skip to main content

Growing under Lights

Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower & lettuce

13 years ago

Are any of you growing any of these inside under lights or windows? I've got some window boxes to try it. Would my potting mix work? perlite, sand and Sphagnum peat with an MGPM base.

I've got lights but would rather use the light from the windows, maybe a mix of both for longer exposure?

I'll start them under lights.

Gonna start filling those boxes tomorrow and get back to ya!

In the mean time give me some ideas!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

wordwiz
13 years ago
I've got three broccoli plants under a 54 watt LED growing in hydro (DWC). Last year, I grew some Black Simpson lettuce in a window (south facing) at the office, also in DWC. It was great! Got close to 3' tall, never bolted and was very tender.

Mike
curt_grow
13 years ago
Taz; I an growing buttercrunch Lettuce in the Kitchen under a single double bulb florescent light fixture 2 32 watt tubes. It is the same as winter growing for me. Just scaled down for lettuce only. No sun at all. The timer set for 8;am to 11Pm. The reason for the In house growing is simply temperature control. I get smaller lettuce ,but it is tender and very handy Not any hamburgers or ham sammys without fresh lettuce for me. I use a homemade potting soil and water soluble MG once a week. Starting to look like I will have a indoor kitchen garden 365. It all does well as trimmed Lettuce, Cut and come, and whole head harvest. I know Pock Choi, Tatsoi, do well so does Swiss chard as I have grown those Also Paris Island Romain, Radish and carrots . So far knock on wood no bugs are a problem. I try to trim and wash my outside produce before bringing it into the house.

Curt#
Related Discussions
soil temp too low for cauliflower, broccoli and Cabbage?
Q
Comments (1)
I'm in Boston Metro and have had my calui and broccoli in for a while now. Planted them 3/15 (had to do some covering until about a week ago). You can plant them, we should be in the clear. On the other hand, we live in MA, so anything is possible :)
...See More
How crazy are people...
Q
Comments (48)
There's the "approach" aspect of this, too. When you are trying to teach someone something, or explain that there is a better way, always avoid using the word "you" at all costs. People don't like other people telling them what to do. However, if you said the same thing in a different way... "Starting lettuce from seed is WAY less expensive than buying starts" implies that "YOU shouldn't be buying them." and gets you a negative response. Whereas... "Gee, these lettuce starts seem rather high. I like to start most things from seed, but find that I do have to buy certain plant starts from the greenhouse. What kind of garden do you have?" ...implies nothing but in a round-about kinda way, they might consider starting from seed, but really moreso says "I'd like your opinion on the whole gardening thing." and will likely elicit a constructive conversation on gardening. People love to offer their opinions & experiences, but do NOT like to be told that they are doing it wrong.
...See More
Hand of the gardener, growing cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower
Q
Comments (11)
Bees, yes you leave an open hole. It is important that the hole be 3/4 to 7/8 inch diameter and just under 2 inches deep. You can whittle a stick or use the cut off end of a small broom handle of the appropriate size. There should be a thin layer of soil at the bottom of the hole, just enough for the seed to get started growing. When you drop the seed in the hole, you will be able to see it at the bottom of the hole. Leave it just like that. The hole maintains a humid environment just right for brassica seed to germinate. As the cotyledons expand, the plant will grow upward toward the light until it emerges above the soil. City, if you are having problems with damping off, verify that you are starting with sterilized seed start mix such as Promix BX. Watch carefully that you don't over-water. Phytothora and Rhyzoctonia thrive in very high moisture soils. Tomato and pepper seedlings in particular are susceptible to these soilborne diseases. Overwatering is the usual culprit. It is important with tomatoes and peppers to let the soil dry out until the seedlings start to wilt before watering. This will keep the damping off under control. Please note that this is not needed with brassicas. They are much more tolerant of soil moisture levels.
...See More
Have lots of veggies.
Q
Comments (8)
hey, go to your settings (advanced) and click to allow anyone to message you so that you can receive private messages! I have lots of butternut squash that a neighbor saved, i am interested in your pie pumpkins and your banana peppers!
...See More
anna_in_quebec
13 years ago
Curt - can you please tell us the varieties of lettuce you are using for such success. I hope to try it soon!
curt_grow
13 years ago
anna; romaine Buttercrunch and Paris Island Cos. I grew Black seeded Simpson but for some reason it was bitter. Strange because it grew fast. I am looking for some red romaine or trout so I have some color to the garden. one thing to add I use small pots, 22 oz. cottage cheese containers (holes burnt in the bottom) witch are 4-1/2 inch by 4-1/2 inch or 6 inch plastic pots with bottom cup removed placed in a water tray. I bottom water using the tray. Then top water when I fertilize.

Curt P.S light is 4100 k
taz6122
Original Author
13 years ago
Sorry for the delay. I've moved almost everything outside. I still have a few late started flowers inside but all the veggies have been planted in the garden. I've been pretty busy with my new containers. My neighbor had som pretty large fiberglass containers he used for raising worms. He no longer uses them so I asked and he gave me a couple to make a raised container garden. I've got one planted and am ready to put the other on blocks. It took $50 worth of soil to fill the first one and it's not quite full but that's ok because after I've trimmed the bottom leaves from the tomatoes planted in it I can finish filling it so the plants can make more roots where the bottom leaves were.
Back to the subject, it's starting to get hot here so I imagine I will be working more on the inside planters now to stay cool. One problem I have is the window boxes I have are just a little too long for the windows so I've got to buy a shorter one or use smaller containers. I like the window boxes because they have their own tray. I'm guessing the broccoli and cauliflower is out because they take more light but what about cabbage? Anyone ever grown it inside?

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 11 Favorite Edibles for Your Cool-Season Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant crunchy carrots, crisp radishes, tender peas and other vegetables for fall and spring harvests

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING World of Design: 10 Home Gardeners Show Us Their Sweet Summer Harvests

From New York to Tokyo, these gardeners have turned their yards, terraces and rooftops into places of bounty

FARM YOUR YARD 6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

By Abundant City

It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with smart prep and patience

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Easy Edibles for First-Time Gardeners

By Marianne Lipanovich

Focus on these beginner-friendly vegetables, herbs, beans and salad greens to start a home farm with little fuss

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Home Farmers, Show Us Your Edible Gardens

By Stacy Briscoe

We want to see where your tomatoes, summer squashes and beautiful berries are growing this summer

EDIBLE GARDENS Houzz Call: What Did You Grow This Summer?

By Annie Thornton

Let’s celebrate the homegrown fruits and vegetables of the season. Post your pictures and tell us about your harvest

MOST POPULAR How to Start a Cool-Season Vegetable Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Late summer and late winter are good times to plan and plant cool-season crops like salad greens, spinach, beets, carrots and peas

FALL GARDENING California Gardener's September Checklist

Planting opportunities abound this month: perennials, lawns, wildflowers and more. Our primer covers 'em all

GARDENING GUIDES 12 Edibles Perfect to Plant in Late Summer

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep those homegrown vegetables and greens coming well into fall

FARM YOUR YARD Advice on Canyon Farming From L.A.'s Vegetable Whisperer

By Annie Thornton

See how a screened garden house and raised beds help an edible garden in a Los Angeles canyon thrive

Sponsored

More Discussions

Agrobrite bulb FLC27D 27W 5400K 120V 60Hz: suitable 4 seed starting?

0

Anyone use heat mats for cuttings?

9

What is the secret to full, lush zinnias from seed?

7