Kim Speaks Piggie

Growing your own fruits and veggies for your guinea pigs can be a rewarding experience, even for beginners. Here’s a list of easy-to-grow plants that are nutritious and safe for your furry friends.

Wheatgrass

Sweet Peppers
– Sowing: Start seeds indoors, transplant after last frost.
– Sun: Full sun.
– Harvest Time: 60-90 days.
– Why it’s Good: Rich in vitamins C and A.
– Other Notes: Provide support as plants grow and DO NOT feed spicy peppers, only sweet!!

Tomatoes
– Sowing: Start seeds indoors, transplant after last frost.
– Sun: Full sun.
– Harvest Time: 60-85 days.
– Why it’s Good: High in vitamin C and antioxidants.
– Other Notes: Feed guinea pigs in moderation due to acidity (one cherry tomato a day or a slice of a larger tomato).

Summer Squash
– Sowing: Directly in the ground after last frost.
– Sun: Full sun.
– Harvest Time: 50-70 days
– Why it’s Good: Rich in vitamins A and C.
– Other Notes: Harvest when young for tender fruit.

Chamomile
– Sowing: Directly in the ground or start indoors.
– Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
– Harvest Time: 60-90 days.
– Why it’s Good: Calming effects and aids digestion.
– Other Notes: Harvest flowers when fully open.

Strawberries
– Sowing: Buy plants from the store, easier than starting from seed.
– Sun: Full sun.
– Harvest Time: 4-6 weeks after flowering.
– Why it’s Good: High in vitamin C and antioxidants.
– Other Notes: Remove runners to encourage fruiting or plant them if you want more plants. Strawberry leaves are edible, too!

Sweet Potatoes (for leaves)
– Sowing: Start slips indoors, transplant after last frost.
– Sun: Full sun.
– Harvest Time: Leaves can be harvested in 60-85 days.
– Why it’s Good: Leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, and calcium.
– Other Notes: Regularly harvest leaves to encourage growth.

Parsley
– Sowing: Directly in the ground or start indoors.
– Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
– Harvest Time: 70-90 days.
– Why it’s Good: High in vitamin C and a good source of fiber.
– Other Notes: Harvest regularly to encourage new growth.

Cilantro
– Sowing: Directly in the ground after last frost.
– Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
– Harvest Time: 30-70 days.
– Why it’s Good: High in vitamins A, C, and K.
– Other Notes: Best harvested before it bolts (flowers).

Dandelions
– Sowing: Directly in the ground.
– Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
– Harvest Time: 85-95 days.
– Why it’s Good: High in vitamins A, C, and K, and calcium.
– Other Notes: Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor.

Though the next two will take quite a bit of patience, they are incredibly easy to grow. Simply place them by a sprinkler and just give them minimal care for the next couple years and you will be rewarded.

Apples
– Sowing: Buy saplings from the store, growing from seed is very challenging.
– Sun: Full sun.
– Harvest Time: 2-5 years for first fruits from saplings.
– Why it’s Good: Rich in vitamin C and fiber.
– Other Notes: Remove seeds before feeding to guinea pigs (seeds contain cyanide).

Oranges
– Sowing: Buy saplings from the store, growing from seed is very challenging.
– Sun: Full sun.
– Harvest Time: 3-4 years for first fruits from saplings.
– Why it’s Good: High in vitamin C.
– Other Notes: Feed in moderation due to high acidity and sugar content.

Growing your own fruits and vegetables for your guinea pigs is a rewarding endeavor that benefits both you and your furry friends. Not only does it provide a cost-effective way to ensure a steady supply of fresh, nutritious food, but homegrown produce often boasts better flavor and higher nutrient content compared to store-bought options. By cultivating these easy-to-grow plants, you can enhance your guinea pigs’ diet and enjoy the satisfaction of nurturing your own garden.

If you enjoy gardening, you may be interested in Oxbow’s guide to composting guinea pig poop!

Want more guinea pig ideas and tips? Check us out on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@kimspeakspiggie