It takes at least a month to get plants established and a minute to get demolished. I try to utilize any sun lit space with plants or try to find plants that handle being pruned for cuttings well. When the tortoises get to be big like mine, you'll realize that unless you can grow outdoors year round, there's no way you can grow your own food for the them. I still attempt to turn my house into a jungle, though. I'm stubborn like that