What to grow in winter…
Outside winter is the dormant season when it comes to growing, a season for resting the ground in preparation for the summer crops and forage. But growing grass etc for guinea pigs doesn’t stop in the garden, the most nutritious grass and greens can be grown indoors with a minimum amount of time and effort. Home grown grass is ideal for mid winter when Spring Greens etc start to become scarce. Only a small amount of this nutritious grass is needed so even large amounts of guinea pigs can be fed it.
Whilst any of the seeds sold on www.planetguinea.co.uk can be grown inside by far the best ones are the Cereal grasses, Easigrow and Wheekgrass (both varieties), Sunflower Greens make a welcome change and treat too.
- Sow 250g of Easigrow/150g Wheekgrass on a full size seed tray, that is half full of moist compost, and cover lightly with another layer of compost; keep the compost moist by spraying several times daily (about 10ml of water per day, sprayed on). A fine mist spray is by far the most superior way of watering as it lessens the risk of fungal growth greatly. Similarly the seed to space ratio was chosen for the same reason.
- Choose a location that is out of direct heat (ie not over a radiator) and take care not to place seed trays in windowsills that get condensation or where this a draught. Grass needs warmth, light and moisture to grow satisfactorily.
- Continue to mist daily at frequent intervals until the grass has reached approximately 15cm high or is approximately 14 days old. At this stage it can be harvested. Grass that is left for longer may ‘yellow’ and will be unfit for feeding.
- Place a whole tray of grass in the pen/cage/hutch for the a group of 5 or more guineas to eat or divide the grass up so that each guinea pig has the resulting grass from 25g of seed- a tray of Easigrow would be divided into ten and Wheekgrass into 6. Alternatively grow 25g of seed in separate pots and feed one pot per guinea pig.
Plantain is the best herbage to grow inside, not only does it grow reasonably quickly (around 6 weeks before it can be harvested, approximately) the leaves grow to a good size when the seeds are sown in a deep pot. Plantain is deceptively ‘thick’ and seeds should be sown sparingly or the pot soon becomes root bound and you won’t get the most from your plants. Growing instructions are as above (disregarding the weights).
Biscuit Marmalade and Gizmo, three satisfied customers!
January 14, 2010
Tags: Cereal grasses, winter Posted in: Grasses, Seasonal
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