How to grow an entire salad on your windowsill with small self-watering pots

If you've always dreamed of cultivating your own fresh salad, complete with crispy greens, vibrant tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, but think you need a sprawling garden to do so, think again.

Whether you are growing vegetables in Florida, Mumbai or Tasmania, you can transform your humble windowsill into a thriving mini-salad bar with the right knowledge and a touch of green-thumb magic. In this article, we'll explore the joys of growing your own salad on your window-ledge using small self-watering pots, even if you have limited space.

Choosing the Right Plants

Before you start your windowsill salad garden, it's essential to choose the right plants. The good news is, that salad ingredients are some of the easiest vegetables to grow, and plenty of the ingredients are the best vegetables to grow in pots. For the ideal salad, most of the fruits and vegetables we grow above ground, but we will also use some vegetables that grow underground. Here's what you can consider planting:

Lettuce: Varieties like butterhead and leaf lettuce are compact and can be grown successfully in small pots. Lettuce is fantastic and is a really easy vegetable to grow in pots.

Cherry Tomatoes: These petite tomatoes are perfect for small spaces. Look for dwarf or bush varieties designed for container gardening.

Basil: A favourite herb for many, basil grows wonderfully in small pots and provides a burst of flavour to your salads.

Chives: Chives are a low-maintenance herb that can add a subtle onion flavour to your salads.

Cilantro/Coriander: For a zesty kick, plant cilantro in your salad garden. It's easy to grow in small containers.

Radishes: These fast-growing root vegetables can add a delightful crunch to your salads and are well-suited for small pots.

Spinach: Baby spinach is another of the great salad greens that thrive in small containers—one of the fastest-growing vegetables and super healthy.

Green Onions: Scallions or green onions are perfect for adding a mild onion flavour to your salads and take up very little space.

Arugula/Rocket: This peppery green adds a unique flavour to salads and grows well in small pots. As with many leafy greens, this is one of the best vegetables to grow in containers and one of the best vegetables to grow in winter.

Peppers: Mini bell peppers/capsicum or chilli peppers can be grown in compact pots for a touch of spice in your salads. These are not some of the vegetables that grow in shade so well, so choose the sunniest spot available for these.

Thyme: This aromatic herb is excellent for seasoning salads and can be grown in small pots.

Gathering Your Supplies

Now that you've decided on your salad ingredients, it's time to gather your supplies. Small self-watering pots can be a game-changer for your windowsill garden. Here's what you'll need:

Self-Watering Pots: These pots come with a built-in water reservoir, which makes it easier to maintain consistent moisture levels for your plants. They are available in various sizes and designs, perfect for small-space gardening. For success growing vegetables indoors, we just LOVE self-watering pots. When learning how to grow vegetables in pots, we learn that they cannot hold much water if they are small pots. Self-watering pots allow a small reservoir of water for the plants to slurp on at their leisure.

Potting Mix: Be sure to use a good quality potting mix that provides good drainage and aeration. Be sure to not skip this step. Use the best soil to grow vegetables in pots - one bag of good potting mix can go a long way with small pots and containers.

Seeds or Seedlings: This depends on your preference and experience, you can start from seeds or purchase young plants from a nursery. Indoor growing from seed is very successful, extra rewarding and cheaper. And with fast-growing vegetables, you do not have to wait long for success.

Watering Can or Spray Bottle: A small watering can or spray bottle will help you control the water you provide to your plants. Very handy for indoor vegetables to make watering easier.

Sunlight: Choosing your window-ledge can make a big difference. Choose a spot that gets as much full sun and natural light as possible in an ideal world, at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. If your windowsill doesn't get enough light, some people consider investing in a grow light - but most of the time this is not necessary for indoor plants to do well. Even in partial sun they will do just fine.

Planting Your Mini-Salad Bar in Self-Watering Pots

With your supplies in hand, it's time to get your mini-salad bar started in self-watering pots:

Fill the Self-Watering Pots: Fill the pots with potting mix, leaving about an inch from the top for watering.

Plant Your Seeds or Seedlings: Remember seeds are grown slightly differently - so follow the instructions on your seed packets if you are growing from seed, or transplant your seedlings into the self-watering pots.

Water the Reservoir: Fill the water reservoir of the self-watering pots. These pots are designed to provide water to the plants as needed, reducing the risk of overwatering or underwatering. Be sure to top water your indoor vegetable garden though until the roots of the plants are long enough to reach the reservoir.

Place on the Windowsill: Position your self-watering pots on the windowsill where they'll receive adequate sunlight.

Care and Maintenance: Regularly check the water reservoir and refill it as needed. The self-watering pots will take care of much of the watering for you, but it's still important to monitor the moisture level in the soil. Fertilise as needed, following the recommendations for your chosen plants.

Harvesting Your Salad

The best part of windowsill gardening is harvesting and enjoying your homegrown salad. Depending on the plants you've chosen, you'll be able to start harvesting within weeks to a few months. Here are some tips for harvesting:

Harvest Early and Often: Pick the lettuce and herbs when young and tender. This not only ensures the best flavour but also encourages more growth.

Wait for Tomatoes to Ripen: Allow the cherry tomatoes to ripen fully on the vine for the best flavour.

Use Proper Techniques: When harvesting, use clean scissors or pruning shears to snip the leaves, stems, or tomatoes. Avoid tearing the plants.

Enjoy Your Salad: Once you've gathered all your ingredients, assemble a delicious, homegrown salad right from your window-ledge garden.

Conclusion

With a little creativity and dedication, you can turn your windowsill into a thriving salad bar that provides you with fresh, homegrown ingredients for delightful meals. Small self-watering pots are a valuable addition to your windowsill garden, making it easier to maintain the right moisture levels for your plants.

Growing a whole salad on your windowsill in small self-watering pots is a rewarding and sustainable way to connect with nature, enhance your cooking, and add a touch of green to your living space. So, go ahead and give it a try – you'll be amazed at the abundance you can cultivate right at your fingertips! Happy gardening and bon appétit!

What do we recommend?

See below for some great windowsill options for self-watering containers and the essential spray bottle! We love the automatic ones and have never looked back since purchasing one. Please note purchasing through our website helps fund the content we make. Thanks so much!