Helpful Tips for Winter Indoor Organic Gardening

Fresh organic produce is always delicious and wonderful to include in one's meals no matter what time of year. Many individuals think that when the fall season comes to a close, so does the growing of vegetables and other plants for consumption.

However, many crops such as kale, greens, lettuce, garlic, and onions grow quite well even during the winter season. While many plants can be grown outside if covered up properly during the chilly days in winter, several people enjoy growing their plants indoors. Plants that thrive well when grown indoors include herbs, such as basil, chives, oregano, and parsley, tomatoes, lettuce, certain types of squash, okra and a host of others.

When engaging in indoor organic gardening, one should consider a few tips. These tips include the soil and pots to be used, steps to help keep the seedlings and plants warm and watered, a way to provide light for the plants even during one of the darkest times of the year, and how to thin out the plants properly in the event that they begin to become crowded.

First, use organic soil if at all possible. Also, select pots that will allow for the seedlings and plants to absorb water through their roots.

Second, gently set the seeds just under the top layer of the soil (read the seed packaging for exact depths) with the tip of the seed (if one is present) facing upward. This will make things much easier on the seedling once the germination process begins. Once the seeds or plants have been planted into the soil contained in the pots, place the pots onto a water tray (this author uses some plastic weather shoe mats that were purchased from Lowe's), and add water to the tray once a day or as needed. It is recommended not to water the plants or seeds from the top but rather to allow the plants or seedlings to absorb the water that they need through their roots. This will keep the top soil in the pot aerated, a condition which is great for the health of the plant.

Third, place the water trays that contain the plants onto heating mats in order to help keep warm the plants and the water within the trays. Hydrofarm offers a wide variety of heating mats in a multitude of sizes that can be found on amazon.com.

Fourth, do not place the trays and mats on concrete floors. It is more difficult to keep the plants warm if they are located on this type of flooring.

Fifth, grow the seedlings and plants in a well-heated area in the house. Although the plants and their pots are on the heating mats, it is beneficial for the plants to be in a room where the temperature is more constant and not prone to extreme variations. When first planting seeds, cover the pots in saran wrap in order to help further in keeping the plants warm as well as maintaining the needed moisture level. Once the seedlings begin to grow and prosper, this wrap can be removed.

Sixth, a fluorescent grow light can be used to help with providing the plants with the light rays that they need to thrive. The author of this article uses the Hydrofarm brand, but any brand can be utilized. These types of lights are available at www.amazon.com. The bulb that comes with this type of light is a 200-watt version, and it lasts for approximately 10,000 hours of life. The grow light covers a 4' X 4' area of space and should be used on the plants for approximately 12 hours per day. Be sure and set the lamp up so that it is about twelve inches above the top of the plants. Adjust this height as the plants begin to grow. This light provides a special spectrum of light that is essential for plant growth.

Seventh, allow the plants plenty of room to grow. Otherwise, overcrowding can occur, and the plants can choke out one another.

Eighth, if the seedlings and plants do become crowded, take a pair of scissors and clip away the excess rather than pulling it out by hand. By doing this, the seedlings and plants will be able to continue to grow and will not suffer any unnecessary damage.

Ninth, be sure and transplant plants to larger pots if their growth necessitates this move. By providing the plants with the proper containers that they need, they will continue to grow and have the support that they need.

Tenth, when growing tomato plants, remove the lower leaves of the plants when transplanting into larger pots. By doing this, the plants will extend their root systems and will produce more fruit as a result. Too, the plant can then be placed deeper into the soil up to the next set of leaves. Repeat this step as transplanting from one pot to another takes place.

Lastly, have fun and enjoy the indoor winter organic gardening experience. Watching the seedlings and plants grow and produce fruit is almost as satisfying as enjoying the yummy fruit that the plants provide. For purchasing gardening supplies (indoors or outdoors), please visit www.groworganic.com.