HousePlantJoy is supported by our audience. When you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a small affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Your cost is not affected.
==================
How to Grow Your Salad Indoors?
Do you plan to grow your salad indoors? It’s an alternative project if you live in a condo or an apartment because of limited space. Yes, it’s doable, and a lot of city dwellers have had success doing it. To grow your salad indoors is quite easy. This article will discuss the following:
- The things you need to grow your salad indoors
- The traditional gardening method and a hydroponics system
You will appreciate the benefits of growing your salad yourself. They are fresh and organic because you eat them from your garden to your table. Of course, after washing them first. And the best part, to grow your salad indoors is a fun and exciting hobby.
What Do You Need to Do to Grow Your Salad Indoors?
You may need to consider several factors to grow your salad indoors. It involves planning for the best area to put them in and choosing the suitable seeds or methods to cultivate them. Here are some ideas you may want to note in growing your salad garden indoors.
1. Finding the Perfect Spot
Look around your house to determine the perfect spot for your salad garden. It must be a sunny area or where direct light comes in for several hours. Leafy greens need to get five to twelve hours of bright light daily. So, you must put your indoor salad garden where light is abundant such as a south facing window or french door.
Granted you don’t have a place with direct light. No worries, you can provide a full-spectrum light or grow light that is comparable to sunlight. You also need to consider the amount of free space you can provide for your indoor garden. Choosing the perfect spot will save you inconveniences that might come up later.
You may need a table or plant stand to accommodate them when you put on the windowsill or near a french door. Also, keep them out of people and pet’s way. With this in mind, you can grow your salad indoors with success. No doubt, you look forward in harvesting them in a few weeks.
2. Choosing Fast and Easy to Grow Salad Seeds
What are the best seeds to grow in your indoor salad garden? Your fresh salad ingredients are easy to grow. They thrive indoors – in your kitchen, dining, or living room in a specified condition. Here is a list of seeds you can buy from your local Agri store or hypermarket either as an individual or as mixed seeds:
- lettuce
- spinach
- beetroot
- pak choi
- scallions
- parsley
- cilantro
- mint
- rosemary
- sage
- thyme
- kale
- arugula
- celery
- chives
- radish
- garden cress
- pea shoots
- mizuna
- cherry tomatoes
3. Determining the Perfect Method That Suits You
There are two popular ways to grow vegetables indoors, and they are hydroponics or soil. The first method is through the hydroponics system, growing plants without soil. The hydroponics system uses a nutrient-rich solution that helps grow plants with less water and less space.
The second method of growing plants indoors is by planting them in soil. The soil method is cheaper than the hydroponics system and requires less maintenance. However, soil-grown plants produce less harvest and are more prone to insects and weeds.
Choosing the perfect method will depend on what you want and need. There is no right or wrong answer since it all boils down to your personal preference.
What Tools to Prepare to Plant Your Leafy Greens?
This part of the article will focus on the tools needed to grow your indoor vegetables. There are important tools needed when growing salad leaves indoors or when growing baby greens indoors. You need to prepare the following to have an efficient and thriving indoor garden.
1. Soil
When you grow your own salad indoors, you need to choose the perfect potting soil. Good potting soil usually includes vermiculite or perlite, peat moss, and pine bark. You need to consider the specific needs of the chosen plant. Some plants thrive better in specific types of potting soil. The perfect potting soil is where the optimal needs of the plants are met.
2. Container
When growing salad greens in pots, you should choose a container with drainage holes. This is because holes allow water in the soil to drain freely, which allows air to be available to your plants’ roots. The clay pot was the most common container for growing salad greens pots since it is porous and attractive. However, modern containers like fiberglass and plastic pots are easier to clean and do not require frequent watering compared to clay pots.
3. Trowel
A trowel can be purchased almost anywhere, and you do not need to invest in an expensive one when starting out. Purchase a size best suited for your container and the vegetables you intend to grow. You also need to take note of the size and durability of the trowel.
How to Grow Salad Greens in Pots or Containers?
You can grow your own vegetables without having to exert much effort. Using a hydroponics system can seem daunting at first. However, you can easily learn, set up, and maintain your very own. I recommend purchasing an indoor garden kit from Click and Grow or Aerogarden. The kits they have are easy to set up and user-friendly.
What is Hydroponics?
The thing that sets apart Hydroponics is that it does not use soil. It is a common misconception that the soil itself is the essential factor in plant growth. Plant growth actually only needs nutrients and the water found in the soil. This aspect is the biggest advantage of a hydroponics system. Growing salad greens in pots or containers using a hydroponics system will actually often yield better results.
The Benefits of Using Hydroponics
- The increased growth rate of most plants since the nutrients needed for them to grow is directly applied to the roots.
- Increased yield can easily be guessed since the plants are grown will be able to grow and develop effectively.
- Less work and effort are needed to grow the plants.
- No need to worry about seasonal climate changes since hydroponic systems are generally indoors.
- The method is eco-friendly since it reduces water spending by repeatedly reusing and effectively recycling water.
- Weeds and other detriments are significant, if not entirely, eliminated.
Click and Grow
The company Clicks and Grow provides various innovative kits that will help you have your own indoor garden. You won’t have to exert too much effort in setting up the kits. They feature various Smart Gardens, which will help you “grow anything with zero effort”.
What I love about Click and Grow is that they have a good selection to suit your needs. They have several Smart Garden variations which will definitely fit your home and the plants you choose to grow. In addition, their sets have everything you need to start growing salad leaves indoors or even baby greens.
A set will usually include the Smart Garden, which automatically waters your plants. It also provides the appropriate source and amount of light for optimal growth. You won’t have to worry about the position of your plants anymore!
The kits also have a complimentary set of plant pods to start your journey. They also have an app that will help you become an expert in no time!
Aerogarden
Another innovative and definitely worth checking out is the indoor gardening kits from the company Aerogarden. Aerogarden’s claim to fame is their full in-home garden system. This system will automatically deliver everything and anything your plant needs. No green thumb required!
They feature various sets which will help you grow anything that you want. Similar to Click and Grow, Aerogarden features a gardening kit that will make planting easier and more enjoyable. They also offer various kits ranging from herbs, vegetables and flowers.
Lastly, they have a vacation mode setting. It will help provide your plants with everything it needs while you are away from home or if life gets too busy.
Click and Grow vs. Aerogarden
In growing salad leaves indoors or baby greens, both companies feature amazing indoor garden kits. In terms of price, they have various indoor gardening kits that are similarly priced. Regarding the number of plants that each kit can accommodate, Aerogarden’s Bounty Basic can grow at least 9 plants simultaneously, while the basic Click and Grow Smart Garden can only grow to up to 3 plants. With regard to the interface, Click and Grow’s Smart Garden is easier to use and perfect for beginners.
Seriously Prepare when Growing Salad Leaves Indoors
You should never forget that it is important to focus on the specific plant you want to grow. Using soil has its own advantages as well as disadvantages. The same can be said with hydroponic systems. There are also different factors in growing salad greens in pots or containers or with the kits used when using hydroponic systems. Proper research and preparation should be the priority when choosing to grow your own salad indoors. Knowing what you want to plant and reading up more on how to do it properly will get you healthy and thriving salad leaves and baby greens.
FAQs
I don't have a green thumb. Can I still grow salad indoors?
How much space do I need to grow salad indoors?
What kind of lighting do I need for indoor salad gardening?
How often should I water my indoor salad garden?
Can I use regular soil from my garden for indoor salad gardening?
Can I grow plants in my bathroom? Are there any specific plants that thrive in bathroom conditions?
Read More
Extra Reading
