An easy guide to growing fresh greens at home.
Imagine if you could harvest dinner right at home...sounds delicious, right? That’s because it is! You really can’t beat the freshness of lettuce and basil from your backyard or window planter, and the planet is extra grateful because your food footprint is pretty much zero.
Think of it this way: food from the grocery store travels on average 1500 miles vs. 50 miles from farmers market vs. none from home gardens!
Growing your own veggies is super easy and fun. You can easily pick up planter boxes, soil, seeds, and starter plants from your local hardware store or garden supply. Or, you could grab a grow tray set from Hamama. To help you grow hyper-local and hyper-delicious greenery, we’ve put together some growing tips and suggestions to get you started.
So if you’re ready, let’s grow!
Upcycled Planters
Traditional planter boxes are great, but you can reduce your environmental footprint even more with an upcycled planter. Jam jars, candle jars, and old tea tins make excellent pots for your favorite herbs. For bigger plants, you might try an old wheelbarrow, empty milk cartons, or an abandoned dresser. You can even decorate your new planters with some leftover paint or old magazine clippings. With a little creativity, you’ll be able to save some money, eat fresh, and help the planet.
Window Treatments
Whether you live in an apartment or house, window planters are an excellent way to grow herbs like chives, mint, and scallions. You can even grow larger greens like arugula, spinach, and mesclun. Just make sure to give them good soil and prune regularly.
Soil Matters
Give your plants fresh soil that’s loaded with nutrients to help them grow. You can often find plant-specific soils at your local nursery or garden center, as these will have enhanced benefits that keep your greens happy and healthy. Sow your seeds in the top half inch of the soil, water when dry, and watch your garden grow!
Embrace the Light Side
Don’t be afraid to give those greens some sunshine. If you have a planter box inside, south facing windows are best. For outdoor gardens, make sure to pay attention to where the sun is hitting. Plants like lettuce and tomatoes love full sun, while herbs like basil thrive in a healthy mix of sun and shade.
Don’t Overwhelm Them
When starting out, it can be easy to overwater, oversun, and overcrowd your plants. Pay careful attention to your new babies and give them water when they’re thirsty, especially if the plants are in full sun outdoors (hint: the best way to know if your plants need water is to touch the soil to see if it’s dry). When it comes to spacing, give your greens room to breath and grow, making sure to prune them occasionally to promote healthy growth.
One Last Thought
Growing your own garden is a super fresh and easy way to help take a bite out of climate change. There’s really nothing quite like that first bite of something grown with your own two hands, and with a little practice you’ll have a bounty of delicious vegetables and herbs. If you need some inspiration, we’ve got a range of delicious recipes to help turn your garden into a great meal. Be patient, love your plants, and you’ll quickly discover how fun it is to use your green thumb to make a greener earth.
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