Beginner's Guide to Starting an Indoor Food Garden in Denver Metro

Imagine having fresh herbs for your pasta, crisp lettuce for your salads, and juicy tomatoes ripening on the vine—all within arm’s reach, right inside your home. Starting an indoor food garden is a fun way to add fresh, homegrown flavor to your meals and bring a little greenery into your Denver Metro home. Plus, it reduces your dependency on grocery stores and can save you money on those fluctuating prices. Let’s dig into how you can get started, even if you’ve never grown a thing in your life.

1. Choose the Right Spot

Plants need light, so the best place for your indoor garden is near a south- or west-facing window where they can get plenty of sun. Here in Denver, we’re blessed with about 245 sunny days per year, so make the most of it. If your home doesn’t get enough natural light, LED grow lights are a great backup. Follow the instructions on how far to place your lights away from your plants and adjust based on the plant type.

Conveniently, you can set your lights on a timer to mimic daylight patterns. Smart home setups with smart plugs that turn lights on and off with sunrise and sunset work perfectly. Or, many grow lights come with built-in timers you can set manually.

2. Start with the Easiest Plants

If you’re new to gardening, try plants that grow quickly and are low maintenance. Great beginner-friendly options include:

• Herbs: Basil, mint, parsley, and chives are low-maintenance and perfect for cooking. Mint should be kept in a separate pot as it spreads aggressively. Thyme, oregano, and rosemary also do well indoors with minimal care.
• Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, and arugula grow fast and don’t take up much space. Swiss chard and bok choy are also excellent for continuous harvesting.
• Microgreens: These tiny, nutrient-packed greens (like radish, kale, and mustard) grow in just a couple of weeks. Use a shallow tray with a fine layer of soil, mist daily, and harvest in about 10-14 days.
• Tomatoes and Peppers: Small varieties like cherry tomatoes and mini bell peppers thrive indoors with sufficient light. Use deep containers with sturdy support for best results.
• Root Vegetables: Carrots, radishes, and green onions can grow successfully in deeper pots. Green onions can be regrown from store-bought ones by placing the roots in water before transplanting into soil.
• Strawberries: Ever-bearing strawberry plants can produce fruit year-round if placed in a bright spot. Hanging baskets work well for these.

3. Pick the Right Containers

Almost any container can work, as long as it has good drainage. If you’re reusing old pots, ensure they have holes at the bottom. Here’s what works best for different plants:

• Herbs and Microgreens: Shallow containers (4-6 inches deep) are best. Herbs can be grown in individual small pots or grouped together in a larger planter. Microgreens thrive in flat trays.
• Leafy Greens: Medium-sized pots (6-8 inches deep) work well. Consider long, rectangular planters to grow multiple greens in a small space.
• Tomatoes and Peppers: Deep pots (at least 12 inches) with good drainage are necessary. Use sturdy containers and provide a trellis or stake for support.
• Root Vegetables: Carrots and radishes need deep pots (8-12 inches) for proper root development. Green onions can grow in shallower containers but will thrive in deeper ones too.
• Strawberries: Hanging baskets or deep pots (6-8 inches) with good drainage holes are ideal. Make sure they have room to spread and trail over the sides.

Limited space? Arrange smaller pots in tiers or on shelves, use hanging pots or vertical planters, and support trellises to grow vertically. And remember, while it might seem logical to layer gravel at the bottom of the pot for drainage, this can actually trap water. Instead, use high-quality potting soil in pots with drainage holes.

4. Use Quality Soil and Fertilizer

Using good soil is crucial for indoor gardening success. Indoor plants thrive in light, well-draining potting mix. Look for organic potting soil and boost your plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks.

Leafy greens, herbs, and microgreens typically don’t need much fertilization. For fruiting plants like tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries, use a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium during flowering and fruiting stages. Root vegetables like carrots and radishes require light feeding once a month.

Always follow the recommended dosage on the fertilizer label and avoid applying it to dry soil. Water your plants first to prevent root burn.

5. Water Smartly

Overwatering is the biggest killer of indoor plants. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry; if it’s still moist, wait a while. A spray bottle works well for delicate seedlings, while a small watering can is great for larger plants. Consider using self-watering planters if you're concerned about overwatering, and place a tray under pots to catch excess moisture.

6. Give Them Some TLC

Plants need care. Check them regularly—trim herbs to encourage growth, rotate plants to grow evenly toward the light, and watch for pests. If you notice gnats or tiny bugs, sprinkle cinnamon on the soil or use a mild soap spray.

7. Enjoy the Rewards!

There’s nothing like snipping fresh basil for homemade pizza or picking crisp greens for a salad you grew yourself. Tending to an indoor garden is a wonderful stress reliever and a beautiful way to bring life into your home.

Starting small is key. Just a few pots on a sunny windowsill can get you hooked on growing your own food. Today, it’s basil and lettuce. Tomorrow, you might be harvesting peppers and cherry tomatoes!

Thinking about starting an indoor food garden? Tell me what you’d love to grow! Need more space for your indoor garden? Let’s find you the perfect home in the Denver Metro area.