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Best grass to grow from seed


Best Grass Seed for Illinois

A lush green lawn has long been a dream of any homeowner. Recently, the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has thrown homeowners off of grass seeds and they’ve been turning to alternatives, such as clover. However, homeowners still view clover as a type of weed and nothing looks as welcoming as a grass seed lawn in Illinois — as long as you can grow it without patchy, brown spots.

Achieving such a goal for your lawn is absolutely possible. Choosing the right grass seed makes it easier for you to grow a beautiful lash lawn without the need to add pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Read on to learn more about how to grow the best lawn possible. 

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Illinois Grass Growing Conditions

Growing healthy grass from grass seed is conditional on soil health. Illinois has different soils, with some of them being highly productive. Other types might not be fit for growing grass because they might be too steep or dry. But overall, Illinois is a great agricultural state and is perfect to plant grass seed.

The location, low elevation of the state, and the confluence with major drainage lines have influenced soil development throughout the centuries. 

West Illinois has the Mississippi River, the south has the Ohio River, the Southeast has the Wabash River, and the Illinois River is in the central part. These rivers have distributed critical nutrients to the soil, making it fertile and productive.

Additionally, Illinois’s climate is also favorable to the soil condition and for growing lawn grass. The state has the perfect mix of warm and cold weather to allow for cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses, as well as adequate fertilization periods.

 

In general, there are ten major soil groups, and five of them are crucial to Illinois:

 

Source: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Agriculture

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When to Plant Grass in Illinois?

Beginners with little information or experience might assume that you can plant grass seed anytime you want. On the contrary, each region has a specific time for planting lawn grasses, depending on the climate, soil, and many other factors.

For Illinois, the best time to plant lawn seed mixture is mid-August to early September. If you've missed this time frame, you can also plant in April. 

You should avoid planting new grass in late spring or mid-summer because the full sun might damage it. That's because the region is primarily appropriate for cool-season grasses and requires some shade.

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Best Grass Seed for Illinois

The type of grass seed you choose for your lawn in Illinois depends on the plant hardiness zones and the weather. Because Illinois has a colder temperature, warm season grasses are not an option. If you plant warm season grasses, they will quickly wilt and your efforts to grow a green lawn will go to waste. 

 

The Illinois plant hardiness zone covers zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, and 7a, which have a temperature range of -20 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s why the best type of grass seeds for Illinois are cool season grasses. 

 

Source

 

1) Kentucky Bluegrass

Kentucky Bluegrass is the most popular lawn grass in Illinois. Homeowners like it because of its durability, hardiness, and appearance. 

While most people call it the best grass seed in Illinois, Kentucky Bluegrass requires moderate to high attention and maintenance, including fertilizing, mowing, and watering, to keep it looking good. So you'll need to spend quite some time working on it to maintain high quality.

Kentucky Bluegrass prefers the full sun, but some subtypes, or cultivars, have a tolerance to light shade. Kentucky Bluegrass spreads through an underground root system known as rhizomes. It grows slowly if spread by seed, but its lush germination makes waiting worthwhile.

 

2) Fine Fescue

Second on the list is the fine fescue, which is perfect for new lawns and property owners with little experience. It's adaptable to shade and requires less maintenance than Kentucky Bluegrass. Frequent mowing could do more harm than good, so keep that in mind when creating a mowing schedule. 

However, fine fescue does have good durability and can recover after some foot traffic (also known as wear tolerance).  

Fine fescues have a fine texture and include a few subtypes of popular grasses such as:

 

They’re primarily used in different mixtures to establish variations of light intensities.

 

3) Perennial Ryegrass

Quick to grow and able to tolerate heavy foot traffic, Perennial Ryegrasses are high-quality, bunch-type grasses that are similar to Kentucky Bluegrass. Perennial Ryegrass requires effort and maintenance, so they do better as part of a grass seed mixture rather than on its own.

 

4) Tall Fescue

If you live in warmer parts of Illinois, especially southern Illinois, the tall fescue is perfect for home lawns. It has a high drought tolerance, excellent heat resistance, a high-quality appearance, and remarkable recovery ability. Tall fescues are clump-type grasses, so they may take longer to establish but the end result looks wonderful on your lawn.

 

5) Zoysia Grass

As one of the few warm-season grasses in Illinois, Zoysia is easy to plant and care for but can become burdensome. It's deep-rooted into the ground and can be very invasive. So, unless you live in warmer parts of the state, or you want to conserve water with a drought-resistant grass type, Zoysia should not be your first choice of grass type in Illinois.

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Recommended Lawn Seed Mixes for Illinois

Mixing two or more lawn seeds produces mixtures and blends. These mixtures combine several grass types, enhancing them to withstand more stress or problems than if you were to use only one grass type. 

The cool temperatures of Illinois, especially Northern Illinois, allow for more cool-season grasses and mixes, such as Kentucky bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Fine Fescues.

Here are the recommended mixes of grass types for Illinois, depending on light exposure.

 

Full Sun Mixes

 

Light Shade

 

No Sun/More Shade

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Conclusion

An alkaline soil and generally low elevation make Illinois and Northern Illinois the perfect place for cool-season grasses. Many homeowners love planting new lawn seeds and getting that beautiful green color in their front or back yards. 

The best grass seed is the Kentucky Bluegrass. It develops a great root system and has excellent wear tolerance. Other grasses such as tall fescues, red and chewings fescues, perennial ryegrass, and more, make for perfect lawn grass.

Getting these grass seeds is easy: Nature's Seed offers high-quality seeds tailored to your projects and goals. You can choose based on regions, mixes, and more to get the best result for your lawn. Visit our online store and start planning — and planting! — your lawn today.

10 seeds and sod for your lawn |

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Stroll barefoot across a lush lawn in no time by choosing the best fast-growing grass seed for your garden. Opt for the grass that most suits your situation: the climate, air quality, light levels, and soil type determine which variety to go for – we offer advice on all these elements below.  

Select the right grass seed to sow, prepare the ground well, or lay ready-grown sod (turf) to further save time. Do all that and your luscious, verdant lawn will establish in no time, ready for summer croquet, parties, and sunbathing.

Below, we bring you the best fast-growing grass seeds to make a lawn green and thick – fast. Many, we are showing uncut, so you can see how they look grown for meadows, but obviously you will want them trim for a lawn.

Best fast-growing grass seeds – and grass

Whether you are looking to patch a bare lawn in a hurry, to sow a lawn that grows quickly or to put in fast-growing plants all round to create a more established look for your backyard, these fast-growing grass seeds and grasses are the best place to start, according to our favorite gardening experts.

1. Best fast-growing grass seeds for a temperate climate

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‘Perennial ryegrass is the fast-growing lawn grass that I would suggest for temperate climates like the northern US and the UK,’ says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences . ‘It is a dark green, fine-textured species that germinates and establishes quickly, and can accept light traffic within 8-10 weeks.’

Avoid the perennial ryegrass variety ‘Linn’, which – although cheap – is poor quality and short-lived. Give annual ryegrass a wide berth too, although it is incredibly fast-growing, it has a rough texture and thins in the long-term, so that – a few years down the line – you’ll have to re-do the lawn again.

Most perennial ryegrass forms are good quality and excellent for seeding dead patches of lawn or thickening an existing lawn. For a new lawn, they combine well with Kentucky bluegrass.

2. Best fast-growing grass seed for a warm climate

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Zoysia is an attractive, dense dark-green grass that performs well in hot sun and needs less irrigation than other sun-loving grasses. Its only negative is that it is not cheap and – like all warm-season turf – looks pale brown over winter.

‘Zoysia is one of the finer options for a lawn in a warm-weather climate,’ says Florida-based garden designer Matthew Giampietro . ‘Paspalum is also excellent. They are not as economical or as readily available as Palmetto St Augustine grass, which establishes very quickly, but unfortunately is a rather coarse grass. Zoysia and paspalum are the much finer options.’

Being a slow-to-establish grass, the way to enjoy zoysia quickly is to purchase it as sod (turf). 

3. Best fast-growing grass seed for the least mowing

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Turf-type tall fescue creates a lush greensward that copes with foot traffic and requires less mowing and watering than some turf grasses. It also has a good growth rate and loves open, sunny ground.

‘Tall fescue provides moderate to good levels of turf-grass quality with limited maintenance,’ says Suleiman Bughrara, who has researched grasses with Michigan State University . ‘If you are concerned about conserving water for lawn irrigation, tall fescue is a good choice. Tall fescue is the most heat and drought tolerant of the cool-season turf-grasses with the ability to produce deep root systems. Also, research at MSU shows that tall fescue root has good tolerance to European chafer grub damage when compared with other cool-season grasses.’

It can be seeded on its own, without the need for creating a seed mix. Where the soil’s drainage is not good, try to improve it before sowing tall fescues. Suleiman advises sowing in August.

4. Best fast-growing grass seed for shade

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Fine fescues are ideal for shady areas of the garden, as long as they receive at least 2-3 hours of good sunlight each day.

‘In the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA, seed mixes that include fine fescues, such as hard fescue, creeping red fescue, and sheep fescue are best suited for shady areas,’ says Maryland-based landscape architect and designer Kirsten Coffen . 

‘Hard fescue is the best performer in the group. It is important to keep in mind that the fine fescues do not handle foot traffic well, should be infrequently mowed, and need at a bare minimum two hours of direct sunlight. However, they can be a cost effective and aesthetically pleasing way to cover a large shady area in the yard.’

Where the soil’s drainage is not good, try to improve it before sowing fine fescues. If there are a lot of trees nearby, sowing in autumn after clearing the leaves will give the grass several months to establish before the shade intensifies again with spring leaf growth.

5. Best fast-growing grass seed for sun

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Buffalo grass is a warm-season native grass for sunny areas in zones that enjoy hot summer months. In scorching heat, many other grasses would quickly brown, but Buffalo will remain a lush shade of green. It does not require a lot of mowing or watering, being slow and drought-tolerant. To help it establish quickly, it is best bought as sod (turf).

UC Verde is a good form of buffalo that was introduced by the University of California, bred specifically for the Californian climate, as well as dry desert valleys, such as Tucson in Arizona.

For those who live in cooler temperate zones, perennial ryegrass is a great option grass seed or sod (turf) for sunny areas.

6. Best fast-growing grass seed for semi-shade

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A grass mix is often the best option for sowing or sod (turf) purchase, since many people’s backyards have both areas of sun and areas of partial shade.

‘A diverse seed mix ensures that your lawn will thrive under different conditions,’ says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences .

For a sunny lawn with some trees, go for a mix of 40-60% Kentucky bluegrass, 30-40 % fine fescues, and 10-20% perennial ryegrass. ‘The Kentucky bluegrass and ryegrass will predominate in the sunny areas, and the fine fescues do well in the shade,’ explains Peter.

For a shaded lawn with some sunny areas, he suggests a mix of 50-60% fine fescues, 30-40% Kentucky bluegrass, and 10-20% perennial ryegrass.

7. Best fast-growing grass seed for heavy foot traffic

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Kentucky blue copes well with the onslaught of feet and paws walking and running across it repeatedly, which is why it’s probably the most widely grown grass in the US. It produces a dense dark-green lawn with an average texture. Being relatively slow to establish, it is best bought as sod (turf) to enjoy a fast result, and in many areas is better mixed with perennial ryegrass. 

Having a shallow root system, Kentucky blue is fine in colder climates, but not the best option for warm areas – unless you have children who love to spend hours charging through sprinklers! Bermuda and zoysia are good options for a lot of foot traffic in a warm-weather zone, and tall fescue is a great option for mild to cool zones (such as the mid-south states of the US).

8. Best fast-growing grass seed for no foot traffic

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Carex (sedge) is a very attractive grass to use a contemporary alternative to traditional mown lawn turf. If you want to grass a patch of land (such as a front garden) that nobody ever walks across, carex is a great option.

‘We grow several grasses and sedges that make excellent alternatives to turf grass,’ say the team at Hoffman Nursery in North Carolina, which specializes in ornamental grasses and native grasses. ‘They create a low ground cover that does not need regular mowing or fertilizing. Some are more appropriate to shady conditions, while others thrive in full sun. All can be mowed high (3-8in/7-20cm) two to three times a season for a traditional look, or left unmowed for a more natural look.’

Carex is a low-growing evergreen grass with beautiful, arching growth and elegant, narrow foliage. There are many different types, including gold, cream, bronze, and green forms. C. flacca (glauca sedge) has lovely green-blue foliage. To attract and help wildlife, you could consider mixing such low grasses with nectar-rich perennials (for example, coneflower) to create an informal prairie look that has movement, texture, and color.

9. Best fast-growing grass seed for a low-rainfall area

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Tall fescue is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance choice for open, sunny ground in regions that experience low rainfall or where irrigation is not possible.

‘During a drought, tall fescue will be the only green grass in the lawn,’ says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. ‘But plant tall fescue alone – its light-green color and coarse texture don't blend well with the finer turfgrasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and fine fescue. Also, buy a good quality "turf type" tall fescue from a reputable dealer. Stay away from the variety Kentucky 31, which produces large, coarse clumps. ’

Where the soil’s drainage is not good, try to improve it before sowing tall fescues. Fine fescue grasses are an alternative for shady ground in drought-prone areas, but do not tolerate a lot of foot traffic. 

10. Best fast-growing grass seed for pets

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Bermuda grass is a great option for handling the patter of dog paws and patches of urine, being a tough, coarse turf that grows back quickly. It thrives in warm areas and withstands drought.

Research by the University of Florida found that Bermuda and St Augustine were the grasses that recovered fastest from dog urine, and that zoysia and paspalum were also good. All of these grasses are ideal for warm areas, with St Augustine being perhaps the most shade tolerant. In cold areas, Kentucky blue is a tough-cookie grass, able to withstand pets; and, in zones in between, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are safe bets.

 

What are the best grass alternatives for deep shade?

Grass will not grow well in dense shade, so – unless the area has heavy foot traffic (in which case hard landscaping may be a better option) – it’s best to plant a grass alternative.

‘For areas that get fewer than three hours of direct sun, use a shade-tolerant ground cover, such as myrtle or pachysandra,’ says Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.

Other options include moss (which is used to carpet large garden areas in Japan), sweet woodruff (which has scented white flowers), Persian ivy (English ivy should be avoided in areas of the US where it is invasive), and golden star (which is evergreen in mild winters).

Why isn’t my grass thriving?

Most turf grass enjoys good drainage, so that could be an issue. Regularly spiking the lawn with a suitable tool (even a large fork will do the trick) will help. If there is somewhere for the water to seep, it may be worth installing a drainage system. But to start all over again or when creating a new lawn, add sharp sand and topsoil that is rich in organic matter.

Peter Landschoot, Professor of Turfgrass Science at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, also advises being careful about which seed or sod you buy: ‘Don't rely on brand names or choose a seed because the bag says it's a sun or shade mix. Read the label to learn the grass species included, the percentage of each seed and the date of the germination test. For best results, the test date should be within nine months of purchase. The germination percentage should be at least 80 percent – preferably higher.’

Lucy Searle has written about interiors, property and gardens since 1990, working her way around the interiors departments of women's magazines before switching to interiors-only titles in the mid-nineties. She was Associate Editor on Ideal Home, and Launch Editor of 4Homes magazine, before moving into digital in 2007, launching Channel 4's flagship website, Channel4.com/4homes. In 2018, Lucy took on the role of Global Editor in Chief for Realhomes.com, taking the site from a small magazine add-on to a global success. She was asked to repeat that success at Homes & Gardens, where she has also taken on the editorship of the magazine. 

The best grass for hay - which grasses are best, how to grow grass for hay

Planting and growing forage grasses yourself is the most convenient and cheaper alternative to buying in bulk. After the herbage has grown enough, it remains only to cut and dry. About what is the best grass for hay will allow you to make enough high-quality blanks, let's talk right now.

Which grass is best for hay?

Own forage base is obviously a profitable solution for farms. Purchasing grass feed from third party vendors does not guarantee product quality. The following best grass varieties can be sown for hay:

In addition, a special grass mixture can be planted for forage. This option is even more suitable for farms, since the sprouted grass mixture forms a perennial and quickly recovering cover. Also fodder grass mixtures are more resistant to any aggressive environmental factors. Another benefit of planting mixed feed is their beneficial effect on soil fertility.

Planting grass mixtures with legumes and cereals in the composition will prevent competition between plants.

Methods and timing of planting forage grasses

There are seven methods for growing grasses for hay:

The timing of hay planting depends on several factors. The best time is spring (April and May). But you can plant both in summer and autumn, and sometimes even in winter (in the southern regions). If the seeds are planted in the summer, then it is better to do this in June or July. You should choose a period after precipitation: so the soil will be sufficiently moist.

In autumn, sowing is carried out only until mid-October. It is advisable to sow the grass mixture.

Growing grass for hay

Step by step we will figure out how to sow grass for hay and collect a rich and high-quality harvest.

Ground preparation

Low-lying areas that used to be swamps are suitable for sowing. Such lands have high fertility, optimal moisture content. These factors will only contribute to a rich harvest. If the pasture will be irrigated, areas with nearby water sources should be selected.

Preparatory measures before planting hay is to check the soil for the reaction of a specialized solution. Preparatory processing is divided into pre-sowing and directly main. Before the main tillage, the plot is fertilized with:

Also, don't forget about the application of mineral fertilizers. This also applies to old, unproductive lands.

Fit

How to sow hay depends on the type of crops planted - annual or perennial. So, annual varieties are planted in a coverless and undercover way. And perennial crops are planted in an ordinary or scattered method. As usual, perennials are planted with a garden seeder.

Care

Forage maintenance procedures include:

Collection

There are several rules for collecting hay crops:

The purpose of growing crops for fodder is to ensure an even distribution of tubers and seeds. This guarantees a bountiful harvest.

How to grow herbs on your windowsill in winter

The history of herbal use is as old as the history of mankind. They have been used for centuries for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Nowadays, they are also valued as spices, tea ingredients, and aromatherapy plants. In stores you can buy a variety of herbs: dried and fresh. However, growing greens on the windowsill is a decoration, especially in the kitchen, as well as pleasure and satisfaction. You will have fresh, fragrant leaves on hand all year round. You can also grow herbs on your balcony from spring to fall.

What conditions are needed for a window sill vegetable garden

Herbs are quite unpretentious, and growing herbs at home should not be a hassle. Before sowing, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the requirements of each species in order to ensure optimal conditions for growth and development.

Most herbs are thermophilic plants, so they basically need the right temperature to grow properly. For herbaceous plants, an average room temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius is suitable. Do not place pots (especially in winter) in drafts or near open windows where cold air can damage leaves and shoots.

If you want to harvest herbs in winter, place them on a windowsill where they receive at least 5 hours of sunlight a day. Rotate the herb container once a week to let the plants in the back have access to the light.

Choosing planting containers

It is also very important to provide the plants with suitable containers. Greens are usually offered for sale in small pots, in which not every plant can continue to grow. Annual herbs that do not develop deep root systems (such as watercress) can be grown in small pots. However, if you are buying popular perennial herbs (mint, lemon balm, rosemary), it is best to immediately transplant them into larger containers. Entire herb growing kits are already available on the market, making things a lot easier.

Drainage and soil

The best substrate for herbs is a versatile soil that consists of clay soil, peat and composted bark. When purchasing soil, make sure it is fertilizer-free, as grasses don't like chemical additives. Loose, fertile soil is the best choice for herbs. Such soil drains water well and promotes the use of nutrients. Loose soil also allows plant roots to spread more freely. Make several holes in each pot for drainage. Lay selective drainage at the bottom, and then the ground.

Planting greens in pots

Greens can be grown from scratch by sowing seeds in small pots at the end of summer. An easier option is to buy a ready-made kit in a specialized store, everything you need will already be collected there and detailed instructions will be given. In this case, it is better to avoid seedlings sold in supermarkets, as they are usually poorly cared for and may not survive indoors. As the plant matures, it is transplanted into a larger pot to give the roots room to spread.

Herbs can also be cut from the mother plant. To do this, cut a branch 10 cm long and cut off the leaves halfway. Then put it in a container of water and wait for the roots to appear. This should happen after about 4 weeks, and when their length reaches 10 cm, the plant should be transplanted into a pot with fertile and permeable soil.

Depth and distance of sowing seeds

To sow seeds, use the following algorithm:

  1. Prepare containers for sowing. Pour fresh and light soil - best of all, a special seed mixture (peat and perlite).
  2. Sow the seeds according to the instructions on the package (depth, number of seeds, distance between seeds). If necessary, cover the seeds with a layer of soil and water.
  3. Keep the soil moist at all times during germination.
  4. Check the conditions (light, temperature and humidity) required for proper seed germination and development of young seedlings.

Greenery care when growing on windowsills in winter

Pinch off the top shoots from time to time to encourage the plant to grow. Water the plant if the soil seems dry when you dip your finger 2.5 cm deep into the pot. Remember to use settled water for irrigation, as water that is too cold or contains chlorine can damage the root system.

If you are a forgetful person, place the herbs on the windowsill in trays filled with stones and warm water. This simple procedure will keep the water from evaporating, and you only need to add water to the trays from time to time.

Lighting

Grasses need sufficient sunlight to grow. In winter, this is a difficult task, since the days are short and there is much less sunlight at this time. Therefore, herbs should be placed on window sills on the south or east side. There is the greatest access to light. Or provide additional lighting. Once a week, rotate the pot so that the sun hits all the shoots.

Temperature

Most herbs prefer heat, so they need the right temperature for normal development - about 20 °C. Do not put plants where radiators are located. Their heat dries out the air and soil, preventing growth. To ensure the flow of fresh air, it is good to open the windows a little. At the same time, make sure that the draft bypasses the pots, as a cold wind can damage grassy shoots.

Humidity

During the heating season, it is useful to spray the area around the grass with warm water from a spray bottle to increase the humidity of the air. This is very important - dry air will prevent your plants from growing properly.

Due to dry air, the top layer of soil in pots dries out faster, and the herbs need constant moisture.

Watering and fertilizing

Water the herbs every day in summer, twice a week in winter. Use water at room temperature, as too cold water can damage the roots of the plant.

Water for irrigation and spraying should stand for at least 2 days to get rid of chlorine and calcium.

Do not overmoisten herbs, excess moisture leads to decay and death of houseplants. Water the herbs when you can check with your finger at a depth of 2.5 cm that the soil is dry.

Annual grasses should not be fertilized, but perennial grasses can be fertilized with Fertika Lux liquid fertilizer every one and a half months, preferably in summer. You should use half the dose recommended by the manufacturer. Also for these purposes, the universal Micromix is ​​excellent.

What greens can be grown at home - choosing the right varieties

To grow greens on the windowsill, choose unpretentious species. From seeds on the window grow well:

Arugula will grow well, because the leaves you grow yourself will taste completely different than store-bought ones.

Chives are also worth growing at home on the windowsill in winter. Just submerge the bulb halfway into the water. The chives will begin to bloom immediately.

Pepper is a grateful and attractive plant for growing in the kitchen. There are sweet peppers, as well as a range of lesser and spicier ones.

You should also consider growing cherry tomatoes. Due to the fact that the fruits are not large, they will not overload the bush. Therefore, all cherry tomatoes are ideal vegetables for the kitchen window sill.

The most popular windowsill greens:

Be aware that if you pinch the plant too often, it will have problems growing and the quality of the green parts it produces may also be reduced.

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