Let me first say this – I kill EVERYTHING! Yep, I can’t grow a darn plant! I do not posses the skill of a green thumb. But, on my quest to be more sustainable, to add additional organic nutrition to my diet (herbs are jam packed with amazing nutrients; perhaps more than any other food product!), and to save money, growing my own herbs and greens seemed like the logical next step.
There’s just one problem: I live in Michigan. And, Michigan isn’t exactly a state where you can grow things outside year round. I needed a way to grow things indoors. (Plus, the added benefit of cleaner indoor air was a major plus!)
So, I took a giant step forward and decided to get my own Tower Garden in order to learn more about the process of growing plants. And, the process couldn’t be simpler. Seriously: if I can do it, ANYONE can!
With my Tower Garden, I don’t even have to do a thing. Things just grow. It’s amazing! I wish I could have done it sooner!
Here are the steps to growing things like weeds on the garden:
- Fill the basin below the garden with water.
- Add nutrients to the water.
- Add the “rock wool cubes” (that the plants grow in) to each of the 20 openings in the towers.
- Add seeds to each rock wool cube.
- Let it grow.
- Harvest away!
it’s that easy!
All you have to do is take a peek at the water level ever so often (which you can usually hear via a change in pitch with the water pump in the basin) and add more water and nutrient solution to the correct ratio. Then, you continue to harvest.
With my complete lack of a green thumb, I was a bit nervous how well I could do this even with it sounding so easy. But, it truly is that easy. And, there is no feeling more empowering (especially for someone who kills everything) than the ability to pick a salad or herbs from a garden that you have grown yourself! Give that the average produce is shipped hundreds of miles that is typically harvested weeks before it actually shows up in your grocery story, talk about fresh and the ultimate “farm to table” lifestyle! Now I understand why people like gardening so much.An added benefit of the Tower Garden is that is grows 30% faster than soil-based gardens.
Here is what I have been growing successfully:
- Cilantro
- Majoram
- Parsley
- Dill
- Peppermint
- Sage
- Basil
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Bibb Lettuce
- Gourmet Lettuce
- Romaine Lettuce
- Collard Greens
- Spinach (the size of my head – literally!)
- Swiss Chard
- Cabbage
For all you other Michiganders or cold-weather friends, here is what you can grow well indoors with a Tower Garden:
- Basil
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Cress
- Celery
- Dill
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Mint
- Mizuna
- Mustard Greens
- Oregano
- Bok choy (and other Asian Greens)
- Parsley
- Radicchio
- Sage
- Sorrel
- Spinach
- Swiss Chard
- Thyme
Get your own tower garden and start growing organic produce today here!
One thing that is worth mentioning is that hydroponic/aeroponic gardening via a Tower Garden may not be considered “organic” gardening for die hard gardeners. That is because organic gardening is founded on how the purity and natural nutrients found in the soil are what creates the beauty of the product. While I understand and can respect this philosophy, my thought is that something is better than nothing. If I didn’t have the ability to have an indoor garden, I wouldn’t be growing anything. I would be less sustainable and I would be spending more on produce. (I figured that I would make my money back in at least 6-12 months based on the yields I am seeing.) So, while organic gardening outdoors is ideal, it’s simply not possible for me in Michigan.
Finding practical ways to be self-sufficient and sustaining is part of my mission at Lotus Lifestyle Coaching. Living a low-carbohydrate/ketogenic lifestyle of wellness isn’t about making things complicated. It’s about finding what works for you. And, a Tower Garden works (like a charm!) for me and my household. Truly, if I can do it, anyone can! Happy growing!
