Time to Start Your Indoor Green House For Sunny Weather Planting from the Trained Employees at Euston Hardware February 14, 2019 Do you like to grow your own food? There are heaps of benefits to eating and growing your own food. Possibly you are a horticulturist with respect for the earth, but just can’t get out there in the savage winter days? Your garden can start remarkably indoors in the wintry February weeks. Having raw herbs and vegetables is a marvelous way to supplement your diet and the planting system can also point to learning events for young ones. All you might need are some starter plants or seeds, soil, pots, a growing light or sun, and lots of love! There are countless ways Euston Hardware can help you get your green house or indoor garden started in Kansas City. Our store can offer things like lawn supplies, garden tools, lawn fertilizers, and more! Superb planning is the chief thing you need when it comes to your indoor green house. Establishing a seed-starting schedule or calendar can help. Also, drawing up your garden beds outdoors so you can know how many seeds to grow. After that, to begin, you will need acceptable size pots with decent drainage. A 4” pot is normally enough for greens, and herbs however you will need 1-2 gallon pots for plants like cherry tomatoes. Anything larger you will need a 5 gallon pot. Starter plants are helpful when it comes to starting, but you can buy seeds and get right to it. Get help by purchasing peat, pellets, peat pots, and seed starter kits. Some Simple Plants to Begin With: HerbsGreensCherry TomatoesSpouts and Micro greensIf Planting Seeds: Plant the seeds at the depth the seed pack recommendsCover the soil with plastic to keep it from drying outPlace it in a warm window or where there is some warmthThey don’t initially need sun to germinateAfter they germinate, remove the plasticPlace in a sunny area that faces south or under grow lightsOnce they reach 2-3 inches and have some leavers, transplant them to their own separate containersPlants should be watered regularly in the winterPick a place that is cool such as a basement or spare roomHarvest your vegetables and herbs throughout winter As soon as spring comes you shall have a good size plant that you can now take to your outside garden and transplant into the garden or into a better pot. Acclimate your seedlings to the outdoors for several weeks before moving them to your garden or outdoor pot. This rule is called hardening off. The hardening off duration permits your seedlings to shift from enjoyable growing conditions under lights to the ordinary weather conditions they will encounter in the garden or outdoor area. This method can be a process, but will be very rewarding. About a week or two before re-planting, set your veggies and herbs outdoors in a secure spot under an table or back porch that is safeguarded from the rain, wind, and sun. Leave herbs and plants outside for only a couple hours, then bring back inside. Follow this by increasing the exposure to the outdoors a bit more each day. Do this, by adding hours and altering if they are in the shade or sun, since the springtime is sometimes crazed weather. Be sure to look for falls in temperature. And also test them routinely for dry soil, since they will be in the elements and sun more often. You surely do not want your plants soil to get super dry, thus depriving your plants of needed minerals and nutrients. Soon you will be able to leave your plants outside over night and in the full rain, wind, and sun. be sure to watch for very cold temperatures, as you would want to transport them back to the indoors. After your plants are now hardened off they can be transplanted to their more fixed location in the garden or outdoor spot. You should water your plants well after planting. This method is so meaningful and pays off in the end with vigorous hardy plants that can withstand the elements! If wanting to do some gardening outdoors in the cold season months, see below for some cold-harded veggies. Make sure whatever plants you choose, that you pay attention to the recommendations on the container or seed packet. The recommendations will warn you to the particular variety that is perfect for the area and temperatures. Take note and pay attention especially to the frost dates and what the plant can live with. Plants that are cold-hardy and mature in 100 days BeetsBrussel SproutsCabbageCarrotsOnions Parsnip Veggies that are middle maturing and cold-hardy and mature in 55-70 days. KaleRadishTurnipsCollardsChardLeeksKohlrabiScallions Plants that are quickly maturing and cold-hardy and mature in 40 days. Salad greensBok choiLettuceSpinachChicoryArugulaEndiveWell, there you have it. Hopefully you are closer to getting your indoor garden started. If you do have questions or need some tools, fertilizers, or gardening supplies; the professionals at Euston Hardware in Kansas City can help you get started on the proper path to gardening happiness. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 816-216-7197 or stop by the store. Lawn, Garden, & Outdoor, Garden Center, Lawn Care, Scotts Back To Tips & News