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Nothing quite compares to fresh produce. Not only is the flavor of the food superior to that of the supermarket, but if you are shopping at a local farmer’s market you are also supporting local communities with your dollars. Sadly, farmer’s markets are not always in season. But that does not mean that you should have to forgo having fresh veggies! That is why Eid-Co Homes wants to share with you a few fruits and vegetables that you can grow inside your home starting today!

A Few Tips

Before you get started with your indoor garden there are few things you want to make sure to include in your setup. To start, it is vital to the health of your plants that you acquire pots that have drainage holes. This is so you can allow their roots to breathe and so that they do not drown and die. Do not let your hard work go to waste!

Secondly, you will want to survey your home for the sunniest areas. Fruiting plants require a lot of sunlight in order to produce fruit. So, this step is essential. If you do not have a ton of sunlight coming in, you may want to consider investing in some grow lights. You can get really fancy with this if you want to but there are quality grow lights for around $15 that can give you the setup you need.

Best Fruit for Indoors

Lemons

Fight scurvy by growing your own lemons. Lemons are packed with vitamin C. While flooding your system with vitamin C will not miraculously cure a cold, it is helpful to the immune system.

Planting anything from seed will take a good long while before you begin to see fruit. Take the fast track by purchasing a 2-3-year-old dwarf tree from your local nursery. Be sure to place it in an area that will receive 8-12 hours of light a day. Do not keep the soil sopping wet with water. Rather, simply water the plant when the first two inches of soil are dry.

Tomatoes

Like lemons, tomatoes carry generous doses of vitamin C. In addition to this, they also contain potassium and the antioxidant lycopene. Which contributes to vascular health.

Many people do start their tomatoes from seed, but you can also purchase an established plant. As the plant grows more and more, make sure to stake the stems to prevent breakage. Place tomatoes in a sunny spot and turn the pot every week to encourage even growth. When the plant starts to bloom, you can tap the sides of the main stems to promote pollination.

Best Vegetables for Indoors

Garlic Greens

Not only is fresh garlic a beautiful addition to almost any dish, but it has many health benefits. For one, garlic is linked to improved blood pressure.

While growing actual garlic bulbs indoors can be a bit tricky, growing garlic greens may be easier than you think. Simply purchase any ol’ garlic bulb from the market and bury the bulbs into soil, pointy end up. Place in a sunny area and before you know it you will have sprouts! You can use garlic greens as you would chives. Just use herb scissors to trim off what you need.

Microgreens

Microgreens are seriously packed with vitamins. Sprinkling microgreens on a salad can easily amp up your vitamin A, C, and K intake. Plus, microgreens are relatively compact, which can be a plus if you are running short on sunny real estate.

You can purchase a variety of microgreen seeds at any garden center. Pick up a shallow seedling tray while you are there. Spread a small layer of soil on the bottom of the tray. Next, sprinkle the seeds over top. Follow up by covering the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Lastly, using a spray bottle, moisten the soil. Do so every day. The seeds will germinate within a few days. After that, you can harvest what you need as you would with any herb.

Of course, this is just a condensed list of healthful foods you can begin to grow indoors. But it can get the ball rolling. If you are not confident in your green thumb, start small. Try growing just one thing to begin with. You may be surprised at how satisfying it can be to grow your own food. Eid-Co Homes is happy to provide insightful information on a variety of subjects for homeowners. Be sure to check out some of our other blogs!