Living in an apartment doesn't mean you have to give up on growing your own food. With a bit of creativity and the right choices, you can enjoy a mini garden right in your living space. Here are five easy and rewarding things you can grow in an apartment:
1. Portobello Mushrooms in Buckets
Portobello mushrooms are a fantastic choice for apartment dwellers who want to grow their own food. They require very little space and can be grown indoors with minimal effort. All you need is a bucket, some compost, and portobello mushroom spores.
Tips:
- Choose a dark, cool spot in your apartment.
- Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged.
Harvest the mushrooms when the caps are fully open for the best flavor. This is by far one of the easiest mushrooms we've grown and you will continue to get several flushes (harvests) from them.
2. Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms are another excellent option for apartment gardening. They're easy to grow and can be cultivated on a variety of materials, including coffee grounds, straw, or even cardboard. When starting out growing these types of mushrooms we recommend purchasing a grow kit as cultivating your own grain spawn is another blog post in itself!
Tips:
- Use a grow kit or create your own setup with a container and substrate.
- Mist regularly with a spray water bottle to maintain humidity.
Oyster mushrooms grow quickly, so you'll be enjoying fresh mushrooms in no time! As with most mushrooms you should get a very good first harvest followed by two more. Don't throw the kit away before it's finished!
3. Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are perfect for small spaces, and they add a pop of color to your apartment. They can be grown in pots or hanging baskets, making them ideal for balconies or sunny windowsills.
Tips:
- Use a pot with good drainage and place it in a sunny spot.
- Water consistently, but avoid overwatering.
- Support the plants with stakes or a small trellis as they grow.
4. Fresh Herbs
Herbs are a must-have for any apartment garden. They’re easy to grow, require minimal space, and are incredibly useful in the kitchen. Popular options include basil, mint, parsley, and rosemary.
Tips:
- Grow herbs in small pots or a windowsill herb garden.
- Ensure they get plenty of sunlight.
- Regularly trim the herbs to encourage bushier growth and prevent them from becoming leggy.
5. Microgreens
Microgreens are young vegetable greens that pack a nutritional punch. They're quick to grow and don't need much space, making them ideal for apartment living. You can grow microgreens from seeds like radish, sunflower, or pea shoots. If you don't have a balcony or space outside all is not lost! Microgreens can also be grown under an LED light strip which can be purchased very cheap these days. I recommend this approach to maximise your growing space and dependending on your asthetic preferences you may even enjoy the look.
Tips:
- Use shallow trays with a mesh like growing divider, this will allow the roots to seek out the water.
- Sprinkle seeds and fill the tray with water.
- Mist daily and place in a sunny spot. Harvest within a couple of weeks.
Apartment gardening is a rewarding way to bring a bit of nature into your home while also providing fresh, homegrown produce. It also comes with mental health and financial benefits in times of rising costs of living. With a little care and attention, you can successfully enjoy cultivating your own food, even in a small space!