In these times when even vegetables are laden with loads of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, who wouldn’t want healthy and organic veggies? The best option to procure organic and healthy vegetables is to grow them at home. September is upon us and if you’ve been wanting to start an organic, vegetable kitchen garden, it is not late yet. 

We have made a list of 5 easy to grow vegetables in containers or grow bags at your home in the month of September.

1. Cabbage

Cabbages are annual vegetable crops grown for their dense-leaved heads. They come in two colors- green and red (purple). 

Growth and Care: 

Cabbages can grow in almost any type of soil rich in organic matter having neutral pH (6.5 – 7.5). The seedlings require transplantation after 4 to 6 weeks of germination; at this stage, they must have reached a height of 3 to 4 inches with at least 3 or 4 sets of leaves. Cabbages require 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily and prefer moist conditions, so regular watering is preferred. They fall under the class of heavy feeders, therefore they require a regular dose of fertilizers. Within 95 to 150 days of germination, the cabbage heads will be ready for harvesting.

2. Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that is incredibly easy to add to your diet. Apart from the common white one, cauliflowers come in different colors like purple, orange, and green. 

Growth and Care: 

Being a shallow-rooted plant, cauliflower does not need very deep containers. They are heavy feeders that require organically rich soil with slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). The seedlings must be transplanted once they are 4-6 weeks old. Distance of 15 inches between two seedlings should be maintained so that the cauliflower florets get enough space for proper growth. The pots must be watered regularly and must be kept in an area that receives full sunlight. The florets must be harvested when they are still firm and compact. They must be ready within 50 to 70 days of germination.

3. Spinach

The dark green, vitamin-rich leaves of Spinach are excellent for salads and cooking.

Growth and Care: 

Spinach needs well-draining soil that has abundant compost or manure; the pH must be around 6.5 to 7.0. The seeds should be sown at a distance of at least 3-4 inches, this prevents overcrowding. Keeping the soil moist accelerates the process of germination, but overwatering must be avoided. Receiving too little water or too much sunlight can promote the flowering stage in these plants, hence a balance of light and shade should be maintained along with proper watering to prevent early bolting. Compost can be used along with natural fertilizers like food scraps from the kitchen to supply the required organic matter. With proper care, the greens should be ready for harvesting in about 60 days.

4. Lettuce

Lettuce is an annual plant belonging to the daisy family. It is most frequently used in salads, soups, sandwiches, and wraps.

Growth and Care: 

Lettuce seeds germinate within 7 to 10 days if sown in well-drained loamy soil (pH 6.0-7.0). The right amount of moisture and sunlight will promote germination. Once the seedlings have put out 2-3 tiny leaves, it is best to trim away few less healthy plants to make room for others to grow (This process is known as thinning). During the later stages of growth, the plants require almost 8 hours of direct sunlight. The use of fertilizers like vermicompost and kitchen waste every 3 to 4 weeks can fulfill the nutrient needs of the plants. The outer leaves of lettuce can be harvested once they attain a length of 4-6 inches.

 5. Cucumber

Cucumbers are easy to grow vines that once planted do not require much attention. They are refreshing, nutritious, and incredibly easy to add to your diet.

Growth and Care: 

The best way to grow cucumbers is through direct planting. The pH of the soil should be neutral or slightly acidic at around 5.5 to 6.8. Soaking the seeds in a wet paper towel or water for 24 hours can speed up germination. Cucumber plants require quite a lot of warmth and light. The vines need trellises or nets to climb over for support. Proper growth of cucumbers requires a low-nitrogen and high-potassium compost mixture. The soil must be kept moist throughout the growing season.

Some general tips 

Though these plants are very easy to care for, following these extra tips can make your home gardening journey more comfortable for you and your organic veggies.

• It is important to carry out the process of transplantation in the early evening to increase the chances of survival. The transplanted seedlings must be kept under shade for 5-6 days to help them recover faster.
• These plants can be subjected to common pests and diseases. So sowing the seeds and forgetting about them won’t work; you should pay a visit to your plants at least once a day to look out for any pests or diseases.
• Thinning is an unavoidable practice because it reduces the easy spread of diseases and helps the crops to attain better size upon maturation.
• It is best to harvest the leafy greens during the early hours of the morning. Because during this time the leaves are crisp and fresh.

So go ahead and start your kitchen garden now and have the luxury of plucking vegetables for salad and other dishes from your very own organic garden.

Here are some other blogs which make your Green Space more Greener!

1. Gardening Calendar Blogs
2. Sustainable Gifting Ideas
3. Gardener Stories
4. Garden Care Blogs
5.  Miniature Garden Decor
6. Gardening Workshops

Have a look at some amazing Videos of Gardening that might help you!

1. Tips on planting homegrown plants and creating art with it as a beginner.
2. How to preserve, plant and grow flower seeds in monsoon, winter and other seasons.
3. Growing different vegetables, winter vegetables especially and tips and tricks to preserve.
4. Preserving fruits such as strawberries, Papaya, watermelon, muskmelon etc.
5. Know all about microgreens using examples such as microgreen spinach, microgreen sunflower, microgreen mustard, microgreen flax etc.
6. Using gardening tools such as pots, trays, growing bags, moss sticks and watering cans etc.

Here are some Workshops that might help you if you are new to Gardening!

1. Learn how to grow Winter vegetables at home?
2. Know more about your Garden Soil.
3. Know how to start your own small Garden.
4. Learn about plants that you can grow from your kitchen.

Happy Gardening!