Fresh Greens – All-In Gardening

Embrace Winter Gardening: Top 5 Vegetables that Thrive Indoors

Introduction:

As the winter months approach, gardeners often face the challenge of limited outdoor growing opportunities due to cold temperatures and frost. However, the solution lies right within your home – indoor winter gardening! With a little creativity and the right choice of vegetables, you can continue to enjoy the joys of gardening even when the snow blankets the ground outside. In this blog post, we’ll explore the five best vegetables to grow indoors during the winter, bringing fresh flavors and a touch of greenery to your home all season long.

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1. Microgreens: Tiny Powerhouses of Nutrition

Microgreens are young, edible seedlings of various vegetables and herbs. These little greens burst with flavor, color, and nutrition, making them an excellent choice for indoor winter gardening. They are quick to grow, often ready for harvest within 1-3 weeks, and they thrive in small spaces and minimal light. Popular microgreens include kale, arugula, radish, and sunflower. Not only are they delicious additions to salads, sandwiches, and garnishes, but they also pack a concentrated punch of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

I have taken sprout seed mixes and let them grow into microgreens with tasty results. I have used a ceramic microgreen tray with a coir base for the roots with success. I’ve also used a larger plastic tray lined with paper, but this one did dry out quicker. A note on the latter: the paper is placed on a perforated tray with a drainage tray beneath it. I haven’t tried the tray with soil yet, so I can’t discount it as a good system to use yet.

No matter which method you use, regular misting of the seeds and greens is required. I failed to do it one day and was left with some wilted and withered greens.

2. Spinach: Leafy Greens for Nutrient-Rich Harvests

Spinach is a cold-hardy vegetable that thrives in cooler temperatures, making it a perfect candidate for indoor winter gardening. With bright green leaves and a rich flavor, spinach provides a steady supply of essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Choose compact varieties and place them near a south-facing window or under grow lights for optimal growth. Regular harvesting of outer leaves encourages continual growth, giving you a fresh supply throughout the winter months.

I tried to grow spinach in my large hydroponic unit with little success. It germinated relatively quickly but basically quit growing after its first few leaves emerged. That’s not to say it’s not suitable for hydroponics. I do believe the room my unit is in is much too warm for spinach. It may do better during the winter months when the room is much cooler.

3. Herbs: Fresh Flavors at Your Fingertips

A windowsill herb garden is a delightful addition to any indoor space during the winter. Herbs like basil, parsley, mint, thyme, and rosemary not only bring wonderful aromas but also add depth and flavor to your culinary creations. Most herbs are relatively easy to grow indoors, requiring moderate light and well-draining soil. Regular pruning ensures bushier growth, and you’ll have a steady supply of fresh herbs all season long.

Although some herbs do not do well in hydroponics, my mint is flourishing. I cut it back yesterday and am dehydrating the sprigs for use in tea this winter. I have been eating it fresh as well, pinching back the growing tips to encourage bushier growth.

My self-watering herb planter (pictured below) will also be brought indoors this fall, which will continue to provide me with parsley, lemon thyme, lavender, dill, and calendula (marigold) for flavour and garnishing.

Planter filled with parsley, dill, lemon thyme, and marigold. — Parsley, dill, lemon thyme, lavender, and calendula (marigold).

4. Carrots: Compact and Colourful Delights

Believe it or not, you can grow carrots indoors during the winter months! Choose smaller varieties or “baby” carrots that are well-suited for container gardening. Select deep containers to accommodate their taproots and provide well-draining soil to prevent rot. Carrots require moderate light and consistent moisture to thrive. Witness the joy of pulling up these vibrant orange roots from your own indoor garden.

I have grown carrots in containers before, but have yet to try them as an indoor winter crop. My house has a lot of natural light so I hope it’s enough for the carrots. I do have LED lights I can utilize as well.

5. Scallions: A Never-ending Harvest

Scallions, also known as green onions or spring onions, are a versatile and productive choice for indoor gardening. They can be grown from both seeds and kitchen scraps (using the root ends). Place the cut ends in water initially, and once they develop roots, transplant them into pots. Scallions can thrive in various lighting conditions, making them an excellent option for less sunny spots. Regular trimming ensures you’ll have a continuous supply of mild onion flavor for soups, salads, and garnishes.

I love green onions and there’s nothing better than fresh-picked. As they don’t have a deep root system they’ll be ideal for a pot placed on the kitchen counter. Between them and the chives I should be set for green onion flavour all winter long.

Wrapping it up

Winter gardening doesn’t have to be limited to the outdoors (and in a climate that reaches minus 40 degrees, it’s not an option). By choosing the right vegetables, optimizing light conditions, and providing proper care, you can enjoy a thriving indoor garden throughout the cold months. Microgreens, spinach, herbs, carrots, and scallions are five fantastic choices that offer a range of flavors, colors, and nutritional benefits. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your gardening supplies, and embark on a winter gardening adventure that will not only satisfy your green thumb but also add fresh, homegrown goodness to your winter meals.

3 Easy-to-Grow Herbs

If you want to try your hand at growing herbs this season but aren’t sure which to try, read on.

When it comes to herb gardening, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, herbs need at least six hours of sunlight per day. They also prefer well-draining soil with a neutral pH. However, perhaps the most important factor is choosing the right herb for your level of experience. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start with an herb that is easy to grow. Some good options include basil, oregano, and chives. These herbs are relatively tolerant of different conditions and can be easily propagated from cuttings. With a little care and attention, you can soon be enjoying fresh herbs straight from your own garden.

Basil

Basil is a popular herb that is commonly used in Italian cooking. It has a strong, unique flavor that can add depth to any dish. Best of all, basil is relatively easy to grow, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to start their own herb garden. It requires little maintenance and can be grown indoors or outdoors. It prefers warm weather and plenty of sunlight, but as long as these basic needs are met, basil will thrive. Additionally, basil is not particularly susceptible to pests or diseases, so it can be left largely unattended. With just a little bit of effort, basil can provide fresh herbs for your kitchen all year round.

Oregano

Oregano is a hardy herb that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It is a versatile herb that can be used in many different dishes, and it is easy to dry for later use. Oregano can be planted in the spring or autumn, and it does not require much care once it is established. It will tolerate partial shade, but will produce more leaves if it is grown in full sun. Oregano is a drought-tolerant plant, so it does not need to be watered often. When oregano is grown in containers, it should be fertilized every few weeks. It can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division. Oregano is susceptible to root rot, so it is important to make sure that the soil drains well. It’s an easy herb to grow and can be a valuable addition to the garden.

Chives

Chives are a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to soups. They have a mild onion flavor and are often used as a garnish or seasoning. Chives are also very easy to grow, making them a great option for beginner gardeners. They require very little maintenance and can be grown in both sun and shade, and tolerate being allowed to dry out. Chives are also resistant to pests and diseases, which further reduces the amount of work required to keep them healthy. As a result, chives are an ideal herb for anyone looking for an easy-to-grow plant that will provide them with ample harvest.

Conclusion

Basil, oregano and chives are all easy to grow herbs that can be added to your garden or balcony. They’re perfect for beginner gardeners because they don’t require a lot of maintenance and they add a pop of color and flavour to any dish. Have you grown any of these herbs before? If so, tell me about your experience in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!

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They’re Here!

It seems like it has taken forever, but in all honesty it’s only been a few days.

My sprout seeds arrived and I couldn’t wait to get some started. The lids came with two packages of seeds, plus I ordered a separate package of seeds for more selection. And with the temperatures quickly dropping to minus 30 degrees Celsius, a taste of spring will be welcome.

Two packages came with the lids and the other six were in another package.

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The lids out of the package so you can see what they look like.

When I took the Sprouting Workshop I bought seeds from the same company as above and they had an excellent germination rate. The lids are a little (okay, a lot) different from the one I bought at the workshop but they seem to work well. I like the ease in which the water can be added and drained, and the jars don’t want to roll away because of the flat design on the lids.

I put the seeds (1 tbsp of alfalfa in one jar and 4 tbsp of Crunchy Bean Mix in another) in water and let them soak while I was at work. Each seed type has a different recommendation on the package which I suggest you follow, at least until you know how much room they’ll take up in the jar.

After soaking all day, I drained the water and laid the jars on their sides. I’m anticipating some sprouting by morning. The trick is to keep them moist, so I’ll rinse them again before I go to work.

Crunchy Bean Mix after the water was drained.

Last time I sprouted seeds the beans were ready in a matter of a few days. They were crunchy and had a somewhat nutty flavour. I can hardly wait for these to be big enough to eat.

I love sprouts in salad, on a sandwich or just by themselves. Adding some fresh greens to our diet will be a good mid-winter boost.

The package of alfalfa seeds is supposed to yield at least 30 cups of sprouts. If I remember I should measure each batch I do so I can see just how much I get. It will be interesting to know.

It’s easy to get started with sprouting, and no specialized equipment is needed. I have had success with a plastic mesh as well as the stainless steel screen I bought at the workshop. I plan on buying a few different types of lids as well as an actual sprouting tray just to see how each works. I just have to be careful not to get ahead of myself, or I’ll have more sprouts than we can eat in a week.

Stay tuned to see how they turn out. I’ll be posting pictures so you can see the progress.

Have you tried to grow sprouts? If so, did you enjoy the process and the tasty reward?

Tag: Fresh Greens