Fall is here and winter is soon to follow. Don’t let the cold weather get you down. Planting an indoor garden is a great way to transition from outdoor to indoor activities. As long as there is enough sunlight, you can grow anything! Flowers, herbs, or spices; it all up to you.


Deciding what to plant really depends on each individual grower. Herbs are leafy and delicate. They can either be used in food preparation or as traditional medicine. Spices are tougher, fibrous, and much more fragrant than other plants. They can be dried and used year-round in cooking or as a chemical-free air freshener. And of course there are flowers! Plant flowers for their pleasant aroma and ability to brighten up any room. Chicago Gateway Green uses flowers at many of the expressway sites for their added aesthetics.

The first step for creating your indoor garden is deciding whether to grow your plants hydroponically or in dirt. If growing them in dirt, prepare your pots by mixing in organic nutrients and sifting the soil. It is important to plant the seeds or seedlings at the correct depth. This will allow them to grow properly with the least amount of difficulty. Then begin to water lightly in regular intervals suggested on the seed package. Make sure that the soil is well drained. As the plants grow, trim and get rid of old leaves ensure that they grow to their fullest potentials. That’s it! Sit back and enjoy.

Tips for getting the most out of your urban garden
By Stephanie Somers

Jon and Monique Tunney are two savvy urbanites that know how to make the most of their garden in the city. Their condo has a west-facing back porch that’s great for sunsets, but also growing plants. For the past nine years they have grown everything from heirloom tomatoes to banana peppers to swiss chard. And pick any herb; they’ve grown it! They shared with us some of the things they’ve learned over the years.

Replant to maximize your crop

The Tunneys say that they typically grow more than they need on purpose. Why? Consider letting some plants go to seed and you can replant them for a second time. So even if you have a small space, you may get two harvests in one year, yielding more food. Also, consider saving some of the seeds for planting next year. They have gotten so good at it that they don’t even need to purchase seeds in the spring!

Beauty and function unite

You love hanging out on your porch, not just growing things on it. So you might be thinking, “Can I plant my urban garden and still have room for some colorful flowers to look at?” Yes! While you can always mix in a pot of flowers here and there, consider planting flowers and vegetables together in the same pot. Beautiful and functional!

Summer labor, Winter reward

Did you know all this work in the summer can make a cold Chicago winter seem brighter? One of the Tunneys’ favorite herbs to plant is Stevia, a natural sweetener with no calories and no carbs. Save some of your Stevia and mint at the end of the summer. Then crush the dried leaves together to use as a loose tea. That should keep you warm all winter long and dreaming of next summer’s harvest.