Indoor Gardening Methods

Greenhouse Window

• Create a small greenhouse garden in your home by installing a greenhouse window. A greenhouse window protrudes from an existing window frame. Four window panels at the top and on the sides create a light-filled box with a solid bottom. The sun-generated warmth of this indoor garden method will allow you to grow plants out of season.

Indoor Pots

• Eliminate the task of going out in the yard to gather your herbs by creating an indoor herb garden in small pots by a sunny kitchen window. This keeps the herbs you need for cooking fresh and within an arm's reach. Plant the herbs in pots slightly larger than you think you'll need to give the plants room to grow. Use potting soil designed specifically for indoor plants and formulated for the type of plant you will be growing. The best potting soils include peat moss, vermiculite and perlite. These potting soils absorb moisture and are sterile, which can prevent the accidental introduction of pests or disease.

Grow Lights

• Grow your favorite fruits and vegetables year-round under fluorescent, incandescent or high intensity discharge (HID) grow lights. Indoor vegetable gardening can be superior to outdoor gardening because plants won't die in inclement weather or be bothered by bugs. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and lettuce all grow well indoors.

Desert Garden

• If you love cacti but don't live in an arid, warm climate, you can create your own desert growing conditions within your home. Pot cacti and other desert plants in sandy soil in draining pots. Place the potted cacti on a sunny ledge or in a greenhouse window. Water the cacti irregularly, only when the soil has almost dried out. One simple way to know when to water: check the weather conditions of your cactus' native home and only water the cactus when it rains in that area.