Indoor Vegetable Gardening - Try Planting Vegetable Gardens Indoors!

Indoor vegetable gardening sounds a little crazy to some, but if you love the fresh taste of wholesome vegetables, then you will love picking them from your own garden, even if it's inside. Many people don't have the luxury of a backyard, but following a few garden-wise guidelines will provide you with many years of successful indoor vegetables.

Choose the Right Vegetables

As with all plants that have different requirements, indoor vegetable gardening plants' biggest restriction is available light and space. Fruit bearing plants, for instance, require a great deal of sunlight, while salad greens like miniature cabbages, lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard do quite well indoors, because they require less light.

Since you need containers large enough for the full growth of plants, the size of the pots need to determine the plants you choose. Onions, radishes and small root carrots are great choices for this environment. Another popular choice is herbs because of their compactness. Many vegetables like peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes come in miniature varieties that, with proper care, will thrive indoors.

Find the Best Place for Growing

To repeat an earlier point, good lighting is essential for indoor vegetable gardening. A window that is facing south is your best bet, but any area that gets at least 5 hours of constant sunlight can be used. In addition to natural light, you can even set up supplemental artificial lighting for growing healthy plants, in addition to available natural light.

Another important factor that you must think about is traffic flow. In general, vegetables bruise easily, so fairly quiet areas are best, so as to minimize accidental human contact. It would certainly be wise to place your garden well out of reach of pets and small children, and you might consider locating your plants close to gardening tools for easy clean-up in case things get messy.

Make the Most of the Microclimate

Moderate temperatures and high humidity provide the best environment for growing plants. Indoor vegetable gardening will often suffer from low humidity and this is an area that has to be addressed. Plants grown in containers will require much more water, because they dry out faster than other plants. However, root rot is caused if plants become waterlogged. This can be prevented by placing gravel in a dish at the bottom of the container, to provide for good drainage. This serves a dual purpose by also providing improved humidity as the water evaporates from the dish. Grouping plants together is another great way that your microclimate can be optimized. Mixing decorative houseplants with your vegetables creates groupings that are both functional and beautiful. Of course, controlling the temperature inside your house is as easy as drawing the curtains to provide more shade. Be careful, however, to protect your plants from drafts.

Good Potting Soil is Important

Potting soil that drains well and contains the nutrients required for good development and growth is essential. Premixed potting soil can be purchased that already has the proper amount of fertilizer. You can even get organic potting soils from your local gardening center, if you prefer to go organic. Always add nutrients with care, as buildup of fertilizer is a common problem in container plants.

Growing plants indoors can be extremely rewarding, so don't be afraid to try it. By following these guidelines, you may have enough produce to give as gifts to friends and family, and they will be surprised and delighted when they find it was done through indoor vegetable gardening.