Indoor or container gardening is a great alternative to traditional growing practices for those living in a cooler climate. Moreover, individuals who lack space outside can also find great success growing fruits, vegetables and herbs indoors using containers. Keeping plants watered while they grow is the most difficult aspect of a successful indoor garden.

When growing outdoors, the soil holds water naturally and the dew adds to the plant’s water intake. However, indoors, all water is given by the gardener, and knowing when to feed your plants can become confusing.

In addition to understanding when to water plants, giving them the proper balance of light and carbon dioxide is crucial as well. Some plants prefer full sun while others can only handle limited amounts of sun. In addition, indoors, plants are not exposed to large amounts of carbon dioxide. Therefore, individuals must open windows and let in the outside air on occasion to keep their plants healthy.

The following are eight of the best vegetables, herbs and fruits for your indoor garden.

Basil

Gardeners can grow basil annually or as a short-lived perennial. Genovese basil has great flavor and comes complete with a classic aroma. Spicy Globe basil is perfect for smaller spaces as it only grows from 8 to 10 inches tall.

Chives

A chive is a grass like perennial herb with a slight onion flavor. Grolau chives are perfect for windowsill growing and are prolific producers. Garlic chives contain a mild garlic taste making them perfect additions to Italian dishes. To keep the plants healthy, gardeners should cut the leaves back to soil level after harvesting to produce new growth.

Mint

There are various types of mint that are grown indoors. The most common are peppermint and spearmint, and they both grow well in containers. However, mint should have its own container as it will overtake other herbs if forced to share a pot.

Sage

Sage is an herb perfect for container gardening. The dwarf sage will remain around 12 inches tall, and the Berggarten is a compact low-growing but vigorous type of sage. Dwarf garden sage still yields bold flavor but only grows up to 10 inches.

Lettuce

There are many types of lettuce to choose from that all grow well indoors and most types are ready to eat just a short 25 days after planting. Lettuce grows best in a long flat container and requires adequate space in between plants. It is important to not over plant lettuce as it does not freeze. Therefore, gardeners should only plant what they can use immediately.

Beans

Beans are another vegetable perfect for growing indoors. Beans grown on a vine, so it is best set a pot of beans aside a shelf, and allow the beans to grow up the shelf. Gardeners should pick beans when they are ready and not let them sit too long.

Apricots

Compact apricots are perfect for an indoor garden. They do extremely well in pots when set against a sunny conservatory wall. However, gardeners have to help with the pollination process when the fruit is indoors. This is accomplished by using a paintbrush and transferring pollen from one flower to another ensuring they all pollinate well.

Cape gooseberries

This fruit does well in a large pot of at least 1 foot. They produce bushy pot plants with small white flowers bearing red of yellow fruit. Direct sun is best for gooseberries, so placing them near a window is ideal.

About the author

Alex is a writer, husband, father and aspiring urban fantasy novelist. When he isn’t writing for HomeDaddys or completing chores from his “honey- do” list, he’s most likely spending quality time with his wife and kids or working on his novel.

When you’re shopping for Mom for Mother’s Day this year, pick out something that not only does she not have, but something she may not even know exists. The best kitchen gadgets bring appeal to the room and are both useful and fun. People who love to cook and bake are always looking for that new toy to bring more to their kitchen experience.

Wonder Heart Waffle Maker

Does your mom have a big heart? She’ll appreciate the love that goes into choosing the Wonder Heart Waffle Maker. Set it up for her beside online flowers from FTD.com for a double “awww” moment. Plus, she’ll get to show a little love herself every time she makes these fun heart-shaped waffles. The non-stick baking plates make three waffles at a time and are simple to clean. For people who aren’t prone to sentiment, heart-shaped waffles may seem a little contrived, but mushy Moms will love this product. It’s available for $24 on the C Wonder website.

Takeya Fruit-Infused Water Maker

If Mom is looking to drink more healthy beverages, fruit-infused water can help her stay hydrated while also enjoying natural fruit flavor. The Takeya Fruit-Infused Water Maker features an airtight lid that seals in flavor. Its modern, stylish design makes it an attractive piece for the table. To create the fruit-infused water, add chopped fresh fruit and let it infuse for at least three hours or overnight. The water maker is durable, made of high-temperature acrylic and is available on the company website and online retailers, including Amazon.

Schiuma Milk Frother

If your mom loves spending time in coffee shops, the Schiuma Milk Frother can give her a coffee-shop feeling at home by adding freshly frothed milk to her favorite coffee beverages. It’s simple to operate: just dip into milk, push the power button and froth until the foam reaches desired thickness. It works with both hot and cold milk and is available on Schiuma’s website and at leading retailers. Five color choices make the Schiuma Milk Frother fit in well with most kitchens. You can buy it in black, silver, red, purple and lime green. The frother retails for $15.

Pandigital 15″ Kitchen Technology Center

If you’re looking to spend more money on Mom for Mother’s Day, a tech-savvy mom will find myriad uses for the Pandigital 15″ Kitchen Technology Center. The KTC packs the features of several devices into one, featuring an HDTV receiver, electronic recipe collection and digital photo storage, along with an Internet connectivity. It has a 15.6-inch HD screen and comes with three faceplates to choose from to match the colors of your Mom’s kitchen. Up to 2,400 digital images can be stored and displayed as single images or slide shows. This is a good choice for the Mom who enjoys working in the kitchen but likes to wander in and out to go on the Internet or watch TV. Pandigital products are available at leading online and offline retailers for about $299.

Hutzler Banana Slicer

Does your mom have a good sense of humor? She may appreciate the Hutzler Banana Slicer, a plastic banana-shaped cutter that slices a whole banana with one push. This product has sparked thousands of joke reviews on Amazon.com, where the slicer has become a cult favorite among reviewers. It may be a little silly since it’s pretty easy to cut up a banana with a knife, but it’s a fun conversation piece, and it does what it says it does: cut a banana. Plus, it’s cheap: $3.59 on Amazon.

Whatever you buy your mother, she’ll probably love it, because it’s from you.

I am always quite sad when summer starts to wind down.  The days get shorter, the evenings get cooler and the kids, after long busy days and later than usual bedtimes, start to show signs of summer exhaustion.   The back-to-school shopping starts and the long hot days at the beach and picnics in the park become favorite memories.

But back to school also means exciting school projects, spirit days, sporting events and new friends.  September is actually the beginning of a new year in a lot of ways.  So with that in mind, here is a round -up of all of the best summer posts here on Moms Kitchen Gadgets.  As always, thanks for being a part of it and I hope you are looking forward to a happy and healthy fall season.

• The best gourmet coffee maker for your home.  A wonderful way to bring the gourmet experience into your own kitchen.
• My top 10 picks for the most useful and helpful OXO kitchen tools.
• The absolute best kitchen gadgets stores to find and buy your favorite kitchen gizmos.
• It wouldn’t be summer without a few easy picnic food ideas now would it?
• Super adorable novelty salt and pepper shakers that would dress up any summer table.

And I also added a new review for one of my kitchen’s most used appliances – my Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker.  If you need a new one or are thinking of buying one for a gift this Christmas, this review will help you out.

Of course, if you’re looking for other reviews on a few of Mom’s most essential gadgets, you are in luck!  Check these out:

• Find out which KitchenAid Attachments I recommend for those who love their stand mixer.
• Why this medium sized food processor was the best choice for my newlywed sister.
• Back to school means plenty of sandwiches right?  What better appliance to own than a bread machine?

So there you have it.  Just a few of the highlights from around here this past summer.  So poke around a little – you never know what you may find.

Cheers!

Sometimes thinking up new picnic food ideas can be a challenge.  But it can be a whole lot easier if you think outside the box (or should I say basket) a little.

In my family, picnics are almost always a spontaneous event so I have found that simple food ideas are best.  These ideas are quick and easy to prepare, pack well and are kid-friendly of course.

Your family is sure to love these yummy summer picnic ideas.

Cheesy Mini Dogs

Sometimes called “piggies in a blanket”, these little bundles are great for picnics.  All you need is a package of all-beef wieners, 1 can of refrigerated crescent rolls and a few slices of processed cheese.

Unroll the dough and separate each crescent onto a baking sheet.  I like to cut each triangle in half to make smaller bite-sized cheesy dogs.  Cut the all-beef wieners in half lengthwise as well as in half crosswise to fit the dough.

Take a slice of processed cheese and cut into four strips.  Lay one strip of cheese and one wiener onto each triangle of dough and roll up.  Bake in a 350° oven with the seam down for about 10 minutes until the dough is puffed and golden brown.   Let cool before packing these little piggies in your picnic.

Ham & Cheese Pinwheels

Since we’re on a roll here, let’s wrap and roll another great picnic food.  These tasty pinwheels are perfect for a spur of the moment picnic.  You will need a sheet of puff pastry, shaved deli ham, mustard, and your favorite cheese – I usually use Swiss or Monterey Jack.

Roll out the sheet of puff pastry and spread with a very thin layer of regular of Dijon mustard.  Top with a layer of shaved deli ham or turkey and shredded cheese (shred it up yourself in your food processor to save some money).  Roll it up like a giant jelly roll and slice into 1-2” slices.  Lay each slice on a baking sheet and bake at 350° for 16-18 minutes until the pastry is nice and brown.  Yum!

Meatball Kebobs

Who says picnics have to be about boring sandwiches?  These easy meatball kebobs make picnicking a whole lot more fun.  Grab a box of frozen mini meatballs, a red and green pepper, some apricot jam and some BBQ sauce – oh… and a few skewers.

Mix equal amounts of apricot jam and BBQ sauce – about 2 tablespoons of each –in a small microwaveable bowl and heat in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds.  Place your mini meatballs (about 4-6 per person) on a microwaveable plate.  Spread the warmed jam mixture over the meatballs with a silicone brush.  Microwave the meatballs as per the instructions on the box and let cool.

Thread your meatballs onto a skewer alternately with a piece of red and green pepper and voila!   A deliciously sweet and sour lunch fit for a picnic.

Easy Bruschetta

Sometimes preparing the food once you arrive at your favorite picnic spot is fun too.  Pack up the parts of this simple bruschetta separately and spread it on when you are ready to eat.  All you need is a tomato, some basil, parmesan cheese, a spoonful of Italian salad dressing and some toasted bread.

Dice up the tomato into small pieces and add some finely chopped basil.  Add a spoonful of Italian salad dressing and a generous sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese.  Mix it up and place in an air tight container.  Bring along a box of your favorite toasted bread slices and top with bruschetta when you are ready to eat.

Now there is no excuse to pack the same boring foods the next time your family plans a picnic.  With these easy picnic food ideas you can pack a tasty picnic in minutes.

If I had to name the top recipe that I get asked for the most whenever I make it, it would definitely be my Root beer slow cooker pulled pork (a close second would be my chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe).

This pulled pork recipe is extremely easy to make, tastes fantastic and is very family friendly.  It requires minimal ingredients and even less time to make – assuming you have the ultimate kitchen gadget of course – a slow cooker!  My family just loves it and so do our friends, family and neighbors who have all requested the recipe.

Here’s what you need:

• A large pork tenderloin roast that has a moderate amount of marbling

• Seasoning mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and paprika (you can substitute these for your faves – these are just the ones I like best.)

• 3 cups of your favorite root beer

• ½ cup salsa or chili sauce

• ½ cup barbecue sauce

• Toasted rolls

Okay… time to roll up your sleeves and get started:

1. Season your pork roast with your favorite blend of spices and place in your slow cooker.
2. Add about 1 cup of root beer and cover.
3. Cook the roast on low for about 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.   I prefer low and slow whenever possible.
4. About 30 minutes before you are ready to serve your pork, get out a medium sized sauce pan and add 2 cups of root beer, the salsa or chili sauce and BBQ sauce.  Mix it up and let it simmer for about 30-35 minutes until it thickens slightly.  If you are pressed for time you can thicken the sauce with cornstarch.
5. After 8-10 hours, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks.  It should shred very easily and be very moist and tender – yum!
6. Drain and discard the excess root beer and drippings from your slow cooker and put the shredded pork back in.
7. Add the simmered root beer sauce to your pork and serve on toasted rolls.

Who knew root beer could make pork taste so delicious?  It simply mouthwatering and I love using the slow cooker on those hot summer days when I don’t want to turn on the stove to make dinner.

Now,  don’t be surprised if everyone asks you for this recipe.  It’s a keeper!  Cheers.

You know Jelly Belly?  The company that makes those scrumptious little jelly beans that come in the most amazing flavors ever?  Well it seems that they make an ice shaver machine too and the brand new one is now available!

Let me start by telling you that me and snow machines go back along way – over 30 years actually – back to when I was a freckle-faced five year old who couldn’t wait to open my birthday gifts.

If you could peek into my family photo album you would see how elated I was when I opened a brand spanking new Snoopy Snow Cone Maker.   The picture is priceless.

Now as much as love retro kitchen gadgets (and that old Snoopy snow machine) this new Jelly Belly Dual Electric Ice Shaver has quite possibly won me over.  I love the old fashioned ice cream parlor look that it has and the fact that it shaves the ice right into the traditional cone shaped cups.  Kids will love this!

What is really great about these snow maker machines is the minimal amount of ingredients you need to make a special summer treat.  All you need is ice cubes and some flavored syrup and voila – happy kids, chilly treat and a few more points toward Mom of the year!

The Jelly Belly Ice Shaver is now available at Amazon.com – just in time for summer.

The snow has barely begun melting from my front lawn and already I am finding my thoughts drifting to the sweltering hot days of summer.  Days spent by the pool, picnics at the park and frosty glasses of homemade lemonade are some of my favorite things about the season.

So when I saw these salt and pepper shakers by Boston Warehouse, my thoughts of summer instantly turned to sizzling burgers and corn on the cob.  I’m sure you’ll agree that these super cute shakers simply scream “Hello, summer!!”

No one wants real ants crawling over their picnic blanket, but I’d be happy to bring these ant salt and pepper shakers along to our next family picnic.   And to go with it… the matching giant ant dip bowl and spreader, red gingham plates with ant decal in the corner and the ant shaped weights to keep the table cloth in place.  Awe…. “Ant” that special?

If ants aren’t really your thing maybe ladybugs are your insect of choice.  After all, a meal outside isn’t complete without a few bugs.  These earthenware creatures are small and round and brightly painted to look just like the real thing.

Okay so not everyone is a fan of creepy crawly critters on their picnic blanket or patio table, but who could resist a colorful pair of flip flop shakers?  These shoes are what summer is all about!  And this pair comes with its own little tray to keep them paired up at your summer table.

And for my friends south of the border, I know July 4^th is a big party day so these stars and stripes salt and pepper shakers will surely add a touch of patriotism to your Independence Day celebration.

Now I must go throw on my bathing suit and crank up the Beach Boys for the rest of the afternoon.  Then shovel the rest of the snow from my driveway – in my boots and mitts!