Do you want to grow your own vegetables but are unable to because you do not have the yard space? Or do you long for fresh vegetables during the winter months when the cold makes it impossible to garden outdoors. Well, why not explore the exciting world of indoor vegetable gardening.

Not every type of vegetable can be grown indoors, but the following vegetables all make indoor vegetable gardening possible:

. Tomatoes
. Lettuce
. Peppers
. Miniature cabbage
. Some types of carrots

Containers for indoor vegetable gardening can be just about anything, old cans, discarded plastic containers, or you can purchase pots at any gardening store. However, whatever container type you select ensure that there are drainage holes in the bottom and sides wherever possible. With plastic and metal/tin containers you can make your own drainage holes by punching holes into the container with a sharp object such as an ice pick.

The soil type used varies based on the type of vegetables being grown. Also, indoor vegetable gardening in hanging pots will need a lighter growing medium than containers that are kept on a flat surface. The choice of soil is a personal one; some gardeners opt for store-bought soil, whether others mix their own.

Whichever option you choose, the soil should be lightweight and drainable. Clay soil is too heavy and does not drain well, while a mixture of sand, soil (some experts advise against using garden soil) and mulch should produce good results.

Once the soil and container are available, you will now need to place the soil into the container.

Never pack the soil tightly as this will restrict root development. Also leave a few inches at the top of the container so that watering is easier.

Next, select your seeds or seedlings.

If you want to start from scratch sowing seeds is the way to go, but if you want a head start on your indoor vegetable gardening project, buy ready to plant seedlings. Once you have planted the vegetables careful attention must be paid to watering them. Plants, vegetables or not, that are grown in containers need to be watered carefully so as not to over water or to under water; daily or every other day is good.

To top it off, indoor vegetable gardening is generally not as affected by pests that attack vegetable gardens outside. In addition, there is little need for weeding.

Apart from ensuring a supply of fresh vegetables, indoor vegetable gardening is a fun and relatively inexpensive activity.

Persons with mobility issues who love gardening can still enjoy this pastime with indoor vegetable gardening. With patience and lots of care your indoor vegetable garden can keep you in vegetables year round.

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People all over the world have been gathering and cultivating herbs for thousands of years. They have used them to flavour food, for medicinal purposes, because they smell nice and for decoration.

Some people have even believed certain herbs have magical qualities. Fortunately, you can grow these versatile plants indoors as well as outside. Indoor herbal gardening, however, has special requirements.

For one thing, the plants must grow in containers.

Light is the most important ingredient for indoor herbal gardening. If you have a sunroom or a greenhouse window, you can grow just about any kind of herb. They need no more than six hours of direct sunlight a day.

If you must use artificial light, you can buy fluorescent lighting systems specially designed for indoor herbal gardening, or you can rig up your own combination of warm white and cool white fluorescent tubes. Make the shelves that hold the lights of the plants adjustable so they can be moved as the plants grow. The plant tips should always be five or six inches below the tubes.

The plants require fourteen to sixteen hours of artificial light a day.

Use porous soil for indoor herbal gardening. It allows easy air circulation, holds water well but drains easily. A good commercial potting soil is fine, but you can cut down on expenses by making your own.

To make two bushels of potting soil for indoor herbal gardening, mix one bushel of milled sphagnum peat moss, one bushel of horticultural grade perlite, ten tablespoons of ground limestone, five tablespoons of single superphosphate, two tablespoons of potassium nitrate and one teaspoon of iron chelate.

Plants cultivated by indoor herbal gardening do not have the deep root systems of plants in outdoor gardens, so the soil must be kept moist, even for the hardiest varieties like rosemary and sage. Keep the soil moist, but do not over-water it. If you must use a heavy garden soil, use a mulch to keep the surface from caking.

If you use a commercial potting soil for indoor herbal gardening, read the package to see if it already has nutrients added.

If it has not, or if your soil has become worn out, the leaves on your herbs will turn yellow and growth will slow. You will now have to use fertilizer. Follow label instructions, and start by using only half the recommended strength to see if that works.

The oils of over-fertilized herbs lose flavour and fragrance.

Herbs are generally not very susceptible to pests, but your indoor herbs might be targeted by mealybugs or whiteflies. If you see these pests on your plants, don’t panic. Rub them away with cotton swabs or just your finger. If the infestation is large, rinse it away with slightly soapy water. Cut off infected stems. Your indoor herbal garden will quickly recover.