Guide to growing Window Deco Collection

Guide: How to succeed with indoor growing – all year round

Anyone can grow their own vegetables and create a gorgeous indoor garden – regardless of where they live, previous experience or number of windows. With the right light, good soil and a few basic principles, you will be able to enjoy a harvest directly from your kitchen window practically all year round. Here is our comprehensive guide with clear steps, practical tips and lessons learned from our own successes and failures. We hope it will be of good help along the way.

1. Light – the most important superpower of plants

Light is key when growing indoors.

·       The best location is a south or east window with at least 6 hours of sun/day. It is also possible to grow in other locations, but then you need to add light with the help of a grow lamp.

Grow light – if you are going to grow in winter or in a window with less daylight

·       Use the lamp for 13–15 hours per day during winter or in windows with less daylight. In late February–early March, daylight is often sufficient again (in a south- or east-facing window), when you can take the grow lamp down.

·       When choosing a grow light, choose one with full-spectrum light that mimics daylight. Place the light 20–40 cm above the plants, raising it as your crops grow.

·       Let the plants rest at night – plants grow in the dark too!

·       With a grow light you can grow everything from spices to cucumbers all year round.

2. Sowing – coverage, warmth and moisture

Here are some tips on what to keep in mind when sowing your seeds:

·       Cover the seeds with transparent plastic with air holes: plastic wrap, a bag or a greenhouse lid. Feel free to use recycled plastic bags – make holes and tie them up so they don’t touch the soil. This will create a small mini greenhouse that will speed up germination.

·       Place the seeds in a warm place, on heated floors in bathrooms, in windows above radiators or on a heating mat.

·       Make sure to keep the seeds evenly moist throughout the germination period. If the growing briquettes start to turn light brown, it's time to sprinkle some water.

💧 3. Watering – just enough is best

When and how much should you water?

·       Water thoroughly but less often – the roots will grow downward and become stronger.

·       Plan watering days to get into a rhythm.

During the growing season:

·       Keep the soil consistently moist, but not wet.

·       It is best to water from below so that you neither flatten the soil nor wash away the seeds.

Watering while you're away

·       Weekend trip: water before you go – that's usually enough.

·       One week: Kind neighbor

·       Holiday watering can: PET bottle upside down

·       Do you travel often? Invest in self-watering pots.

4. Fertilizer – energy for the plants

Indoor growing requires regular nutrition. We recommend adding pelleted vegetable fertilizer to the soil when transplanting. Then continue to water your crops throughout the season.

5. Pots – the right size makes a difference

What pots do I need?

·       Small plastic or cardboard pots that you can use when transplanting your seeds. We recommend square pots in sizes 7x7 cm-10x10 cm

·       Pots with drainage holes + barrels for final planting of your crops. Cucumber, tomato, chili and eggplant should be planted in pots that are at least 5l, preferably larger. Basil can be planted in pots that are 1-2 l.

6. Soil – the foundation of everything

Good soil makes all the difference. We recommend nutrient-rich potting soil or vegetable soil. Cheap bags of soil often contain a lot of peat and little nutrition.

Growing indoors always involves a risk of bringing in pests. Here are some tips to reduce the risk of that.

·       Finally plant your crops in coconut fiber. It contains no nutrients and you therefore need to supply it with nutrient water.

·       Sterilize the soil (reduces the risk of pests): In the oven: 130° for about 45 minutes.  On the grill: until smoking, about 20 minutes. With boiling water: water the soil in the pots. Always let the soil cool before planting.

🐛 7. Vermin – happens to everyone at some point

The most important thing when you spot a pest is to act immediately. The sooner you spot the problem, the easier it is to save the plant.

Early signs that you are affected may include:

·       small black flies (sorrow gnats)

·       sticky or sticky leaves

·       discoloration or small white spots

Basic principle:

Detect early → Act immediately → Save the plant in time

Tips on how to fight pests

·       Sticky traps – catch midges and help you see how extensive the problem is.

·       Change the top layer of soil – especially effective against midges as the larvae often live in the surface layer.

·       Shower the plant – place the entire plant in the shower and rinse it clean of pests (lukewarm water, not too much pressure).

·       Soapy water – mix 1 dl soap with 9 dl water and spray on the leaves. Repeat 2–3 times a week until the problem is gone

·       Neem oil – a natural oil that disrupts the pest’s life cycle. Mix with water and a few drops of mild detergent so the oil sticks to the leaves.

·       Myrnix – gently dust over leaves and soil. The agent dries out the pests and causes them to gradually disappear.

 

Quick Guides: How to Succeed with Crops in the Window Deco Collection

1. Grow Cucumber Curtain

Light : Cucumbers require a lot of light, place in your sunniest window. Can grow in darker windows if you supplement with lighting. Avoid drafts and cold window sills.

Pot size: At least 5-10 liter pot. Cucumbers like a lot of soil.

Hanging : As the cucumber grows, attach a string to the window frame for the cucumber to wind along. Then you will be able to create a beautiful cucumber curtain.

Watering : Cucumbers drink a lot. Keep the soil evenly moist. Water from below so the roots grow downwards.

Nutrition : Liquid nutrition once a week when the plant starts growing. Increase further when it starts producing cucumbers.

Tip : The small cucumbers ripen quickly – harvest often.

2. Grow potted tomatoes

Light: Tomatoes are sun lovers and prefer a south/east facing window. If you have a shadier window, we recommend using a grow light for 12–14 hours per day.

Pot size : 5-10 liters l

Watering: Tomatoes love even moisture – not too wet, not too dry.

Nutrition: Tomatoes are nutrient guzzlers. Water with nutrients about once a week.

Tip : Shake the plant lightly when flowering for better pollination. You can also dab with your finger or a paintbrush from flower to flower to facilitate pollination.

🍆 3. Grow potted eggplant

Light : Eggplant requires a lot of light and heat. Place in your warmest window, preferably over a radiator.

Pot size : 5–10 liters

Watering : Thrives in moist soil but cannot stand being wet.

Nutrition: Eggplant is a nutrient eater. Feed about once a week.

Tip: Dab with your finger or a paintbrush from flower to flower to help with pollination.

4. Grow mini chilies

Light: Chili requires a lot of light, place in your sunniest window. Can grow in darker windows if you supplement with lighting. Avoid drafts and cold window sills.

Loves light and warm locations.

Pot size: 3–5 liters is enough for most mini chili varieties.

Watering: Chili likes to dry out a bit between waterings.

Nutrition : Feed once the plant has started – every one to two weeks is a good rule of thumb.

Tip :

·       Dab with your finger or a paintbrush from flower to flower to help with pollination.

·       Chili is perennial – it can remain and continue to produce next year.

5. Grow basil

Light : Basil loves light and warmth – at least 10–12 hours of light. Avoid drafts and cold drafts. If you grow in darker windows, supplement with a grow light.

Pot size : 1–2 liters is enough. Feel free to plant several seeds together for a lush plant.

Watering : Basil needs even, slightly moist soil – not too wet. Water from below.

Nutrition: Give a weak dose of liquid nutrition every week.

Tip: Pinch off the top shoots regularly – this will help the plant bush out.