Urban Gardening
Urban Gardening

by Jessica Remitz

Nearly every city dweller dreams of having more space, be it an extra hallway closet or a backyard in which we can grow vegetables and let our kids run wild.

While we can't knock down walls or bulldoze buildings to create our own plot of land, we can do some at-home gardening in even the tiniest of spaces. And in fact, I just did!

Here are the healthiest, easiest plants to grow at home, no matter how much space you have.

Tomatoes

Although they require a good bit of direct sunlight, certain varieties of tomatoes don't even need dirt to grow.

Called hydroponic tomatoes, these handy plants need only water and sunlight to grow and can do well in Hanging Planters

. Aside from being a pretty wall decoration, tomatoes are known for their antioxidant properties. Mine are currently hanging in my home office -- the sunniest room in the house. They would do well on a screened-in porch or sunny breakfast nook too.

Microgreens

For a flavor-packed touch to your salads or entrées, plant microgreen sprouts in a shallow container on your windowsill.

Depending on what you grow, microgreens provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, with red cabbage microgreens packing nearly six times more vitamin C than mature red cabbage. Just make sure to cut or drills holes in your container (or buy one with drainage holes) -- I nearly drowned my greens the first time I watered them!

Basil

Pick up an assortment of culinary herb seeds

, and say goodbye to the dried stuff.

Basil makes a great addition to heart-healthy spaghetti sauces (use those tomatoes, too), salads and pizza. Just be sure to keep your plant in a warm, sunny space -- mine began to slump after a few days in the shade.

Chives

Low in calories, chives are packed with flavor. Because herbs like chives need lots of sunlight, consider putting them in a windowsill. Or, if you don't have much natural light, purchase a light that's safe for gardening. I haven't purchased a plant-friendly light yet, but I've heard this indoor plant lamp

does the trick.

Thyme

With about 60 different varieties, thyme is a great addition to marinades and seasonings. It's an excellent source of antioxidants, so be sure to get it planted in time for cold and flu season. I use my thyme in beef stew and have definitely noticed a (good!) difference in the flavor of the dish

When planting your herbs, make sure to plant them separately -- either with dividers or in separate pots -- to prevent them from growing over each other. Then, water and enjoy your indoor garden!

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