Guide How to Grow Organic Food Indoors

Most of us have houseplants, but have you ever considered growing edibles indoors? Superior yet, how about growing delicious, organic produce? Forget the gardener’s woes of winter’s inhospitality. Forget the city-dwellers complaints about the confines of yard-less living. There are no excuses anymore for not having a bountiful garden. And, growing organic food indoors not only provides you with healthy, inexpensive organics year-round – the plants will also help keep your indoor air clean, which is especially important during stuffy, winter months. Here’s how to get started:

 

1. Pick a place. You can grow a wide variety of herbs, vegetables, and even fruits in containers on windowsills, shelves or tables.

2. Begin simple. Ensure immediate success by beginning with surefire winners like herbs, sprouts and lettuce. Take it up a little notch by growing a pizza garden (basil, oregano, cherry tomatoes) or a salsa garden (cilantro, onion, tomatoes, peppers). There are specific varieties of vegetables and fruits that fare ideal in containers.

3. Collect containers. Nearly any type of container can be used to grow your plants: terra cotta pots, ceramic pots, wooden window boxes, metal tubs, glass bowls, cover cream buckets – pretty much whatever you have on hand. Choose the appropriate size based on apiece seed’s recommendations. Some plants will have to begin out in peat pots and transplanted, some can go straight into the container. Drainage holes aren’t necessary if you don’t over water, but that’s hard to tell unless you’re an experienced gardener. So, opt for something with holes (or make a few yourself using a drill or hammer and nails) and place a pan underneath to catch excess water.

 

4. Choose soil. Many commercial potting soils have synthetic additives. So, to truly grow organic, you need to look for the “OMRI Listed” label. The OMRI—Organic Materials Review Institute—determines which products can be used within the national organic program.

5. Find a fertilizer. Again, to really grow organic, make sure you’re using an OMRI-listed fertilizer. Some plants only need to be fertilized when you sow the seeds, but others like more regular feeding. Read your seed package or speak to your local nursery to learn what’s ideal for the varieties you’ve selected.

6. Look for light. Some plants need more light than others. Many will fare well in a sunny window and many like the added boost of a grow light. Some species don’t need light at all (like mushrooms!)

7. Prepare for pests. Growing organic food indoors means far fewer potential pest problems, but you should still be ready to effort bugs (without toxic chemicals). For example, whiteflies and mealy bugs can be controlled with a yellow sticky trap or diluted rubbing alcohol (though test your plant to make sure it won’t get burned).

 

Whether you decide to grow leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, and endive; herbs like basil, thyme, and parsley; or produce like cherry tomatoes, dwarf beets, and blueberries, indoor organic gardening can save you money and protect your health. Also, it’s fulfilling, fun, and the food is delicious!

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