Growing vegetables indoors is an easy way to save money and eat healthier. In addition to saving you money, having a vegetable garden can help to reduce your food miles, which is the distance food travels from farm to plate.
You don't need a garden to grow your own vegetables. Even if you live in an apartment, you can grow herbs and vegetables in containers indoors or on your patio or balcony.
With a little patience and the proper knowledge, you can grow your own vegetables. To get you started, here are five vegetables you can easily grow indoors.
Carrots
You might be surprised to discover this, but it's possible to plant carrots indoors. They just need regular watering and lots of sunlight. They also need containers that are at least 12 inches deep. Use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.
Sprinkle carrot seeds on top of the soil and cover with a light layer of soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. It takes about three weeks for seeds to germinate, depending on the temperature.
As seedlings begin to show leaves, trim or pull away weak ones to avoid crowding. Try to maintain a space of 3 inches between plants. Water and fertilize them regularly.
Harvest carrots when they reach usable size, generally about 1/2 inch in diameter. Pull up plants gently by their tops rather than digging around them. This protects other roots from damage.
Hot Peppers
If you're looking for some spice in your indoor gardening, try growing hot peppers. They have a long growing season, require little more than a sunny window, and produce edible fruit that you can use in a variety of dishes.
Sprinkle your pepper seeds on top of well-draining soil, cover with a thin layer of soil, and gently water them. Keep the soil lightly moist until the seeds germinate and sprout, which should happen within two to four weeks.
Be sure to place your hot pepper plant in a sunny location. Water only once or twice a week and let the soil dry for a bit before watering.
Spinach
If you want to have a steady supply of spinach, why not grow your own indoors? People who think that growing vegetables indoors is difficult should start with spinach.
All you need is a sunny window or balcony. Spinach will grow well in just about any kind of container as long as it has drainage holes and is large enough to accommodate the plant's roots.
Simply plant the seeds in good potting soil and water regularly. Be sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy. In about four weeks, you'll have fresh spinach to use in your cooking.
Potatoes
If one of your potatoes has sprouted a leaf, why not plant it? All you have to do is cut away the rest of the potato and plant the sprouted part in well-draining soil.
Be sure to use a container that's at least 12 inches deep and has drainage holes. Place the plant in a sunny area in your apartment such as beside a window or on the balcony.
Potatoes can grow quite large so prepare to continue adding soil throughout the growing process to keep the potatoes covered. Remember to water once a week. In three to four months, you'll have fresh potatoes ready to cook.
Tomatoes
If you love tomatoes, then you'll love growing them indoors. They're easy to care for and only require plenty of sunlight. Choose smaller varieties for better success.
Fill a container with soilless potting mix then sprinkle the seeds. Keep it moist until the seeds start to sprout. After the seedlings emerge, place them under a grow light or in a sunny location.
Water every few days or when the soil becomes dry. Make sure to fertilize them every two weeks after they have sprouted as well. After three months, fresh tomatoes will be ready to harvest and enjoy.
Growing vegetables indoors can be an easy and fun project even for the most inexperienced gardener. Because many vegetables don't require a large amount of space, they're the perfect choice for indoor gardening at Heights at Lasalle Apartments.
Heights at Lasalle Apartments in Durham, NC