Indoor Garden Preparation

• 1). Choose gardening pots for different crops. Carrots need only a 1/2-gallon pot, but cucumbers and tomatoes need a 5-gallon container to grow well. Refer to the packaging on the seeds to determine each plant's specific needs. Use a 5-gallon pot when in doubt, as it is generally the largest size needed in indoor gardening and is spacious enough for any vegetable.
  
  
• 2). Arrange the pots according to their light needs. Use a space well lit by windows for a minimum of 5 hours a day. Place fruiting vegetables like tomatoes in areas where sunlight shines for the longest periods to promote a healthy yield. Place greens and other leafy vegetables around them according to the space available.
  
  
• 3). Fill the pots with potting soil to an inch below the rim. Use a fertilized mix, found at garden stores, to avoid applying fertilizer yourself. Incorrect fertilizer application is likely to damage or kill vegetable plants.
  
  
• 4). Plant the seeds according to the packaging directions. Read the package carefully to know how to plant seeds at the appropriate depth in each container.
  
  

Indoor Garden Care

• 1). Water the plants regularly. Check the soil by hand and add water until moist. Remember that the plants are not getting natural water as they would outside -- and that homes tend to be warm and dry in the winter. Recheck frequently that the soil is not drying out.
  
  
• 2). Maintain a consistent home heat. Keep home between 60 and 80 degrees F, even at night and when you aren't home.
  
  
• 3). Use a fluorescent lamp to ensure adequate lighting. Turn it on during the days when the sunlight hours are short in winter, or if the plants can't get light from windows for enough hours per day. Angle the lamp to light the entire growing area, and leave it on until evening to mimic when the sun would go down during summertime.