When’s the last time you ate a garden tomato
in February? While it’s frosty and grey outside, enjoy the bright colors of
fruit, vegetables, and herbs you’ve grown yourself. There are so many benefits to indoor
gardening:
●
Save money in the long run. Fresh
herbs and vegetables are usually more costly in the winter months.
●
Save money in the long run. Fresh
herbs and vegetables are usually more costly in the winter months.
●
Eat organic and be proud of eating
something you grew yourself.
●
Eat very, very local!
●
Benefit the environment (limited
packaging and transportation costs)
●
Educate the kids in your life as
they watch the life cycle of their food
●
Relieve stress with the calm,
quiet nature of gardening all through the year
Check out some basics on indoor gardening
below, and consider ordering this book for all
the info you’ll need, The Indoor Gardening Guide.
How much space do I need for indoor gardening?
The space you’ll need is based on the plants
you want to grow. Smaller plants such as herbs don’t require a lot of space,
but growing larger plants, such as tomatoes will require a lot of room,
including height. Ultimately, you get to decide how much space to dedicate to
indoor gardening! You can figure this out by answering these questions:
1)
If I could grow anything, what
would it be?
2)
Which plants are most important
out of this list?
3)
How much space does it take to
grow the top items on my list?
4)
Do I have more space to add some
lower priority items?
Did you know?
●
You can grow almost anything
indoors, all year round with the use of extra lights, which is helpful during the
darker, winter month.
●
Try growing on shelves to save
floor space - you may need an extra light for each shelf
●
It’s easiest to grow plants
together that require similar care
Easy all-in-one option:
If you have space in your basement or other
out-of-the-way area, consider a grow tent. These help you provide the right
conditions for your plants and enable you to grow summer vegetables in the dead
of winter! Lights and environmental controls are built right in.
If you’re in the Plymouth, MI area, stop by the
Grow Kings storeroom to see tomato plants in their grow tent. You
can also get expert advice on how to get things set up in your home.
Grow King’s Grow Tent in Plymouth, MI with
tomato plants
Your plants need:
Light: A grow tent is ideal, but a sunny window may suffice during the spring
and summer.
Water: You may want to prioritize a tile floor or lay a tarp to minimize
damage from the water
Protection: Choose a location that is safe from too much foot traffic and is out
of reach from small children and pets. Also, try to avoid locations near vents
for air conditioning and heat, or considering closing nearby vents.
What materials do I need for indoor gardening?
While some plant types may need specialized
materials, most plants will need the following:
- Pots: pick a generous sized pot for each plant. In general, the larger the size of the edible part of the plant, the larger the size of the pot you will need. For example, a tomato plant would do well with a 5-gallon pot, whereas cilantro can get by in a 1-gallon pot, depending on how much output you want (get a larger pot or multiple pots and more seeds if you’re really into cilantro!).
- Potting soil: Not just any dirt will do. To make up for the lack of natural processes outdoors (think worms, decomposing leaves, etc.), choose a potting soil with lots of nutrients and great texture for your roots to find a home in.
- Seeds or seedlings: Seeds are cheaper, but a little harder to grow. Seedlings (i.e., baby plants) will get going faster and are hardier, but do cost a bit more. In both cases, you often get what you pay for.
- Light: Read the instructions on your seeds or seedlings packaging as some plants need full sun. Be prepared to boost the light in your home with extra bulbs or a lighting system.
- Fertilizer: Even outdoor gardens need extra food, and so much more indoor gardens. Try this specialized formula from Grow Kings to give your plants the best. Beware of over-fertilizing, by the way, as well as overwatering!
- Small trowel: especially necessary for transferring seedlings
- Scissors: get a pair of high-quality scissors that you only use on your plants. They need to be super sharp to avoid damaging the plant when you prune or harvest.
- Watering can: Unless you have several 5-gallon pots, choose a small one for better control.
How much time does indoor gardening
require?
Indoor gardening does not take much time. In
contrast with outdoor gardening, you don’t typically have to weed!
- Watering: Check the water levels every few days (or more often if you’re in a dry climate or in winter, when the air is more arid). Feel the soil with your fingers to detect dryness or use a moisture meter for more objective feedback. Beware of overwatering, which can cause rot and disease. If you will be away from home for multiple days, plan to have someone stop by to check your plants. This is another time when a moisture meter comes in handy!
- Fertilizing: Read both your seed/seedling packaging and the fertilizer packaging to make a wise plan for how often to fertilize. Overfertilizing can “fry” your plants.
- Pruning and thinning: Keep an eye out for dead leaves or overcrowding in your pots. For example, if you sow carrot seeds in a pot, you will need to thin them once they develop 1-3 inch shoots. This is on a plant-by-plant basis, and doesn’t usually require a lot of time.
- Harvesting: This is the best part! Enjoy the fruits of your labor (literally) by carefully removing the fruit or clipping the leaves. It is recommended that you rinse whatever you harvest, even though this is some of the cleanest, healthiest food you will ever eat.
Steps to get started (let’s review):
1)
Make a list of your favorite
plants to eat and prioritize a few to start with
2)
Research the specific needs for
your top choices, considering the size of the pot, the needs for light, and the
needs for water and fertilizer
3)
Purchase the needed items
5)
Enjoy the bounty of your indoor
garden!
●
Try starting with a few plants and
expanding gradually. No need to worry about seasons if you plan to keep your
plants in a grow tent or use extra lighting to make up for the lack of sunshine
in winter.
●
Make compost tea to water your
plants! This is a super nutrient-rich and all natural way to give some extra
love to your plants. Here’s how:
○
Pick a container you won’t need
for a few days. The size depends on how much tea you need.
○
Fill the container 1/3 full of
compost
○
Fill the remainder of the
container with water
○
Let it sit for 1-4 days
○
Strain it through cheesecloth or
burlap
○
Use immediately
●
Herbs are some of the easiest
plants to grow inside. Choose types you often use in cooking to start with.
Indoor gardening is an excellent way to bring
nature into your home, to provide your family with healthy food all through the
year, and to slow down a little and enjoy the simple things in life. Start
small or go all in, but enjoy your new venture as an indoor gardener!
