An indoor garden?

paulamathers · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 10:31 am Post subject: An indoor garden?

My daughter and I live in a little flat in Buckinghamshire, England, and we have no garden. I really love gardening and the idea of growing my own vegetables, and miss this so much. As a result, i've decided to grow some vegetables indoors! With the cost of living over here spiralling, I think it will really help with my weekly food shopping costs, and as there should be no bugs, we should be able to have organic produce.

I will post what items we buy, how much things cost and how it all goes on a step by step basis so you can decide for yourselves if it is a good idea, or if I have totally lost the plot!!! Very Happy

Kate · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 8:20 pm Post subject:

Paula, if you can buy full spectrum light bulbs (grow or gro lights) over there, that's the best way to go. Also a sunny window will help. I have grown herbs this way many times. Salad greens are a good indoor idea. http://www.thegrowlight.com/ This site has a good variety of supplies to check out. Bugs can still be a problem indoors, spider mites,webworms and powdery mildew are just a few that I have had to deal with here, not sure about over there. I'm looking forward to your results!
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paulamathers · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject:

i did look at that site when I was thinking about it earlier today, it has some good stuff on. I'm going to check out some gardening departments at the diy shops tomorrow to see what I can find...

Keri's really excited about growing her own veg!! Very Happy

Kate · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject:

One way to get a child to eat their veggies is if they can see it growing!
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject:

I hope so

I always remember last year when we went camping on that farm place in Wales. On the last day we bought carrots from the farmers wife, and picked them ourselves from the field. They were so nice, so different from when you buy them in the supermarket. Lovely Smile

Kate · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 6:13 am Post subject:

I agree with that. People ask me why do I bother to grow what I can and make jams etc. Because it's different and fun....delicious also. So did Keri eat the carrots??
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

paulamathers · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:01 pm Post subject:

yeah she did, but she wont eat tesco ones!!

ok, so we brought 3 long deep troughs and 2 plant pot sized pots. we're attempting to grow strawberries, basil, carrots, broccoli and swede (rutabaga!). Cant wait to see if it works!!!!
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Kate · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:05 am Post subject:

Thats so funny. But then there's nothing like fresh vegs.
Sounds like your going all out. Rutabagas and broccoli are cool weather vegetables usually planted in the fall and harvested in the spring. Basil grows well in a pot.
Good luck!
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A closed mouth gathers no feet.

guido · Site Admin Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 376 Location: Italy

Tip: Get a bucket out of your door and collect some rain water (that's easy in UK haha!)
Mom says it's much better than the water from the faucet to grow plants.
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In vino veritas!

paulamathers · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

i'll stick one outside tonight - and hope it doesn't get nicked!! Very Happy