Countertop Gardens: Easily Grow Kitchen Edibles Indoors for Year-Round Enjoyment – Shelley Levis (2018, Cool Springs Press, Quarto Publishing Group USA, Minnesota)
If you’ve been following Flowery Prose for a while, you’ll know that we have teeth-chatteringly, bone-chillingly long winters here in Alberta. Six months isn’t an overstatement, and it can stretch even further than that on occasion. Accordingly, our growing season is short (and often brutal). Planting outdoors is a challenge…one that we never back down from but occasionally must grin and bear. Given the vagaries of gardening in our climate, growing edible plants indoors is a very tempting option. Yet…growing plants indoors isn’t foolproof – there are so many factors to consider, such as heat, humidity, light, and space.
Fortunately, Shelley Levis has come to the rescue for situations like this with Countertop Gardens! This indoor gardening manual is chockful of inspiration and ideas for turning your indoor living spaces into miniature edible gardens. From microgreens to herb gardens to simple hydroponic systems, it’s all here. And there are some surprises, as well: have you ever considered growing mushrooms, potatoes, gingerroot, or tomatoes in your kitchen? Try them all using Levis’ tips! She also examines some of the most popular grow-light countertop garden kits available on the market today and discusses ways to maximize their use – practical information whether you’re thinking of buying one or already own one.
Countertop Gardens is a fantastic starting point for anyone wanting to grow fresh food indoors all year ‘round – definitely a recommended read!
Flowery Prose 
Just ordered the book after going to Amazon and checking it out further. I have always gardened indoors as well as outside but figured I could always learn something new. Thanks for the suggestion Sheryl!
I hope it is valuable to you – I think it is quite useful for those of us who like to grow edibles indoors!
I wish I could use this but our house is so dark. Dang.
Jean
It’s so difficult if you can’t set up a grow light system. Some of those portable kits are amazing if a person has the space for them. I think the price points can vary a lot on them, however.
Our house is too dark as well. But the book sounds really good. On another subject…I really like Hope Jahren’s quotation. How true!
I’m so pleased you like that quote – it’s one of my favourites!
Great review of a book I might well consider getting. With our changeable climate it is always difficult to know from one year to the next what we will be able to grow outdoors. Growing indoors is an excellent alternative.
It’s true…this offers a bit more ability to control the gardening inputs and hopefully obtain a good harvest. Not so easy in an outdoor setting these days….