What is indoor farming? Why would one do that? This week, we will take a deep dive into the world of farming indoors and learn some things.
Good morning and happy Monday! If things look a little different on this website today, it is because I am changing it up a bit, giving it a bit of a modernization after almost five and a half years of a blue cow design. It has been a very long time since I have changed a site design and a lot has changed so I am still trying to figure it out and here it is time to open the store...Will work more on it later...#reallife
The morning started out to be foggy again but that did not last long. I did some clean up in the house and finally got ready to go to work. David and Matt took off to do some errands and I opened the Farm Store. Then I watered everything out front. I dragged the hose into the Farm Store and filled the hydroponics unit, our answer to indoor farming. The water level was pretty low. No wonder the plants look so bad. I also added some fertilizer. The trouble is that I am stretched too thin during this lean time of year, doing everything including computer work, social media, helping customers, and filling and mailing seed orders. There are not enough hours in the day to get everything accomplished.
Orders are way down but there is so much else to do in the business. Everyone is thinking turkeys, trees, and gifts, but no one has their minds on gardening at this time of year. Keep in mind that gardeners would love a seed set for Christmas. Almost everyone would love some of our delicious pecan flavored coffees, certainly most Texans!
Hopefully, in the spring, we can hire someone to help out with orders and working in the store but right now it is me. There just isn't enough time in the day to do everything we need done.
We've had a few customers and visitors today. After lunch, we had a team meeting.
I went out and checked the tomatoes this afternoon. Some are beginning to turn yellow and orange but only the Ruby Crush grape tomatoes are ready to be picked. They are slightly bigger than cherry tomatoes and are crisp and sweet--so good!
In my greenhouse, I have my first oranges on my two orange trees and they are halfway orange! I also have quite a few lemons that are almost ripe so that is exciting!
Late this afternoon, I went out to check on the goats. No babies yet. I gave the girls some goat treats in the red cup. They are finally brave enough to eat from the cup but if I move while they are eating, they run off.
The evening brought cool temperatures and a lot of wind. I worked on vacuuming the loveseat in my office, where Ethel hangs out. I know it has not been vacuumed because of all of the dog hairs but when I took it apart, there were three dried places where Ethel had barfed on the couch. The housekeeper is supposed to be vacuuming the furniture. I cleaned it all up and put the slip cover on the loveseat. Ethel has not been able to get up there for the past week so it is all old. Stuff in here has not been dusted either. If I had time to clean, I would do it. So I am having to make time because things are not getting done...It makes me angry that things are not being done right.
We are open this week today, tomorrow, and Wednesday. We will be closed from Thursday through Sunday. We have opened a few times over the past 15 years on Friday and Saturday and we never had one customer so we are going to take the four day weekend and enjoy it. Our website will be available for shopping 24/7 and we have a fabulous Black Friday sale that begins on Thanksgiving Day at 3pm CST and ends midnight on Friday night. Then on Saturday, we have our Small Business Saturday Sale. On Monday, we have a Cyber Monday Sale.
If you are subscribed to the David's Garden Seeds® website newsletter, you will know about each sale as it happens, as well as company and farm news. Just go to the home page and scroll to the bottom. Enter in your email and click subscribe.
Our store will reopen next Monday, December 2, Cyber Monday, if you would like to visit. We have some good holiday gift choices including two Yellowstone hot/cold cups left for any Yellowstone fans out there. We have one stand alone air fryer left and that would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a loved one. We have pecan coffee and pecan treats that are perfect for gift giving as well as over 1,000 heirloom seed varieties that would make any gardener happy.
Hey there! Have you ever considered the possibilities of indoor farming? If you’re serious about gardening, this might be a journey worth exploring. Most people think of farming as something that happens out in wide-open, sunny fields, but what if I told you that farming could also happen right within the comfort of your home? That's what indoor farming is all about.
So, what exactly is indoor farming? Simply put, it's a practice where you grow plants or even raise animals inside buildings rather than outdoors. This could be as simple as a few pots on your windowsill or as complex as having a whole vertical garden setup in your basement. Indoor farming includes methods such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and using LED lights to simulate sunlight.
Who's doing this kind of farming? Well, it might surprise you to know that it's a practice picked up by everyone from individual hobbyists and serious gardeners to large companies. Urban dwellers, who don’t have access to land, find it especially beneficial. Even tech-savvy entrepreneurs are diving into this, creating startup companies focused on producing fresh greens in big cities.
Now, you might wonder where all this indoor farming can take place. The honest answer is: nearly anywhere! Whether it's in your small apartment, a corner in your kitchen, the basement, or even in large warehouses, farming that is done inside can adapt to various spaces. In cities with little land to spare, innovative use of skyscrapers as vertical farms is becoming popular.
As for what can be grown in indoor farming, the list is extensive. Leafy greens like lettuce, kale, and spinach are common. Herbs such as basil, mint, and parsley also flourish indoors. With the right setup, you could even grow tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and microgreens! Some advanced setups might even allow small-scale fruit farming.
The purpose of indoor farming branches into many areas. For starters, it allows for fresh food production year-round regardless of outdoor weather conditions. It's also a sustainable approach as it uses less water and reduces the need for pesticides. Additionally, it brings the farm-to-table idea to another level since you harvest and consume right at your home.
Let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The benefits of indoor farming are vast. If you enjoy gardening, you'll love the constant engagement and learning that come with cultivating your own indoor crops. It promotes a healthier lifestyle with more access to fresh foods and contributes to reduced carbon footprints.
This leads us to a crucial question: how is indoor farming different from regular farming? In traditional farming, a lot is dictated by elements like weather, seasons, and soil conditions. Indoor farming, however, allows you to control these elements. By adjusting temperature, humidity, light, and nutrients, you can create an ideal environment for your plants, regardless of the season.
Good morning. There is no fog today. Ethel had a bad night, leaving me several piles of vomit around the house. That is always a great way to start the day.
I cleaned everything up, got breakfast and moved on with the busy day ahead. David wanted my debit card. I grabbed my I Love Lucy wallet and went into his office. Did I mention that his office is a favorite doggy hangout?
So David did his business and handed the card back to me. I put it away in my wallet and sat down to play with my puppy named Trump. Of course, I put my wallet down to play footie. Trump likes to hand me his paws to hold, one at a time, and then he tries to bite my hand while I have his paw. After a few minutes of this, I left the office to go to work. I did not realize it at the time, but I left something behind...
A little while later, David called me in. It seems that Trump ate Lucy's face off of my wallet, as well as the strap and hook. I was not pleased but it is my fault...
I opened the store, filled our orders and mailed those out. David and Matt left to do some errands. One of the errands was to take Pamela, Sue Ellen, and Trump to be groomed. They came back looking so cute!
A customer came and was here for about 45 minutes. During that time, I noticed that a delivery was coming to our address but in Pleasanton. Our address is not in Pleasanton. I waited on hold to speak to someone at the delivery company but never could get anyone. David finally got home and called the store while I was on hold and we got the delivery straightened out that way.
The delivery came but now we have to have an electrician come out and do some work before we can use the item. The item is gigantic. We had to have help getting it into the house. I can't wait to use it.
I started cleaning the house and I set the tree up. It is not finished but I had to do other things.
For dinner, I made delicious enchiladas. They were so good. By then, my feet and legs were killing me so after I did the dishes, I just sat down.
You may ask, "why would anyone farm indoors instead of outside?" There are a few reasons. Avoiding adverse weather, preventing pests, and saving space are just a few. For city dwellers or those without access to land, indoor farming is sometimes the only viable option for growing their own food.
Let's dive into the techniques of indoor farming. One popular method is hydroponics, where plants are grown in a nutrient-rich water solution without soil. Then there's aquaponics, which combines fish farming with growing plants in a mutually beneficial environment. These systems recycle nutrients and water, making them highly efficient.
Another intriguing method is vertical farming, which finds its home in tall urban buildings. Plants are stacked in layers, utilizing vertical space much like shelves in a library. This technique is particularly effective in urban areas where space is limited.
Now, if you're thinking about setting up a small indoor farm, you might want to consider the use of LED grow lights. They mimic sunlight and are energy-efficient, helping you grow food indoors with just the right amount of "daylight" in your living space.
Of course, no method is without its challenges. Indoor farming costs can be higher, mainly due to the setup of infrastructure such as lighting, irrigation, and nutrient delivery systems. However, you can start small and gradually enhance your setup over time as you figure out what works best for you.
What’s amazing is the accessibility of indoor farming. Whether you live in a tiny apartment or have a spacious basement, there’s a setup that suits your needs. Even small window sills can be transformed into herb gardens with just a little creativity and effort.
With indoor farming, seasons no longer dictate what you can plant and when. Feel like fresh basil in January? No problem! Want strawberries in October? Go ahead. You are free to indulge your cravings anytime.
Beyond these practical advantages, indoor farming offers a more personal benefit: joy and satisfaction. There's something incredibly fulfilling about watching tiny seeds sprout and grow into something you can eventually eat. It connects you to your food in a way that buying from a store just can't.
Good morning. It is cold, 53° and overcast. I woke up to an email asking us to sign the new updated Safe Seed Pledge. About 12 years ago, we signed the original Safe Seed Pledge and this morning, we signed the new pledge called the Seed Integrity Pledge. It has been updated because the government has now approved more GMOs to be sold to home gardeners. Why does our government want to destroy our safe seeds? I will have to do some research and craft a new page about all of the things going on now. It is scary.
Well, today promises to be a day of baking and prepping for the big day tomorrow. We are not having company again this year. It will be David, Matt, and me. But that is okay because I won't spend hours in the kitchen washing dishes once the meal is over. Why no one would ever stay and help with cleanup when we had a houseful of company each year shows how thoughtless our guests were. My feet would already be killing me from doing all of that cooking and then they would all just pick up and leave, not bothering to ask if they could help with clean up. No, they did not bring food. I did it all.
I have once again changed the website. It was too hard to read that design. I kept trying out different designs but this one looks good. I have been adding photos and our TV commercials over on the right side and our navigation menu is on the left. I need to fix it some more but not now. I have to fill orders and start baking for Thanksgiving.
At 11am, Hughes Electric showed up and took care of the electrical problems in the house so now we can use the delivered item from yesterday! Yay! Of course, I will hate getting the bill but that is part of it...Anyway, we turned it on, fired it up and it works! Then I turned it off because I am still out in Fulfillment mailing out orders. The sun has come out and it is already 73° outside but it is still so cold in the buildings, including in the house. It is supposed to hit 83° today.
About 15 minutes after they left, the electricians called and said they would be back on Monday with a more permanent solution than what they gave us today...I guess the bill will be more...
I watered all of the plants and trees in my greenhouse. As I was doing so, an orange fell off of one of my orange trees. It did not look ripe but I peeled it and ate it and it was sweet and delicious.
I vacuumed and dusted. I baked banana bread, made a blueberry pie for Matt, baked some cornbread for the dressing, and made the bourbon pecan pie for David.
I chopped up a bunch of different vegetables for tomorrow. My feet, legs, and back were killing me so I cleaned up and now I am in the den with my feet up, working on this website.
Despite the benefits, you might feel a bit overwhelmed with where to start. My advice? Start small. Maybe try a few herb pots on the kitchen counter or a small hydroponic system. Get your hands dirty, make mistakes, and learn. Gardening is as much about the journey as the harvest.
So, who benefits from indoor farming? Basically, anyone who enjoys fresh food, sustainability, or innovative gardening. For urban residents without outdoor space, it's often the perfect solution. It's also great for those interested in reducing their food's carbon footprint.
When it comes to feeding efficiency, indoor farming shines brightly. Crops can be grown at a much faster rate due to controlled environments, and there are fewer losses to pests. You enjoy the bounty without worrying about unpredictable weather or soil issues.
Interestingly, indoor farming is not limited to just private usage. Larger operations are seeing success commercially, providing fresh produce to grocery stores and restaurants located far from traditional farms. This offers fresher options for customers and a niche market for entrepreneurs.
Now, there are some challenges to be aware of. The initial investment of setting up an indoor farm can be significant. Proper lighting, water systems, and enough space can get costly. But on the flip side, with careful planning, these initial costs can be offset by the decrease in long-term resource use.
In the long run, indoor farming is quite sustainable. It tends to use less water, and since it can be pesticide-free, it's kinder to the environment. It’s also a smart way to mitigate the carbon footprint associated with transporting groceries over long distances.
Plus, indoor farming means fresher food for you and your family. Harvesting just before a meal ensures that you have the most flavorful and nutrient-dense produce possible. No more wilted greens from a week-long journey to your plate.
Now, let’s touch upon the enjoyment factor. If you garden seriously, indoor farming is akin to a continual playground. It's a place to experiment, from testing different plant varieties to new techniques like aeroponics, where roots hang in the air and are misted with nutrients.
Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving! I woke up freezing in this house. Now the sun is up and it is getting a bit warmer in here. I stepped outside with Ethel about an hour ago and it was windy and very chilly. It is currently 55° at 7:15am.
I will be putting the sides together this morning for Thanksgiving. For some reason, David has ordered a deep fried turkey from a friend of his in San Antonio but the turkey won't be ready until some time in the afternoon. We always make our turkey and we always eat it for lunch until this year. Yes, I am a creature of habit but things will be different this year. The turkey is for a charitable cause but I do not know what one...
Today, we will be driving into San Antonio, to the Stone Oak area, to pick up some deep fried turkey. It is a benefit to build water wells somewhere in Africa.
I put a tree topper on the new tree as well as 300 colored lights. The tree is pre-lit but with white lights and that is so boring. Everybody wants white lights these days. Just turn on a lamp and you've got your white lights. We like color and lots of it. I looked all over the shed for my two angel tree toppers but could not find either one of them. I had to use the star. I finally found a white tree skirt but not any of the other 20 or so that I have.
My pies are baked and all of my sides are prepped. I will put them together and cook them after we get back from picking up the turkey.
I went out into the cold and fed all of the animals. The chicken water containers needed to be cleaned so I had to do that out in the cold but now they have clean, fresh water so I feel good about it. No baby goat yet. Hopefully, it will be born on a warmer day.
We finally left the house at 1:15pm to go get the turkey. It was at the parking lot of the Shriner Auditorium. There were lots of cars and tents where people were busy deep frying turkeys. Every turkey ordered had a definite time slot and ours was ready when we got there. The wind was blowing and it was so cold. David wanted to talk to his friend. I waited in the truck with the turkey. The aroma was tempting. I wanted to rip that foil open and start eating that turkey....
We finally got home close to 4pm and I put the sides together and got them all in the oven. Matt was here working on a project for the church we are now attending because it involves technology. He worked on it for two days and finally finished it this afternoon.
David unwrapped the turkey and carved it. I have to say that it was the most delicious turkey I have ever eaten, so moist and juicy. Oh, it was good!
Many find that indoor farming nurtures a deeper appreciation for plants and the cycles of life. You become more attuned to the specific needs of each plant, watching in awe as they respond to your care.
If you’re tech-savvy, consider incorporating smart technology into your indoor farm. Automated systems that manage lighting, watering, and airflow can turn maintenance into a breeze, allowing you to focus more on what to grow and less on how to grow it.
It might interest you to know that some indoor farmers are even trying their hands at raising small animals like fish in aquaponic systems. These integrated systems maximize resource utility and add a new dimension to indoor agriculture.
Interestingly, growing food indoors also provides increased nutrition security. By producing your own food, you're not only ensuring its freshness but gaining greater control over your nutritional intake.
Having your own indoor farm can also be a stepping stone to broader community involvement. Shared urban farms or community projects can bloom from individuals coming together, offering collective benefits to wider groups.
Moreover, there's an educational aspect to it. Kids can learn where their food comes from, enhancing their connection to nature and biology outside of textbooks. It’s a hands-on experience not often available in city settings.
Let’s face it: for those with busy lives, indoor farming can fit right into your schedule, given the minimal time required for daily upkeep. Once systems are in place, it often requires just a few minutes each day.
On that note, indoor farming lets you try out new and exciting produce varieties unavailable in stores, unlocking a world of culinary experimentation at your fingertips. Interested in rare herbs or exotic veggies? Now, they’re within reach.
Good morning and Happy Black Friday! We have an amazing sale going on right now until midnight, Central Standard Time so go check it out!
It is currently 41° and should warm up to 62° today. I took Ethel out into the arctic tundra and it is so cold. Soon, I will have to go out and feed all of the outdoor animals. I hope I make it back!
Well, it was cold but I made it. All of the animals were fine. I got back in and got ready to go to the Farm Store. I opened it at 9am, even though we were supposed to be closed all weekend. Last night and early this morning, we got a lot of phone calls, emails, and Facebook messages saying that people would be out today. So I agreed to open. Well, we had four come so a bunch never made it.
I spent the day in between visitors pulling a whole lot of orders. I gave the mailman a big bag of orders and I have a lot more pulled.
Interestingly, it stayed chilly all day long.
Matt and David packed up the new seed machine to send back because no one makes the plastic rolls that it needs. He searched everywhere for a few weeks. Why would you make a product that won't work without accessories that are not made anywhere? They took it to UPS to send back to Amazon.
I was on my feet almost all day long and they are killing me. Once 5pm came, I closed up and went out back to collect eggs and take care of the animals, including putting them all away for the evening. I came inside and made ramen noodles for dinner with some of the turkey from yesterday. It was delicious. I also did a bunch of chores around the house and now I am sitting down with my legs up.
I had a whole list of things I wanted to do today that I did not get to accomplish.
It is currently 9pm and 47° Fahrenheit.
If you're worried about the learning curve, take heart. There are plenty of resources available—books, online courses, and local gardening clubs eager to help beginners take the plunge. You won’t be alone in your journey.
Indeed, for city dwellers especially, indoor farming brings nature to what can sometimes feel like an environment devoid of greenery. It's refreshing to have living plants celebrating the life in your concrete surroundings.
It also paints a hopeful future. As urban populations rise, indoor farming provides viable solutions for feeding the burgeoning number of city residents without expending further land resources.
Looking at the broader picture, it contributes to food sovereignty, reducing reliance on global supply chains and vulnerable agricultural systems. Imagine the resilience of cities teeming with local indoor farms!
You might wonder if there’s a downside. As with any project, commitment and care are necessary. And while initial challenges can be daunting, the rewards for those who persevere can be immense.
Remember, indoor farming is flexible. You might begin with simple herbs and find yourself branching into ambitious projects like year-round vegetable production. What you grow might change and evolve as your skills and interests do.
Why is this important? Well, it allows for a tailor-made approach to gardening. Instead of relying on standardized options, you customize what, how, and when you grow your food. A personalized indoor farm reflects personal preferences and tastes.
Adding plants to your indoor environment also brings practical health benefits. Not only do they purify the air, but the act of gardening itself can be meditative and stress-relieving, contributing to better overall well-being.
Good morning! It is Small Business Saturday. Our sale today is 20% off of everything in your cart! Our Black Friday sale did very well. Thank you to everyone who ordered from us! I just finished printing out all of the website orders and there are a lot! They will keep me busy for quite a while!
I answered some emails from customers. I changed the sale banners on the website to reflect Small Business Saturday. Then I emptied the dishwasher and loaded it from last night's dinner dishes. I normally do the dishes at night but my feet and legs hurt too bad last night from standing on them all day long.
Now I need to dress for the cold and go out into the barren tundra to take care of all of the animals and unlock the place.
The animals are fine. I opened the store and started filling more orders. I got the big boxes filled and mailed. When the mailman came, he took all of the boxes and a few smaller orders. After that, we had our first set of customers who just left. It is now 1:25pm. The gate will close soon and then I can go in the house.
There is still no goat baby so I was really wrong on that prediction. All of the animals were put away for the night. I am getting two to eight eggs a day now as the chickens are molting. The chicken house looks like pillows are being torn apart. There are feathers everywhere.
So, indoor farming is not only about food—it’s about a lifestyle. An opportunity to harmonize hobbies, nutrition, and sustainability in one package.
Enthusiastic communities worldwide are already bonding over shared knowledge and resources. These connections can lead to profound societal changes, where quality food and environmental care are no longer distant ideals but daily norms.
Of course, defining success in indoor farming is personal. Maybe it’s the satisfaction of your first edible harvest, or the establishment of a flourishing green space in an urban environment.
For many, the ultimate reward is the realization that we can take a substantive role in crafting our food systems. Indoor farming becomes as much about empowerment as it is about the harvest itself.
Furthermore, it pioneers potential shifts in our food industries, encouraging them towards more sustainable, locally-focused solutions. Each home and company that adopts indoor farming contributes to a more balanced ecological future.
Clearly, indoor farming is not just a trend; it's carving a new path for amateur and professional farmers alike, reshaping how we think about food production systems.
If you're on the brink of embarking on this indoor adventure, keep an open mind and readiness to learn. It's a vibrant field brimming with innovation and community.
And never forget the fun factor! Indoor farming can be playful and creative, allowing you to decorate and adjust your living spaces as nature herself might with colors, textures, and perfumes only plants can provide.
Good morning! Happy Sunday and Happy December! I cannot believe 2024 is almost over. It is a bit warmer this morning than it has been. It is 57° instead of 43° so that ought to make my morning trek to feed everyone better. Hopefully, I will get the tree decorated today in my living room and make the house cozy.
The Black Friday and the Small Business Saturday sales went well. Of course, if the prices would go back down for gas, rent, and groceries, people would have more money to spend and we would have done much better. Today, there is no special sale going on but tomorrow is Cyber Monday so I have a 15% off sale on everything. That starts at 5am CST and goes through midnight.
The animals are all fine and it did feel a bit warmer this morning.
It was hot in my greenhouse. I opened the door and turned on the exhaust fan. Then I watered everything.
In the photo above, the parents have involved their children are in the process of indoor farming as well, demonstrating an early interest in agriculture. The barn is well-equipped with modern farming equipment and the setting conveys a sense of warmth and togetherness.
Beyond personal use, commercial entities are wise to the benefits too. From restaurants growing herbs for their dishes to boutique grocers selling premium locally-grown goods, opportunities abound.
Moreover, with its wide-reaching potential, indoor farming is catching the interest of investors looking to back sustainable, future-proof agricultural solutions.
If you’re a tech enthusiast, watch for smart technologies and AI-driven systems revolutionizing how we think about farm management, making indoor farming increasingly efficient and accessible.
And as you consider diving into this fascinating world, breathe easy knowing you're in good company, joining a community aware of the challenges and ready to share solutions.
There’s a deep satisfaction in nurturing life, witnessing growth, and ultimately enjoying the fruits of your labor, quite literally. That’s the stuff indoor farming is made of.
So, whether you’re a curious newbie or a seasoned green thumb, indoor farming holds a promise of discovery, fulfillment, and a connection to nature you won't want to pass up.
Roll up your sleeves, gather your seeds, and let your home become the living testament to the wonders of growth.
Embrace the soil, feel the sun—well, the LEDs—on your face, and let your journey begin. Indoor farming isn't just an activity; it's a lifestyle, a commitment to better food and a better planet. Happy farming!
Return from Indoor Farming to Our Sixth Year
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