How to grow an indoor garden

by Nicole McCray

To some, it may seem difficult or even impossible to grow an indoor garden. A large garden full of vegetables and herbs is surely the dream of many people. But, if you don’t have the space, the resources, or CapabilitiesGrowing indoors is a great option. And it’s not as difficult as it might seem.

What stops people from growing a garden?

Apartment dwellers often say they don’t have Large outdoor garden space. People who live in cold climates find it exceptionally difficult to grow an outdoor garden for much of the year. Sometimes there are physical challenges, and people cannot manage the amount of work that a large garden requires.

These are all good reasons. However, there are many reasons for growing food. For Prepers, growing food is one way become a producer and more self-reliance. Perhaps you would like to grow some fresh vegetables and herbs in the winter. Or perhaps you would like to contribute to your family’s food supply. Whatever your reasons for not doing so, growing indoors is the answer.

What plants can I grow in an indoor garden?

Lots of plants can be grown indoors! You are only limited by the amount of space and time you want to commit. For example, green leafy vegetables like lettuce, kale, and spinach would do great indoors, and don’t take up much space to grow.

Herbs such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, basil, and chives can be used I slept all year round on a sunny windowsill. But if you have the space and resources to create the right conditions, you can grow things like cucumbers, tomatoes, and even peppers indoors.

When deciding what to grow, think about your goals. Growing the things your family loves to eat is a great place to start. If you love to cook from scratch, you might enjoy eating fresh herbs just a few steps from the kitchen. Fresh vegetables contain a lot of nutrients and can make a big difference if you live on stored foods.

Here are the basic requirements you will need to grow an indoor garden and to keep your plants happy and healthy.

Light

If you have a bright south-facing window with adequate sunlight, you can probably grow most greens and herbs on a windowsill or on a shelf in front of the window. But many vegetables, such as cucumbers and tomatoes, will grow best with about 12 hours of light per day.

Most people do not have enough natural light entering their homes to keep plants healthy and happy indoors all year round. Maybe you should Provide additional lightingAt least on the short winter days.

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For leafy plants like greens and herbs, regular store lights are all you need. But if you want to grow fruiting plants like tomatoes, you will need to invest in Full spectrum grow lights. Place the lights three inches above your plants and raise them as the plants grow.

Watch your plants carefully. If it looks leggy or turns yellow, it probably isn’t getting enough light. You want your plants to be lush and green with nice thick stems.

containers

You will need containers to grow an indoor garden. There are many options, depending on your preference. To save space, you can start your seeds Put them in small trays, then transfer them to large containers later. having sLarge pots in your growing area for planting seeds or starting plants directly in them are also an option.

If you choose to grow more than one plant in large containers, make sure you have enough room for the plants. If the plants are too crowded, their roots will not have enough space and will not be productive or healthy. Drainage is also vital for container grown plants. Make sure your pots have plenty of holes and place a tray underneath to protect the floor.

You may want to consider growing your plants vertically on trellises, shelves, or in hanging baskets. vertical growth and cultivation It is popular in urban areas because it allows you to Grow more food in less space. You can even create your own small scale vertical hydroponics set up for easy maintenance and maximum production.

Jane’s article How to grow food with limited space It offers great tips and suggestions on which containers work best.

Good temperature and air flow

Each plant has its own requirements for air and soil temperature. You will need to do some research to find out what plants you intend to grow prefer. Some seeds are picky about soil germination temperature. Once it’s solidified well, it’s okay if the temperatures swing a little in either direction. However, you’ll want to try to keep it as close as possible to ideal growing conditions for maximum production.

For some general guidelines, most greens do best in temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees. Peppers and tomatoes are warmer: from the 70s to the mid 80s are ideal. And most herbs are happiest somewhere in the middle.

Good blood circulation is essential for disease prevention and the growth of strong, thick stems. It is also useful in pollinating fruiting plants such as cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. If your growing space has a window, leave it open for several hours each day to let the breeze through. Or use a fan to create air movement.

Growth medium and fertilizer

Keep in mind when you plant an indoor garden, plants cannot spread their roots in search of nutrients. Containerized plants require high quality Soil and regular fertilization. You can choose a potting mix that contains slow-release fertilizer or use once a week liquid fertilizer Designed for vegetables and herbs.

if I were Growing in hydroponic system, you can use perliteAnd the VermiculiteOr coconut or pebbles or clay pebbles As your growing medium. Then select File Water nutrients for vegetables The herbs are added to your regimen as directed by the manufacturer.

Final tips for growing an indoor garden

Harvesting from your plants regularly is essential to keep production levels high. Many greens can be harvested with the cutting method and back again for continuous harvest. Just be careful not to cut more than a third of the leaves at a time.

Although each type is different, most greens will eventually burst and become bitter. To have a continuous supply of leafy greens, you will need to start new plants regularly. Other vegetables and herbs will grow longer before you need to replace them. many perennial herbs, and Perennials are long-term investments for a self-sufficient garden.

Are you ready to start your own indoor garden?

While Grow all your produce indoors It may be a bit unrealistic, you can definitely supplement your food with some Fresh salad fixings and herbs. It’s a great way to add some vitamins, minerals and variety to your diet. Have you succeeded in growing an indoor garden? What are your reasons for growing food indoors? If you have any additional tips to share with our readers, or any questions, let’s talk about them all in the comments section below.

Source: Organic Prepper

Nicole is an avid gardener, always perfecting her local produce. She loves to try new meals from scratch for her family, and she is always tweaking old recipes, cutting out healthy ingredients. It is constantly looking for new home trends and hopes to move towards a completely sustainable home development effort. She contributes to various farming, farming, cooking, and gardening websites in her spare time, and shares her tips and tricks with others looking to perfect their green thumb.