When you think of gardening, you’re whisked to an outdoor space where there’s plenty of space for plants and flowers to flourish. In reality, your garden could be tiny, or it may not exist whatsoever. There are 37 million gardens in the US, which isn’t many compared to the 140 million homes.
It means that fewer than 50% of homes in America come with gardens. So, your urge to turn your property into a green haven may not get off to the best start. However, there’s no reason to feel despondent. Whether your garden is small or doesn’t exist, you can always bring it indoors and satisfy your green-fingered attitude.
Sure, an indoor garden isn’t ideal, yet it comes with tons of incredible benefits, including making you and your home healthier. If you start now, you’ll experience a range of benefits. What’s that? Don’t you know where to start?
Fear not because the following tips are ideal for the indoor gardener!
Try Different Positions
You’ve got your seeds and plants and want to give them the best opportunity to grow. Of course, it’s not as if every area in your home will have the correct features. One room could be warmer, while another could have a draft and lack sunlight. So, it’s vital that you choose a space where the conditions appear ideal.
Next to a window is always a fantastic choice because that’s where the sunlight streams through, and where there is usually a slight breeze. You may require a window replacement service if they haven’t been properly fitted as the cold air will kill off your plants. Also, take the type of plant and the direction of your property into consideration. A flower that soaks up tons of sunlight should face north or northeast as it will have access to light and protection from the shade.
If your window isn’t working, you shouldn’t be afraid to try a new position, such as the kitchen or conservatory. Find the perfect location is important to the indoor gardener.
Don’t Over Water Them
Because they are inside, there is a temptation to water your plants constantly. After all, it’s not as if they are getting lots of moisture as they would outside. As a result, you overcompensate and don’t worry too much because it’s better to give them plenty of water rather than too little. That is the conventional logic, yet it isn’t true.
Plants, even houseplants, can adapt to find moisture in the unlikeliest of places. The soil may appear parched, yet the roots will draw up water with extraordinary power. Drowning them, on the other hand, cuts off the oxygen supply to the cells and causes them to die. Thankfully, there is a simple solution for anybody who struggles to tell when indoor plants need H2O. The trick is to push the soil downwards and insert your finger. If you pull it out and there isn’t any soil stuck to it, it means it’s dry.
You should do this regularly in the summer because plants and flowers require more water in dry, hot climates.
Air Conditioning is not Always Great for the Indoor Gardener
Speaking of moisture, it’s vital that you don’t take water out of the air unintentionally. Yes, the air conditioning unit or HVAC does just that as well as keeping you cool. It’s because air conditioners recycle old O2, and each time they release it, it’s staler than before.
Does that you mean you have to suffer through hot summers without any relief? No, it doesn’t because AC isn’t the only way to regulate body temperature. Cracking a window is a basic-yet-effective tactic, and it ensures nearby plants can absorb extra sunlight. An old-school fan is an option, too. Fans recycle air, also, but they don’t absorb the moisture, so a fan helps you maintain a stable environment. Or, you can try weaning yourself off electrical appliances.
Household items make the home hotter because they overheat when they are switched on. Removing as many from your interiors as you should lower the overall temperature. Then, your indoor garden will have a better chance of flourishing as the air will be full of moisture.
Pick Plants Strategically
A glance at your home’s interior may inform you that plants will find it hard to grow indoors. Often, places, where you want to place them, are dark and don’t appear as if they’ll sustain plant life. But, it’s worth remembering that individual plants and flowers live in tropical climates, such as rainforests.
The forest canopy means that they rarely get much sunlight, so surviving in your living room isn’t going to faze them! Dumb cane is a firm favorite of property owners as it’s not picky regarding its conditions. It will thrive in standard soil in average temperatures with regular levels of humidity. Best of all, it can grow up to five feet long without much sunlight. Of course, a cactus is an excellent alternative if your house’s interior doesn’t have much water in the air.
You should use this post on low-light houseplants if you want more inspiration, or if you want to mix your indoor garden game up a little.
Stick With Traditional Techniques
Your garden is inside, but the same methods that work outside are useful indoors. Water is the main element you’ll focus on, but there is another one – fertilizer. Similar to outdoor plants, houseplants require plenty of nutrients to grow and survive, and they can’t get it from anywhere else.
So, you should add healthy amounts of fertilizer regularly if you plan on creating a self-sustaining garden. To avoid funky, indoor smells, you can add water to manure outside to make it a liquid. Then, pour it directly onto the base of the plant so that it can absorb the nutrients quickly. There are houseplant fertilizers that are almost odorless, too.
A good tip is to check how often the soil needs fertilizing. Some plants are more robust than others and can last longer without nutrients.
Final Words for the Indoor Gardener
Do you need more green in your life? Are you ready to start planting houseplants? Have you considered becoming an indoor gardener?