How urban gardening also works in the cold season – from indoor balconies to mini-greenhouses.
It’s the same game year after year: at the latest around All Saints’ Day, when it gets damp, cold and foggy outside, life moves indoors. But anyone who thinks gardening is over because it’s a summer phenomenon is underestimating the possibilities of the indoor balcony. Between pots of herbs, edible flowers and small islands of lettuce, a green oasis can be created even in the middle of winter – fragrant, lively and surprisingly productive.
From balcony to biotope
The balcony has long been a retreat for hours of sunshine – today it is something of a laboratory for self-sufficient gardeners. Thanks to modern planting systems, insulated raised beds and LED plant lights, the mini garden feeling can be extended into winter. Microgreens, winter herbs and even small tomato plants can thrive even on just a few square meters if you create the right climate for them.
Light is life
Sun becomes a scarce commodity in winter, but modern technology is a clever substitute: Full spectrum LEDs provide the necessary plant light in a form suitable for living rooms. If you plan for around 12 to 14 hours of lighting a day, you can harvest basil, parsley or chives all year round. It is important to maintain a consistent rhythm – plants react surprisingly sensitively to changes in light.
Heat, air and humidity
Plants also like it cozy. Temperatures between 18 and 22 degrees are ideal, but draughts and proximity to heating are taboo. A small bowl of water on the windowsill provides the necessary humidity. Herbs such as thyme, oregano and mint in particular will thank you with a strong aroma and delicate leaves reminiscent of summer.
Mini greenhouse and indoor garden
Mini greenhouses for the home are a trend that is spreading from Japan and Scandinavia to Central Europe. They are made of glass, stainless steel or wood and create a stable microclimate in a small space. If you have more space, you can opt for smart indoor gardening systems – they water, light and ventilate automatically, making them the perfect companion for the cold season.
Herbs that love the cold
While basil and coriander prefer tropical temperatures, there are hardy herbs that show their strength in the indoor garden. These include rosemary, sage, thyme and parsley – they get by with less light and provide intense aromas for soups, stews and oven dishes. Winter herb boxes, which stand like little islands of fragrance by the kitchen window, are particularly popular.
Vegetables on the windowsill
If you have a little patience, you can even grow mini vegetables. Beet, spinach, rocket and chard grow as baby leaves in shallow trays and can be harvested after two to three weeks. Radishes and lamb’s lettuce also grow surprisingly well in pots if they are watered and fertilized regularly. The result: crisp, fresh vitamins in the middle of winter.
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