It’s no secret that gardening can be beneficial for you your mental health and well-being – but the lack of space often makes you feel like you can’t take advantage of it “calming” hobby.

However, in many cases you don’t need a balcony or a garden to start growing your own fruit or vegetables. In fact, all you need is a sunny kitchen windowsill.

Although you won’t be able to grow as many varieties of fruit and vegetables as you could in a garden, indoor gardening can be surprisingly profitable – you just have to know where to start.

That’s the idea behind Felicity Hart’s new book My Tiny Kitchen Garden, which is packed with useful tips, tricks and techniques to get you started growing your own windowsill garden.

“Many plants can thrive indoors under the right conditions,” Hart writes in the book.

“In fact, depending on the climate, some plants may do much better than they would outdoors. A sunny spot through the glazing may suit ‘greenhouse’ plants such as chillies. “The key is to know your space. Before choosing a plant, set up a thermometer and see the temperature at different times of the day, including at night, so you know the average conditions in the area you have chosen..

Hart adds: “If you want to be more prepared you can also photograph the room throughout the day to get a good idea of ​​the light levels.” Of course, one of the key things you should know before you start gardening on your windowsill is what exactly you can grow.

Below, you’ll find three of Hart’s most delicious vegetables to grow indoors, along with the growing conditions they’ll need, her top tips, and any recipes you can use your produce in.

  • Chili peppers

Chili peppers need sunlight and need at least six hours of direct sunlight to bloom.

Growing conditions: Sunlight and warmth are essential ingredients for this vegetable. Grows in sunny conditions, either in a sunny outdoor spot or indoors on a bright windowsill

Tips: They can be picked green or red, depending on your taste. Green chilies have a cooler flavor, while more mature red ones are sweeter.

Recipes: What recipe does not benefit from the addition of chili? Mix green chillies with oil, lemon, coriander and salt for a juicy chutney. Include the stems when you collect the chilies and braid them or tie them all together and then hang them for DIY dried chilies.

  • Bean sprouts

All you need to grow bean sprouts is a shady bench or windowsill. It is the perfect project for even the tiniest of kitchen gardens. As a bonus, they grow quickly and make perfect flavorful additions to many meals.

Growing conditions: Beans don’t even need soil to grow. Simply put a few tablespoons of beans in a jar, cover with a breathable cloth and fill with water until the beans are covered. Soak overnight, rinse, refill and repeat for several days.

Tips: Keep them at room temperature and place the jar away from light. Seedlings exposed to light turn green and rot. Both white and green beans are edible – it’s a matter of personal taste.

Recipes: Bean sprouts add a delicious crunch to foods like stir fries and Asian salads. You can also add them to homemade spring rolls.

  • Round, sweet peppers

Another vegetable that can “shine” in the sunniest interior parts of your home are sweet peppers. These bright vegetables add color to the room – and flavor to your dishes.

Growing conditions: Peppers require plenty of sun and plenty of food. That’s why make sure to water them regularly, choosing a soil that retains water.

Tips: Be sure to check it periodically to see when it needs repotting.

Recipes: Peppers are a powerful product. You can enjoy them either raw or cooked. Make the pepper the star of your kitchen by filling them with rice, minced meat or using them as a side dish in other dishes.