Can I use natural light to grow my indoor edible garden? Natural light is certainly best for growing edibles of all sorts. Plants grown out¬side in full sun receive upward of twelve hours of light; that translates to 10,000 foot-candles of light, providing the conditions for optimal growth. The problem with relying on natural light when growing indoors is that the double-paned windows commonly installed in our homes prevent a lot of the light energy (photons or particles of light) from reaching plants inside. The light is diffused as it passes through these panes, and as much as 50 percent of it is reflected off the windows. The light that does penetrate drops off rapidly in terms of its intensity and energy. While west- and south-facing windows may receive up to 1,000 foot-candles of light at various points of the day, that will drop off rapidly the further a plant is from the window. Additionally, the high light such windows provide is also the warmest and may be too hot, potentially burning the plant''s leaves. During winter, chilling damage is also a possibility if plants are left too close to the window panes.

Other considerations come into play as the sun''s position changes throughout the seasons. What might be fairly bright, direct light in one season may be oblique during other months due to the sun''s angle. The duration of light also increases and decreases with the seasons. This is especially true during the winter when the sun is low in the sky in northerly latitudes and the days are short. Given that plants that receive too little energy from light cannot photosynthesize enough for good health and generally become leggy and weak, using natural light exclusively is not the best idea when growing edible plants indoors. Mature plants are best able to handle these light conditions, so long as you are sensitive to the possibility of sunburn or chilling damage. I have a bay leaf plant that has sat in my southwest-facing window for years and does very well. But other herb plants, not so much.

Greens fare even worse. Young seedlings always become spindly. But that same window is also acceptable for short-lived sprouts and microgreens, especially if I provide auxiliary light from grow lights. It all comes down to knowing your home and growing conditions and, through experimentation, discovering which plants thrive the best in the natural light your home provides.--JM Do I need to worry about the humidity levels in my home to successfully grow edible plants indoors? Worry, no. Temper, perhaps. Some of your indoor edible plants (and fungi!) need a lot of humidity, and your home is likely much drier than required, especially in the wintertime. Of course, we may not want to increase the humidity throughout our homes as that can lead to problems such as mould growth and related health issues, but we can create little humid microclimates for specific plants that need it.

Use saucers containing water and pebbles beneath individual plants to ramp up the humidity. Simply placing a bowl of water near your plants will work--humidity in the area will increase as the water evaporates. For some plants, periodic misting with a spray bottle or even a quick splash under your bathroom shower every few weeks may be helpful. Why does humidity matter so much, anyway? Higher humidity encourages plant stomata to stay open to facilitate photosynthesis. Water movement within plant tissues is more efficient when plants receive the required humidity, which can promote plant growth. The key is to ensure your plants receive the correct humidity, according to their needs. If you wish to measure the air humidity, a hygrometer is a valuable tool. You can also download apps that allow your phone to perform a similar function.

--SN Peppers indoors: How can I set them up to be thriving and fruitful? Peppers--both bell and chili--are great candidates for growing indoors, but there are a few things to consider before you get started. First, think about the size of some pepper plants. Some are diminutive, while others are huge. (Have you ever tried to grow a ghost pepper and have it practically consume your kitchen with its mass?) Check your seed packages and do some research before you decide on which cultivars to plant. Then, get containers that match that size and have them at the ready for when the plants reach maturity. The size of the fruit itself is another factor. Bell peppers can bear large, heavy fruit that the plants may not be able to support on their own. Staking may be required.

Peppers grow readily from seed, although some cultivars germinate and mature more slowly than others. You can also grow peppers from transplants or cuttings. Unless you have stellar natural light, you''ll want to use a grow light, as peppers need a lot of light to flower and fruit. Set your grow light timer to a minimum of eight hours. While peppers don''t absolutely need hothouse conditions to thrive, a warm location of at least 64°F (18°C) or more is desirable. You''ll also want to bump up the humidity a little if your house is dry, but be careful not to go overboard, as pepper plants can be susceptible to mould. Keep on top of watering--and by that, I mean give mature plants a deep drink at least once a week--and fertilize every two to four weeks with liquid fish fertilizer. If you''re diligent, your pepper plants will flower.

Hand-pollinate them using a cotton swab or an artist''s paintbrush, then wait for the fruit to appear. As your pepper plants grow, they can be pruned to maintain better air circulation. Depending on the plant and the necessity, the growing tips may be trimmed to promote branch density. Transplant your pepper plants into larger containers when needed. With proper care, you''ll get repeat fruiting.--SN --Excerpted from The Indoor Garden.