5 Healthy Foods You Can Grow Indoors Yourself
Many millennials have decided to forgo the suburban lifestyle for city living. Census data released in 2014 found that the population of urban areas in the United States grew at a swift pace, and young Americans are heading to dwell within cities, according to Time. These young city dwellers find themselves without gardening space, so growing foods inside may be an option to consider.
"Growing your own fruits and vegetables is such a great idea on so many levels," Reynard Loki wrote for Alternet. "You save money. You avoid pesticides and GMOs. You avoid contributing to the global warming emissions associated with the industrial food system." Here are six healthy options to consider growing inside the comfort of your home.
Read more: 7 Healthy Lunch Ideas That Require 5 Ingredients or Less
Radishes
Radishes grow very well in boxes and pans because their roots do not grow deeply, making the vegetable ideal to grow indoors. They are simple to grow from seed, as long as the radishes are drained regularly. "Seeds can be sown from late winter until mid-autumn, often producing usable roots 21 to 25 days later," Reader's Digest reported.
Mandarin Oranges
Mandarin oranges are a source of several healthy properties, including antioxidants, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and fiber, according to Greatist. These oranges can be grown successfully by purchasing dwarf mandarin orange trees, with drainage at the bottom and placed in a sunny location, the website stated. Don't forget to water them regularly. "Mandarins need to be harvested as soon as they turn orange in order to preserve their flavor. When the fruits turn orange, clip or carefully twist and pull the fruit from the tree, making sure that the 'button' at the top of the fruit remains intact," Greatist's Laura Newcomer advised.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are an ideal food item to grow indoors, because they don't need as much daylight, and thrive in darker, cooler places. "The easiest way to grow them is to purchase a kit that has everything you need," according to EcoWatch. "It will have the correct growing medium for the type of mushroom spawn — the equivalent of seed — it contains. You just follow the directions, doing little more than keeping it watered." Mushrooms, which are often mistaken for plants, are actually fungi. Mushrooms are a good source of B vitamins and are low in calories, according to MushroomInfo.com.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes can be difficult to grow indoors, because the fruit needs sunlight to grow effectively, although the tomatoes turn out smaller than their counterparts that are grown outdoors. "Tomatoes need full sun and at least eight hours of light to produce any fruit," according to GardeningKnowHow.com. "Temperatures should be in the range of 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 C) or more indoors. Use unglazed pots that will 'breathe' and that have good drainage holes when growing indoor tomatoes." However, the sunlight can be substituted with artificial light.
Ginger and Turmeric
Ginger, a superfood with multiple properties that can benefit consumers, can be grown indoors. Turmeric is similar to ginger, in that both crops have roots called rhizomes that provide healthy properties. "You can start to grow them by planting a store-bought chunk of rhizome that has growth buds on it," according to EcoWatch. "They like it warm and moist and can be started indoors or out, but won't survive in harsh winter conditions."
