Photo by Tina Dawson on Unsplash
When winter comes around, it can be disappointing to not be able to care for and eat from your fruit and vegetable garden anymore. Of course, there is no way you can have an entire garden like that indoors, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on everything! Here are some fruits and vegetables that you can grow inside to give you some fresh, hand-grown food, all year round!
Green Onions
Green onions are probably one of the most simple vegetables to grow indoors. The easiest way to get started with these is by simply getting some fresh green onions from the grocery store. Use the green part for cooking, but then stop cutting them about an inch from the roots. Then, simply put that end with the roots in a pot of soil, or even put them only in a glass of water. It’s so easy!
“Their shallow root system makes them perfect candidates for potted growth, and their short harvest dates means you’ll be pumping up the flavor with your recipes before you know it. Best of all, you don’t have to be a gardening expert to be successful growing them.” - SF Gate
Cherry Tomatoes
It’d be pretty difficult to grow large species of tomatoes indoors, but it’s perfectly possible to grow cherry tomatoes in your own home this winter. Plant your tomatoes in a large pot of soil by a window somewhere that gets at least eight hours of sunlight a day. If it’s pretty dark and dreary where you live, artificial fluorescent light works, too.
The most difficult part of this is pollinating. Since tomatoes flower, they need to be pollinated. That’s pretty easy when you’re outdoors, but it becomes a challenge inside. Indoor Garden Nook has some tips on how you can stimulate pollination indoors. They are:
Using a fan so that you can create a wind-like environment;
Use your finger to tap or shake the main stem of your tomato;
Using a paintbrush or cotton in order to transfer pollen from plant to plant.
Lemons
This one often sounds surprising, but it’s perfectly possible to grow lemons indoors. This is because they only need six hours of sunlight and don’t need tropical heat like you’d expect.
“Lemons can make excellent houseplants and will be comfortable in a container as long it provides adequate drainage and room for growth. Heights of around 3 to 5 feet can be expected for a lemon tree growing indoors. They also prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Keep the soil evenly moist and fertilize as needed.” - Gardening Know How
Herbs
Herbs aren’t technically fruits or vegetables, but they’re still an edible plant you can grow inside during winter and all year round. Growing your own herbs is much easier—and cheaper—than going to the grocery store and getting them every time you need them for your cooking. More often than not, the herbs you buy end up getting limp and wilted before you’ve used them all. That’s not an issue if you grow them.
Just like the rest of the plants here, remember to give your herbs lots of light and keep them well watered.
“Seeds and sprouts need lots of water, but it is also very easy to over-water them. You’ll need to do your research on the specific plants you chose so you can know exactly how much water to give them.” - Dash Lawn Care
It’s possible for everyone to grow their own food, even if they’re stuck inside during winter. You may not be able to grow everything indoors, but you can certainly grow a fair amount.
Need help with your winter landscape while you're busy growing your indoor vegetable garden? Contact us today for a FREE quote! We’ll come in, clean up your lawn/gardens, and leave—while you sit back, relax, and do something you enjoy!
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