Although we’ve been lucky to have fairly mild weather this fall, the outdoor growing season has come to an end.
But winter doesn’t mean you have to stop gardening, you just need to move your garden indoors, according to Bryce Nagels, founder of NutriTower.
The NutriTower is a vertical, self-contained, hydroponic garden, that allows families to grow their own food indoors all year long, from full heads of lettuce, to cherry tomatoes and even eggplants.
But indoor winter gardening does come with its set of challenges though.
“The biggest challenge is light,” said Nagels.
If you don’t have good natural light in your home, Nagels recommends supplementing it with a full spectrum fluorescent bulb, which can be purchased at any hardware store.
However, for best results, Nagels recommends heading to a store specializing in hydroponic gardening.
“The bulbs are more compact, more efficient and give better results.”
Of course herbs and micro-greens are popular indoor plants, but Nagels is also a fan of fruit trees.
“Lemon trees, avocados and other citrus trees will do really well in a pot,” he said. “A tree requires even less maintenance than greens…you just need to water them.”
Not only are trees low maintenance, the blossoms fill your home with a lovely scent and you might even get to enjoy the fruits of your labour – literally.
“I had 20 lemons on my tree last Christmas,” Nagels said. “To use a lemon you grew in your house is really special.”
Nagel said his company has also been fostering relationships with schools, who use the tower not only to teach children about gardening, but also to conduct science experiments.
“Some students have been experiencing making up their own nutrient mixes,” Nagel said.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or not, there is no excuse this winter for not bringing a bit of the outdoors in.
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