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Indoor growing - what can I try?

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  • #1

    Indoor growing - what can I try?

    Hi everyone,

    I've finally managed to stop moving all over the place every year, so now have a chance to grow some things. Only problem is, I have no outside space whatsoever, just a flat with a very sunny bay windowsill. I've got some very basic salad things going (cress, mustard and lettuce), but I'd really like to grow something more substantial. Some of the squashes listed here look very tasty:
    Pumpkin and Winter Squash Seeds to buy in the UK from The Real Seed Catalogue
    Would I be insane to try? I'd need to keep it to one plant I know, and a large pot/planter for it. Could I try and train the vines upwards? I have plenty of vertical space, or I could get away with running it around the bay window. It's a bit late for planting according to the website, but might I get away with it inside? I can wait until next year if I need to, but I'd like to get something started.

    Thanks for your patience with the many (daft) questions!

    Rosemary
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  • #2
    Hello Rosemary & welcome to the Jungle. Squashes need a lot of room & I wouldn't have thought a windowsill would accommodate one. If your windowsill is really sunny & you want to try something this year, I would give a couple of Tomatoes a go................good luck with whatever you try.
    sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

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    • #3
      Thanks Bigmally. I just figured it might be useful to know how big the windowsill is. It's 8'' wide by 45'' long for the main one, and there are 2 side bits that are 25'' long. It faces south and the side parts are tilted east/west respectively, so it is a little suntrap. I've also got a good 6' of height there. I'll have a look at tomatoes, and also peppers for next year - they should be small enough?

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      • #4
        Anyone think climbing french beans might work?
        Another happy Nutter...

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        • #5
          Giving your growing circumstances, I wonder if the bay window would lend itself to be partitioned off with some kind of perspex, incorporate a door & have an internal growing house.................................or maybe join the ends of the bay similar to this:

          sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
          -------------------------------------------------------------------
          Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
          -----------------------------------------------------------
          KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

          Comment

          • #6
            I have no idea if it will work... but I think the squash round the bay window sounds like a great idea!! It worth a try this season so you know if it will work next year.

            If I were you I'd try find some plug plants rather than trying to grow from seed - and make sure its the right kind of variety for how you want to train it!

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            • #7
              I think you could still try tomatoes. If you can get some cherry type plants in the garden centre I am pretty dure you can still get a late crop. Good luck and keep us updated.

              And when your back stops aching,
              And your hands begin to harden.
              You will find yourself a partner,
              In the glory of the garden.

              Rudyard Kipling.sigpic

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              • #8
                Wow, I love the bay window idea! Sadly I doubt I'll be here long enough to justify it... I do have a table in front of it I can put things on though. Sounds like I would be better starting off with plants, so I'll take a walk down to B&Q to see what I can find (I don't drive, so anything else would have to be mail order). Thanks for the ideas everyone

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                • #9
                  Well, B&Q didn't work out. They only had tomatoes and chilli peppers - I decided against those as I never buy them fresh, and I'd rather grow something I know I'll use plenty of to start with. The tomatoes were already ripening, so that seemed a lot like cheating! I don't think gardening is all that popular here - I am in the middle of a cold, wet city....

                  I've ordered some seeds, including a packet of squash... I'll plant the herbs this summer and just one squash, just to see if I can tame it into my window, and then maybe have that and some sweet peppers next year. Or I might drown in vines, who knows! I'll keep you all updated. I guess I'll need some sort of plant food - does anyone have any recommendations that are suitable for indoors? Thanks!

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                  • #10
                    Tomato food seems to be popular for most fruit bearing plants. Have you considered putting your name down for an allotment or do you know anyone who could let you rent part of their garden?..............assuming you are planning on staying where you are.
                    sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
                    KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      My work contract comes to an end in 2018; I can possibly get another job in my field in Scotland for 2-3 years after that but it's unlikely, so I don't think an allotment is for me just yet. It's on my list for when I finally get a permanent job though! Any gardens around here are shared, communal rubbish dumps or postage stamp sized - sometimes all three

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                      • #12
                        starting a squash is good idea.you can try compact patio squash plant seeds, since you are growing them indoors..they have enough time to ripen. you may also try dwarf peas and dwarf beans. carrots makes good indoor plants. spring onions.

                        so root, squash,onion families covered. grow some salads and leafyveg to include brassica as well . welcome to the forum

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