Indoor Gardening
GROWING VEGETABLES IN CONTAINERS:
The following is a list of vegetables that can be grown in containers along with container size and amount per pot.
Pole Beans : 4 gallon size : 5 plants
Beets : 1 pt. Size : 2 plants spread widely apart
Broccoli : 5 gallon size : one plant
Brussels Sprouts : 4 gallon size : one plant
Cabbage : 4 gallon size
Chinese Cabbage : 2 gallon size : one plant
Carrots : one pint : 3 plants spaced about one inch apart
Corn : 10 to 12 gallon size : 5 plants about 4 to 5 inches apart : plant at least 10 per container
Peppers : 2 gallon size : one plant
Turnips : 5 to 7 gallon size : space them a little over 2 inches apart
Browse your local garden store for different types of containers. Certain types work better for certain plants. Believe it or not there are a few TREES that can thrive indoors in pots; be sure to ask about those as well.
START YOUR OWN FARM INDOORS:
You can grow almost any vegetables indoors if you have no access to your own piece of land. There are many new and informative books out there to help you from beginning to end. Here I’ve listed some veggies and where they’ll be most likely to thrive.
INDOOR GROWING UNDER FLUORESCENT LIGHT:
Carrots
Cucumbers
Onions
Radishes
Watercress
BALCONY GROWING
Almost all root vegetables
Tomatoes
Squashes
Peppers
Cucumbers : remember they tend to be quite fussy about not too cold and not to warm
WINDOWSILL GROWING
Carrots
Mustard
Radishes
Tomatoes
Zucchini (homemade zucchini bread is delicious)
GROWING HERBS : MY FAVORITE
Not only are herbs beautiful to admire but some have mood altering fragrance as well. Herbs can flourish both indoors and outdoors. Just keep in mind they normally need a lot of sun and be very careful not to over water. The following is my list of different types and what they’re used for:
COOKING WITH HERBS:
Basil : thrives indoors : Italian dishes
Dill : does well in sandy fertilized soil
Garlic : grow in well fertilized well watered soil : is often grown along side other vegetables to prevent pesty insects : I use it in almost everything I cook : a clove a day keeps your heart healthy
Oregano : Italian and Spanish dishes
Parsley : Tomato soup, veggie sandwiches and salads and fish
Terragon : Spanish and Island dishes
Thyme : I like to make a sauce of thyme and dill for seafood dishes
FRAGRANT HERBS:
Geranium
Lavender*** – soothing and great for babies : one of my favorites
Lemon Balm : makes a wonderful soothing tea and homemade lip gloss ingredient
Rose : relax your home environment and used in rose water and rose oil
Bergamot : my mom’s favorite
Iris Florentina – beautiful to look at
MEDICINAL HERBS:
Camomile : drink before bed and safe for children
Wormwood : contains medicinal properties
Comfrey : a good addition to your favorite teas
Feverfew : you can actually still purchase this old fashioned remedy at most pharmacies and on line herbal stores : most all British Food on line stores carry it along with homeopathic medicines used as far back as Medieval Times : Feverfew was what my brother and I were raised on to bring down fever and help alleviate flu and cold symptoms
BOOKS:
*Herbs and the Earth by H. Beston
Cooking with Herbs and Spices by C Claiborne
*The Herb Garden by S. Garland
***Mother Nature’s Kitchen: Growing and Using Herbs by J. Griffin
Herbs by J. Griffin
Herbs: A Guide to Growing, Cooking and Decorating by I. Lincolnwood
****The Herb Book by John Lust : my all time favorite and I do believe he came out with updated versions but the original is still as good
The Herb Companion is a wonderful magazine containing sources for herbal seeds and plants.
Biological Control of Natural Enemies by P. DeBach
*The Gardener’s Bug Book by Earth Safe
Insect Control by B. Pleasant
**The authors of this site are neither licensed physicians nor scientists; we simply provide a space where hard to find information is free for the gathering. Use common sense when implementing any of our suggestions or those of your fellow reader. **