Well, let me tell ya, winter in Virginia can be a real pain for plants. Everything gets all sad and droopy lookin’. But don’t you worry none, ’cause I figured out some good plants that do just fine under them grow lights, y’know, the ones that shine like the sun but ain’t. We ain’t got all day, so let’s get to it.
Best Plants for Grow Lights in Winter
First off, them herbs, yeah, like parsley, chives, and rosemary. Them things grow like weeds, even when it’s cold as a witch’s tit outside. You can snip ’em and put ’em in your food all winter long. Makes a body feel good to eat somethin’ fresh when everything else is all brown and dead.
And then there’s them leafy greens, like lettuce, spinach, and kale. Them grow lights make ’em think it’s spring or somethin’. You can have a salad any ol’ time, not just when the garden’s doin’ its thing. Watercress and that sorrel stuff, they like it too. Even them little microgreens, they sprout up real quick.
Now, some folks like them succulents. Them funny lookin’ plants that hold water like a camel’s hump. They do okay under the lights, but you gotta be careful not to water ’em too much. They rot faster than a bad tooth if you do.
- Parsley – Easy to grow, good for soups and stuff.
- Chives – Tastes like onions, but not so strong.
- Rosemary – Smells good, tastes good on chicken.
- Lettuce – Makes a good salad, crunchy and fresh.
- Spinach – Full of vitamins, makes you strong like Popeye.
- Kale – A little bitter, but good for ya.
- Watercress – Peppery taste, grows in water real easy.
- Sorrel – Sour taste, good in salads.
- Microgreens – Little baby plants, packed with flavor.
- Succulents – Don’t need much water, look kinda fancy.
Them grow lights, they ain’t nothin’ fancy, just lights that help plants grow when the sun ain’t around much. You can get them fluorescent ones, they hang from chains and don’t get too hot. They work just fine for gettin’ seeds started and keepin’ plants alive all winter.
Why Grow Plants Indoors in Winter?
Now, you might be askin’ yourself, why bother with all this? Well, I’ll tell ya. First off, it’s nice to have some green around when everything outside is all gray and blah. Greenery makes a body feel better, less grumpy, y’know? Studies, them fancy folks that do research, they say it’s true.
And then there’s the food. Nothin’ beats eatin’ somethin’ you growed yourself, even if it’s just a little bit of parsley or a few lettuce leaves. It tastes better, and it saves you a trip to the store. And if you’re one of them folks tryin’ to grow a lot of your own food, well, them grow lights are a godsend in the winter.
Plus, it gives you somethin’ to do when you’re stuck inside. Gardening ain’t just for summer, you know. You can fuss over your plants, water ’em, and watch ’em grow. It’s a good way to pass the time, and it keeps your hands busy.
Winter Container Plants
Now, if you’re talkin’ about plants in containers, well, that’s a whole ‘nother story. You can pretty much grow anything in a container if you got the right light and the right dirt. But for winter, you want stuff that can handle the cold, like them short perennials that bloom all summer. Phlox, they call it, pretty little flowers that come in all sorts of colors. But you gotta bring ’em inside before it gets too cold, or they’ll freeze solid.
And if you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, well, then you can grow just about anything your heart desires. They got all sorts of fancy plants you can grow in a greenhouse, but that’s a story for another day.
Getting Started with Grow Lights
So, if you’re thinkin’ about gettin’ some grow lights, don’t be scared. It ain’t rocket science. Just get yourself some lights, some pots, some dirt, and some seeds or plants. And don’t forget to water ’em! Plants need water to grow, just like people do. With a little bit of effort and not much fussin’, you can have a nice little indoor garden all winter long. It’ll make you feel good, and it’ll give you somethin’ fresh to eat. And that’s all there is to it, plain and simple.
