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It’s the middle of winter and you’re sitting in your living room, bored out of your skull and itching to do something creative and outdoorsy. And you’re getting seriously tired of the limited variety of seasonal vegetable your local grocer has on offer. What you wouldn’t give for a bowl of fresh, juicy vegetables seasoned with wonderfully fragrant herbs! Impossible? I think not. A blizzard can blow outside your window, but with today’s technology, it’s incredible what you can grow right inside your home.
Jolly green giant. Please.
Firstly, the green thumb or green fingers are a myth. If you can read the label and instructions on any packet of seeds, you’re good to go. You don’t have to be Alan Titchmarsh or Hellen Dillon to have a lovely garden that will allow you to grow your own peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, peas, zucchini, and various greens. And you’ll certainly be able to say goodbye to frozen veggies.
It’s important that you stick to what you like to eat when growing your own veggies and herbs. You should also grow products that are expensive at the grocer and those that aren’t available all year round.
Start small!
There is no need to be over-enthusiastic and find that a few weeks down the line, you simply can’t keep up. One or two types of vegetables or herbs are enough to learn the basic skills.
Let there be light
Most vegetables require a minimum of six hours of sunlight. So pick your spot carefully. Good choices include root vegetables like beets, peppers, radishes, carrots, tomatoes and squash.
Herbs at times require some shade, so plant these in easily movable containers.
Ceramic pots, at least 8 inches deep and six to eight inches across for each plant, are best suited to indoor gardening as they do not get as hot as plastic containers. This can be detrimental to your plants. Whatever container you choose, make sure that there is an appropriate drainage system. Standing water can be a killer.
If you want to use a larger container for multiple plants, make sure to leave between six and eight inches between each plant.
Once you’ve got the seeds, soil and containers, you’re ready to plant. Make sure the soil isn’t packed too tightly as your plants will need good aeration in order to develop healthy root systems and for the water to drain properly.
Let it grow, let it grow
Yes, Eric Clapton was talking about letting love blossom, but the same goes for your veggies and herbs. If you take care of your indoor garden, your herbs especially will make for an attractive addition to the decor. Some favourites include mint, rosemary, chives and cilantro and they can easily be grown from cuttings as well as from seeds.
You should only harvest as much as you require at a time. This is especially true with herbs. You should leave enough growth on the plant.
Fun for everyone
Indoor gardening is wonderful if you have limited space available or if your mobility is impaired in some way. And if you would like to teach your children a fun and useful skill, it’s perfect. Oh, and a major advantage of indoor gardens is the significantly reduced weed problem when compared to big outdoor plots.
On your first visit to the nursery, ask for suggestions and be sure to pick up a couple of gardening books for dummies. It’s a good idea to refer to some experts for unusual tips and ideas.
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