Tips for Growing Vegetables Indoors

• Containers should have ample holes to allow for adequate drainage and be sized correctly for the particular plant. Shallow and rooted greens may only need about a two-inch depth, but deep-rooted tomatoes will need at least 12 inches of soil.

• A good quality potting mix should be used, not garden soil. Potting mixes usually have vermiculite or perlite, which allows for better drainage. Garden soil is also not sterile; it may contain fungus or bacteria.

• In the rainy season, windows may not allow enough light for healthy, stocky plants. On overcast days consider some type of supplemental lighting; either get a plant light or a fullspectrum fluorescent light.

When gardening indoors, you ultimately control all aspects of the plant’s growth and environment. You maintain its water, soil quality, and, even, manually fertilize the plants. A big plus is that your plants are not at the mercy of the weather or outside critters, and you have vegetables year-round. At the same time, you improve the air quality around you – plants remove carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.

The biggest challenges of growing edibles indoors include a lack of light levels, pollinating insects, and wind. Wind or proper air circulation is vital for flooding the plant with more carbon dioxide as well as pollinating flowers.

Also, no matter if you are inside or out, some bugs and plant diseases can follow your plants if you bring them inside.