BLOGS

Food You Can Grow Indoors

Many people take advantage of the farmer’s markets that abound during the summer months. Afterall, there is nothing quite like fresh produce. But once the cooler air rolls in, farmer’s markets tend to pack up for the season. This may leave you lamenting. But the good news is that you can fill the void by growing some produce of your own indoors! Here’s how.

Beginner’s Tips

To help make your indoor garden a success, make sure that you first start with the correct containers. Pots with drainage holes are best, especially if you are a novice. Drainage holes will allow excess water to run out of the pot and prevent your plant’s roots from drowning.

Another thing you will want to do is survey your home’s light sources. West and south facing windows are ideal as they allow the most sunshine throughout the day. Plants use a lot of energy to produce fruit, so the lighter, the better your yield should be. If you don’t have any great natural lighting options, you can supplement with grow lights. Some grow light setups can be a bit of an investment upfront, but you can also get started with quality grow lights for around $15 each.

Great Veggie Options

Microgreens

Microgreens grow very easily. Which makes them a great candidate for your indoor garden. Plus, they are so versatile and packed with vitamins.

Getting started will require microgreen seeds, a shallow seedling tray, and a spray bottle. All of which you should be able to find at your local garden center. What you’ll need to do is spread a thin layer of soil over the bottom of the seedling tray. Then spread your microgreen seeds over top. Top your seedlings with another shallow dressing of soil. Finally, spray the soil and seeds with water until moist, but not soaked. Keep the tray warm and moist until they germinate. This should only take a few days. You’ll be reaping the rewards in no time!

Garlic Greens

Garlic can elevate the flavor of any dish you are creating. And while growing garlic bulbs indoors can prove a bit tricky, growing garlic greens is surprisingly easy. You can add them to your dishes like you would chives. Just snip off what you need when you need them. To get your garlic greens going, all you need to do is plant a garlic bulb from your local grocery store. Make sure that the pointy end is facing the top of the soil. Place that in a sunny spot and water when the soil is dry. Before long, you will see fresh greens sprouting.

Great Fruit Options

Tomatoes​

Tomatoes are robust growers. Most varieties, once established, tend to take off. You can absolutely start your tomatoes from seed. Just follow the microgreen germination instructions. But you can also get a starter plant from your garden center. Tomatoes grow very tall and have tender branches, so make sure that it has stakes or a trellis to support them. As they flower, you can tap the sides of the branches to pollinate the plant.

Lemons

Lemons can add brightness to food and drinks. With so many culinary applications, growing your own is a great idea. Start by purchasing a healthy 2–3-year-old dwarf variety from a nursery. In order to fruit, lemons need about 8-12 hours of sunlight a day. So be sure to place your plant in a sunny window or supplement with grow lights.

Hopefully this small list will inspire you to create your own indoor garden! Prime Custom Builders is dedicated to helping families create their dream homes. Which is one reason we update our blog regularly with new information. Be sure to check back often!

By Prime Custom Builders 9-28-2021