We’re about to welcome in a new year, and with every new year comes the opportunity to make (lets not talk about break) an unrealistic list of resolutions. We have a strategy that will help you keep at least a few of those health-related promises on track. Aside from adding living decoration to your indoor design,
As we become more involved in sustainable growing practices on a global scale, it makes sense that people are more interesting in harvesting their own crop of locally grown veggies and fruits closer to home – farm to table takes on a whole new meaning when you grow it yourself!
Unfortunately for us Canadians, unless you have a green house, maintaining an outdoor garden year-round is impossible thanks to our characteristically harsh and unpredictable winters. While indoor gardening has been popular among apartment and condo dwellers for some time (due to space constraints), more and more homeowners are jumping on the bandwagon.
Whether you want a shelf full of herbs or fresh salad fixings, If you’re interested in starting your own lush little garden in the comfort of your own home, we’ve put together this basic guide for first timers.
Start Small
Green thumb or no, when you embark on your first small-scale gardening experiment, although Pinterest is rife with wonderful ideas and tricks, it’s best to start with the basics and then work your way up. Start with a simple container of salad greens or a few pots of your favourite herbs so you can make sure that this is a) a project you will enjoy doing, b) a project you have time to pursue, and c) you will know what tools and equipment you’ll need if and when you want to expand your operation.
Remember! No matter the tools and technology you employ, not every environment is perfect for every plant. Don’t be discouraged if your first crop isn’t a bumper – keep trying different seeds and plants until you find the right combination for your household.
Though there are quite a few hearty herbs you can grow in your kitchen, like lemongrass and peppermint, you may want to start with those you tend to use more often:
Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme
When it comes to veggies, the same rule applies, though you have lots of options to choose from. Tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, even beets and broccoli can all grow indoors quite successfully. Edible plants like microgreens, shoots and sprouts are all those that can be harvested and eaten in their early growth stages and are easy to propagate.
Try… Arugula, Broccoli, Beets, Kale, Tomatoes, Pea shoots, Sunflower shoots, Mung beans
A Pretty Place To Grow
Easily doubling as a decorative installation, these little container gardens are a beautiful, bountiful addition to any kitchen, living room or den space. And though they need more care and handling than your average knickknacks, they should be placed up and away from daily traffic and little hands or furry feet that can get into them.
Opt for sturdy shelves, like a unit that allows for at least 2 feet between shelves and offers room to hang grow lights. Taller plants, like tomatoes, will need their own special set-up to accommodate their vines.
For the crafty set, Pinterest offers a host of indoor gardening solutions that are practical and perfectly pretty.
Alternatively, another option is to add a greenhouse window, a design that protrudes outward from the house, offers extra space in the kitchen, and allowing them to get the natural light they need to thrive. Check out our post on how to take advantage of a greenhouse window in your kitchen design.
Lovely Lighting
One of the most important parts in healthy growth of a plant is light. And not just any light will do! The best light for indoor plants is natural, but where natural light is unavailable, artificial but full spectrum sources are the next best thing. Because daylight provides the full range of colours that plants need to photosynthesize, a daylight simulating light bulb is the right choice for your growing project.
Or, choose a plant pot with light included, like this stylishly functional lamp pot from Studio Shulab, or the Aerogarden.
Now that you have covered your basics, sit back and wait for your garden to grow! Though there is an initial cost in set up and prep, we guarantee once you start to enjoy the delicious fruits of your labour, you’ll find it was well worth the expense
