In my part of Germany, it has been quite cold recently. I don’t spend much time working on the balcony these days, but I do enjoy a cup of coffee or quickly step out to grab some parsley or leafy greens.
Even in the cold, my yuzu tree is thriving—unlike the lemon and kumquat, which are staying cozy indoors. Speaking of hardy plants, I still have the last of the strawberries outside. I’m curious to see if they’ll manage to turn red.
While enjoying coffee on the balcony and gazing at the roof, I noticed there’s some metalwork that could support something hanging. Next year, instead of setting up stakes for tomatoes, I might try supporting them with strings from above. Then, it hit me—what if I use plastic sheets to create a curtain-like greenhouse? I’ll think more about this idea over the winter.
Indoors, my lemon tree has started growing new buds. According to citrus farmer's YouTube videos, I should pinch off these winter buds to promote spring growth. So, even though I feel a little bad about it, I’m following this advice. Hopefully, I’ll get some lemons next year.
Another indoor success is my oyster plant. I was relieved to see it was still alive, as I had left it outside for too long, and most of its leaves dried up. This plant is fascinating because its leaves taste really like raw oysters! As a vegetarian who loves oysters, I couldn’t resist growing it from seed.
As for the Hive fig tree I brought back from Croatia (where Hive Fest was held this year), it’s growing, but I’m not seeing the distinctive cuts in the leaves that figs usually have. I’ve decided to grow a second pot for comparison.
In the kitchen, microgreens and sprouts are steadily growing. After experimenting at home and holding a workshop this year, I’ve gained a better understanding of what works for me. It’s interesting how the same kit can yield different results—what molds at my house might grow perfectly at a friend’s place.
In winter, microgreens take about two weeks to grow. I’ve found that terra-cotta saucers work great, and this amount matches my consumption perfectly.
Here’s how I grow them: I’ve just sown some arugula seeds. I fold a kitchen paper to fit the terra-cotta saucer, wet it, and sprinkle the seeds on top. Then, I cover it with a 12 cm lid to prevent drying. I place it where I can see it often, watering as needed. In about 10 days, the greens are tall enough to remove the lid and let them grow freely.
Some people asked me how to use microgreens and sprouts. We can add them as toppings to many dishes from Western to Asian! They brighten up dishes, add nutrition, and are just so versatile.
So, that’s how my micro balcony and indoor plants are doing this season. Everyone seems to be growing at their own relaxed pace, which is a nice reminder for me to live the same way.
Have a nice Sunday and happy gardening!
ドイツの私が住んでいる地域ではかなり寒い日が続いています。バルコニーで作業することはほとんどなく、もこもこ着込んでコーヒーを楽しんだり、ぱっと出てパセリや葉物をとって来るくらいです。
寒い外でも柚子は元気で、同じ柑橘類でも家の中でぬくぬくしているレモンや金柑とは大違いです。外で元気といえば最後のいちごもまだまだ残っていてこのまま赤くなるのか様子を見ようかと思っています。
バルコニーでコーヒーを飲みながら、屋根を眺めていると、金属の部分があるので、ゴーヤのネットを吊ったように何かを釣ることができそうです。来年はトマトの支柱は立てずに上から紐を垂らして支える方法を試してみようかなと思ったところで、カーテンのようにビニールを吊ったら温室ができるかも！？とも思いました。冬の間にアイディアを練ってみようと思います。
暖かい家の中に置いてあるレモンは新芽をつけ始めているのですが、柑橘農家のYouTube動画によると冬芽はとって春芽を育てるべしとのことで、今年はこのアドバイスに従ってみようと思います。ごめんね・・・と思いつつとっています。来年はレモンを実らせたいです。
室内に取り組んだ植物といえば、オイスタープランツが生きていたのを確認してほっとしました。意外と大丈夫かもと長々外に出していたらほとんどの葉が枯れてしまったんですよね。オイスタープランツはおもしろい植物で、葉っぱが牡蠣の味なのです。牡蠣好きのベジタリアンとしては育てずにはいられず、種から育て始めたのでした。
今年Hive Festが開催されたクロアチアから持ち帰ったHiveイチヂクはというと・・・本葉にイチヂクらしい切れ込みが出ず、また疑念が 😅 比較するためにもう一鉢ポットを作って隣で育てることにしました。
台所では、マイクログリーンとスプラウトが育っています。今年はワークショップを開催したこともあって、うちでうまくいくテクニックが見えてきた気ました。同じキットを使ってもうちではカビてしまうものの、知人宅ではうまく育つ・・・などがあるんですよね。
気温が低い冬は栽培期間が2週間ほどになるマイクログリーンは、テラコッタの鉢受皿でよく育ち、この分量が私の消費スピードと合っています。
ちょうどルッコラの種をまいたので、育て始めもどうぞ。テラコッタの鉢受皿に折りたたんだキッチンタオルを敷いて濡らして種をまいて、ちょうどいい大きさの12cm鍋蓋をかぶせて乾燥を防ぎます。これをキッチンの目につくところに置いて、乾燥しているようだったら水をやります。10日ほどである程度の背丈になるので蓋をとって育てます。
マイクログリーンやスプラウトの使い方に困るという声も聞きますが、どんどんトッピングしていきましょう。色も生えるし、少量で栄養もプラスされるし、いいことづくめです。
そんなこんなのマイクロバルコニーと家の中の植物の様子でした。みんなゆっくりゆったりマイペースに生きているのがいいですね。私もそんなふうになりたいな。
それではみなさん良い日曜日を。Happy Gardening!
Thank you for explaining how to grow the micro greens - I had been wondering 🤔.
You eat the whole plant?
Interestingly the way you success growing them can be completely different. A plastic container sold in organic stores didn't work for me while it works well at my friends place. Good to experiment 💪 😊
I only eat some stems and leaves. The roots go compost when I have space in the compost bin. Or you shall leave some leaves to regrow for green pea micro greens 🌱 As its one of my favorite, I’ll write about it in a post 😊
👍
🤞 😉
I was thinking sugru might be good for fixing things to the metal on the roof of your balcony.
This is interesting! It seems it's available at a DYI store I'll visit next week 😁
The oyster plant sounds interesting, I love oysters. If I can get a constant supply at home, I'll be so happy
It perennial but not cold tolerant. It seems it’s doing Ok indoor 😊 I look forward it grows more leaves next year so that I can enjoy the taste of oyster even not in the oyster seasons 😉
Yeah certainly take use of the vertical garden space and hang something from that area. that would be good.
i love my micro greens but we do a bigger set up on our bench in big garden trays.
i would love to try that food you were cooking:-) looks interesting
regards
sarah
Wow, you are really making the most of the space available and it makes the balcony look so alive!
The only success I've had in the garden this year has been with chillies and sunflowers seeds grown as microgreens which we use all the time with many different meals.
Thank you for a really inspiring post and perfect example of how much can be achieved in such a small space.
Best wishes :-)
It's already a big success. I like the nutty taste of sunflower microgreens. After I read your comment, I sowed some seeds 🌻😊 Chili is something I failed this year. I wonder it was the matter of soil I newly bought. That's gardening. Luckily I have some chili plants to overwinter even they are quite small.
Happy gardening!
The beginning seems going pretty well. Producing micro greens is one of the best things to start with.
Good thing about micro greens is we can see the result quite quickly within 10-14 days. And the result is edible. Why not giving a try especially in the indoor season :)
Absolutely! I hate how much it costs but love how we can easily grow them at home. :)
In Germany they are actually not so much expensive or I must say food in general is affordable. Even though it's nice to grow something in ones kitchen and proud on the result 😉
Great to hear that. Here they cost a lot.
Enjoy :)