You might have started the year with the best of intentions. After all, many people make a New Year's resolution to lose weight, or to eat healthier. Yet, many times you can go to the store and find wilted broccoli, or lettuce that simply looks brown and unappetizing.
When you buy your vegetables at the store, it's hard to tell how long it's been since that vegetable was picked. In the summer, it's easier to find good vegetables – ones that look appealing and smell delicious.
So you might wonder what to do, especially in a January where the weather can't make up its mind. It might be in the 60's tomorrow, but it'll be cold again soon.
One idea is to start your own inside garden. Grow the lettuce for your salads.
You can't grow all of your vegetables inside, but there are a number of different ones that will grow as well inside as out.
To grow your own lettuce, you need a bowl or a pot that's at least ten inches across, and ten inches deep, a bag of potting soil, and a packet of lettuce seed. You'll also want a watering can or a cup of water.
Once you have your supplies, the steps are simple.
-
You'll start by filling the pot about halfway with potting soil.
-
Wet the soil with water, without soaking it so it makes mud.
-
Add a sprinkling of lettuce seed, no more than half the packet of seeds.
-
Add another inch of potting soil on top of the seeds.
-
Spray a bit more water on your soil, taking care to keep from over-watering.
-
Put your pot in a sunny spot in your house.
Your lettuce will sprout in about a week, but won't be ready to harvest for about 8 weeks.
If you want to add a bit of spice to your salads, you can grow some parsley to add with your lettuce. You can usually get starter kits at Walmart for growing herbs inside.
Though we got rain this week, we are still under an exceptional drought. With water rationing in some areas, I'm going to continue to post ideas on growing our own food while complying with the restrictions that the city of Enid implements as the drought goes on.
Comments