Starting an Indoor Winter Garden
Winter has arrived and it’s way too cold to grow outside. However, with the newest indoor growing technology and easy access to information (like this), growing your own food indoors has become so easy even your grandma can do it! In fact, she may already know how. Don’t underestimate her knowledge.
In this upcoming series, we’re going to share with you our journey in turning an empty basement space into a full-fledged garden, and you’ll learn how to do it yourself.
If you live in an environment similar to mine (Chicago), it’s obviously impossible to grow anything outside in the winter other than, well, ice. But I promise you, not only is it more than possible for you to grow in the winter time – it’s easy! This is why we started Garden Labs – a simple online store and YouTube channel dedicated to spreading the long-collected knowledge we have acquired, while providing only products that are tested and used by us. Join us! It’s fun and healthy, and we’re here for you every step of the way.
How To: Starting An Indoor Winter Garden
First things first, you’ll need to get some seeds started. Pick out a few of your favorites. I’m personally going with some salad greens, kale, hot peppers, basil, cilantro, parsley… you know, the classics.
Growing medium for an indoor winter garden:
Next, we’re going to need a medium. My preferred way to start seeds at this point is just plain old Jiffy Pete pellets in a humidity dome cell tray. Below is a list with links of the main supplies you’ll need to start this indoor winter garden, in case you need.
By the way, for all your gardening supply needs as well as free valuable education, join us here at Garden Labs, the best online gardening store out there. Everyone involved at Garden Labs is a pro, and products are carefully selected to be quality, affordable, ethically sourced and tested. We only carry products we use ourselves, and we are here for you along the way during any phase of your growing journey. We make it easy.
Back to the seeds.
We start by hydrating the pellets and allowing time for them to expand. Pour ‘em into a bowl with some water and let’ em soak.
Label your plant tags for your indoor winter garden.
While you wait, this is a good time to label your plant tags.
Alright. Once the pellets are hydrated, we can simply take them out and put them in the tray cells, and begin to sow our seeds. Since the majority of these seeds are quite small, most of them are going to sit right on the surface of the medium. We’ll close the dome on these and set them in a safe place.
At this point the clock is ticking and we need a plan for the future. In our basement I have set up this 4×8 grow tent, which is the space I’ll be using for the majority of this grow.
I highly recommend growing in a grow tent. One, because it’s easy to control the environment and two, because the reflective walls help keep that valuable light in. If you need one, click here for some great options.
Check your seeds.
Over the next few days, you should be checking on your seeds and opening the dome at least twice a day to air them out. This helps prevent any funguses or molds from growing which will definitely hurt your seeds.
Once the seeds start to sprout, I throw them under a little shop light I have, just to get them going until the big tent is ready.
As I get my big tent ready, I encourage you to start your own seeds, and to stay tuned for part two of this series so you can follow the whole winter garden journey. We’ll teach you everything you need to know along the way.
Please ask any questions in the comment section below, we’re here to help.
For the video tutorial, click the link below:
To get ready for your next steps, here’s another video:
Hydroponics Vs Soil Vs Soilless for BEGINNERS | Choosing a Medium for your INDOOR GARDEN
Thank you for hanging out, and never stop growing!
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