As the winter months approach, gardeners often face the challenge of limited outdoor growing opportunities due to cold temperatures and frost. However, the solution lies right within your home – indoor winter gardening! With a little creativity and the right choice of vegetables, you can continue to enjoy the joys of gardening even when the snow blankets the ground outside. In this blog post, we’ll explore the five best vegetables to grow indoors during the winter, bringing fresh flavors and a touch of greenery to your home all season long.
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1. Microgreens: Tiny Powerhouses of Nutrition
Microgreens are young, edible seedlings of various vegetables and herbs. These little greens burst with flavor, color, and nutrition, making them an excellent choice for indoor winter gardening. They are quick to grow, often ready for harvest within 1-3 weeks, and they thrive in small spaces and minimal light. Popular microgreens include kale, arugula, radish, and sunflower. Not only are they delicious additions to salads, sandwiches, and garnishes, but they also pack a concentrated punch of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
I have taken sprout seed mixes and let them grow into microgreens with tasty results. I have used a ceramic microgreen tray with a coir base for the roots with success. I’ve also used a larger plastic tray lined with paper, but this one did dry out quicker. A note on the latter: the paper is placed on a perforated tray with a drainage tray beneath it. I haven’t tried the tray with soil yet, so I can’t discount it as a good system to use yet.
No matter which method you use, regular misting of the seeds and greens is required. I failed to do it one day and was left with some wilted and withered greens.
2. Spinach: Leafy Greens for Nutrient-Rich Harvests
Spinach is a cold-hardy vegetable that thrives in cooler temperatures, making it a perfect candidate for indoor winter gardening. With bright green leaves and a rich flavor, spinach provides a steady supply of essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. Choose compact varieties and place them near a south-facing window or under grow lights for optimal growth. Regular harvesting of outer leaves encourages continual growth, giving you a fresh supply throughout the winter months.
I tried to grow spinach in my large hydroponic unit with little success. It germinated relatively quickly but basically quit growing after its first few leaves emerged. That’s not to say it’s not suitable for hydroponics. I do believe the room my unit is in is much too warm for spinach. It may do better during the winter months when the room is much cooler.
A windowsill herb garden is a delightful addition to any indoor space during the winter. Herbs like basil, parsley, mint, thyme, and rosemary not only bring wonderful aromas but also add depth and flavor to your culinary creations. Most herbs are relatively easy to grow indoors, requiring moderate light and well-draining soil. Regular pruning ensures bushier growth, and you’ll have a steady supply of fresh herbs all season long.
Although some herbs do not do well in hydroponics, my mint is flourishing. I cut it back yesterday and am dehydrating the sprigs for use in tea this winter. I have been eating it fresh as well, pinching back the growing tips to encourage bushier growth.
My self-watering herb planter (pictured below) will also be brought indoors this fall, which will continue to provide me with parsley, lemon thyme, lavender, dill, and calendula (marigold) for flavour and garnishing.
Parsley, dill, lemon thyme, lavender, and calendula (marigold).
4. Carrots: Compact and Colourful Delights
Believe it or not, you can grow carrots indoors during the winter months! Choose smaller varieties or “baby” carrots that are well-suited for container gardening. Select deep containers to accommodate their taproots and provide well-draining soil to prevent rot. Carrots require moderate light and consistent moisture to thrive. Witness the joy of pulling up these vibrant orange roots from your own indoor garden.
I have grown carrots in containers before, but have yet to try them as an indoor winter crop. My house has a lot of natural light so I hope it’s enough for the carrots. I do have LED lights I can utilize as well.
5. Scallions: A Never-ending Harvest
Scallions, also known as green onions or spring onions, are a versatile and productive choice for indoor gardening. They can be grown from both seeds and kitchen scraps (using the root ends). Place the cut ends in water initially, and once they develop roots, transplant them into pots. Scallions can thrive in various lighting conditions, making them an excellent option for less sunny spots. Regular trimming ensures you’ll have a continuous supply of mild onion flavor for soups, salads, and garnishes.
I love green onions and there’s nothing better than fresh-picked. As they don’t have a deep root system they’ll be ideal for a pot placed on the kitchen counter. Between them and the chives I should be set for green onion flavour all winter long.
Wrapping it up
Winter gardening doesn’t have to be limited to the outdoors (and in a climate that reaches minus 40 degrees, it’s not an option). By choosing the right vegetables, optimizing light conditions, and providing proper care, you can enjoy a thriving indoor garden throughout the cold months. Microgreens, spinach, herbs, carrots, and scallions are five fantastic choices that offer a range of flavors, colors, and nutritional benefits. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your gardening supplies, and embark on a winter gardening adventure that will not only satisfy your green thumb but also add fresh, homegrown goodness to your winter meals.
I was beginning to lose hope we would get any moisture at all. Last night as I sat out by my fire I watched the clouds filled with rain go around me. It seemed to be raining everywhere but here. It didn’t even smell like rain, which was disheartening in itself.
This morning started out warm and sunny, so I thought for sure the forecast was out to lunch. I took the big dog for a walk across the field because we both needed to get out for a little while. It was warm and sunny while we were out, but started to cloud over shortly after we got back. I still didn’t have any faith we were going to get rain.
I was honestly surprised when the heavier clouds rolled in and the rain began. Our fields are so dry. This will help the fields, pastures, and the gardens. It’ll delay some seeding for a few days, but it will be worth it in the end.
Spring Cleanup
Yesterday afternoon I cleaned out one of the raised beds I didn’t get to before the snow fell, and was surprised to find onion bulbs as firm as they had been during the summer. I planted about 12 little multiplier bulbs last spring, and used the green onion all summer. I even pulled a few and used them.
As I was cleaning the bed, I started uprooting the bulbs…and to my surprise I ended up with 30 of them. As excited as I was, my thought then was “What am I supposed to do with them?”. I’ll be moving in a couple months, so I couldn’t very well just leave them there to grow; especially since I’m disassembling the raised bed so I can take it with me.
Multiplier Onions
The next thing I cleaned out was the self-watering planter I made last summer. It had been filled with herbs, and it worked wonderfully for them. All that’s left in it is the clump of chives, which I decided not to uproot. I decided the onion bulbs could go in with the chives, at least until I figure out where else to put them.
I raked up piles of woodchips and grass, with the hopes of having a bit of a bonfire in the evening. The wind picked up and that was not to be; at least not where my main fire pit is. (I did have a small one in my little screened firebox on the other side of the house though.) Now those said piles are getting a good soaking in the rain, so they won’t burn very well. They may just become mulch in my new yard instead.
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Relocating Trees
I’ve had quite a bit of experience over the years with houseplants, herbs, vegetables, and even soft fruits. My challenge this year, however, is going to be relocating my apple trees. I have to admit, I’m a little worried.
My kids bought them for me two years ago for my birthday, and I planted them: one on the north side of my house, and one on the south. At that point in time I hadn’t even considered moving; I was too distraught with Ross’s passing.
Now here I am, two years later; and trying to figure out the best way to move them so I don’t lose them. Like I said, my experience with moving trees is minimal. I do suppose this will be a learning experience for me.
From what I can tell from my research, the best time to dig them up is before they bud out. I was going to do that this afternoon, but the rain came before I could start. And to be honest, I really have no desire to dig up trees in the pouring rain.
Since my move won’t be until early July, my best option will be to put them in a container. Since the trunks are just a little bigger than an inch, the root ball will have to be no smaller than 18″. My research also tells me if they are in a container, they can be transplanted at any time. (Bare root trees would have to be done when the roots are dormant.)
Something else I learned is the trees should be marked so they face the same direction when planted in their new spot. In all honesty, it’s not something I would have even considered if I had just been “winging it”. It pays to do your research; whether you’re writing an essay or moving trees.
Giving the trees a good soaking before digging them up is essential, so I think Mother Nature has to be thanked for that. Keeping the container watered to avoid stress to the roots is also beneficial. Giving them plenty of room to spread out even while in the container will help lessen the shock when they’re put in the ground again. At least that’s my thought; and hope.
Once they’re placed in the new spot, they’ll have to be staked and watered regularly. Right now both trees are around the 8′ tall mark (give or take) so should be relatively easy to transport in an enclosed trailer. I really don’t want to risk them getting damaged by the wind in the back of the truck, especially since over half of the trip will be at highway speed.
All I can hope for is my trees survive the move. Have you moved trees before?
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