Here in Australia, we are about to embrace winter. I have onions and garlic growing, and an ever-producing lemon tree.

This is an inherited garden, one that someone many years ago, knew how to produce food.

The soil is dark and rich, with things popping up all the time. We have only been here a short time, and still I am hesitant to grow too much food. I'll wait.

But I may do as you suggest, grow my salads on my north-facing windows. That way I know the health of the soil.