Veganacious

Nothing is quite as tasty as really fresh food.  But who has time to grow a garden? Who has the space or the climate for one?  A few lucky souls do have the time and space and have found growing a garden well worth the effort, but what about the rest of us? Container gardening is the answer and can allow most anyone to grow at least a few herbs and vegetables in their home. Do not overlook fresh sprouts, too, which only require a few square inches of space to grow.

Herb Gardens

For herb gardens, start with seeds and plant them indoors until they fully sprout.  Water daily so they get a good strong dose of H2O on a regular basis. Make sure they also receive some form of light or sun, so set them in a window or near artificial light. Within just a few days, the signs of life should begin showing through the soil.  This can be a fun project for younger family members.  As the plants grow and gain some height, transplant them to a sunny location outdoors in larger containers.  If you do not want to take the time to grow them from seed, you can buy young plants from your local nursery.  They should give you a good  continuous source of herbs.  We currently have catnip, basil, oregano, cilantro, parsley, chives and mint growing in two containers on the patio.

Vegetables

It is just as easy to plant a few vegetables in your containers.  My space is limited, so I have only a few containers. Onions, peppers and tomatoes are all growing on my patio with good results.  I know of a family member who also has limited yard space; he plants tomato plants in his backyard space as well as along the sides of his home, giving him such a large crop that he distributes them to his neighbors.  Young plants can be purchased at home improvement centers, nurseries, and some department stores.  Containers are not only helpful for those with limited space, but can help with gopher-plagued areas too.  Give them plenty of space and good soil with drainage.  Keep them watered and away from pests; they should return your kindness with fresh, lively taste for several months.

Sprouts

If you live in a closet-sized apartment, you can still grow some fresh sprouts.  Try mung beans for crisp, lively taste in salads and stir-fry. Alfalfa sprouts are more delicate and work well in sandwiches, wraps and tacos. There are a variety of spicy sprouts for every palate – check for them online or at your local garden supply store.  Sprouters come in several varieties.  A large jar with a draining lid works well for a single type of sprout.  Layered sprouters are easy to use and to grow two different types of sprouts simultaneously.  Put the sprouts into the sprouter, rinse, and drain well.  (Save the drained water for your favorite plants; they will appreciate the nutrient-rich water.)  Repeat daily until your sprouts are ready to consume.  Voila – fresh is yours for the effort!

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