Growing a garden indoors – like a vegetable garden where you can harvest foods like snap beans, bush beans, or pole beans – is a rewarding experience. Whether you’re engaging in early summer planting or spring planting, it can also be a great way to relax and reduce stress.
While there are many seeds out there for successful summertime indoor gardens, we reduced the list to eight of the easiest options.
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8 of the Easiest Seeds to Grow in Indoor Gardens During the Summer
If the weather is getting warmer and spring has finally sprung, you are probably itching to get your summer plants in some soil. The big question here is, which plants are you going to choose?
Here is a list of eight options that will make planting your summer indoor garden display effortless and successful.
Flower Seeds to Plant in Summer
If you want to grow a pot filled with beautiful flowers for the summertime, here are two great options that will thrive very well indoors and are easy to grow directly from seeds.
Zinnia
Zinnias are beautiful plants and will add a lot of color to your space. These flowers do not like cooler weather, so it’s best to keep them inside where the environment stays at a consistent soil temperature.
Zinnias are annual plants and will continue to produce seeds. However, you won’t see the original plant after the first season.
Tips for growing zinnias indoors: Apply compost fertilizer generously to the soil. However, zinnia seedlings do not require fertilizer throughout the growing season. They are also known for insect activity such as mites, so be sure to watch for these problems and treat them accordingly.
Marigolds
Marigolds are pretty flowers that are part of the daisy family. This perennial flower blooms with beautifully rounded flower heads commonly seen in yellow, copper, or orange colors. It’s a popular plant for indoor and outdoor gardens.
It is common practice to start your marigold seeds in a shallow seed tray and move each flower seed to a large pot once it starts to grow. Marigolds require plenty of full, direct sunlight and should be placed near a south-facing window.
Vegetable Seeds to Plant in Summer
Are you looking to add some vegetables to your diet without having to run to the grocery store every week? Well, here are two easy-to-grow veggie options for your indoor summer garden.
Broccoli
Broccoli originated in Italy and is related to the cabbage family. It is rich in Vitamins C and K and provides a whole slew of other good vitamins and nutrients for your body.
For this vegetable seed, it is best to place it in growing containers and add three seeds to each hole. Cover them well and keep the soil nice and moist until you see your plants start to come through. Then, you can move them to a larger pot.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is also from the cabbage family and is just as healthy to consume. Cauliflower is an annual vegetable plant that will reproduce each year by seeds. Cauliflower is extremely high in fiber and very low in calories, making it an ideal item to add to your indoor garden.
Cauliflower requires little heat but a lot of light averaging about 14-16 hours of light per day, meaning a grow lamp is required.
Fruit Seeds to Plant in Summer
Fruit seeds are ideal for summer planting in your indoor garden if you want easy access to sweet treats all summer long. Here are two of the easiest fruits to add to your garden.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a flowering plant species that produces an edible fruit and is related to the cantaloupe and pumpkin family. It originates from southern Africa. Along with being rich in nutrients, watermelon is said to aid in asthma prevention, lower blood pressure, and aid digestion and regularity.
Watermelons should be started six to eight weeks before the summer season starts, requiring plenty of space for their long vines and large size. These seeds require soil temperatures to remain around 70°F at all times.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a great fruit to grow indoors and are frequently used as plants to teach kids how to garden because they grow extremely well in tight places like cups.
These seeds thrive best in moist conditions. Spray the soil frequently, keeping it wet but not soaked. You can grow seeds straight from a fully grown strawberry by removing the seeds with a toothpick and placing them in room-temperature potting soil.
Herbs to Plant in Summer
Do you enjoy creating delicious dishes throughout the summer and want to make each meal a little more palatable? Try growing these herb options from seeds in your indoor garden.
Basil
Basil is a great herb that can improve the taste of many dishes with its sweet and savory tastes and peppermint undertone. It has the slight aroma of a sweet-smelling plant and improves the fragrance of any kitchen.
Basil likes moisture but requires a pot with plenty of drainages. It also thrives in warmer climates, requires a temperature of around 70°F, and will do just fine in anything up to 90°F.
Oregano
Oregano is a woody perennial plant, a flowering species related to the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranean area and is a common herb frequently used to flavor food.
Oregano is an aggressive plant and will grow very large if you do not frequently prune it. This plant requires plenty of sunlight – six to eight hours on average – and thrives well in temperatures between 65°F and 70°F.
Tips for Growing Seeds Indoors
It is important to remember that all seeds will require their own unique care. However, there are some great tips to consider that will be beneficial across the board:
- Choose durable containers with plenty of drainage holes. Ensure the soil is never packed tightly and has proper aeration.
- Use fresh and quality soil, preferably seed starting mix. This can be found in most home and garden stores, nurseries, or online.
- Be careful when watering. All seeds require moist soil to germinate, but overwatering will kill the plant before it can start growing.
- Find the ideal location for your plants – somewhere with access to a light source and out of the way. Keep it safe from kids, pets, etc.
- Use quality seeds, and make sure you follow the instructions thoroughly. The best seeds will come from reputable companies. Check to make sure the seeds haven’t been sitting on the shelf for more than a year.
Have fun growing your garden and take time to really involve yourself, and even others, in the process. When you enjoy caring for your garden, you are more likely to provide it the maintenance and care it needs to thrive and give you the most amazing plants.
Summing Things Up
Above is a list of eight fantastic options to use when starting an indoor garden from seeds. These plants are fairly easy to grow and will provide you with a great end result. Remember, with the right resources and by doing your homework, you can have a fabulous indoor garden full of all of your favorite plants.