Tell Me What to Grow
By Jenn | March 9, 2010
Sure, it’s still winter here in the Northeastern U.S., but with recent temperatures in the balmy and beautiful 50s, I’m beginning to have springtime daydreams. In fact, I just noticed the first little pointy and tenacious green buds beginning to poke their heads out of the urban soil around a street tree on my block– yipee! Life is beginning to bloom again.
This has brought me, once again, to thinking about growing some of my own food. You might recall my previous attempts at this: rosemary, peppermint, chives, lettuce, and tomatoes.. all dead. They were strong contenders, but all ended up biting the bullet. And the previous year I had a gorgeous tomato plant out on my fire escape, but lost all but the final two fruits to squirrels.
So, here we are. I love the idea of growing my own food, and yet have had no real success at it yet. I feel ready to try again this year, and am asking you, lovely readers who may have a greener thumb than I do: what should I grow? I’ve got windowsills which get indirect light, and a fire escape which attracts squirrels. Does peppermint stand a chance in a large pot indoors? Is it possible to grow tomatoes indoors without direct light? Is there an herb or leafy green which would somehow miraculously thrive in these conditions? Or should I just go join a local community garden, get my hands in real soil, and learn from those who know?
Help, please!
[Image by Itzafineday via Creative Commons]
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Topics: Food |
[…] Tiny Choices needs some gardening advice. […]
Zucchini (or any summer squash) and chard. They’re like veggie factories in your garden!
And I think they would do well in containers too.
“Is it possible to grow tomatoes indoors without direct light?”
No, and it will drive you nuts to try.
Mint is a good option for indoors, indirect light, so long as you have them VERY well drained. Though they like wet feet, I’ve had problems in the past with too wet feet. I’d vote for a non-peppermint variety though, but perhaps it’s just me whose been snakebit when it comes to peppermint.
Most herbs require at least a few hours of direct sun.
Salad greens would actually do pretty well with your conditions, provided you get at least some v. bright indirect light. Try the more shade preferent varieties
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If there’s a community garden nearby, out you go :)
Or, look for a friend nearby with a yard who is willing to exchange some garden space for some of the produce you will grow. I do this with 2 friends and it is a great solution.
It sounds like your at home options are limited and there’s nothing worse than being a frustrated gardener. Your efforts will be rewarded by finding outside space with good light.
no matter what you decide to grow, I definitely think you should go to this event!
http://www.greenthumbnyc.org/gardenevents.html?id=177244
GreenThumb Events & Workshops
26th Annual GrowTogether Conference
Saturday, March 20, 2010
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
This year’s GrowTogether conference includes many favorite workshops from past years, as well as new programming focusing around youth gardeners. We will also have a return performance by the youth dance group who inspired the hit documentary Mad Hot Ballroom, as well as a keynote presentation by Bobby Wilson, President of the American Community Gardening Association.
To pre-register, follow the link to download the registration forms. Or call our office at (212) 788-8070.
Location
149th St & The Grand Concourse
Bronx
Cost
$3 Pre-reg, $5 Day of
Thanks for the sunlight tip on herbs. I was just venturing down that road.
The word is out, you have a brown thumb. Try growing a bay leaf tree. It’s a long term grow, but the benefits are outstanding. It will definitely survive out on your fire escape, but maybe bring it in during the snowy months.