Frugal Indoor Gardening Tips

Indoor gardening is perfect for those of you who live in an apartment or have difficulty getting around a garden. It is also great for the cold winter days when the garden is the last place you want to be.

Here are a few simple tips for getting started.

Herb Garden

Many varieties of herb will grow quite well inside and is a great way to start afrugal indoor garden for the first time. Children will also find growing herbs a fun and informative activity as a lot of herbs grow quickly and they can also decorate the containers.

You will need:

• A sunny windowsill.
• Herb seeds or plants - Basil, Mint, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme all grow well inside.
• Compost - your own
• Small containers - old margarine tubs are good for this.

After planting your herb seed make sure you water them at least once a week but be careful not to over water.

Tomatoes

If you want to grow your own food indoors then the easiest to grow is the tasty Tomato. They will grow all year round and only require a little watering. The best varieties to grow indoors are the smaller plants such as cherry and plum tomatoes as these will fit nicely on windows sills.

Tomato plants like lots of light and warmth so make sure they are placed in a sunny spot where the temperature is around 75 degrees. Plant your seeds in a large container such as an old washing up bowl and use only good compost not soil. Water sparingly to avoid root rot but enough to keep the compost moist.

Frugal Seed containers

The cheapest way to start indoor gardening is to harvest seeds during the summer months from your garden or to buy small packets of seeds from the local store. Growing them indoors only requires small containers to get them started, sunlight, water, compost and a little loving care.

Seed containers never have to be bought; any small container can be used to start your inside garden. Here are a few of the best frugal seed containers:

• Washed out eggshells with a small drainage hole, these can be planted into a larger pot once they have grown too large.
• Toilet roll inners
• Egg cartons
• Yoghurt pots
• Takeaway cups
• Butter tubs

As long as all your containers have sufficient drainage they will be ideal for sprouting your seedlings and start your garden inside.

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