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When spring rolls around, it means it's time to get back outdoors and into the vegetable garden. The end of winter calls for early plantings to bring in a summer and fall vegetable harvest. If you live in an apartment, though, or in a region where not even the summers can support sensitive, long-season crops, you may be restricted in regard to outdoor gardening. This also is true for gardeners who want to grow summertime favorites in winter, or vice versa. To get around these space and season inconveniences, start an indoor vegetable garden. Focus on quick, short-crop vegetables to ensure an easy, almost immediate harvest.



Growing an indoor herb garden is a rewarding and efficient way to grow fresh herbs. You can micro-manage herb plants very well when they are right on your windowsill. When growing herbs indoors , there are 7 key areas to control for the best results. Once you manage to control these areas, you can grow otherwise difficult herbs indoors, even if they would not thrive in your outdoor conditions.

You can bring some herbs indoors for the colder winter months as long as you have adequate sunlight. This means a southern exposure ideally with about eight hours of sunlight a day. Some signs that your herb garden is not receiving enough light will be long stems and leaves(referred to as leggy), and fading leaves or simply leaves that fall off for no other reason. If you do not get enough light from a window, you can supplement your herb's growth with growlights. These special lights differ from regular light bulbs because they shine with the full spectrum light that plants require. There are complete setups with pots and overhead lighting available or you can purchase the growlights separately and be sure they are placed according to directions. An easy alternative is to purchase florescent shoplights, and keep the light suspended within 4 inches above the growing herbs. Indoor grow lights need to be replaced on a schedule to be certain that they are giving off the proper strength your plants need.




During the winter, some people move their gardens inside their homes. Although this seems implausible, it is possible if you have adequate space and time for an indoor garden. Certain vegetables grow successfully indoors, as long as they continue to receive the light, nutrients and water they need for growth. If you live in an area that becomes cold during the winter, consider growing an indoor vegetable garden.

Difficulty:Moderately ChallengingInstructions
Things You'll Need
Large containers
Potting soil
Compost
Vegetable seeds
Lighting (plant or fluorescent)
Water
Houseplant fertilizer

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1
Select your container for your indoor garden. The container should be somewhat large and deep, allowing adequate room for plant growth. Consider using a wastebasket, aquarium, washtub or large flowerpot. The container should have a system that allows for water drainage. If no drainage holes are available, use a drill to put small holes into the bottom or around the sides of the bottom. Lay a piece of netting on the bottom of the container to ensure that soil does not escape through these holes.

2
Mix your soil to use in the indoor vegetable garden. Ideally, you should use an equal mixture of potting soil and compost. Do not use outdoor gardening soil for your indoor garden; this soil compacts too easily and does not allow for proper growth. Fill the container with your soil mixture.

3
Review the directions on the various vegetable seeds you have purchased. Each vegetable has specific requirements for planting, space required, water needs and temperature requirements. Do your research and follow the directions for each specific vegetable.

4
Plant your seeds according to their specific requirements. Ensure that they have enough space to grow fully and completely. The best types of vegetables to grow in an indoor garden are those that do not grow very large. Consider using small tomatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, lettuce, spinach and radishes.

5
Place the containers in a room that will provide sufficient light and an adequate temperature. Again, review the directions for your specific vegetables. Some vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, require warm temperatures to grow. When planting these vegetables indoors, you will need to ensure that you are providing a warm environment in which they can grow. Other vegetables are more resistant to cooler temperatures and can be grown quite easily indoors.

6
Place your plants in a southern-facing window to allow for adequate sunlight, if possible. If you have an enclosed sunroom, use that room, as it will allow for plenty of sunlight. However, if your indoor garden is not receiving at least six hours of sunlight every day, place it under artificial lighting. Place either fluorescent lights or plant lights 3 to 6 inches above the plants.


7
Water your indoor garden regularly. Your indoor garden will likely need to be watered every day, especially once the vegetables begin growing. Since your indoor garden will not have rainwater to keep it hydrated, you will need to ensure that the soil stays properly hydrated. Place a finger into the soil (about 1 inch deep) to test the moisture of the soil. If the soil is dry, water it with warm water.

8
Fertilize the indoor garden every two weeks. Use a fertilizer for houseplants and follow the directions for that specific fertilizer. Fertilizing the garden will ensure that your plants receive the nutrients they need to survive and grow successfully.



Read more: How to Grow Vegetables Indoors Through the Winter | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5673758_grow-vegetables-indoors-through-winter.html#ixzz1NW5DXfiZ