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 Plant’It Earth.
FERTILIZER Another super-important part of organic indoor growing is making sure you’re using an OMRI-listed fertilizer. (Some veggies and herbs only need to have their soil “fed” once, at the sowing stage, but others do better with regular meals.) Organic fertilizers come in several forms, and can contain all kinds of ingredients—including seaweed, fish oil, bone meal, and even bat guano—but chemical additives and synthetic elements are strict no-nos. One tried-and-true brand is Earth Juice, a potent liquid fertilizer that you can buy from merchants that sell natural garden supplies, like Planet Natural. Another no-hassle option is PlanTea, powdered organic fertilizer that comes in biodegradable “tea bags.” You simply plant the bags along with your seeds, and they release their nutrients—mostly from powdered vegetables—into the soil.
Of course, if you’re already enlightened enough to have a composter in your apartment, some of the best fertilizer of all is compost tea. Just be sure to use it lightly—no drenching required.
LIGHT The good news is that you can grow most of your organic vegetables with plain old-fashioned sunlight. You’ll just need a sunny windowsill or room (check your seed packages to see how many hours per day of direct light is best). If your indoor gardening plans are ambitious, though—like, if you want to grow your own eggplants or carrots—and you live in a cold climate, you’ll need to shell out for some indoor grow lights. Fluorescents, which work well for most seedling-stage and some mature plants, will set you back about $150 to $200 apiece. Home Harvest has a good selection.
The Bible of Container-Growing The essential reference book for growing organic indoors is The Bountiful Container, by Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey. It’s got detailed instructions for every part of the container-growing process, as well as troubleshooting advice in case things go wrong. Follow these ladies’ words of wisdom, and you’ll be growing—and eating—green in no time.