Some people believe that gardening is seasonal, especially in colder climates. But as a prepper, you probably already know that there are options to having a garden all year round.
A greenhouse is an option, but unless you are going to heat it, there are a few months out of the year when it won’t work too well.
Another option is to have pots with planted veggies all over your counters and tables. However, there is a big downside to that. Where are you going to prepare, cook, and eat what you grow, if your pots are taking up so much space?
Have you ever considered a suspended indoor garden? Hanging baskets are not just for greens and flowers. You can also plant veggies in them for a year-round fresh garden.
All you need, other than the basic planting supplies, is space. And, even if you have very limited indoor space, most people can find a spot to hang at least one pot.
So, whether you have the option to hang a few pots from a large rod, or just one or two, you can enjoy fresh homegrown veggies and food all year round, no matter where you live.
What to Grow in Your Hanging Basket Garden?
Just because your garden will be in a hanging basket, doesn’t mean you have to settle for something as dainty as an herb garden. You just need to plan accordingly.
You will need to determine how much space you are willing to hand over to hanging pots and how heavy your ceiling or rod can handle. If you don’t want to hang the pots from the ceiling, look at other options, such as a garment rack.
In fact, a garment rack on wheels is ideal for those of you who want to be able to move the garden from room to room, window to window, or even indoors to outdoors.
However, not all veggies are suited for a home suspension system, unless it’s quite elaborate. Some of the best options to consider growing in a suspended manner include the following:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Leaf lettuce
- Strawberries
- Swiss Chard
- Peas
- Beans
- Peppers
- Spinach
- Cucumbers
- Shallots
- Pearl onions
- Spring onions
- Radishes
- Baby carrots
This list could grow with heavier items, depending on how secure your hanging system is for weight and space.
Items You Should NOT Grow in Hanging Baskets
While there are many great options to grow from suspension, there are also a few that shouldn’t be attempted. Here are a few, and the reasons why:
Heavy Veggies/Crops – with a basic hanging garden, you should avoid heavy plants, such as large tomatoes or potatoes. This isn’t just about how heavy the veggie itself is, but also how heavy and productive the crop typically is as it’s growing.
Keep in mind, a hanging pot can only hold so much. The 2 exceptions to this rule could be if you have installed a massive heavy-duty hanging device or will be able to transplant the plant outdoors soon.
Root Vegetables – Pay attention to what will go on under the surface as well. Root veggies will have a problem growing for a long time in the average indoor pot.
So, unless you have an elaborate system that can handle extra deep and heavy pots, save most of the rooted veggies for outdoors. Some smaller ones that I mentioned above should still work.
Tall Crops – As you can imagine, tall crops would be difficult to grow in a hanging basket.
So now you have an idea of what you can plant indoors in suspension. Let’s take a look at some basic steps for the best crop possible.
Basic Garden Considerations for Indoor Hanging Baskets
When developing a hanging garden, there are some things to consider to better your odds for success. Even though many are similar to the same care as a typical garden, there are some differences:
A Sturdy Hanger – While indoor pots can be decorative and pretty, a sturdy hanger to go with the pot is essential. The weight of many veggies could easily be heavier than the typical house plant.
Adequate Sunlight – Take note at how much sunlight your choice in veggies requires, as well as how much sunlight the area they will be hanging get.
If your hanging area isn’t very sunny, you can always take them down for a few hours to place on the floor where the sun pours in for longer periods of time.
Size of the pot – many choices of veggies will require a pot that is at least a gallon capacity. Smaller plants might not need something quite that big, while larger plants will require even larger pots.
Soil – Make sure you either buy or create a healthy soil that is best for growing veggies, containing nutrients.
Planting – Follow directions on the seed packet when planting the seeds. You could also bring in plants from outside for the winter and hang them in the same manner.
Transplant the plant according to what is best for that particular plant, making sure there’s enough room for the roots too.
Drainage – Make sure the pots you choose have adequate drainage components. If the soil isn’t allowed to drain naturally, it could drown the plant.
Maintenance:
- Watering – All plants require some watering. Keep an eye on your crops and follow directions based on what veggies you choose to grow.
- Fertilizing – Most plants can benefit from a little extra help. So, feed the plants with proper nutrients. A natural compost could work just fine, or store-bought fertilizer. If you choose store-bought, follow their directions.
- Pruning – Remove any dead area that you see to help stimulate new growth.
- Harvesting – Make sure to harvest your plants as needed. This will encourage plant production and help keep the plant healthy.
You should now have sufficient information to get you started on an indoor suspension garden, to help you with providing the family with healthy and homegrown veggies year-round.
Imagine having fresh veggies within your reach to cook with each night!
