Growing greens inside

Swiss chard, peas, kale, spinach, and many different types of lettuce can be sown successively throughout the winter to provide a fresh source of vitamins and minerals.

A cool sunroom is the ideal location for your little salad garden, however, darker areas will also work if supplemented by a grow light.

Although you might be tempted to situate plants next to a window, don’t. The problem with tender plants is that they are susceptible to the cold that radiates from the windows during the coldest part of the year, so keep them back a bit.

Leaf crops can have deep roots so pick a container that is 10 to 12 inches deep to allow those roots to grow. For an indoor soil mixture go with a lightweight soil mix for better drainage and aeration.

Sow seeds sparsely in the moistened medium and cover with plastic. Check daily and once germination occurs, remove plastic. Water as needed and thin plants to three inches apart in a few weeks time when they begin to crowd. Provide peas with short supports to climb on.

The plants will require fertilization on a regular basis. Feed once every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer.

A frequent problem when growing plants indoors is pests like whitefly, spider mites, and mealy bugs. Treatment is the same as for houseplants, and insecticidal soaps are very useful to have on hand. Spray foliage when pests are noticed and rinse off with clear water.

Good varieties for growing indoors include Hector, Nordic IV, Olympia and Space for smooth-leaved spinach. Buttercrunch is a favorite for lettuce.

While a significant amount of light is required in order for peas to bloom and thus produce pods, the new pea shoots are delicious and can also be used in salads or stir frys. Tom Thumb peas are well suited for growing inside.

Be prepared for slow growth rates. Vegetables started this time of year grow at half the pace of the same vegetables grown outside in spring. It’s almost as if they seem to know it's winter and the lights don't fool them.