Barnes Common frequently receives enquires from people who want to make their gardens more sustainable, and here, we respond to some of these queries. If you have a question you would like us to feature – whether related to food growing or sustainable gardening in general – please contact Nicky. If you have tried these ideas at home, let us know how it goes!
This month, we address the question, ‘how can I garden without a garden?’. The reality of living in London is that many of us live in flats, with no access to outdoor space. Of course, houseplants are great in this situation, but what if you want a bit more – to grow some of your own food, and perhaps even make a bit of compost?
Whilst you’ll never become self-sufficient growing on a windowsill, you can most definitely produce some tasty additions to your diet. Herbs are a great place to start. With many supermarket herbs wrapped in plastic packaging and expiring quickly, having a supply of fresh leaves to pick whenever you want can be lovely. Some of the soft herbs, such as basil, parsley and coriander, are well suited to a sunny windowsill. They can be tricky to start from seed, but an easy way to get going is to buy a pot from a supermarket. These typically consist of lots of small seedlings, rather than one plant – which is why they never survive for very long. By dividing the seedlings and potting them up, you’ll have lots of bushy and long-lasting plants in no-time. It’s not only soft herbs that are suitable for a windowsill. Although we rarely see rosemary and sage indoors, it’s completely possible to grow them, as long as they’re placed in a very sunny spot.
Salad is another easy winner for indoor growing. By sowing a tray or two of salad leaves, you can have a supply all summer, again, negating the need to buy limp leaves in plastic packaging. It’s best to choose varieties that are ‘cut and come again’ – which simply means regularly harvesting the outer leaves so that the inner core can keep growing. If you’re feeling creative, and want to maximise use of space, salad can be grown in a vertical planter – there are loads of DIY ideas online.
There are other things you can try – chilli plants produce a lot in a small space, and you might even try a lemon if you have a particularly sunny windowsill. Dwarf and micro-dwarf varieties of tomato can be grown on a windowsill – ‘Tiny Tom’ and ‘Patio Princess’ both work well. There are even small varieties of aubergine you might like to try. Small root veg such as radishes can also be fun.
As well as the obvious benefit of having something tasty to eat, having plants indoors can have a positive impact on the level of pollutants from vehicles that build up in the home. Plants act as natural air purifiers, and the microorganisms in compost also play a role in absorbing air pollutants. As well as this, plants absorb solar radiation, and as their leaves transpire, they help to decrease ambient temperatures.
It is possible to go a step further, and include some sustainable growing practices in your indoor garden. A small version of a wormery can be placed in a cupboard or under the sink, enabling you to recycle your food waste and have a small supply of compost to feed your pots. You might also consider using some of your grey water to water plants. This is fine as long as it doesn’t contain a lot of grease or harsh chemicals. Consider growing in recycled containers instead of plastic pots – just ensure they have drainage.
Do you grow your own food indoors? We’d love to hear what’s worked for you, and maybe see some photos as well! Contact Nicky to share your tips for growing without a garden!
Previous blogs:
What is permaculture, and how can I apply it in my own garden?
How to Plant a Pollinator-Friendly Garden
What Should I Do With My Lawn?
Herb pots photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash