The Experimental Indoor Garden

 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” *

 

Without a heated greenhouse, there is no year-round gardening here in Michigan—something Al and I really miss. That is why we decided to get an early start on next summer’s garden by starting some vegetables from seed in our sunroom. Well, it was mostly my idea. I thought we could start the seeds indoors and then transplant them outside later.

Most of the houses in our neighborhood have a sunroom at the back, usually a screened in porch or a lightly insulated room with windows on three sides. Previous owners remodeled our sunroom, putting in carpeting, better windows and insulation. However, it still tends to be cooler than the rest of the house by about ten degrees. It’s a perfect place to grow house plants and also for our two dogs to hang out.

Last summer’s success with outdoor raised garden beds prompted me to want to get an early start this year. About a month ago, we took a quick trip to a local nursery for brussels sprouts seeds. We also bought pansy and bush bean seeds along with a small “greenhouse” consisting of a covered tray containing individual pods made of coconut husks.

The pods were perfect for the tiny pansy and brussels sprouts seeds, but too small for the bigger bean seeds. So, the first two packets were divided among fifty pods. What to do with the bean seeds? They were finally planted in a cardboard egg carton, with one seed per section. It seemed to be a good temporary ‘home’ since directions on the package said to plant them one inch deep.

The two cartons and the greenhouse tray filled one entire shelf of a plant stand in front of the east facing window. When the sun came out, there was plenty of light; however true to November and December in Michigan there were many days when it was raining or cloudy outside. A small purple light aimed at the pansies and brussels sprouts seemed to help.

Even though all of the seeds were planted at the same time, the bush beans got off to a fast start. Within a week, they had outgrown the egg carton container, necessitating another trip back to the nursery. This time we found some biodegradable pots made of cow manure.

The manure pots weren’t such a great idea. Not only did they smell like manure once they became damp, they also attracted the attention of TJ the lab who was caught in the act of eating some of the pots, with dirt and the plants strewn on the floor of the sunroom! After that, everything got moved up to a higher shelf. Indoor gardening has its problems!

Another problem was summed up by Al’s comment: “your timing was a little off!” It looks like the beans are going to be harvested indoors, that is if they produce at all. I should have read the description on the seed package which said that they would reach maturity in two months!

The other veggies aren’t doing as well and may not make it at all. He thinks we might have to start the whole process over again in April. Oh well, it was a good experiment anyway.

Watching the different stages of the beans has been interesting: first with their seeds swelling; and then strong stalks emerging. Two cotyledons, looking like the original seed were attached to each stalk. Eventually they opened to reveal a couple of small leaves. After the cotyledons dropped off, more leaves began to grow. At the end of its life cycle, after having hopefully produced some tasty Italian Romano beans, the plant will dry up and be pulled out.

Sort of like our earthly bodies, bodies that are aging and slowing breaking down, one day to be exchanged for new ones—heavenly bodies that are immortal and eternal. Just think…no more death, sickness, mourning or aches and pains! But even better than that, we can look forward to an eternity in heaven with God—Father, Son and Spirit. Praise God for the hope we have through Jesus!

*Revelation 21:3-4 NIV