First Indoor Winter Garden Is Being Prepped For And Planned

Well, after careful consideration and planning, plotting and re-planning (thank goodness for erasers), I have my outdoor herb garden and vegetable garden planned out for next year. Seed inventory complete and ready for action come April 2018.

Next up, having a winter garden. I have been wanting to do such a thing, but living in Zone 6a can make growing year-round difficult. So, instead of fretting about having a cold frame this year (I do plan on one in the near future), I have decided to grow indoors.

It is time to clear off the indoor gardening table my husband bought for me one year ago. During spring time, this is my main station inside where my seedlings grow. But off season, while the greenhouse is full and the gardening area is overrun, this area becomes a 'catch-all' for anything remotely related to gardening. But it is time to organize and get it prepped.

My grow lights (see picture and description below with next picture) are already in position. I purchased these reflective light shields at my local home improvement store for fairly cheap.

I will be using E27 red & blue 60 LED bulb energy saving garden hydroponic plant grow lights, which I used this previous spring to get my seedlings strong enough to before hardening for outdoors. I have two so it helps cover the entire top of the table.

For the more difficult (and taller) plants my husband bought me a grow tent. Isn't it cool?

Aside from the Clementine tangerine attempt, I'm not sure what else I'll put in here, but it has plenty of room (size is 3'x3' and it stands six feet tall). It fits perfectly in the utility room closet with a few inches on either side so it's not up against the walls or door.

Inside I have a Hydroplanet™ 150W grow light fixture and a digital thermometer that not only reads the temperature, but also tells me the humidity level. it keeps a running storage of the high and low temperatures because I am attempting to grow a Clementine tangerine tree (picture WAY below).

Here is my Clementine tangerine seed I started a week ago. From my research, it says a sprout should take about three weeks to appear. So I hold my breath, keep it watered and covered with the clear wrap and... wait.

Maybe later today, or even tomorrow, I am planning on starting my indoor seeds of arugula, spinach, basil and a few other herbs, plus I'll be bringing in my two containers with the Brussel sprouts, marjoram and ginger. The nights have been getting cooler and cooler. It's as if fall has decided to make an early entrance. Does that mean a colder, or wetter, winter? I'll have to consult the Farmer's Almanac to see.

So I have everything I need to attempt this year's first ever winter garden. I am hoping to add a tomato plant to grow tent. Nothing like a fresh garden salad in the middle of winter when it's -10 degrees with the wind chill.

ALSO PLEASE GO HERE TO VOTE FOR ME