Let´s Grow!

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine (Click Here to see it) we are spending more than 85% of our day indoors. We know that being in contact with nature has positive effects on our body and our mind, but we are losing the opportunity to have contact with nature because of our daily routines. There is a way however that we can take advantage of the effects plants have on our bodies and mind if we keep houseplants. The study showed that our body´s reactions to seeing the plant, and even a few minutes of gardening lowered stress levels in a significant matter. This means that by keeping a house plant close to our workspace we can reap the rewards of seeing and feeling nature even if we maintain a routine in which the outdoors are left for a long weekend.

In order to improve the benefits that plant ownership/care brings we must take care of them personally, watering, and weeding/grooming. These small and routine activities give us a boost of mental well-being, and the process of seeing your plant grow and yield fruits is a reward in itself. Imagine cooking dinner and using fresh herbs, or eating a freshly picked fruit that you´ve helped develop. There is a sense of ownership and care that will make the dish or the fruit taste way better than something you bought or were gifted.

There are 4 plants that are easy to grow, and fast growers so you can start your own house garden to keep you company while you work.

1. Basil: This plant is a great houseplant, it needs a lot of sunlight and a constant temperature, make sure this plant is close to a window that doesn´t open as a cold draft might ruin your progress. Basil takes 5-14 days to germinate and a month or so in order for you to be able to cut it to make a delicious pesto. Imagine the smell your kitchen can have with a Basil plant growing there. Plus it can be very useful for Italian recipes that are simple and delicious.

2. Radish: This plant yields one radish per seed, so in order to have a complete salad a few have to be grown. It needs constant sunlight and moist soil to grow quickly, in just 5-7 days you will be able to see germinating seeds in about 4 weeks you can start picking them. They should be about one inch in diameter for them to be spicy but not unedible. If they are collected when they are too big, they will be tart and too spicy which makes them unedible. They are great in a fresh salad or eaten whole with salt or butter (like the French do)

3. Beans: In primary school, we all tried growing beans in cotton (at least in Colombia this s a thing) the ones who succeeded had a lot of help from their parents because a 9-year-old is not very constant with care. Beans will germinate in 8-10 days and are leafy plants that can help decorate interiors. They will grow quickly and you will be able to harvest the first crop after 45-60 days depending on the soil, the sunlight, and other care factors. They are great in soups, alone or to complement salads.

4. Oregano: Another Italian cuisine essential. This plant will germinate in 7-14 days and will be ready to harvest after about 80 days. When the plant reaches 6 inches tho, you can start clipping what you need without harming the plant. It will need a lot of sun and soil that drains quickly, it doesn´t need as much water as other plants on the list, but it will release a delicious aroma when it starts growing.

you can go to: https://growagoodlife.com/growing-herbs-from-seed/ for more tips and herbs to grow in your house.

For our Growth challenge:

1. Email juan.herrera@cargobot.io before May 1st, 2023

2. Choose the plant or plants you want to grow and find seeds

3. Plant them during the first week of May, and take pictures. (you want good pictures)

4. Share your progress with the team

5. Vote every 2 weeks for the garden you believe looks better!

Rules:

1. Everything has to be as DYO as possible, you can get pots but creativity and resourcefulness can be a great way to earn votes.

2. You have to start your plants from seeds (visual evidence will be evaluated)

3. Even if you have a magnificent garden for the challenge´s purpose only houseplants will be taken into consideration as it will be unfair to people who can´t use a garden.

4. Have fun and enjoy the process.