Public concern about genetically modified foods and the pesticides used on them continues
to grow.
Combined with the increase in the number of food allergies, consumers have becoming willing
to pay more for organic produce.
However, the increase in price for buying organic is more than many people are able to pay.
Because people want to know exactly where their food is coming from, how it was grown, and
what it contains, the art of gardening has been resurrected.
Not everyone has a yard, but the good news is that much of what we buy from the supermarket
produce department can be grown indoors.
Urban Gardening
Urban gardening is increasing in popularity, and it is truly amazing how much food can be grown
in as small a space as 10 square feet with some of the newest techniques, such as hydroponics.
The variety of plants that can be grown either indoors or on the smallest patio, as well as the number
of creative ways to grow them, is limited only by our imaginations.
Luckily, there are a lot of extremely imaginative gardeners with great ideas about how to make the
most of even the smallest space.
Sprouts, vegetables, fruits, herbs and even teas can not only be grown in a small apartment, but can
help transform any space into a healthier environment.
Getting Started
Here are a few essentials to consider, when getting started:
Pots:
Indoor plants require adequate drainage, so the pots should have either holes or stones in the bottom.
Potting mix:
Organic potting mixes are available at most gardening centers and have been formulated for specific
types of plants that have been proven to thrive in that type of soil.
If you’re feeling creative, you can even make your own mixes.
Compost:
There are even methods for creating your own indoor compost that will virtually eliminate food
waste altogether.
Light:
Adequate sunlight is also a factor, so if you don’t have many windows, you might consider purchasing
It’s guaranteed to be a good investment, since it allows you to maintain optimum light and temperature
conditions year round.
Sprouting:
Grains, seeds and nuts can be sprouted on a windowsill in trays or jars.
Sprouts are jam-packed with beneficial enzymes, vitamins and minerals.
They’re inexpensive, require very little care, and can even be eaten raw.
Many of them even contain anti-cancer properties in addition to other vital nutrients.
Some popular sprouts include alfalfa and sunflower.
Choices, Choices…
Vegetables that can be grown indoors include:
Tomatoes
Eggplant
Squash
Kale
Peppers
Spinach
Carrots
Lettuce
Herbs
and more….
Space Is Not An Issue…
Instead of a hanging indoor houseplant, consider a hanging basket of lettuce as greenery that
doubles as an ingredient of a healthy salad.
Or create a space-saving mason jar garden.
Even if you don’t have adequate space for full-grown vegetable plants, you don’t have to miss out
on their superior taste and nutritive value.
Studies have shown that “microgreens”, which are the young seedlings and shoots of veggies like
kale, Swiss chard, radishes and beets may have even more nutritional value than the full grown versions.
Grow Fruits, Too
Surprisingly, it’s even possible to grow fruits as well as vegetables indoors, including some that
grow on small trees.
Yes…
Avocadoes
Mulberries
Lemons
Mandarin oranges
Figs
Strawberries
Pineapples
and even watermelons…
…can be grown indoors.
Growing a lemon tree indoors serves the triple purpose of oxygenating the air, providing a lovely
natural scent without toxic chemicals and producing flavorful fruit rich in vitamin C.
According to experts, with proper mulching, almost anything is possible.
Get Creative
One of the bonus features of container gardening is the opportunity it provides for exercising
your own creative flair to create beauty as well as healthy food.
Many gardeners make caring for their gardens more enjoyable by planting flowers for a splash
of lovely color as well as scent in the same pot as vegetables and herbs.
There is even a guide that explains which plants grow well together.
More Food for Thought…
As the prices of organic herbs and produce continue to skyrocket, it won’t take long for this
investment to pay for itself.
You can even sell any surplus at your local farmer’s market.
Sharing with your neighbors is also a great way to strengthen community ties.
The psychological benefits of gardening are as compelling as the economic, nutritional and social
benefits, which is definitely food for thought.
Sources:
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/indoor-organic-gardening.htm
https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/tip-growing-organic-food-inside-your-home-year-round
http://inhabitat.com/diy-create-a-personal-urban-patio-garden-not-matter-how-small-your-space/
http://greatist.com/health/best-plants-to-grow-indoors
About the Author:
Philip Piletic – Originally from Europe, currently situated in Brisbane, AUS where I work & live. I have a strong interest in ecology, “green” practices and generally living a sustainable and responsible lifestyle. I love to share my experience with others by contributing to several blogs and helping others achieve success. If you want to include a social media, here’s my Linked in: https://au.linkedin.com/in/philippiletic
Have you grown food indoors?
What have you grown?
What are your best tips for indoor gardening success?
Share your experiences, thoughts and comments with us.
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I love being able to produce at least a little of my own food. Thanks for the great ideas!
Hi Deborah,
Great advice in this article to grow food indoors. I have thought of doing this myself but not sure if I have the room for potatoes, but the sprouts are something I definitely try. I wish more people would grown their own food.- it is so economical and the nutrients valuable is so much higher. Hi Amber,
Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays Pinned & tweeted!
Hi Deborah,
Just a note to let you know that I have chosen your post as one of my features for this weeks Real Food Fridays blog hop that goes live every Thursday @ 7pm EST. Thank you sharing and being part of our mission to make it a healthier world.
Hi Marla,
Thank you so much! I am delighted to hear that you have featured this post! I appreciate it!
This is actually a topic I’ve been a little obsessed with the past couple of years. Just this past week I made a post on how to grow green onions indoors. It’s amazing what you can do with a wide enough window sill!
Lovely post! The tips are very useful and I’m definitely having them on mind for future projects. For this winter I’ve decided to try growing up spices indoors. Till now all the plants look very nice and seem to feel good on my kitchen window. Thanks for the helpful tips!
thanks so much for sharing this! I really need to try harder at this gardening thing. I’m currently trying to grow a salad mix and cucumbers as well as wildflowers. I also have spider plants and aloe to clean the air in my apartment. 🙂
I have a garden outside. Not sure how to grow anything indoors because the cat steals plants.
Great article Deborah. Grow lights are fantastic. My window sill microgreens never did very well but investing in a grow light has made an enormous difference. I think I need another one as I go through the greens and herbs so quickly! I’ve just planted some pea shoots. So much cheaper than buying bags of them in the supermarket plus they are organic.
This sounds like an awesome idea. I have never thought about that. I will have to try it.
Hi Betty,
Yes, I hope this will inspire you to try growing something in a little sunlit corner of your home! All the best to you!