It’s mid-spring and full of promise for a better food harvest than ever. With food prices so high, there’s never been a better time to start growing your own. If you haven’t done this before, here are some beginner tips to start small and even indoors. Before I had land, I would garden in pots on my back patio, growing herbs, peppers and tomatoes. I loved watching the magic happen!
Growing food that you get to eat is an experience everyone should have. Not only should you know how to do it and pass down those skills, but the reward is life-changing, at least for me. It does taste better! I will skip all the sustainability and environmental reasons to say growing food is in our DNA. And so by doing it, you will feel more balanced and rooted (no pun intended) while embracing your inner chef with herbs at your fingertips or in the worst case scenario, a fresh tomato to go with those rice and beans.
Are you wondering at this point how you can grow your food with your limited space? Read on, because you can indeed grow quite a bit of your food in a patio container or on a sunny windowsill.
Indoor/Small Space Gardening
Indoor gardening includes a wide range of techniques and methods such as hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical gardening, and indoor greenhouses, but the easiest methods by far are container gardening indoors and outdoors or on windowsills. Even in apartments or homes with limited outdoor space, floor space, and windowsills can be utilized for growing food. South-facing windows typically receive the most sunlight throughout the day, followed by west-facing and east-facing windows.
Container gardening is just that: growing plants in pots, containers, or other suitable vessels. This method is versatile and can be adapted to various spaces outdoors and indoors. If you lack a lot of good natural light, you can use artificial grow lights. LED grow lights are energy-efficient and come in various spectrums to support different stages of plant growth. I bought two inexpensive full-spectrum LED lights that clip onto my dining room table to start some of my seedlings.
You can use containers such as pots, buckets, or window boxes to grow herbs, vegetables, or even fruits on balconies, patios, or sunny porches. Your vessel does need drainage to prevent water logging, which can lead to root rot, and you will need a saucer or other shallow container under the pot for watering. Containers are best watered by adding water to the saucer allowing the plant to suck up what it needs. Make sure you use containers that are suitable for the size of the plants you intend to grow.
Give your plants the best start
Most herbs and vegetables do well with a lightweight potting mix or soilless mix specifically formulated for container gardening. These mixes provide good drainage and aeration, essential for healthy root development in confined spaces.
Water your plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, but avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Also, watch the leaves. When they droop or curl, they are parched. Water immediately and maybe even mist the leaves. This happens to me regularly. One minute they are fine, next they look like they are dying. So dramatic.
Best veggies for indoor gardening
Opt for plants that thrive indoors and can tolerate the amount of sunlight available. Herbs like basil, parsley, mint, chives, and thyme are popular choices for windowsill gardening. Lettuce and microgreens, such as radish, arugula, and kale, are also well-suited for containers in small indoor spaces.
Harvest herbs, lettuce, and microgreens as needed for fresh culinary use. Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to snip leaves or stems, taking care not to damage the plant’s growth points. Regular harvesting encourages continued growth and productivity.
Cherry tomatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow and love containers. Just keep the stems supported with a dowel or stick, and they just do their thing. Peppers are fun to grow in containers too, especially small peppers like jalapeños.
You can pick up some seeds or better yet, buy starts from the garden center. You can even extend the growing season by practicing succession planting in containers. As one crop finishes, replant the container with a new crop to ensure a continuous harvest.
While it’s difficult to provide specific yield estimates, you could expect that with care and attention, to harvest a significant amount of fresh produce throughout the growing season. Additionally, the convenience and accessibility of indoor gardening make it a practical and rewarding way to supplement your diet.
Here is a list of other vegetables and herbs you can try:
Cucumbers: Compact bush cucumber varieties are ideal for container gardening, providing fresh cucumbers for salads and snacks.
Beans: Bush beans, such as green beans or snap peas, can be grown in pots with trellises for support.
Eggplants: Dwarf eggplant varieties adapt well to container gardening, producing glossy fruits in a range of colors.
Zucchini or squash: Some compact zucchini and squash varieties are suitable for pots, providing fresh vegetables for cooking and grilling.
Radishes: Radishes are quick-growing vegetables that thrive in pots, making them ideal for beginners or those with limited space.
Salad greens: Various types of lettuce, arugula, and spinach can be grown in pots for continuous harvests of fresh greens.
Herbs: Cilantro, parsley, oregano, and mint are all great choices for pot gardening.
Keep your plants healthy
Try to keep your space at an optimal temperature and humidity levels for indoor plants, typically between 65-75°F (18-24°C) and 40-60% relative humidity. You can use a humidifier or pebble trays filled with water to increase humidity levels, especially during the winter when indoor air tends to be drier. Do check indoor plants for signs of pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. Remove any affected leaves or stems and treat plants promptly. Container plants benefit from regular fertilization, as nutrients in the potting mix can become depleted over time. Use a balanced fertilizer or one specifically formulated for container plants, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Other ways to start gardening
There are more opportunities than ever to join or start a community garden in your neighborhood. This allows individuals without access to outdoor space to collectively grow food in a shared area. You can also rent a plot in an allotment garden if available in your area. These community-run spaces provide individuals with access to land for gardening.
If you haven’t grown your food before and are going to give it a try, I hope you will let me know how it goes. I would love to hear about your experience, and I bet you will keep it up. Happy planting!
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