cda is zone 5 although lower down the state is 6...(i check spokane's also) i have a friend near you and she hasn't started anything but clean up, lol...since you're inside and the plants protected, it's a different "ballgame"

container gardening is what you should google.

You could go to your local nursery and ask if they recycle pant pots...mine does so I get lots of nice 5 gallon pots...I'd say that's a great area for a garden and what I would do is just start seeing wat you can find...whatever shows up you use..Put an ad on freecycle and ask...The bench thing sounds good but even individual pots would look great...stack them on things to make different heights and if you can find a nice big pot, you should put a cherry or grape tomato there..

Try the forum link below and we will answer your questions gladly..

Here is a link that might be useful: Vegetable gardening

Big Lots has pots and gardening tools that are less expensive than elsewhere. Also check garage sales and thrift stores and Craigslist free forum.
Clare

But before you do anything, check with the owners. Many do not allow this inside due to allgeries, children eating leaves/flowers and getting sick. You may not have enough light there. You menioned a long bench. Sorry, the water will soak thru, and/drip over the edge. Please for your own protection, check and get in writing an ok to do so.

You can line the bench with a plastic. But I would put "edges" on it. You can buy 1x2'x fairly cheap and nail them around the edge. then put the lining in there for the plants to set in.

I line all my window sills with clear vinyl that I buy by the yard at WalMart. I like plants in my windows but I don't want to ruin the oak sills that are new.

Didn't you say you have all older people in your apartment or am I thinking of someone else?

It's true...you might not have enough light for veggie plants...but house plants would grow.

Good luck...

Oh and if you are keeping them indoors....I don't think you need a "zone"....

When I read you subject...I was thinking.....Twilight Zone...LOL

patti

I have several under the bed plastic (heavy plastic) storage containers I'm going to use for drainage and I'll have a table or tall bench right in front of the window to raise them up to the window level, or close to it. We're on the top floor, so lots of full sun all day. It does get hotter than heck up there some days. No one comes up here unless you live here, and that's only four of us old codgers. Landlord told me to do whatever I want, just be careful to distribute the weight evenly. Heck, I'm not doing that much *gardening*.

Just a work of caution...

When Denny and I lived in our first apartment, it was in a huge older, divided home. It had a window like that...I sat my house plants out there...LOL...it got so hot it cooked my plants....they all died.

patti

Good luck Ang. You can plant anything just about, except things that are going to vine a lot. Pumpkins and most squash produce so heavy, you will have a jungle. We don't have our garden finished yet, but it is all outside. I have started some seeds inside and with the crazy weather we have had this year, some are anxious to get planted! LOL You like poppers, so different peppers would work well, some 'maters, lettuces and herbs. Just go to a garden center and they will tell you what you can grow and what to avoid. Just don't let them sell you the farm! Some like to make you feel like you need every tool and aides known to man. LOL I also was worried about light, but the heat may be a bigger problem, but you can put something up to shade them when needed. The plastic containers work great, for catching excess water. I start some of my seeds in the plastic containers fast food comes in and they are placed into the bigger low sided plastic storage bins. You might find plants on Craigs list even. Have fun.

check these out!

Here is a link that might be useful: Indoor veggies