What to Grow Indoors in December
December may be cold and dark outside, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop growing fresh food! Indoor gardening can be a wonderful way to continue enjoying herbs, greens, and even some quick crops, adding fresh flavuors to your winter meals. Here’s a guide to what you can easily grow indoors in December.
1. Herbs on the Windowsill
A sunny windowsill is all you need to grow a variety of fresh herbs indoors. Herbs like basil, parsley, chives, and thyme do well indoors as long as they get plenty of light. Small pots or containers with well-draining soil are ideal. Water sparingly, as overwatering is a common issue with indoor plants. Rotate your pots every few days to ensure even sunlight exposure, and enjoy fresh herbs right at your fingertips!
2. Microgreens for Quick Harvests
Microgreens are perfect for indoor winter gardening. Fast-growing and packed with nutrients, they’re ready to harvest in just a couple of weeks. You can grow microgreens from seeds like radish, mustard, beetroot, and broccoli in shallow trays with a thin layer of compost or even on damp paper towels. Place the trays on a sunny windowsill, mist regularly to keep the growing medium moist, and harvest when the sprouts are about 1-2 inches tall.
3. Salad Greens in Pots or Trays
Some varieties of salad greens, like lamb’s lettuce (corn salad), baby spinach, and arugula, can thrive indoors. Plant the seeds in shallow pots or trays with well-drained compost, and place them in a bright spot with indirect light. These greens will grow slowly but steadily throughout December. Cut leaves as they grow for a continuous supply of fresh greens to add to winter salads and sandwiches.
4. Pea Shoots
Pea shoots are another fast and easy crop to grow indoors, and they add a delicious, fresh flavour to salads, stir-fries, and soups. Use a small pot or tray, sow pea seeds densely, and water lightly. In just a few weeks, you’ll have tender, tasty pea shoots ready to harvest. Pea shoots only need moderate light, so they’re a great choice for indoor growing in winter.
5. Spring Onions from Kitchen Scraps
Growing spring onions indoors is incredibly easy and requires minimal effort. If you have spring onions from the grocery store, save the white root ends and place them in a small glass of water on the windowsill. They’ll begin to regrow within days. Alternatively, you can plant the root ends directly into soil in a small pot for a more sustainable crop that will keep producing green shoots for months.
6. Carrot Tops for Garnishes
While you won’t get full-sized carrots indoors, you can regrow carrot tops to produce fresh, edible greens. Simply cut the tops off carrots and place them in a shallow dish with a little water. Place the dish on a sunny windowsill and refresh the water every few days. Within a week, you’ll see fresh green shoots, which can be used as garnishes or in small salads.
7. Garlic Greens
While December isn’t the time to grow full bulbs of garlic indoors, you can grow garlic greens. Plant a few garlic cloves in a small pot with soil, and place it on a sunny windowsill. Within a few weeks, green shoots will emerge, which you can snip off and use as a mild garlic-flavoured garnish for various dishes.
8. Radishes in Containers
Radishes are a fast-growing crop that can work well indoors with enough light. Sow radish seeds in small containers or deep trays, using well-drained compost. Place them in a bright location, and water sparingly. Radishes are usually ready to harvest within 4-6 weeks, adding a peppery crunch to your meals.
9. Baby Beet Greens
Similar to radishes, beetroot can be grown indoors for its tender greens. Plant beetroot seeds in a small pot or tray and place them on a windowsill with bright, indirect light. Harvest the leaves when they’re young for fresh beet greens to use in salads or as garnishes. This is a great option for those who enjoy leafy greens with a mild earthy flavour.
10. Mushrooms in Kits
If you’re looking to try something a bit different, mushroom-growing kits are available and ideal for indoor use. Oyster and shiitake mushrooms are two varieties commonly grown at home. These kits come with all the necessary materials and only require a low-light, humid environment to thrive. Mushrooms add a savoury, umami flavour to dishes and are a unique way to expand your indoor gardening in winter.
Tips for Indoor Growing in December
- Use Supplemental Lighting: With limited natural light in winter, you may want to use LED grow lights to help your plants thrive. Set them up for 12-16 hours a day, as winter daylight alone may not be sufficient.
- Control Temperature and Humidity: Indoor plants prefer a stable temperature around 18-22°C. Avoid placing plants near radiators, heaters, or draughty windows.
- Water Wisely: Indoor plants need less water in winter, so water sparingly. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
- Rotate Plants: To ensure even growth, rotate your plants every few days if they’re growing on a windowsill with uneven light exposure.
Even with the colder weather outside, these indoor gardening ideas will allow you to enjoy fresh herbs, greens, and even vegetables through December. It’s a great way to keep your gardening spirit alive while bringing a touch of greenery indoors. Happy growing!