Today we’re taking you on a beginner’s guide to growing your own produce from the comfort of an apartment, which is a perfect activity for the entire family right now. From buying the right supplies to knowing what kind of plants will successfully bloom indoors, this post will act as a resource for those interested in growing their own produce and herbs. Below, we’ll walk you through the basics of starting your own veggie garden right from your apartment.

Where Do I Grow My Garden?

First things first, where do you grow a vegetable garden if you don’t have a backyard? You have a few options here.

–Your Balcony. Many Glenwood buildings come equipped with your own personal outdoor space, such as the Upper East Side’s The Fairmont. If you have a balcony, this is a great option to host your garden.

However, even if you have no outdoor space, Glenwood buildings are known for their light drenched apartments. Just take a look at this sun-filled Glenwood apartment! With plenty of sunlight, you can hunker down near any window in your home and create a mini-garden. A few places you can take advantage of with the sunlight are:

–Your Walls. Think vertically! The great thing about a vertical vegetable garden is that they don’t take up much space, and are like an art installation to look at!

— Your Windowsills. Whether in the kitchen or living room, take advantage of growing shallow rooted herbs and vegetables in containers that sit on your windowsill.

All three of these ideas are ideal for rental apartments, because they don’t require any permanent installations.

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What Supplies Do I Need To Get Started?

To get started with an indoor garden, let’s get you rounded up with the essentials. To create a container garden (ideal for balconies, vertical gardens, or windowsill gardens), you will need the following:

• Potting Soil
• Compost or Fertilizer
• Plants or Seeds
• Pots
• Watering Can
• Soil Thermometer
• Neem Oil
• Hand Tools

You can visit  your local home goods store, such as Midtown East’s or the Westside’s Home Depot (or order from the store’s website), where they can set you up with all of the basics in just minutes. Or, you can even do a quick online search on sites like Amazon for a starter kit to be mailed directly to your house–this is an easy way to jump right in, get your feet wet, and gain confidence as your green thumb grows!

What Should I Grow?

Deciding what to grow is a personal decision, based on several factors. First, you need to ask yourself what you use and enjoy eating the most. Even if you have a prime growing spot for a tomato plant but you hate tomatoes, it’s not going to do you much good now, is it? Choose to plant something that you will actually incorporate into your meals.

Another question to consider is what season you are planning to grow in? Certain vegetables and herbs will only grow in certain temperatures (this is important if you are putting your veggie garden on a balcony). However, there are some vegetables that can grow year round, even in the winter months indoors. They are: carrots, beets, onions, garlic, herbs, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes. Consider starting your garden with one or a few of these.

Finally, consider what makes the most financial sense. Obviously, an indoor garden won’t give you the same bounty as a full scale backyard garden, so take this into consideration. Maybe it makes more sense to purchase your produce from the Farmer’s Market and to grow all your herbs, since you typically only need a sprig or two per dish.

Other Options

If you are a bit worried that you don’t have a green thumb – there are very simple options that just require you to add water and a few “food” drops occasionally. Check out AeroGardens- all you have to do is order the indoor garden that provides its own light system and select your seed pods. If you want to grow tomatoes, lettuce or peppers, they have them all!

Do you have any tried-and-true tips for starting a veggie garden in your apartment? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

The post How To Grow Veggies In Your Apartment appeared first on NYC Luxury Apartments for Rent | Glenwood Management.

Just in time for over-indulgence season, Communal, the "healthy-conscious community eatery" that opened last spring on West 72nd Street, is really hitting its stride. Featuring a full juice bar, an all-day menu of appealing breakfast and lunch dishes, and a low-light dinner vibe (with organic wines and beers) that runs deep into the night, this warm and convivial spot makes for a solid antidote to all of the cocktails, cookie platters, and groaning tables of holiday feasts that we'll be "forced" to devour in the coming weeks; Communal Oven and Earth right now appears to be paying attention its motto, "Made With Love In NYC". 

Communal Oven and Earth: A Health-Conscience Cafe 

Communal isn't vegetarian, or vegan, though there are plenty of options here if you are. What seems to guide the menu(s) is a commitment to fresh, quality ingredients, prepared simply and with care, all at reasonable prices. I went to Communal on one of those bitingly cold nights last week, and thoroughly enjoyed most everything about the casual atmosphere, friendly servers, and, most important, my dinner.

Made With Love In NYC, right here in the Upper West Side

The nighttime menu here has a section of "nibbles", a few entrees, a bunch of sandwiches and salads, and a number of flatbread pizzas. Communal almost dares you get what they straight-up call the Best Veggie Burger In Town, but I must admit it is pretty good, a chick-pea concoction that's nice and crunchy on the outside, topped with a mustardy spread, salty melted mozzarella, and served with an arugula-apple salad and pickles, which you can and should pile on at your leisure. Maybe it's not the BEST best (Cafe Blossom's mock Bacon Cheeseburger satisfies more completely, and Rippers in Rockaway has a memorable version as well), but it's good enough to leave you admiring their chutzpah rather than scoffing at their hubris.

Eat Right, Feel Right

Even better was my Greens and Roots Flatbread Pizza, and, really, it feels like this might be the go-to section of Communal menu. The crust was crisp and crackery and generously loaded with a nice balance of sweet potato, bitter greens, some kale, and chewy cheese. My guess is that any of Communal's flatbreads would be a good bet–there's one with pepperoni which I'll try next time–and because kitchen cuts the thing into handy, two-bite pieces, they make for a good shareable starter or snack with a glass of wine. Now, if only Communal wouldn't play such terrible music–the worst of any restaurant this year, jazzy easy listening covers of bad easy listening tunes, turned up way too loud, by which I mean "audible"–so you'd want to actually hang out at the bar…               
           

For Menu and More Information on Communal Oven & Earth

Communal is located on 72nd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue, and is open daily, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, juice and drinks, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Check out their website for more information and a look at all of the menu options at Communal Oven & Earth. Don't forget to follow them on Twitter and Facebook. 

The post The Upper West Side gets a healthy new eating option, Communal Oven and Earth appeared first on NYC Luxury Apartments for Rent | Glenwood Management.