Grow Your Own Greens: Food Security on a Sunny Windowsill
Microgreens and indoor gardening for total beginners.
👋 This is Part 4 in the Recession Survival Series. Each one is packed with practical, no-shame strategies to help you navigate tough times—especially if you’ve got ADHD or just hate all the usual money advice.
👉 Want the rest of the series delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe so you don’t miss a single one. It’s 100% free.
When eggs cost more than your streaming subscription and the produce aisle feels like a luxury boutique, it’s time to take food security into your own hands—literally.
But I’m not talking about buying a tractor and moving off-grid. I’m talking about growing fresh, nutrient-packed food right on your windowsill.
Even if you’ve never grown a thing in your life, this post is for you.
Let’s talk about how a handful of seeds, a sunny spot, and a few dollars can help you feed yourself and your family—starting today.
Why Microgreens?
Microgreens are baby greens harvested just a week or two after germination. They're fast-growing, ridiculously nutritious (some have 40x more nutrients than mature plants), and incredibly easy to grow indoors.
They’re perfect for:
Apartment dwellers
Folks with brown thumbs
Anyone who wants to stretch their grocery budget without sacrificing nutrition
And they’re beautiful too—tiny powerhouses of green that brighten your space and your plate.
What You Actually Need (Less Than You Think)
Here’s the starter kit.
No gimmicks, no expensive gear—just the basics:
✅ Seeds – Start with easy growers like broccoli, radish, mustard, sunflower, or pea shoots
✅ Shallow tray or container – Upcycled takeout containers or plastic clamshells work great
✅ Growing medium – Coconut coir, seed-starting mix, or even damp paper towels
✅ Spray bottle – For gently misting your seeds
✅ A sunny windowsill – South-facing is ideal, but any bright spot will do
✅ Scissors – For harvest day!
That’s it. Really.
How to Grow Microgreens (Step-by-Step)
Soak your seeds (if needed): Larger seeds like peas and sunflowers benefit from a soak overnight. Tiny seeds? No need.
Prep your container: Add 1–2 inches of growing medium. Moisten it, but don’t soak it.
Sow the seeds: Sprinkle them densely but evenly. Press them gently into the medium.
Cover & wait: Cover your tray with another container or a lid for 2–3 days to help them germinate in the dark.
Uncover & move to light: Once the seeds sprout, move the tray to your windowsill and mist them daily.
Harvest in 7–14 days: When they’re 2–4 inches tall, snip them with scissors just above the soil. Rinse and enjoy!
What Can You Do With Microgreens?
Microgreens are surprisingly versatile. Add them to:
Sandwiches and wraps
Smoothies
Soups and stews (stir in at the end)
Grain bowls
Scrambled eggs or tofu
Just snack on them straight!
And if you’re someone who’s used green juice or powdered greens to get your nutrients?
Growing your own can save you a ton of money.
Microgreens are easy to dry and crush into your own greens powder—no fancy equipment needed.
Wayfinder Tip: Make Your Own Greens Powder
Want to take your microgreens game to the next level?
Turn your extra harvest into homemade greens powder:
Harvest your microgreens and rinse them gently.
Dry thoroughly—either air dry on a paper towel for a few days, or use a food dehydrator on the lowest setting.
Once crispy-dry, crush or blend them into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, or small blender.
Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place.
Add to smoothies, soups, or sprinkle into meals for a nutrient boost—no pricey powders required.
Keeping It Going (Grow on Rotation)
To have a constant supply, start a new tray every few days. Most trays will yield multiple servings of greens for pennies.
And once you get the hang of it? You can experiment with:
Lettuce mixes
Herbs like basil and cilantro
Even mini indoor tomatoes or peppers with a grow light
But for now, let’s keep it simple, affordable, and doable.
Final Thought: This Is Food Security
In uncertain times, growing something—even just a handful of greens—is a powerful act. It puts control back in your hands. It nourishes your body. And it reminds you that self-reliance starts with small, consistent actions.
You’ve got this. 🌱
What’s Next in the Recession Survival Series?
Coming up next:
Lower Your Bills Without Calling Customer Service
Make a Community Wealth Plan (Because We Get Through This Together)
What to Say When You Can’t Afford Something (Without Shame or Excuses)
How to Mentally Survive a Recession (Without Turning Off Your Humanity)
👉 Subscribe to get the rest delivered straight to your inbox:
🔒 Premium Content for Paid Members
Thank you to all my Pathfinder Advocates who financially support my work.
Each post in this series has a bonus pack just for you.
The bonus pack for this post includes:
My indoor growing supply list