Vegetables to Grow in an Apartment – Easy Steps
Vegetables are easy to grow indoors, but it is important to remember that vegetables cannot be planted in the same location as your flowers and plants. The type of vegetables to grow in an apartment depends upon the location and the size of your apartment. If you want to grow your vegetables indoors, here are a few tips to help you get started.
There are different types of vegetables to grow in an apartment, depending upon your location and the climate. Lettuce, spinach, broccoli, carrots, beets and other leafy vegetables can all be planted successfully in pots. Tomatoes gardening requires a more controlled environment than most other vegetables. Growing vegetables in pots also allows gardeners the ability to pull their plants inside when the weather becomes too cold. In most cases, tomato gardening is best done in a raised bed with raised fence to provide privacy.
Cucumbers, mints, parsley, cherries, herbs such as thyme, basil, oregano and Rosemary all thrive well in the presence of sunlight. Herbs such as these can be used to add color and flavor to an indoor salad, cooked in a vinaigrette, or placed outdoors for the most authentic taste. Not only will these herbs look good in your garden, they will also provide you with many hours of fresh sunlight throughout the day.
Before planting any vegetables, you must prepare the soil for planting. This preparation should take place before the planting season begins in your area and can be done in advance using either a homemade compost material or some store-bought organic fertilizer. Fertilizer can also be purchased at a local home improvement store. Before using any fertilizer, you should thoroughly wash any leaves, branches or grass from your garden and then apply the fertilizer in layers to the soil.
If your plants have not yet been planted, you should prepare the soil for planting by putting a layer of gravel on the surface. The gravel should not be heavy; however, it should be packed firmly in a way that will hold the soil in place and prevent it from eroding. The plants will need about one inch of natural light per week for optimal growth. This light source can come from two sources – the sun or artificial light. Most plants prefer the natural light because it provides heat and sunshine that are needed for photosynthesis.
Once you have prepared the soil and your plants, you are ready for planting. Begin by placing a continuous row of small pots on the desired location under the tree or shrub. This planting will help establish the size of your garden and determine the number of pots you will need. Most people begin with three plants, but depending on the size of your plot and your available space, you may want to up the number of pots as you plant. However, be sure to water them only once a week.
Once your vegetables have established, you can move them indoors in shallow containers. Keep in mind that these containers should be made of a sturdy material such as food-grade plastic. Glass is fine as long as the hole for the bulb is larger than the container. You should fill the hole with a few inches of water and let the bulb drain before replacing it in the container.
When you are finished, add a little fertilizer and water. Make sure to follow all of the instructions included with your container. It is also important to follow guidelines such as placing the container on a flat surface and ensuring that the lights are at least 6 feet from the plants. Be sure to avoid using pots and other containers that block the sunlight from reaching the bottom of the container. With a little effort, you can start growing vegetables to grow in an apartment.