One of the best ways to become more self-reliant is by growing your own food. That said, not everyone has the outdoor space or climate to grow a garden. Thankfully, it’s possible to grow your own indoor survival garden. Here’s how.
Why Grow an Indoor Garden?
The grocery shelves are bare because of supply chain issues. Your food stash is diminishing, but the roads are undrivable. Panic sets in when a shelter-in-place order is issued. In these scenarios, having your own indoor survival garden is invaluable. When you grow indoors, your family is not dependent on anyone or anything outside your home.
But what are the advantages of an indoor garden versus an outdoor garden? First, you do not have to deal with weather events like heat waves or destructive winds. You can customize the amount of light, water, and airflow each plant receives. Second, you’re able to grow produce year-round, even through the coldest winter months. Third, you can protect an indoor garden from pests and – in high-stress situations – desperate neighbors. Fourth, you won’t be impacted if there is ever a situation where you cannot safely go outdoors.
Best Foods to Grow Indoors
Before you get started, it’s important to learn which vegetables can thrive indoors. Luckily, there are plenty of indoor vegetables that are as enjoyable and easy to grow as they are to cook with.
In general, some of the best low-maintenance produce to grow indoors include:
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Potatoes
- Micro tomatoes
- Green onions
- Herbs
- Peas
- Salad greens (spinach, kale, arugula, and microgreens)
- Hot peppers
- Beets
Steps for Starting Your Indoor Garden
You don’t need a green thumb or years of gardening experience to set up an indoor garden. This is the best way to grow food indoors.
1. Choose Your Containers
Once you’ve selected the plants you’re going to grow, it’s time to set up your indoor gardening space. It’s important to choose containers with drainage holes, whether you use pots, window boxes, or planters.
2. Purchase High-Quality Potting Soil
This is essential. Unlike the dirt outside, potting mix has special ingredients that will help your indoor veggies grow successfully. Potting mix is also the perfect texture and consistency to hold water and keep your plants hydrated.
3. Set Your Plants in an Area With Natural Light
The more light you can give your plants, the better! Most vegetable plants need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight a day, so put your containers next to a big sunny window. If you don’t have a good location, it may be worthwhile to invest in grow lights. However, the plants listed above typically don’t need grow lights if a sunny spot is available.
4. Fertilize and Water
Indoor plants really benefit from fertilizer. Stock up on a vegetable fertilizer and use it to give your veggies an extra boost. Water your plants regularly, making sure that there is water draining from the drainage holes and the top of the soil feels moist.
Must-Have Indoor Gardening Products
Once you’ve gathered your containers and potting soil, it’s time to get your seed packets. The Victory Garden Seed Vault from 4Patriots comes with five varieties of sustainable heirloom vegetables, meaning you can harvest the seeds and use them year after year. This vault was created with self-reliance in mind, designed to last five or more years and produce thousands of pounds of produce. Another useful seed vault to have in your collection is the Healing Garden Medicinal Seed Collection, which contains six varieties of some of the most useful healing herbs.
Additionally, you’ll need a variety of basic gardening tools. The 4Patriots Gardening Tool and Storage Set is a great starting point. It comes with seven hand tools, gloves, a kneeler pad, and a handy storage bag to hold it all.
While pest infestations are less likely indoors, it’s still important to protect your plants. Check your plants daily and keep pesticides on hand just in case. Wash your plants occasionally with insecticidal soap, and always remove infested plants from the others.
Finally, you may want to invest in a humidifier to make a moist, healthy environment for your indoor plants. Many of these vegetable plants thrive best in a humid environment, and this can help.
Growing your own food is a great step toward emergency preparedness, but you’ll still need more food and supplies. Shop 4Patriots today and find everything from vegetable seeds to survival meal kits.
