I buy organic produce for the same reason most people do: it’s morally correct. While I realize purchasing sustainably-grown salad cucumbers won’t have much impact on global ecology, it seems better than doing nothing at all. Tossing those cucumbers with some hydroponically-grown lettuce and a few locally grown heirloom tomatoes makes me feel happily self-righteous—like I’m doing my little part for the planet.
Unfortunately, it also makes me feel unhappily broke. Let’s face it: organic products are expensive. Those of us who live in cities have it especially bad; not only are we at the mercy of urban markets’ jacked-up prices; we tend to have fire escapes rather than yards. (Translation: Even if we had time to try to grow our own organic gardens—which we don’t—we’re out the space.) So what’s a lawnless, environmentally-conscious-but- financially-strapped gal to do?
Well, as I found out, she can raise her own organic salad greens in her apartment.
Yes, it’s possible to grow organic indoors, mainly by using the same supplies—containers, potting soil, fertilizer, water, and light—that you would use to raise any old houseplants. It’s more labor-intensive, of course, and requires selecting the right brands and making an initial investment. But over time, you’ll save money, you’ll have the satisfaction of growing your own food, and you’ll eat organic more often. So your little part in saving the planet can grow, too.
Interested? Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
SEEDS There are tons of sources out there where you can buy certified-organic, non-genetically-altered seeds. One of the best is Seeds of Change, which has dozens of container-growing varieties that you can order online. Some of the easiest veggies to grow inside are lettuces and other salad greens, and Seeds of Change’s choices include exotic varieties like spicy mesclun, golden purslane, and Persian garden cress. For one-stop shopping (and salad-making), try the Edible Patio Container Seed Collection, which works great on windowsills or in sunny rooms. You’ll get seeds for small-scale varieties of lettuce, cucumber, onion, cherry tomatoes, and two kinds of pepper, all for under $15.
If you’d rather start small with your indoor organics, herbs are a great way to go. Many of these—basil, marjoram, and parsley, for instance—only need moderate growing space, and can give you months’ worth of fresh leaves to add to your cooking. The Natural Gardening Company, the oldest certified-organic nursery in the U.S., sells more than twenty herb varieties online (and will happily answer any questions by phone). To find a local organic nursery or seed company that you can visit in person, check out the list of suppliers at GreenPeople.org.
CONTAINERS You can use your imagination for this part; ceramic flowerpots, wooden window boxes, metal tubs, plastic bowls, and just about any other vessel you can think of—all will work fine. (I even read about a woman who grows her organic herbs in Styrofoam tubs—although something about that seems oxymoronic to me.) Containers that are at least three inches deep will work best; they’ll give your plant roots plenty of room. Drainage holes aren’t necessary, as long as you don’t over water.
Keep in mind that while lettuces, radishes, and some other veggies can be grown in large pots right from the seed stage, others (like Brussels sprouts and some larger tomato and pepper varieties) do better when they’re started in peat pots and then transplanted when they start to leaf. Your seed packages or nursery staffer can tell you which varieties require this.
SOIL To make sure you’re really growing organic, you’ll need to choose your soil carefully. Many commercial potting soils are mixed with synthetic fertilizers—verboten for organic produce. To find a pre-packed potting soil that meets organic criteria, look for a label that says “OMRI Listed.” OMRI—the Organic Materials Review Institute—is a nonprofit organization that monitors products to ensure compliance with national organic standards. Black Gold and Fox Farm are two popular OMRI-listed brands; you can buy them online at
