Indoor gardening
(updated: Nov 19, 2009)
Earlier this year I did a post on my square foot garden that I put in this spring (link here). I enjoyed picking and eating fresh vegetables every day so much that I wanted to extend the season. So I built a cold frame to grow lettuce and small plants through the winter. Then I decided to build an indoor garden. I got the idea by going to Progressive Gardens, which has some really neat and sophisticated setups. I bought the lights there, and built the table and mount to hang the light myself, and now I have the satisfaction of growing my own food all winter long.
So here's my setup...two, 2x4 ft beds for 16sf of growing space. I recently put fluorescent lights underneath for another 8sf of stacked growing space, giving me a total of 24sf of indoor garden.
The beds are just 2x4s and 5/8" plywood base. I have some seed starting kits and have stockpiled a bunch of seeds.
This whole setup is on wheels and underneath the shelf slides out so that I can wheel it out of the garage to get natural sunlight when the weather is sunny and warm. This picture is from a few weeks back - it's like a jungle now.
I planted five different types of lettuce, broccoli (these plants get big - not going to do that again), basil, arugula, spinach (doesn't do so well for some reason), a few carrots, radishes, onions, oregano, dill, rosemary, cilantro (just getting started), and then three tomato plants I dug up from the garden just to try. I have to keep planting each week to keep it productive all winter. Almost every day I eat something from this, mostly lettuce, or give it away to friends and family.
I use about a gallon of water every other day, and it costs about $9 a month for the electricity for the 440W fluorescent lamp, and $12 for the 600W metal-halide lamp.
Added second 2x4 tray.
Nice to know your food hasn't been treated with chemicals or pesticides.
I keep on expanding. The lower shelf, ready for growing. Just have to make another 2x4 bed.
Filed Under: General Entries > North Carolina > Wilmington
1 COMMENT:
1. Sir Peanuts said...
Awesome that you went to Progressive Gardens, Rides-A-Flat and I got their compost tea awhile back and its done wonders for our compost bin. We have a nice large space we are working on and getting ready for spring. We look forward to our harvest!
Nov 21, 2009 @ 10:44 AM
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