Indoor Organic Vegetables

Growing organic vegetables indoors requires the right growth system.

Organic vegetables are grown without any synthetic chemicals or products, including weed-killers, pesticides or fungicides. Growing organic vegetables indoors reduces the need for synthetic products by reducing the number of harmful things that can be exposed to the plants.

Soil Needs

Organic vegetables grow best in moist, well-drained soil. Creating an indoor growth system that irrigates the vegetables is important for reducing the likelihood of fungal growth that can kill the plants or damage the harvest.

Nutrients

Although synthetic and petroleum-based fertilizers cannot be used when growing organic vegetables, organic compost can. Compost is made of leftover vegetable matter that is allowed to decompose naturally before being added to the soil. Compost adds necessary nutrients to the indoor organic garden.

Light

Natural or synthetic light is important for growing organic vegetables. Artificial grow lights provide or supplement natural light when it is not readily available. Natural light is best for growing vegetables, but grow lamps help keep organic vegetables healthy.

References

• Organic Consumers Association; Tip: Growing Organic Food Inside Your Home Year-Round; Pauline Lloyd; Feb. 22, 2008
• University of Missouri Extension; Organic Vegetable Gardening Techniques; Sanjun Gu; May 2010

Resources

• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Organic Vegetable Gardening; James M. Stephens