Growing your own leafy greens indoors:
Have you ever noticed how some store bought leafy greens, start to droop and wilt after you bring them home? That’s why growing your own greens is so special, they’re always fresh, crisp, and ready to eat!
And you don’t need a backyard or a garden to grow them. You can plant them right inside your home during the winter months!
Leafy greens are some of the easiest plants to grow. They grow quickly, don’t take up much space, and they’re called cut and come again greens because you can snip some leaves to eat, and the plant keeps growing more.
Plus, growing your own food feels amazing. You get to take care of your plants, watch them grow, and then enjoy the yummy greens you worked hard to grow.
When it’s time to pick your greens, it feels so exciting. It’s not just about the food, it’s about all the care and patience you put into growing it.
How to start growing greens indoors
Are you ready to grow your own greens?
- Pick your plants: Choose greens that grow quickly, like lettuce, spinach, or baby kale. These are perfect for beginners growers too.
- Find a sunny spot: Plants need light to grow, so find a sunny windowsill or use a small grow light to help them along.
- Use the right container: You can use a shallow pot or container, just make sure it has holes at the bottom so water can drain out.
- Water often: Your plants need water to grow strong, but don’t give them too much! Keep the soil damp, like a wrung out sponge.
- Harvest the leaves: Once your plants grow to about 3–4 inches tall, carefully snip the outer leaves.
Do you know what’s special about picking fresh, leafy greens? Even the ones you buy at the grocery store start to get wilty and sad just a few hours after being picked. That’s why we like to grow our own greens indoors during the winter months. It’s easy, fast, and we get to harvest them over and over again!
Growing greens in a kratky hydroponic container
If you choose to not use soil indoors to grow your greens, you can use this hydroponic method called the Kratky Method. It’s a super cool way to grow plants without soil. The Kratky method is one of the easiest ways to do this. You just need a container filled with water and nutrients, and your plants grow right on top of it. This is a fun and simple way to grow leafy greens indoors!
Top 5 greens to grow in a kratky hydroponic system
Here are the best greens to try growing with this method:
- Lettuce – Grows fast and tastes great in salads.
- Spinach – Perfect for smoothies and soups.
- Arugula – Adds a zesty flavour to your meals.
- Bok choy – A crunchy, nutritious green for stir-fries.
- Swiss chard – Colourful and full of vitamins!
Happy Gardening!
