Many homeowners love growing their own food. It’s a task that may seem more trouble than it’s worth, but there are a few reasons why you may want to do it. The process of tending to the plants can be a challenging yet rewarding experience, and since you yourself are growing the plants, you can be sure that the produce is free from any unwanted chemicals. But not everybody has the luxury of a front or backyard, so here’s how you can grow some produce indoors.
PREPARING THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT
The first thing you’ll need to consider when doing any sort of indoor gardening is the environment in which you plan on growing your plants. Remember, most plants need ample amounts of sunlight in order for them to grow. This means that you’ll need to find an area in your home that receives a good amount of sunlight every day. For those living inside apartments and the like, this can be a little more difficult, but finding a good window spot for your indoor garden is a top priority.
Once you’ve found a good spot for your mini indoor garden, you’ll want to prepare the furniture around it. Move away any furniture obscuring the sunlight and find a spot to put your plants, pots, and such. Depending on how wide your window is and how much sunlight you receive per day, you may need to set aside a good amount of space, so prepare to get busy for a while.
Finally, the last step in preparing a good environment for your plants is to get the right materials and equipment. You can’t just water the plant and expect it to grow just like that. You’ll need good soil, some fertilizer, a pot or tray and more. These things can cost quite a bit of money, so you may want to buy a full kit online to get yourself geared.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLANTS
So, you’ve got the right environment for your plants. But what plants should you grow? Here’s a quick list of options:
Potatoes
Potatoes are a staple in many meals, so you can grow them and not worry about what meal you should prepare them with. They grow into their full size in about two months, so it doesn’t take too long before you’ve got cute little potatoes ready to harvest. You will need a bit of space in the soil for them to grow, as they are a root crop after all, but other than that they’re fairly simple to tend to.
Peppers
Peppers are a great addition to many meals and can add complexity and flavor to whatever you’re preparing. Growing peppers isn’t all too difficult, and with something like an indoor pepper growing kit, you’ll have everything you need to grow one to full size without too much fuss. While pepper plants usually die during winter, they can be kept alive for years if you live in warm enough conditions.
Carrots
Carrots are another popular choice for those looking to do indoor gardening. While they do need deep soil to grow comfortably, they don’t take much space horizontally, so you can fit quite a few inside a large enough pot. They grow during cooler seasons, so if you’re experiencing warm weather, you may want to consider other options instead.
