How To Grow Veggies In Your Apartment
Today we’re taking you on a beginner’s guide to growing your own produce from the comfort of an apartment, which is a perfect activity for the entire family right now. From buying the right supplies to knowing what kind of plants will successfully bloom indoors, this post will act as a resource for those interested in growing their own produce and herbs. Below, we’ll walk you through the basics of starting your own veggie garden right from your apartment.
Where Do I Grow My Garden?
First things first, where do you grow a vegetable garden if you don’t have a backyard? You have a few options here.
–Your Balcony. Many Glenwood buildings come equipped with your own personal outdoor space, such as the Upper East Side’s The Fairmont. If you have a balcony, this is a great option to host your garden.
However, even if you have no outdoor space, Glenwood buildings are known for their light drenched apartments. Just take a look at this sun-filled Glenwood apartment! With plenty of sunlight, you can hunker down near any window in your home and create a mini-garden. A few places you can take advantage of with the sunlight are:
–Your Walls. Think vertically! The great thing about a vertical vegetable garden is that they don’t take up much space, and are like an art installation to look at!
— Your Windowsills. Whether in the kitchen or living room, take advantage of growing shallow rooted herbs and vegetables in containers that sit on your windowsill.
All three of these ideas are ideal for rental apartments, because they don’t require any permanent installations.
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What Supplies Do I Need To Get Started?
To get started with an indoor garden, let’s get you rounded up with the essentials. To create a container garden (ideal for balconies, vertical gardens, or windowsill gardens), you will need the following:
- Potting Soil
- Compost or Fertilizer
- Plants or Seeds
- Pots
- Watering Can
- Soil Thermometer
- Neem Oil
- Hand Tools
You can visit your local home goods store, such as Midtown East’s or the Westside’s Home Depot (or order from the store’s website), where they can set you up with all of the basics in just minutes. Or, you can even do a quick online search on sites like Amazon for a starter kit to be mailed directly to your house–this is an easy way to jump right in, get your feet wet, and gain confidence as your green thumb grows!
What Should I Grow?
Deciding what to grow is a personal decision, based on several factors. First, you need to ask yourself what you use and enjoy eating the most. Even if you have a prime growing spot for a tomato plant but you hate tomatoes, it’s not going to do you much good now, is it? Choose to plant something that you will actually incorporate into your meals.
Another question to consider is what season you are planning to grow in? Certain vegetables and herbs will only grow in certain temperatures (this is important if you are putting your veggie garden on a balcony). However, there are some vegetables that can grow year round, even in the winter months indoors. They are: carrots, beets, onions, garlic, herbs, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes. Consider starting your garden with one or a few of these.
Finally, consider what makes the most financial sense. Obviously, an indoor garden won’t give you the same bounty as a full scale backyard garden, so take this into consideration. Maybe it makes more sense to purchase your produce from the Farmer’s Market and to grow all your herbs, since you typically only need a sprig or two per dish.
Other Options
If you are a bit worried that you don’t have a green thumb – there are very simple options that just require you to add water and a few “food” drops occasionally. Check out AeroGardens- all you have to do is order the indoor garden that provides its own light system and select your seed pods. If you want to grow tomatoes, lettuce or peppers, they have them all!
Do you have any tried-and-true tips for starting a veggie garden in your apartment? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!
Posted in Apartment Living NYC, manhattan living, Midtown East, Upper East Side, Westside | Tagged apartment balcony gardens • apartment garden • at home activities • garden at home • growing veggies in your apartment • Healthy Eating • veggie garden
