Flat farming review

Over the last year, I’ve explored growing food and other useful things in the flat. I have four windowsills – less than 20ft of narrow growing space all in, light for only part of the day. Clearly self sufficiency was never going to be an option! So, what is possible in a space like this? Here’s a rundown of what I did and how it went.

Tomatoes: One tiny crop of tomatoes from one small plant made for a side dish at a single meal, but I was rather pleased with them nonetheless.

Pumpkin: Given to us as a seed, it grew unexpectedly well, and produced beautiful flowers. Due to lack of bees and other pumpkin plants, there was no fruit.

Watercress: Growing in jam jars on windowsills. One crop so far, slow growing, but as it’s both tasty and expensive to buy, I mean to keep on with this.

Thyme and mint: Doing fine, tasty, low maintenance, windowsill herbs are definitely a win.

Aloe Vera: Not edible, but you can use the sap in the leaves for hand-cream.  We haven’t started cropping yet, but have a profusion of plants (they make good gifts, too). Definitely one to stick with.

Chilli pepper: The best by far. Lovely white flowers, cheery red chillis, plentiful spice for cooking and enough bounty to have given some away.

I may pick up some more herbs. I mean to have a go at potatoes in a bucket in the kitchen and I’m considering trying ginger – so that I can use the stem.