My Basement Garden

I think I mentioned in the past that one of my post-retirement hobbies is working on my basement garden. Why a basement garden? Because I live in planting zone 5b, and I want to grow herbs, fruits (yes, tomatoes are technically fruits), and some vegetables year-round.

Today, I’d like to give you a quick tour of my “work in progress” project. A while back, my wife bought me a book titled The Power of Plants: Plant Care is Self-Care, and after attending a class at my local community college, I bought The Bountiful Container by Rose Marie Nichols McGee and Maggie Stuckey. These books have been very helpful, and I’ve learned a lot from them. I’ll tell you, working on this project has been very relaxing and has helped me a lot. As The Power of Plants says,

“Caring for plants can soothe stress and be a calming mindfulness practice.” P. 6

Without further ado, Here is my “work in progress” basement garden.

I have a grow light and a fan to simulate the outdoors. Both are connected to a timer set for 12 hours.

As of right now, I have two Puerto Rican avocado trees, tomatoes (red cherry—4th from the left and beefsteak—3rd from the left / hidden and the one to the right with about 7 tomatoes), basil, cilantro, red peppers, green peppers, sweet peppers (Ají dulce), seasoning peppers, and culantro (recao, as we call it in Puerto Rico).

The avocado trees are a long-term project, and I’m hoping to get them going. After some experimenting, I think I’ve found the right watering frequency, and they are starting to bud after losing all their leaves. It will probably take 5-6 years for them to mature once they’re back on track. I’m not sure if I’ll get any avocados, but I’m going to try.

In Puerto Rico, the base for our cuisine is Sofrito, which we use for seasoning. It consists of culantro (recao), sweet and seasoning peppers, oregano, onions, garlic, and cilantro. Since culantro and the type of sweet and seasoning peppers we use can’t be found in Illinois, I’m growing my own.

Below is a picture of Sofrito:

https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/276910/puerto-rican-sofrito/
Tomatoes

Basil

Red and Green Peppers

Cilantro

Sweet Pepper (Ají dulce)

Seasoning Peppers

Culantro (Recao)

Recao looks very happy, and I’m happy too because it took a lot of work to get this baby going.

Well, that’s it for now. I need to get a second grow light and “professionalize” this space to add more plants.

I hope you enjoyed my tour, and I’ll provide updates in the future. I’m not an expert, but if you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them.

Thank you!

63 thoughts on “My Basement Garden”

  2. Fantastic! My father had a basement garden when I was growing up, though not as prolific as your garden. His was devoted mostly to florals, and it brought him great joy. Reading your post, I can still hear the hum of Dad’s grow light. Thank you! 💚

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    1. I agree with you, Dawn, and I’m just experimenting with the indoor garden to eliminate some of those issues. So far, we’ve had some of the tomatoes and a lot of the cilantro. I’m really looking forward to the peppers.

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  5. Wow. Healthy relaxing hobby. Splendid. Intentional. Just wonderful. 🤗
    I have 3 small avocado plants grown from seeds. It’s such a pleasure to watch them take root
    Bless you thanks for sharing your joy

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  11. Wow, it’s looking awesome. I tried the lights and then forgot about them and the water. That reminds me I have to water my “can’t kill plant “ tomorrow. I haven’t as much as looked at it… thanks! 🥹💓

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    1. Thank you, Cindy. There is some work involved in maintaining a small garden like this one, but nothing too crazy. A good timer for the lights will do the trick. I have a small irrigation system that I need to set up for when we are traveling, but besides that, everything else is relatively easy. I really enjoy spending time with the plants. Great quiet time.

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  13. Wonderful project, Edward! Nothing like nature, in whatever form, to sooth and nurture us holistically—body, mind, and spirit! Besides the specific physico-chemical requirements, like photoperiod, light intensity, proper watering, and temperature, don’t forget to give them love and to talk to them. They always respond back, often in amazing ways—new leaves, beautiful flowers, and sweet fruits. Keep enjoying your project and let us know how it’s going. Look forward to more! Sending you lots of light and blessings and an extra flash of love to your plants*

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    1. Yes, it’s fun. I want to keep it small enough so I can manage it. I’m going to expand a little, but nothing too crazy. I’m thinking green onions and peas as my next addition since I like those a lot.

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    1. Thank you. I’m definitely loving this hobby. A lot of people told me I’d get bored after retirement and that I would end up returning to work, but so far I’ve kept busy with all the things I want to do. I’m going to teach myself how to play the keyboard piano. That’s going to be interesting.

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  20. This is fantastic! All of your plants look very happy! I never thought about getting a grow light! I have moved all my herbs upstairs by windows for natural light this winter.
    I am impressed that your giving the avocado trees a go! I grew some from seeds when we owned a house in Florida, but no idea if they ever fruited. I did have two to pollinate each other.

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    1. Thank you, Sheila. The grow light has been a success so far. I’m going to try, and the recommendation was to have at least two, like you said, so they can pollinate. It’s going to take a loooong while, so 🤞🏼.

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  23. You got a good hand there for the Plants brother. I wish I had that skill and knowledge or caring for plants. I finally got 2 this year and Thank God, there are not there yet but they aren’t as pretty as what you have here.

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    1. Thanks, Willie. Well, I’m doing my best. The avocado trees were doing well, but I overwatered them, and they almost died. These are from the avocados that my mother-in-law brought the last time she visited.

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  24. Oh my gosh, Edward, what a terrific tour. I had forgotten that my husband had a basement garden years and years ago using hydroponic lights. I wonder if I should remind him! It looks like you’re having great success. Bravo!

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