant, but rucola is very delicate and sensitive. You can not open the windows on the windows, where the miniature garden is located.You should maintain a stable temperature in the room so that the thermometer does not show less than +17.

Extra care

Seedlings aged 8-10 days are recommended to thin out, removing weak and stunted plants. They can be added to salads or soups, cutting the roots, and thoroughly washing the leaves. The remaining specimens are regularly watered from a syringe, teaspoon, or spray. Grown bushes normally carry and +10 degrees, and +25.

The nutrients contained in the soil are sufficient for the normal growth of arugula. The plant does not need to be further fertilized. If the seasoning seems to develop poorly, you can use iron chelate. It should refrain from nitrates and organic fertilizers, because the plant quickly absorbs everything that is in the soil, and it falls into the gardener's plate.

Arugula matures a month later, sometimes earlier. Cut advised leaves with a height of 10 centimeters or more. Not all at once, but as needed, because the greens are not stored for a long time even in the refrigerator. You need to have time to harvest before 45-50 days, when the plant begins to bloom. You can leave a few bushes, and try to stock up on their own seeds.

Tip: There will always be fresh arugula in the house if planted in small batches, in 1–1.5 weeks.

There is nothing difficult in the cultivation of a popular plant. No need to fertilize, soak the seeds or observe a special temperature regime. Rucola is enough ordinary land and a lot of sun to keep its leaves juicy and tasty. Even novice gardeners are able to breed on their windowsill a real garden with a healthy seasoning, which is used to prepare dishes in elite restaurants.

Video: useful properties of arugula