You may be reluctant to grow your own plants because you think it’s complicated or because it requires a lot of equipment. But it doesn’t have to be that complicated! Often when sowing seeds indoors, the idea is to plant seeds as early as possible in the season so that you can plant them out on your balcony or in your garden – but you can also sow seeds to harvest indoors. The key is to choose plants that suit your needs and your space. Increasingly popular is hydroponic growing, which means you don’t use any soil – just water, nutrients and a growing medium such as pumice. It’s a growing method that’s perfect for home gardening because it’s a cleaner and more flexible way of growing.
Here’s what you need to grow at home:
- Pot or growing container with several holes for different seeds.
- Seed soil or other suitable substrate in which the roots can develop.
- Seeds of any variety – be aware that seeds saved from previous years may be of poorer quality.
- In the winter months, you may need extra plant lighting.
- If it is draughty or cold, you may need to cover the seedlings with plastic or use a small greenhouse. This can also help retain moisture in the crop.
Growing tomatoes indoors
This is a sun-loving crop that likes to be in the sun most of the day. In other words, if you have a south-facing window, it’s perfect for growing tomatoes. Most people sow tomato seeds in spring, but if you want to grow them during the winter, you’ll need to think about having particularly bright plant lighting.
One thing to bear in mind when growing tomatoes indoors is that they can grow bigger than if they are left outside, so you may want to choose a low-growing variety, such as a bush tomato. Most tomato varieties should be sown between February and April and then replanted when they are over five centimeters tall. A tomato plant that is replanted should preferably have a pot that is a little deeper so that the roots can look downwards. You can mix the soil with a little sand or other draining material, which will not make the soil as compact. Then it’s important to remember to feed the tomatoes!
Growing herbs and spices
Something that most people use often and that works well to grow at home are different types of herbs and spices. If you don’t use plant lights, the best time of year to sow different herbs can vary slightly. For example, basil and rosemary can be sown between April and June, while parsley can be sown in winter or between April and May.
When growing spices, you need to keep in mind that the temperature needs to be just right to avoid damaging the roots or leaves. It is also important to keep the soil moist, and it can be good to be able to water from below so that the roots grow down towards the bottom of the pot. Herbs are good examples of plants that can be grown in a hydroponic system – there are ready-made grow boxes for them. Keep in mind that some herbs like to be in their own pots, although most can be planted together.
Grow your own lettuce in a pot
Growing your own lettuce gives you a satisfying feeling because it produces a bountiful harvest and is relatively easy to grow. You can either sow lettuce seeds between December and March or in April to July.
Some people say that lettuce grows best when it’s a bit colder and that it works well to put the seedling in the fridge before replanting it in a larger pot. When you harvest your lettuce, new leaves usually grow quickly. In other words, it’s a perfect crop to have in a pot in the kitchen window – both beautiful and rich in leafy greens.
Growing chili indoors
There are hundreds of varieties of chilies to choose from, depending on your taste for strength and fruitiness – from Habanero to Piri-piri or the popular Padrones. The time of year to sow chilli seeds depends entirely on the variety you have, but the vast majority should be pre-cultivated between December and March in sunny windows. Putting the seeds in water before sowing can speed up the germination process.
The tricky thing about growing chilies is that the plants usually need to be replanted several times, which makes many people reluctant to grow the plant. On the other hand, they have the great advantage that the chili fruits are fantastically useful and work in almost all types of cooking.
Growing cucumbers indoors
The great thing about growing cucumbers indoors is that you have the opportunity to slowly follow the seed’s transformation into a vegetable. If you’re going to start pre-cultivating, it’s best to do so in April and replant in a larger pot a few weeks later. If you are going to keep the plants indoors, you should consider having a deep pot and supporting the lanky stems with plant sticks and string in a window.
You can harvest when the cucumbers are as big as they should be for each variety – but for indoor growing, it can be good to sow the varieties that produce fruit early so you don’t have to wait too long. In general, cucumbers need a lot of water, nutrition and warmth to grow and mature. They are very sensitive and can easily be damaged if it gets too cold.
Text: Amanda Blennborn, freelance journalist
