Indoor Growing
There are numerous methods of indoor growing which could suit best depending on space, budget and what you're growing, This guide will cover the process of growing food indoors.
Growing in pots and containers - Fruit and Fruiting Vegetables
Growing Fruit In containers
Location; Fruits require lots of heat and sunlight, the sunnier the better.
The best locations for growing gruit indoors are; Conservatories, Southfacing windows, East and West facing windows and under skylights.
Certain fruit trees require a cool area to overwinter in.
Strawberries and wild Strawberries
Will grow happily in partial shade such as an east or west facing wall or windowsill.
For indoor plants that will not be located near open windows ect, It is required to hand pollinate them, using a clean soft brush, dust each flower and ensure you dust each flower on the plant, repeat this several times for best results
The best indoor variety of strawberries is 'Albion'
Lemon and Lime trees
Will grow in a bright warm, southfacing room or conservatory, Requiring at least 6 hours of bright sunlight to fruit.
They require a cool overwintering location however.
Keep the plant misted and the compost moist but not wet.
Place the pot on a tray or saucer filled with gravel and water to keep up humidity.
The best varieties are dwarf stock plants, 'tahiti' lime, 'key' lime, 'Meyer' lemon.
These plants are ericaceous and require acidic ericaceous compost to grow.
Oranges and Kumquats
These plants grow in full sun, In southfacing locations, or conservatories.
They are ericaceous, requiring ericaceous acidic compost.
They enjoy a humid atmosphere, Gravel trays and misting will achieve this nicely.
Feed weekly in summer.
They require an unheated cool area to overwinter.
Water once every few days, less in winter.
The best orange varieties are 'Calamondin', 'mandarin' and Kumquats.
Figs
Figs can be grown indoors, prefering full or partial shade in either a south, east or west facing location.
Figs require overwintering somewhere cool.
Water every 1-3 days, once a week in winter.
Feed weekly with potash fertiliser once fruits appear.
Prune in late spring, removing growing tips to encourage fruiting.
Remove unripe fruits larger than a pea in autumn, the smaller onces will grow and ripen next year.
best variety is 'violette de sollies'
Peaches and nectarines
Require a sunny area in spring and summer and a cool place to overwinter.
Buy a plant that is grafted onto a dwarf rootstock, otherwise it will grow too large.
Require hand pollinating when indoors, Use a soft clean brush and brush every flower for one or two days,
mist afterwards to help it set.
best varieties; 'avalon pride', 'bonanza', lord napier'.
Cape Gooseberries
Choose a compact variety such as 'little lanterns'
self pollinating
enjoy full sun, south facing or conservatory.
water them every day, but ensuire compost does not become waterlogged.
Fruiting vegetables in containers
Location; Fruiting vegetables require lots of heat and sunlight, the sunnier the better.
The best locations for growing gruit indoors are; Conservatories, Southfacing windows, East and West facing windows and under skylights.
Chillli Peppers
Can be grown from seeds and require full sun.
Sow into a heated propagator in late winter due to long growing periods, or buy plants in spring.
Pot up plants with multipurpose compost.
water chillies little and often, ensuring the compost is moist at all times but make sure not to waterlog the plants.
Feed weekly with potash fertilliser once flowers appear.
Varieties; 'Cayenne', 'Jalepeno.
Aubergenes
Sow in late winter or buy plants in spring.
Require full sun to thrive.
Water plants little and often, keeping compost moist but not soggy.
Misting is beneficial.
Varieties; 'Raja', 'Pinstripe','Black Beauty'.
Tomatoes
These can be either grown in pots or grow bags.
Grow from seed in early spring or Buy plants in later spring.
Some tomatoes can reach 3m in height, So select bush / compact varieties for small spaces.
Require full sun and a warm location.
Water consistantly and don't allow for wilting, especially after the fruits have formed.
Plant in pots with plenty of drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Tie plants to tall supports and remove and shoots between the main and side shoots.
Feed weekly with tomato fertiliser once flowers appear.
Varieties; 'Sungold', 'Black Cherry', 'Satyna', 'Moneymaker'.
Cucumbers
Sow in early spring or buy young plants later.
Cucumbers require a good amount of hewat and sunlight, Greenhouse varieties are recommended.
Require constantly moist but not wet compost.
grow up supports then remove the growing tip when it reaches the top of the support.
Varieties; 'Cucino', 'Delizia', 'Carmen'.
Cucamelons
Ideal for hanging baskets.
Require full sun.
Sow in early spring or buy small plants.
Water every 2-3 days.
Feed weekly with potash fertilliser once flowers appear.
Harvest when grape sized and firm.
Sweet Peppers
Sow in early spring or buy young plants.
Require warm conditions and plenty of sun so southfacing or conservatories.
Water every 1-2 days especially in hot weather.
Stake tall plants, Fertillise with potash when flowering and open windows for ventiliation whe possible.
Mist flowers to ecourage fruits to set.
Varieties; 'Mohawk', 'Lunchbox Mix', 'Thor', 'Tequila', 'Luteus'.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics is the process of growing plants in medium other than soil and compost.
Hydroponics can increase yields and reduce maintainance.
Hydroponic setups typically comprise of grow lights, Water / nutrient reserviors, Bubblers, Piping, Pumps and growing trays.
Types of hydroponics: ( All of these methods often employ grow lights above the plants to encourage maximum growth.
Ebb and flow
Ebb and flow Is a hydroponic process where plants are grown in a grow tray filled with medium, either clay balls, coco coir or a mix of the two, water mixed with nutrients 'flood' the tray, allowing the roots to uptake both the water and nutrients, then drains out of a pipe and is recirculated back into the flow tank, this then allows for the roots access to oxygen. This is a simple and effective method, though a pump failure can cause plant loss if not found and fixed quickly.
Nutrient film technique
Nutrient Film Technique is a process where plants are suspended over a pipe or tray laid at an angle so water flows down it and into the drain pipe, and the nutrient water is consistantly pumped up to allow it to drain down through the plant roots, this method works as to allow the lower half of the roots access to nutrients while the top half accesses oxygen, these systems often have bubblers oxygenating the water too. This is a good overall technique, though if the pump fails, your plants may die.
Deep water culture
Deep water culture is a method of growing plants directly over a tank of nutrient water, either on floating trays or suspended.
This requires a heater to maintain warm water temperatures, and a bubbler to oxygenate the water. This allows plant roots to dangle into the water and absorb all the oxygen and nutriennts they desire. This is a simple system but if water temperature is wrong or the bubbler stops working, Your plants risk dying.
Aeroponics
This is a reletively new method where the plants are suspended above a sprinker system thats enclosed, the sprinkler atomises the nutriennt system and sprays it onto the roots, allowing for excellent aeration, but also a consistant amount of nutrients and water. This is an excellent method but any type of equipment failure will cause crop loss.
Wicking systems
Wicking systems involve the plants standing in pots, with a wick at the base of the roots that leads into a nutrient / water reservoir, This wick brings the water and nutrients directly to the roots through capillary action.
This is a simple and failproof method.
Drip systems
Drip systems are very simple, they involve a plant in a pot, and a drip tap next to it that constantly drips nutrient water solution onto the roots, This is a simple concept but seeing as each plant requires its own drip source it is prone to blockages.
Here is a great guide on hydroponic systems and how to build them: https://www.epicgardening.com/hydroponic-systems/
Seed starting
Starting seeds indoors is an excellent method for getting a head start on the poor weather and growing your seedlings before transplanting.
The basic rule of thumb is Seeds require warm bottoms and cool tops to germinate.
There are a few different methods:
Seed trays
Seed trays are shallow trays, Perfect for starting off seeds, Filled with a small layer of compost and seeds sown in them,
they allow for fast germination especially when coupled by propagator lids / covers.
Seeds are typically sown into rows or drills or just broadcast across the surface of the compost.
Seed trays work best for tiny and fine seeds where they are too small to be sown precisely.
When watering seed trays be careful, use a watering can with a rose and start pouring the water before over the tray to ensure even watering, or use a Spray bottle, This is important as to not disturb the seeds or crush small seedligns with the impact of the water or to completely wash away the compost as the thin layer of compost is suceptable to being eroded.
Cell Trays
Cell trays are better for larger seeds where a single seed can be dibbed into a hole precisely.
This allows for sowing exact amount of plants quite easily, and makes transplating easier as the roots will not become tangled with other plants.
Cell trays are harder to reuse however simply because they tend to be made of flimsier plastic and have more little nooks and crannies that need to be cleaned before reuse.
It tends to be easier to see when to transplant or pot up cell trays as it's easier to identify when to do so when you see the roots poking through the bottom of the tray, Seed trays are harder to identify this.
Once again, Cell trays are more effective with propagator covers or lids.
Propagators + heated propagators
Propagators tend to be a combination of seed or cell trays with a clear plastic lid, which allows for a greenhouse effect, that keeps seeds humid and warmer and promotes germination and growth. Fancier ones have ventilation built into them.
Heated propagators are seed trays with no drainage holes, but a heating element built into the bottom of the tray allowing for keeping temperatures up even in winter. The downside to Propagator lids is the humidity can cause mold and dampening off. They can also magnify the sunlight and cause your pants to becoe scorched.
Propagator mats are heated mats that are waterproof and designed to sit under seed or cell trays and create bottom heat.
Pots
Pots are a solid method of starting seeds, Both to be grown in situ or to be potted up later, Pot trays cpmrised of multiple small pots, or just a variety of small pots can be used to start seeds.
There are also tools that can be used to make your own recycled pots from old newspaper.
https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/diy/how-to-make-paper-pots/
Image taken from Gardenersworld.com
You can also make seed starter pots from old toilet roll tubes.
https://sharpenyourspades.com/2016/12/11/plot-project-toilet-roll-pots/
Image taken from Sharpenyourspades.com
Takeaway containers + Eggboxes
Takeaway containers and eggboxes make brilliant little trays for seek starting, And the eggboxes will biodegrade and can be composted. The clear ones can even be used for propagator lids for smaller trays.
Microgreens
Microgreens are vegetable greens (not to be confused with sprouts or shoots) harvested just after the
cotyledon leaves have developed (and possibly with one set of true leaves).
Chefs use colorful microgreens to enhance the attractiveness and taste of their dishes
with distinct delicate textures and unique flavors, such as sweet and spicy.
Microgreens are smaller than “baby greens” (e.g. spinach and kale), but harvested later than sprouts
(e.g. broccoli, mung bean, soya bean, wheat, and sunflower).
Image from Wikipedia.com
Vegetables grown as Microgreens are;
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Mustard
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Kale
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Endive
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Arugula
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Beet greens
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Tatsoi
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Radish greens
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Watercress
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Mizuna
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Peas
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Cabbage
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Basil
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Lettuce
Microgreens can be grown hydroponically, Using kitchen roll and water, or in pots / trays using compost.
For the pot method, simply follow the planting instructions on the seed packet and harvest accordingly.
For the water method, you will need a microgreen mesh tray, Which is a gridlike mesh that lays over a reservoir of water, Lay some kitchen roll across the top of this mesh, spray it with water, sprinkle your seeds and then add another layer of kitchen roll across the top, spray again so the kitchen roll is soaked and then keep moist for a few days unill they sprout and the roots should dangle below into the water reservoir, Keep the water level topped up and harvest accordingly.
Mushrooms
Mushroom growing kits are available for home growing.
These will primarily be Oyster mushroom kits, Which will be a grow bag willed with shredded mulched newspaper, or coffee grounds or similar substrate, that is inoculated with oyster mushroom spores, Simply follow the kits instructions:
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Open the box and remove grow bag.
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Cut open grow bag in marked location.
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Soak for 12hrs.
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Squeeze out excess moisture.
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Place in it's frame or box.
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Mist twice a day.
(or something similar)
And harvest within 2-3 weeks!
Varieties of mushrooms; 'Shiitake', 'Enoki', 'King Oyster', White + Red Oyster and regular Oyster.
Growing Root Vegetables in containers
Radish and Beetroots
These require full sun, So a southfacing window or conservatory.
Radish grow in 6 inch deep containers, Beetroot require at lerasty 10 inch deep containers.
Sow seed in spring or buy small plug plants.
Water every 2 days or every day in hot weather.
Turn the container to allow for even growth.
Feed Beetroot with a leafy crop fertilliser 6-8 weks after planting.
Varieties; 'Burpee's Golden' (Beetroot), 'Bolthardy' (Beetroot), 'Cherry Belle' (Radish)
Carrots
Carrots grow slow and steady, ready to harvest after 8-20 weeks of sowing
Sow In early spring and later on in summer for autumn cropping.
They require full sun, So a southfacing window, conservatory or skylight.
Water every 2-3 days.
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilliser every 2 weeks.
Plant in containers at least 11 inches deep.
Keep seeds reletively cool for best germination rate.
Varieties; 'St valery', 'White Satin', 'Purple Haze', 'Royal Chantenay'
Herbs
Herbs grow excellently indoors and are less likely to be attacked by pests,
They have the added bonus of making your house smell amazing too.
Herb types
Basil
Parsley + Oregano
Rosemary + Sage
Chives
Thyme
Mint
Herbs can be grown from seed, But its prefereable to just buy small plants and pot them up as required.
Basil
Sow in spring or buy small pots.
Requires full sun, Like a Southfacing windowsill.
Water once every 2-3 days, Ensure plenty of drainage and avoid watering the leaves to prevent disease.
When mature, Feed crops with all purpose liquid fertilliser for leafy crops, every 2 weeks.
Remove flower heads before they produce seeds until the end of your plants life cycle,
then allow to seed and collect them for next time.
Varieties; 'Sweet Basil', 'Thai Basil', 'Lemon Basil', 'Dark Opal'.
Basil can be water propagated for easy free plants.
Parsley and Oregano
Oregano is Perennial and Parsley is biennial.
Buy as small plants to same time and space.
Prefer a windowsill with good ventillation.
Water only when the top of the compost feel completely dry.
Feed from spring onwards with all purpose fertilliser once every 2 weeks.
Oregano dies down in winter but will regrow in spring.
Remove and replace Parsley after the first year.
Oregano Varieties; 'Golden Oregano', 'Sweet Majoram'.
Parsley Varieties; 'Flat leaves', 'Curly Leaves'.
Rosemary and Sage
Best grown from young plants.
Thrive in full sun and warmth in Summer, Prefer a sligthly cooler but bright location in Winter.
Water only when the top of the compost feels completely dry, Ensure good drainage.
Feed every 2 weeks with all purpose fertilliser from spring to autumn.
Repot In spring wwith a ratio of 3:1 Soil based compost and horticultural grit.
Common Rosemary is the best variety.
Sage varieties; 'Icterina', 'Tricolour', 'Common Sage', 'Purple Sage'.
Chives
Sow seeds in spring or buy small plants.
Require full sunlight.
Water only when top of compost feels dry.
Feed every 2-4 weeks from late spring to autumn.
Thyme
It's best to buy small plants.
Requires a good amount of sun.
Thrives in draught, only water when the top of compost is completly dry.
Feed every 2 weeks with all purpose fertilliser from spring to autumn.
Let the plant rest in winter.
Mint
Mint is decideous perenniso it dies down in winter but regrows in spring.
Buy young plants and pot up accordingly.
Best in semi shade and cool location rotate plants to get even growth.
Ensure good drainage and water when top of compost is dry.
After a couple of moths feed with all purpose fertilliser every 2 weeks.
varieties; Pinapple, Chocolate, Lime and Apple Mint
Mint can be water propagated for easy free plants.
