Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi all

Is there anything I can grow now indoors? ie windowsill or warm place?
I have brought one of my strawberry runners in to see if I can get an early crop. I was thinking about peppers or mini toms. Anybody any suggestions?
or info if you've tried it. I won't have a green house until Xmas so it has to be smallish things.

Thanks
Sam

Hi Supersam, sorry to put a dampener on your plans but i honestly don't think theres anything that will grow well enough at this time of year to make it worth your while.
Its not just a question of warmth but light levels and length of daylight hours.
Have to say also the central heating tends to dry out the air which is'nt good for plants either.
Thats only my opinion but perhaps someone will have different advice. Good luck anyway.

Hi SS,

Brambles right, central heating is a real killer where plants are concened also there isn't enough light really at this time of year unles you use suplimentry lighting & then you have to question the cost against the crop

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

I'd plan for the spring Supersam. As the others say - there just isn't enough daylight. But you can get started in February if you're desperate.

You could try some all-year round lettuce or salad leaves in pots, they might work on a windowsill but I think you might have problems getting other things to germinate & grow at this time of year.

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Into every life a little rain must fall.

Thanks all, I guess I'll just have to curb the enthusiasm until Feb! I have got my seed order to do so that should keep me quiet. Thanks anyway

Best thing for the winter, to have something still alive when you eat it, is sprouting seeds. Just bung a teaspoonful in a jam jar with some muslin or a bit of an old pair of tights over the top, rinse twice a day and drain. My favourite is Fenugreek, as it has a curry flavour when it first sprouts, but not overwhelming. Super easy, and well worth it, for the freshness. They're proper superfoods, rammed with vitamins and minerals, and even protein. Alfalfa also very good. Really good in cheese butties, especially with cambozola. Essential anti winter blues boost.

I grow a number of herbs but most don't like it now. Basil is still OK especially the standard varieties (Sweet Genovese, Minette and Lettuce Leaf). Others are a waste of time.

I quite agree rauni. Quick, easy and very nutritious. I usually use the little flat trays that baby veg comes in. I've got two or three knocking around from earlier in the year. A bit of kitchen roll and Voila (as they say)

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

Kick you strawberry runners back out until after Christmas to let the cold onto the crowns. They need this vernalisation to fruit well. Bring them into a warmer environ (greenhouse etc) in early Feruary and you will be picking fruit a month earlier than normal. After fruiting bin the plants (they will be exhausted) and do it again next season.

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Kindest regards, David.

http://pigletsplots.blogspot.com/
updated lots - Sunday 28th at 1640hrs

Sprouting seeds can be quite expensive. Shop around. The Organic Gardening Catalogue is the cheapest I've found.

Moles were quite good value when I looked at the catalogue.

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.