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Saturday, June 20, 2015

15 edible plants you can grow in your tiny apartment

Imagine rising with the sun and tending to your crops, all to the beat of morning traffic.

While growing plants in a busy city might seem like an impossible task, there are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that can thrive in your urban space — no backyard required.

SEE ALSO: Everything You Need to Make Your Own Urban Garden

City dwellers are used to improvising, so they can make the most of their living situation. Even when you live in a big city, you can still live on a farm.

1. Avocados

Surprisingly, all you need for a brand new avocado is another avocado.

Once you have removed the pit and rinsed it well, push three or four toothpicks into the base and suspend it in a glass of water with the pointed side up. Then, place it on a warm window sill and make sure it has plenty of water. In a few weeks, you should have a brand new tree that is ready for planting. Place the rooted seed in a pot and leave it in a sunny place, watering frequently, but lightly. Then guac at the fruits of your labor.

More detailed directions can be found here.

IMAGE: CORBIS SANDRA ROESCH/WESTEND61
2. Herbs

Herbs are the easiest edible plants for apartment dwellers to harvest. Basil, rosemary, mint, ginger, cilantro and parsley are all viable options for foodies who don't want to pay top dollar for spices at the store. Most require little effort, just a sunny spot on your window sill or fire escape and regular watering.

Different herbs have different care requirements, so research what you need before you plant.

IMAGE: CORBIS RICH/SPLASH NEWS
3. Microgreens

Microgreens are packed with healthy vitamins and can be used on a variety of dishes. They also happen to be incredibly easy to care for as well.

Keep them in a shallow container and stash by a sunny spot, and you'll be sprinkling microgreens on your salad in no time.

IMAGE: CORBIS DEBBIE NODA/MODESTO BEE/ZUMAPRESS.COM
4. Garlic Greens

Garlic greens, similar to spring onions, thrive where garlic bulbs tend to fall short. A small, 4-inch pot and a discarded garlic clove is all you need to start growing at home.
5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes can thrive in the garden or in pots -- wherever you can care for thembest. Choose a 6-inch (or larger) pot that you can keep in a warm area that gets about 12 hours of light per day.

IMAGE: CORBIS WINFRIED ROTHERMEL/DPA
6. Lemons

Small lemon trees, specifically Meyer lemon trees, can be beautiful and fragrant additions to your home -- as long your place gets tons of sunlight. Citrus can be temperamental, but rewarding if you know how to properly care for them. Most trees will need 8 to 12 hours of sunlight and moist air to thrive.
7. Salad Greens

Never waste money on big, expensive bunches of romaine and spinach that will rot in the fridge a day later again. Now you can easily grow exactly what you need by getting a few, tiny starter plants and keep them in warm, moist soil that gets plenty of light.

IMAGE: CORBIS LAURA STOLFI/WESTEND61
8. Mushrooms

Normally, apartment dwellers would cringe at the thought of finding fungi in their home. However, there are some delicious, flavorful varieties that can be easy to grow if you have a place to care for them.

You can even purchase a mushroom kit that allows you to grow them in a laundry basket.
9. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers like consistency, and nothing is more consistent than an indoor garden.

They may not be the best option for studio apartment renters or people with roommates though, as peppers require up to two gallons of soil to grow. If you have a spacious two-bedroom, however, taco night is on.

IMAGE: CORBIS ED YOUNG
10. Carrots

Carrots, like most root vegetables, make great additions to window boxes if you have a little room.

In order to grow, carrots need a box about eight inches deep and wide, with holes for drainage. Once harvest rolls around, however, they'll be great in that fall stew.

IMAGE: CORBIS INDEAVANMERLLIN/ROOM THE AGENCY
11. Radishes

Radishes are healthy, perfect in salads and a quick harvest for busy apartment dwellers.

Like many other root vegetables, they are relatively low maintenance as long as you give them a one gallon pot and the right amount of moisture to thrive in.

IMAGE: CORBIS FRANK MAY/DPA
12. Oranges

For that daily dose of vitamin C that won't take over your apartment, you can get a dwarf mandarin orange tree. Just like lemon trees, mandarin oranges need tons of sun and a spacious pot, but their soil should be allowed to dry between waterings.

You should also harvest their fruit as soon as they turn vibrant orange for the best flavor.

IMAGE: CORBIS OWEN FRANKEN
13. Green Beans

As long as you keep your beans stable and supported, they can be great plants to grow. Use at least an eight inch container and place in a spot that gets about eight hours of sunlights per day.
14 . Kale

Juicers, rejoice! You actually can grow your own kale at home, saving your tons of money at the grocery store and the juice bar.

Make sure you give them a little space, by planting your kale in six square inch pots.

IMAGE: CORBIS RICHARD T. NOWITZ
15. Scallions

Scallions are one of those special plants that you can buy once and never again. Chop off the green top for your dish, save the rest by placing the white bottoms in a small cup of water and place in a sunny window sill. You should have new, edible greens in a couple days.