{"id":169430,"date":"2021-05-31T23:59:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T06:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=169430"},"modified":"2021-06-02T20:13:14","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T03:13:14","slug":"household-harvest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/household-harvest","title":{"rendered":"West Elm + REI: 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Own Food"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nothing rings in summer quite like fresh fruits and veggies. And the only thing that makes summer produce even more delicious is the satisfaction that comes from growing it yourself, which is easier than you might think. Read on for five ways to give your green thumb a go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Savor summer longer with a corner citrus Ttee<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fresh-off-the-branch citrus isn\u2019t just for those who live in warm, tropical climes. If you have space in your home that enjoys full sun (roughly 6 to 8 hours per day, from 10am to 4pm), you\u2019ve got just the spot for an indoor Meyer Lemon tree<\/a>, which harvests December through April. The indoor citrus craze isn\u2019t limited to just lemons, though. Blood oranges<\/a>, clementines<\/a>, mandarin oranges<\/a> and even kumquats<\/a> (hello, edible rinds) can grow inside under direct all-day sunlight and produce fruit from winter through spring or early summer. Cocktail garnishes at-the-ready? We\u2019ll cheers to that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go for a windowsill herb garden<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Think about ready-in-30 weeknight pizzas and pastas, flavorful kitchen-sink salads and your favorite summer cocktail. When it comes to whipping up our favorite meals and beverages, we reach for a cluster of leafy, aromatic herbs. The best thing about an herb garden is that it requires little space or skill to perfect. Try your hand at basil, mint, cilantro or lemongrass atop a sunlit table, window box<\/a>, windowsill<\/a> or small-space patio<\/a>. Even the most narrow of herb gardens will pay off big-time in upping your summer cooking and entertaining game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try a fire escape tomato plant<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need much square footage to reap the benefits of summer\u2019s juiciest produce. (#UrbanFarming<\/a> is trending for a reason.) If you have access to a sunny front stoop or fire escape, you have more than enough room to keep a tomato plant happy and healthy. A planter measuring one or two square feet with a five-gallon capacity should do the trick. No outdoor space? No problem. Consider a Smart Garden<\/a> for your kitchen countertop to watch small-scale veggies and leafy greens thrive, thanks to a built-in water tank and LED lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider a container garden<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With a bit more space, an entirely homegrown salad could be yours. But before you set up your container garden, consider the amount of light your back deck, rooftop or patio gets; this will determine what kinds of vegetables you can grow successfully. (While tomatoes and herbs love direct sunlight, constant rays can fry cucumbers and lettuce.) Working with limited square footage? Think vertically. Larger vegetables like eggplants and zucchini grow best when aided by stakes or a trellis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGrowing food at home fills me with pride and gives me access to freshly picked produce anytime I want it,\u201d
\u2013 Lettuce Grow<\/a> co-founder Zooey Deschanel<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meet the farmstand<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGrowing food at home fills me with pride and gives me access to freshly picked produce anytime I want it,\u201d says Lettuce Grow<\/a> co-founder Zooey Deschanel. The actor and Jacob Pechenik launched Lettuce Grow to help curb waste and make it easy to grow your own food at home. The Farmstand<\/a> is a self-watering, self-fertilizing garden sized to fit any outdoor space\u2014balconies, back porches and big yards alike. Plus, for every 10 Farmstands sold, Lettuce Grow donates one to a school, nonprofit or community organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides boasting both health and economic benefits, growing your own home-to-table food is good for the environment, too. Here are a few more easy pivots for creating a more sustainable kitchen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n