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Organic Indoor Gardening: Supplies And Products
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Published: November 9, 2006
Indoor organic gardening is the perfect winter hobby for organic food enthusiasts. There are many different plants capable of being grown indoors including vegetables, teas and herbs.
Gardening Supplies
Some gardening supplies needed for an indoor garden include seeds, pots, potting soil, light and fertilizer. Seeds are not difficult to find; they can be bought at a local gardening center and are fairly inexpensive.
Pots of any material, such as, clay, plastic and metal, can be used as long as they are big enough for the item being planted and they provide adequate drainage.
After obtaining the seeds and pots, potting soil is needed. Packaged soil found at gardening centers usually suffices, but according to Diane Relf in “Vegetable Gardening in Containers,” homemade organic soil includes one part peat moss, one part garden loam and one part clean, coarse builder’s sand.
Plants also require a light source, which can be natural or artificial. Fertilizer is generally required as well; for organic gardening, make sure all soil and fertilizers used are 100 percent organic.
Vegetables
Carrots, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes and peppers are vegetables that fare well when grown indoors. Carrots generally need a lot of room, but if different strands are tried out—such as Little Fingers—then optimal results will be obtained. Root plants are easier to grow indoors than other vegetables.
Radishes are great for indoor organic gardening because they grow quickly, which leaves little time for disease and pest infestation. Lettuce sometimes can be difficult to grow inside because of its size, but if the Tom Thumb strand is used—which is a miniature version—than even in winter a fresh organic salad can be enjoyed.
Extra light is needed with tomatoes and peppers, and 10 weeks need to be allowed for fruit to mature and be ready for picking. Peppers usually are small enough to make smaller strains unnecessary, but tomatoes can become large. Try Tiny Tim or Roma tomatoes for indoor organic gardening.
Teas
According to Karen Hegre in her article “Indoor Tea Garden,” chamomile, jasmine, lavender, lemon verbena and wintergreen all are tea herbs known to grow well indoors. She suggests room-temperature water is used and plants are placed facing south so all the light from the day can be taken in. If this is not possible, it is okay to use a fluorescent light for around 12 to 16 hours a day.
A plant’s water should be checked daily because over or under watering plants can be detrimental to the yield, and humidity levels should be balanced. Houses and apartments tend to be overly dry in the winter since the heat is being used, so mist tea plants daily. If pests attack, an organic solution of insecticidal soap can be used.
Herbs
Some easy and rewarding herbs to try raising indoors are basil, chives, oregano, sage and thyme, according to “Organic Gardening Magazine.” Herbs need at least five hours of direct sunlight a day and can yield larger and better crops with a little more. If a fluorescent light is necessary, hang it six inches above the herbs and leave on for 14 hours a day. Make sure to change the angle of the lighting, so all sides of the plants maintain an adequate and balanced amount of light. Herbs thrive in temperatures around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A little bit of humidity helps most indoor plants stay moist. For an organic fertilizer solution, use a diluted fish and seaweed fertilizer once a month.
Organic gardening is extremely rewarding, but when the frost comes and outdoor gardens are no longer an option, move the gardening indoors. Vegetables, teas and herbs all grow well indoors and with a little extra work, growing crops organically will make them taste even better.
Sources:
Hegre, Karen. Indoor Tea Garden. The Garden Path. 2006. 08 November 2006. www.seedsofknowledge.com/teagarden.html.
Organic Gardening. 2006. Rodale, Inc.. 08 November 2006. www.organicgardening.com
Relf, Diane. Vegetable Gardening in Containers. Virginia Tech. 2004. 08 November 2006. www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-336/426-336.htm l.
Gardening Supplies
Some gardening supplies needed for an indoor garden include seeds, pots, potting soil, light and fertilizer. Seeds are not difficult to find; they can be bought at a local gardening center and are fairly inexpensive.
Related Articles
After obtaining the seeds and pots, potting soil is needed. Packaged soil found at gardening centers usually suffices, but according to Diane Relf in “Vegetable Gardening in Containers,” homemade organic soil includes one part peat moss, one part garden loam and one part clean, coarse builder’s sand.
Plants also require a light source, which can be natural or artificial. Fertilizer is generally required as well; for organic gardening, make sure all soil and fertilizers used are 100 percent organic.
Vegetables
Carrots, radishes, lettuce, tomatoes and peppers are vegetables that fare well when grown indoors. Carrots generally need a lot of room, but if different strands are tried out—such as Little Fingers—then optimal results will be obtained. Root plants are easier to grow indoors than other vegetables.
Radishes are great for indoor organic gardening because they grow quickly, which leaves little time for disease and pest infestation. Lettuce sometimes can be difficult to grow inside because of its size, but if the Tom Thumb strand is used—which is a miniature version—than even in winter a fresh organic salad can be enjoyed.
Extra light is needed with tomatoes and peppers, and 10 weeks need to be allowed for fruit to mature and be ready for picking. Peppers usually are small enough to make smaller strains unnecessary, but tomatoes can become large. Try Tiny Tim or Roma tomatoes for indoor organic gardening.
Teas
According to Karen Hegre in her article “Indoor Tea Garden,” chamomile, jasmine, lavender, lemon verbena and wintergreen all are tea herbs known to grow well indoors. She suggests room-temperature water is used and plants are placed facing south so all the light from the day can be taken in. If this is not possible, it is okay to use a fluorescent light for around 12 to 16 hours a day.
A plant’s water should be checked daily because over or under watering plants can be detrimental to the yield, and humidity levels should be balanced. Houses and apartments tend to be overly dry in the winter since the heat is being used, so mist tea plants daily. If pests attack, an organic solution of insecticidal soap can be used.
Herbs
Some easy and rewarding herbs to try raising indoors are basil, chives, oregano, sage and thyme, according to “Organic Gardening Magazine.” Herbs need at least five hours of direct sunlight a day and can yield larger and better crops with a little more. If a fluorescent light is necessary, hang it six inches above the herbs and leave on for 14 hours a day. Make sure to change the angle of the lighting, so all sides of the plants maintain an adequate and balanced amount of light. Herbs thrive in temperatures around 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. A little bit of humidity helps most indoor plants stay moist. For an organic fertilizer solution, use a diluted fish and seaweed fertilizer once a month.
Organic gardening is extremely rewarding, but when the frost comes and outdoor gardens are no longer an option, move the gardening indoors. Vegetables, teas and herbs all grow well indoors and with a little extra work, growing crops organically will make them taste even better.
Sources:
Hegre, Karen. Indoor Tea Garden. The Garden Path. 2006. 08 November 2006. www.seedsofknowledge.com/teagarden.html.
Organic Gardening. 2006. Rodale, Inc.. 08 November 2006. www.organicgardening.com
Relf, Diane. Vegetable Gardening in Containers. Virginia Tech. 2004. 08 November 2006. www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-336/426-336.htm l.
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