Expert names 'easiest' vegetables to plant by the end of January
Expert names 'easiest' vegetables to plant by the end of January
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Home-grown vegetables are far tastier than anything you can buy in the supermarket, and they're not as difficult to grow as you might think. Nastya Vasylchyshyna, resident botany expert at Plantum, has recommended four easy-to-grow veggies. Tomatoes. Tomatoes are a great choice and can be planted right now. If you're short on space, opt for dwarf or small-fruited varieties that can thrive on a windowsill. Before planting, Nastya advises checking the seeds' germination by soaking them in salted water - any poor-quality seeds will float to the top and can be discarded. To prevent diseases, soak the seeds in a potassium permanganate solution before rinsing with cold water.
Plant two to three seeds per pot, remove the weakest seedlings after two weeks, and ensure regular watering and moderate humidity. "never let the soil dry out completely" she warns, especially when the seedlings first emerge and during fruit formation and ripening.
Cucumbers. For cucumbers, Nastya suggests choosing self-pollinating, early-maturing varieties like mini-fruited cucumbers because they "ripen faster", reports the Express. Treat and select the seeds just like you would with tomatoes. Pop them about 1.5 cm deep into small cups, sprinkle a bit of soil on top, give them a splash of warm water, and then cover them with a cup or plastic bag.
If needed, remove the bag briefly each day to allow for air circulation and add water to prevent the soil from drying out. Once the plants start to sprout, take off the cover and keep watering regularly. When the seedlings have grown a bit, transfer them into larger pots that hold around five to six litres.
