A Green Thumb for the Great Indoors: 5 Tips for Gardening Inside

Grow Microgreens

Microgreens, or vegetables harvested during the second stage of a plant’s development, when the first true leaves unfurl, are four to 40 times more nutritious than their fully developed counterparts. A handful of tiny red cabbage, arugula, or celery microgreens may look diminutive, but they pack a flavor punch.

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Buy Cheap Fluorescent “Shop Lights”

If your indoor gardening efforts are just a precursor to planting outdoors, these lights are your best friend. Starting from seed? Shop lights hung in a garage or basement can help potted seeds germinate. And there’s no need for specialty bulbs: Seedlings grow better underneath direct fluorescent light instead of near sunny windows, where they have a harder time reaching up for sunlight.

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Place Herbs by Windowsills

Put your smartphone compass to use (finally), and grow an herb garden on a sunny, south-facing windowsill. If you’re short on space, sow a few varieties in one big pot: Plant herbs with similar care requirements in a single patch of potting soil for a fresher, less questionable alternative to the old spice rack.

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Go Vertical

Those short on space can take advantage of walls by getting creative with shoe organizers and coat racks, which are just a few of the many household items that can be repurposed as planters. Available “living wall” kits can be easily installed as well, though the Internet offers plenty of guidance if it’s just a DIY kind of weekend.

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6 Big-Name Clothing Brands Upping Their Ethical Game

After making headlines for toxin-, sweatshop-, and animal abuse–related scandals, some clothing retailers are finally realizing that shoppers care about the ethics behind what they wear. Whether adopting fair labor practices or eco-friendly manufacturing techniques, these big-name brands have worked to become more socially responsible.

From fewer trips to the grocery store to better health, bringing the green outdoors inside has many benefits. But there’s a thin line between an indoor oasis and a soiled grave of shriveled leaves—especially for those who lack the green thumb. These basic tips can help get you started.

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