Inspired!

Well, what an interesting idea I had last night. I decided that it would be good to grow herbs and vegetables indoors! Is that possible? After hours of research on the Internet it would appear so. Finally a use for my blindingly bright window in the lounge. I will explain how I am doing this, but first I feel it is important to let you know why I am doing this.

1. I have never been able to keep a plant alive before, so this seems a bit of a challenge.

2. I had a baby 8 months ago and now I am feeding him fresh veg, but am finding myself buying more than I need and I really can't afford organic foods.

3. Money saving - any of you who are familiar with www.moneysavingexpert.com will know that Martin is always proud of ingenious money saving ideas. It's not just that I won't have to buy the veg, but also I won't be wasting it as I will harvest as I need. (Harvest - I sound so professional!).

4. They will make lovely displays in my flat

5. I live in a flat ... no garden ... I feel I am at a more mature time in my life where I need to fulfill my green fingered instinct (hopefully it is in there somewhere).

How...

Well you will all (all 3 of you that read this probably) get to see step by step my progress - good or bad.


So after hours of research last night, I wrapped Ethan (my baby boy) up in a snow suit this morning and walked into town to go and buy the essentials. I don't drive so would need to carry anything back but I only live 10 - 15 minutes walk from Chelmsford town centre so this shouldn't be too much of an issue. First (and only it transpires) stop is Wilkinson. I forgot how good this store is. I had to tear myself away from the cheap toiletries as I ahd a budget I set myself of £10. I often have money saving/making ideas and usually I spend lots of money setting something up that I never manage to do so I wanted to be a bit more sensible about this. I had a list:

Seeds - Chives, Basil, Spring Onions, Salad leaves, Peppers
Pots
Compost

It transpired that the seeds were on a 3 for 2 offer so I had to buy another one which turned out to be funny golf ball shaped carrots. I bought terracotta pots as part of the reason for doing this is for display purposes, but only bought 3 as I thought I would start small and then try the slightly harder things. I am totally improportionately excited about this so I really hope they do grow. I also bought a bag of compost (15 litres) so on my way to the till I had a basket ful of terracotta pots and saucers, seeds and a big bag of compost ... not the easiest thing to carry while pushing a buggy with an unusually heavy 8 month old in it (he's tall, not fat). All this came to just under £10 so I am very pleased with myself.

Sowing the seeds

Small warning/disclaimer - if you follow what I have done and it doesn't work it is not my fault - it's yours for following the instructions of someone who has never managed to keep a plant alive before!

1. Steal some gravel from the communal drying area (mainly flat stones are best and not too big)

2. Make sure you won't be interrupted by baby.

3. Place a couple of stones (fairly porous ones) over the hole in the bottom of the pot to stop the soil falling out but leave room for water to drain (bumpy stones will do this automatically)

4. Fill pot with compost to within an inch of the top.

5. Sow seeds as per directions on packet. (I put thing a bit closer together as I read somewhere that you can do this in pots, the veg may be a bit smaller but the overall yield will be higher - we shall see!!!)

6. Cover with a thin layer of compost and pack lightly.

7. Water - be gentle (you don't want the little seeds to wash away or drown)

8. Put pot on saucer of stones (this way the pot won't sit in water constantly and the soil won't rot).

9. Cover with cling film and stick in the sunniest window you have!

The seeds I have currently planted are Chives, Basil and Spring Onions. Once these are established I will plant the others I have bought - they seem a little more difficult so I want to do the easier stuff first.

I will keep you all updated with how they are growing (or not) and upload pictures of each super exciting stage of indoor herb and veg growing!


Time to tidy up the flat before Dave (my lovely boyf) gets home and sees stray compost on the floor!

Sylv x