What can I grow indoors......

Strawb1980

Hi all

I'm new to this money saving stuff - but am in dire need of all useful information! I've been on all sorts of threads since joining, but I was wondering whether anyone out their has information on veg etc that I can grow indoors. My problem is that I live in a 9th floor tower block flat. The very small balcony I have is completely in the shade and we're not allowed (outdoor) window boxes at all. Any info would be greatly appreciated.x

Plum_Pie

Herbs? Cut-and-come-again salad? 2 things which are v expensive to buy! How much space do you have?

redsquirrel80

I'm in a studio flat with one big bay window (three indoor windowsills) and one little windowsill in the kitchen and I've got herbs, cut and come again salad, lots of chillis and a couple of red pepper plants all growing inside. They're all doing really well! If you want to grow from seed this year you'll need to get going pretty soon, or you could buy some plants and grow them on. Good luck - it's great seeing your own food grow

Strawb1980

Hi Plum Pie & redsquirrel80, thank you both for your suggestions. I'm going to have a go at growing some herbs, chillis and peppers. I have a kitchen windowsill (quite large) that has lots of direct sunlight - do you think that's ok? Sorry, I'm completely new at all this. If I plant from seed, what type of compost - muli purpose! Hey, I was joking when I said I had now idea!!!!

Plum_Pie

If you can afford John Innes for seedlings (it will say on the bag), then why not. It's recommended on GQT a lot. There are people on this board who just use their garden soil. I'm using 2/3 poundshop compost and 1/3 garden soil.

I think plenty of sunshine sounds good esp for chillis and peppers which are originally from hot countries. You'll need to make sure they don't dry out in the summer though. It should say on the seed packet how much light or shade the plant needs.

redsquirrel80

Strawb1980 wrote: »

Hi Plum Pie & redsquirrel80, thank you both for your suggestions. I'm going to have a go at growing some herbs, chillis and peppers. I have a kitchen windowsill (quite large) that has lots of direct sunlight - do you think that's ok? Sorry, I'm completely new at all this. If I plant from seed, what type of compost - muli purpose! Hey, I was joking when I said I had now idea!!!!

The windowsill sounds ideal - just check packets for how big things like the pepper plants grow - mine's turning into a bit of a jungle! I've planted in both multi-purpose compost and the stuff meant especially for seedlings but not noticed any difference.

Strawb1980

Thank you both for your advice, my mission this weekend is plant some seeds - wish me luck. Sorry take so long in replying, I can only ever get on during lunchbreak at work as don't have access at home. Have good weekends

Maddie

Hello,

I've just found this on a search as I am also wanting to grow stuff in my flat. How are you getting on Strawb?

I've got no windowsills unfortunately but have got velux windows with a good patch underneath that I can turn into a 'garden', currently I've got pot plants there but can fit more in. It gets pretty warm and there's direct sunlight most of the day.

I was thinking herbs and salad to start with, any suggestions on which to go for?

I've also just found an propogater like this one http://www.stewartcompany.co.uk/unheated.php4 at my parents which I had as a kid. Can I grow something exciting with this?

Also I've got a outside window ledge which I might be able to put a container on if I can secure it, or am I too late this year?

mapcr77

Radishes and beetroot grow very quickly, and so does butternut squash or courgettes, which, i think, make very pretty looking plants, so can double up as decorative items around the flat.

I got some seed trays and propagators from Wilkinsons, very cheap (less than £1 each), and have done the job with all my seedlings.

Good luck!

Maddie

As I've been at my parents today, and my mum never throws anything away, I had a search in the garden for useful things.

Managed to find about 4 seed trays, a load of old round containers, about 8 old ice cream tubs, and even a plastic window box tub which looks the perfect size, very money saving! Now I just need some compost and some seeds....

I'm off to glasto next week so think it'll have to wait but I'm excited!

Maddie

An update - I've planted;

cherry tomatos
courgette
butternut squash
spinach
mixed salad leaves
chill peppers
beetroot
basil

So far everything is sprouting except the chilli peppers, and I only planted them last Thursday! It's all very exciting, I'm working away from home and am getting daily updates from my boyfriend - when I left there was just a few tiny salad leaves coming up.