If you are someone like me who loves growing vegetables but lacks a space to grow, let me tell you that now you don’t need a garden or a lawn to grow vegetables. You can grow vegetables indoors with a few changes inside and some tips on how to grow vegetables indoors. You will be ready to embark on a journey to grow your vegetables indoors. You need not to be expert you can start growing them even as a passion or hobby
Gardening in a small space is much more productive per square meter then large space
Why grow vegetables indoors?
Who doesn’t like fresh vegetables without chemicals and pesticides? So if you are someone who like fresh vegetables,. You may relate to how hard it is to find organic vegetables these days; if you do, then they are super expensive to purchase. So if you are an enthusiast with less or no outdoor space, you can grow your own vegetables indoors by just following some easy steps.
Step 1: figure out the space and seting up
When you lack space, you have to be creative
Well you can see both of the images above. image on left side shows a shelf design, while image on right side shows a setup on a balcony or small space.
So, you should decide which setup you would go for. well the right-side setup would be convenient. But lets say you lack that space There isn’t any thing to worry about; you can find a place near your window, kitchen, or wherever the place is available in your home. The displayed image on the left side is a perfect example of indoor gardening, as it takes less space but, due to its multiple layers, you can grow a lot of veggies. Keep the set up very simple according to the space you have.
Step2: Figuring out the light source
When growing vegetables inside, the biggest problem is the light source. If you have a window or balcony where the sunlight is available throughout the day, then you should set up your pots there, like in the image on the right side. But if you have no such space, there is no need to be worried you can set up a light set up as given in image on the left side.
When i mean light setup, it is northern, but instead of sun light, you can grow your vegetables under grow light These are easily available in hardware store or on online stores You can than easily set up a light, as shown in image
Step 3: Selecting the vegetables to grow
Well now this is the most important step and i know it’s an exciting one too so in this we will select the vegetables that we can grow indoors. there are certain types of vegetables you can grow inside as well as outdoors. When selecting a category, you should plan thoroughly. Keep in mind that we should keep our expectations low and practical when growing vegetables indoors. You cannot wish for avocados to grow inside your house. It can be done but it would be way harder to grow compared to tomatoes.
So here is the list of vegetables to grow indoors:
Lettuce: Lettuce is a great choice for indoor gardening because it grows quickly and doesn’t require a lot of space. It’s also quite hardy and can tolerate lower light conditions, making it perfect for near windows or under grow lights.
Spinach: Spinach thrives indoors due to its compact growth and tolerance for shade. It’s a nutrient-packed leafy green that grows quickly, allowing for frequent harvests. With just a bit of regular watering and some light, spinach can produce a lot of yields in a small indoor setup.
Radishes: Radishes are ideal for indoor gardens because they have a very short growing cycle and are often ready to harvest in just a few weeks. They don’t need a lot of space and can grow well in shallow containers. Radishes also thrive with less light, making them perfect for indoor conditions.
Green Onions (Scallions): Green onions are incredibly easy to grow indoors, even from kitchen scraps. They require minimal space and can thrive in small pots on a window shelf. With regular watering, they will continuously produce fresh, flavorful greens for your dishes.
Herbs (Basil, Thyme, Parsley, etc.): Herbs like basil, thyme, and parsley are well-suited for indoor gardening. They require little space and can flourish in pots with good drainage. These herbs are relatively low-maintenance and provide a fresh harvest year-round.
Baby Carrots: Baby carrots are perfect for indoor gardening as they require less space and have a shorter growing period compared to full-sized carrots. They thrive in deep containers with loose, well-drained soil. With regular watering and sufficient light, you can enjoy sweet carrots in a few weeks.
Tomatoes: tomatoes are a popular indoor choice because they produce small, flavorful fruits on compact plants. They do well in containers and can thrive with the help of grow lights. With consistent watering and a bit of support for the vines, you can enjoy fresh tomatoes year-round.
Peppers (small varieties): Small pepper varieties are excellent for indoor gardening as they grow well in pots and require less space. They need moderate light and regular watering, but they are relatively low-maintenance.
Microgreens: Microgreens are perfect for indoor growing due to their tiny size and fast growth cycle. They can be grown in shallow trays and only need a few hours of light each day. These nutrient-dense greens are ready to harvest in just a couple of weeks, providing a quick and healthy addition to your meals.
Garlic Greens
Garlic greens are incredibly easy to grow indoors, even from leftover garlic cloves you can grow them. They require minimal space and light, and they grow quickly in small pots.
These above-listed vegetables are perfect for indoor gardening because they can grow in small spaces and require less care. They don’t need extensive sunlight and can grow well under artificial lights. Most of them have short growing cycles, so you can enjoy fresh produce relatively quickly. Plus, they are generally low-maintenance and hardy, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced gardeners looking to grow vegetables indoors.
Step 4: Choosing the Pots and Soil
Pots: This is yet another important step in which we will be picking up pots and containers to grow vegetables indoors. You don’t need big size pots to grow; at least 1 gallon to 5 gallon pots are enough with good drainage system because you don’t need much soil to grow vegetables indoors.
Soil: Well, it is really important to choose good growing media because it will have a big impact on the harvest. You can use water or mats to grow the vegetables but growing them in soil will provide them good nutrients and your harvest will be more healthy You should always go for good poting mixes There are many, but you should consider few tips: like they should be organic and chemical-free. As long as you are following these tips, you are good to go.
Important tip: If you are planting vegetables from seed, make sure you choose the seeds that will germinate well.
Well, as you can see from above image,. It is a method to check which seeds will germinate or which seeds will not. It is a very easy test in which you will take a cup filled with water, and then you will put all the seeds you purchased into the water and wait at least for 24 to 48 hours. The seeds that sink, as shown in the above image, are capable of germinating, while the ones that are floating are not. So take all the seeds from the bottom of your cup and gently sow them in pots.
Step 5: Watering and feeding plants
Watering: Watering plants indoors is completely different from watering plants outside. So, you have to be very careful when watering plants. Know one thing: indoor plants process water 3 times slower than outside plants. There is a big chance you can overwater them. If you assume that you should only water, then how much is needed? Now, you may ask how well I can provide a golden trick for you.
Golden tip: To check how much moisture is left in your plant, you can poke a finger inside the soil up to 2 inches. If you feel moisture, then your plant doesn’t need water. If you feel dry, then they need watering. I hope this golden tip will help you.
Feeding: I know what you are thinking. But hold on, yes, plants do need to be fed to be healthy, especially indoors. When I say feeding, it doesn’t mean feeding your food. What i mean is giving compost by mixing it with the soil. It is very important to balance the nutrients of plants indoors. While purchasing compost, you should always go for an organic one with a preferred ratio of 30:1, in which 30 is carbon and 1 is nitrogen, or else you can easily make compost at home with kitchen waste.
Well, I hope that you found this article helpful. If you have any questions or related articles, you can click on contact us, and we will be more than pleased to help you.
