Is there any reason why I can't do this? (Indoor hydroponic growing in bedroom)

[gardening_gal]

In my head this is a bit of a done deal so I'm really hoping none of you come up with a serious reason not to.

I want to grow indoors hydroponically, on a small scale. I'm getting really fed up with our weather, we live in a rain 'pocket' (literally the villages either side will be dry and we will have rain) and my growing this year has been a bit of a washout so I thought I could start something indoors just to still feel as though I'm able to grow things.

I live in a small house with little space so I need to utilise every scrap of space there is.

I was in Ikea yesterday and bought some of these...



They were only a few quid each so I thought they would make a good easy starter base, just for lettuce and herbs etc. I already have grow lights and tall wooden shelf units that are not too deep and as my bedroom is the only place that has a spare wall, I thought I could set something up in there. Granted, space would still be tight and I could roll over in bed and help myself to a lettuce leaf should the urge occur but it's manageable.

There would be maybe around a dozen trays growing at any one time.

I sleep with the window open pretty much all year round so I think there would be enough fresh air.

I've read a few things on the internet about having live plants in a bedroom but it would seem there are as many articles advising not to as there are saying it's ok.

So I'd appreciate your thoughts on this please?

[veggiechicken]

I grow seedlings and tomatoes on my bedroom windowsill. Don't think I can blame my nuttiness on them!
Go for it

[Bren In Pots]

I grow micro-veg during winter on the windowsills using up my spare seeds then sprout lentils in jars both are handy for salads so if I was you I'd give indoor growing a go.

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Saw something the other day about growing veg etc in towers using hydroponics and looked a good option if you need to maximise your space either on a manufacturing basis or at home. Just make sure it's leak-proof!

[gardening_gal]

Thanks folks.

I'm quite into the indoors / hydroponics bit, it's the 'in the bedroom' bit that I was more concerned about, for health reasons more than anything else.

I expect it will be fine though. VC seems fairly (?) unaffected by things growing in her bedroom.

[JaniceH]

It also depends on what scale you are thinking? Police helicopters regularly fly over our county with heat seeking cameras looking for err....hydroponic mini farms of a certain herb :-0

[Martin H]

The biggest problem of growing indoors is usually how to give the plants enough light.
LED growlights have eased the situation (and also foil the heat seeking helicopters), but they are expensive to install. If you grow a high value crop, such as a certain herb, the economics can make sense though.

[gardening_gal]

Maybe I should rethink the lettuce idea and consider growing *something* to cheer up all the oldies round here.

Can you imagine it? A conga line of chanting pensioners high fiving each other, heading to church on Sunday.

Sorry, I live in an area with a high OAP population and I get bored sometimes.

[rary]

With your comments about the high rain fall and the fact that you are surrounded by OAPs I am beginning to think you must be a neighbour, are you sure you don't stay in Ayrshire and not Perthshire

[rary]

Martin just read your post, what herb are you talking about. Well I will have to move I need to cut my grass

[Sheneval]

VC seems fairly (?) unaffected by things growing in her bedroom.

We have as yet been unable to discover exactly what it is that makes VC tick - I have a friend who you would think is one of these phsycowhateveryoucallems and he admits he has never come across anyone quite like her before and she has both got him and I totally confused although he does not think Schizophrenia or Paranoia are involved.

Disclaimer:
My friend advises that as an obstetrician and gynaecologist he has absolutely no qualifications in the mental field whatsoever and having never met VC he is unable and unwilling to express any opinion on this subject - furthermore he considers my opinion on VC's state of mind is meaningless and completely unjustified - nevertheless I am always willing to express my view's on the subject and tell tales about his.