Although not every vegetable is prepared to be planted directly in the soil, numerous varieties can be sown and kept in a warm environment, such as greenhouses or in your home. Speaking to Express.co.uk, gardening expert Nastya Vasylchyshyna at Plantum, has shared her three “easiest vegetables to grow in winter”.
1. Cucumbers
Nastya insisted gardeners choose self-pollinating and early-maturing varieties as they “ripen faster”. Sow the seeds in small cups about 1.5 cm deep, sprinkle some soil on top, give them a drink with warm water, and then cover them with a cup or plastic bag.
Remove the bag briefly each day to promote air circulation, if necessary, and add water so the soil doesn’t dry out. Once the plants sprout, remove the cover and continue watering regularly.
Once the seedlings are more mature, repot them into larger containers of about five to six litres.
2. Tomatoes
Before planting, check the seeds for germination by soaking them in a glass of water with a quarter teaspoon of salt. The poor-quality ones will float to the top, so you can discard them.
You can sow two to three seeds per pot. Wait for two weeks after they sprout, and then remove the weakest seedlings.
Provide your tomatoes with moderate humidity and regular watering, and never let the soil dry out completely. This is especially important when the seedlings first emerge and during fruit formation and ripening.
3. Radishes
The best thing about radishes is that “they aren’t fussy” and “grow fast”. As a bonus, they don’t need plenty of space or large pots.
Make sure to pick early-maturing varieties. Select a narrow container that’s the width of your windowsill and is 15 to 18cm in height.
Soak the seeds in water for 20 to 30 minutes and plant them in loose soil. Place the seeds one to 1.5cm deep at a distance of about five to 7cm from each other.
Cover the seeds with soil, water the soil with warm water, and cover the pot with a glass container or plastic wrap until the first sprouts appear. Keep the soil moist and water as the top layer of soil dries out.
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