You don’t need to be a farmer or even live near a farm in order to reap the benefits of homegrown produce.
You can grow your own healthy plants at home and have your very own farmers market right in your backyard.
GENERAL GROWING TIPS
Before you get started, here are a few tips that will be handy to keep in mind no matter which of the plants from this list you choose to grow.
All of these plants require well-draining soil, which means you will either need to use a pot with holes in the bottom or pile up some stones in the bottom of your pot before adding soil (so that the water can drain through the stones).
For each of these plants, feel free to purchase potting mix.
Many of these plants grow best in areas that receive lots of sunlight and remain fairly warm throughout the day. Sunny windows are extremely helpful for growing plants indoors.
FRUITS AND VEGGIES
Carrots are a good source of a variety of vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, niacin, folate, manganese, potassium, and vitamins B6, A, C, and K. They also supply carotenoids, which are a big boon for eye health
How to grow: Purchase carrot seeds. Fill the container to within an inch of the top with potting mix. Water the soil before planting the seeds. Plant the seeds one inch apart in rows that are six inches apart from each other, pressing the seeds gently into the soil and covering them with a thin layer of soil.Water. Place the container in an area that receives tons of light. Keep the soil moist, but not soaked. To help preserve moisture, soak some peat moss in water overnight and then spread it on top of the seeds. Expect the seeds to germinate (i.e., start sprouting) in about two weeks.
How to Harvest: Carrots are ready for harvest when they’ve grown to about ¾ of an inch across the top (just below the green stem). If you can’t see the carrot itself, gently brush aside some soil around the stem so you can size it up (Note: Though it may be tempting to see how big carrots can get, they’ll start to lose their sweetness and flavor once they surpass their peak size.). To pick the carrots, grab them firmly at the root and wiggle them around a bit, then pull straight up. If you find that the soil is quite hard, water it and then wait an hour or so before retrying the harvest. Once the carrots have been pulled from the soil, remove the greens immediately, wipe off any excess dirt, and let them dry before storing them in the fridge.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may help prevent coronary heart disease.
How to grow: For a continuous supply of tomatoes, start one or two new plants from seed every two weeks. Fill the container(s) with potting mix and plant seeds about ¼ inch deep.Water, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Place the container in an area that receives substantial sunlight, turning the pot(s) occasionally so all sides have even access to the sun. Expect the seeds to germinate in five to 10 days. As the plants grow larger, they may need to be staked to avoid broken stems. When plants bloom, tap the main stem and larger side branches with your finger — this will help to encourage pollination.
How to Harvest: Tomatoes grown indoors will not grow to be as large as outdoor tomatoes. When the fruits are red and firm, but with a slight “give” to the touch, they’re ready to eat. Either clip or gently twist and pull the fruits from their stems.
Like garlic, scallions are part of the allium family of vegetables, which has been associated with cancer prevention.
How to Grow: Simply buy a bunch of scallions, wrap the bulbs together with a rubber band, and place the whole (greens, bulbs, and all) in a glass with an inch of water. ++Change the water daily. When new green shoots appear and the roots have doubled in length (in about seven to 10 days), plant the scallions in a shallow pot or other container (not too big). Keep the plants evenly watered (i.e., don’t let the soil get too dry before watering) and in full sun.
How to Harvest: Snip the green tops (leaving at least an inch or two of the plant in the dirt) as needed. Gently pull the white clump from the soil. Washed and trimmed scallions should keep for a week in the refrigerator (To maximize freshness, wrap them in a moist paper towel and store them in a plastic bag.)
Salad greens have a chock full of vitamins A, C, and K, and also contain folate and iron.
How to Grow: Purchase starter plants or seeds. Choose a planter box that has drainage holes in the bottom and fill it with potting soil. Use your finger to poke holes into the soil about four inches apart.
If using seeds: Sprinkle a few of them into each hole, then pat the soil back over the hole to cover them up.
If using starts: Massage the roots before placing each start in a hole, filling in around them with soil.
After planting seeds or starts: Water the soil. When plants start to appear (if growing from seed), pull out all but the largest, healthiest shoots. Water the soil regularly, making sure that it always remains moist to the touch.
How to Harvest: To harvest mixed greens, pull off only the outer leaves to allow the plants to keep growing, and be sure not to disturb the roots.
HERBS
This flavorful herb is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can block enzymes in the body that cause swelling.
How to Grow: Purchase seeds or starter plants. Choose a container that’s at least four inches wide and has good drainage holes. Basil likes warm temperatures and lots of sunlight (at least six hours of direct sunlight each day). Water often — about once a day when the temperatures are really hot, or every other day in less intense conditions When the top leaves reach about six inches in height, start pruning them. Continue to prune as the plant gets bushier, also being sure to pinch off any flowers that appear.
How to Harvest: Gently snip a few leaves from each plant, making sure not to remove all of the leaves from any one plant.
Coriander is a complete package of nutrients such as eleven components of essential oils, ascorbic acid (better known as Vitamin C), minerals, and important vitamins. This plant is globally known as a remedy for various health ailments including skin inflammation, skin disorder, cholesterol, diarrhea, high blood pressure, mouth ulcers, and many more. Perfect seeds for home gardeners. Coriander seeds germinate in about 7-15 days and can be harvested 30-35 days after sowing. All our seeds are treated with ash. Grow in between June to October.
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