Indoor gardens are important to our sense of well-being and will increase the quality of our lives. Studies have even shown that plants in the home or workplace decrease stress and increase productivity. Beyond that, plants are a useful tool for improving the air quality of your apartment by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Adding an apartment garden is a great way to bring a little of the outdoors into your home. If you can provide what your plants need to thrive, you can successfully grow houseplants and even fruits and vegetables. So how do you do it? We have a few things to consider.
Plants, like people, need certain things to survive. Take a look around your apartment and consider these four factors:
After evaluating your space and preparing for these four factors, you might want to consider your level of expertise, too.
Start Seeds Right with the Bio Dome Seed Starting KitIf you are a beginning gardener, you may want to start small. Try growing a few houseplants that are easy to care for and pretty indestructible. Plants like Pothos and succulents are good choices for a beginner.
If you are an experienced gardener or a fearless beginner, you might want to jump in with both feet. As long as you can provide what your plants need, you will be successful. Since you will be restricted by space, think about what plants you consider must-haves. Are you going to limit your plants to houseplants, or do you want to include flowers? Do you want to grow some edible plants? What are your favorite veggies to eat fresh?
These are all great questions to ask when starting your first apartment garden. From there, it’s time to get started.
You’re ready to start planting, but what should you get? We’ve got the perfect list to get you started.
Decide what types of containers you want to use. Using pots made from the same type of material or the same color will give a more cohesive or even formal look to your indoor garden. Different colors or materials will give a more eclectic look to your garden. The size of the container will depend on what you are growing. If you want to grow a fruit tree, the container will need to be large enough for the mature tree.
The type of container you choose matters. Plastic containers have several advantages. They are lightweight and durable. They also hold in moisture. Clay pots are porous and will dry out quickly. If you like the look of clay pots, drop your plant with its plastic pot into the clay pot for the best of both worlds. You will have the functionality of the plastic with the look of the clay pot.
To start, find indoor gardening watering supplies including watering cans that are made for houseplants. Rather than a sprinkler head, these have a spout that will fit under the foliage and direct the water onto the soil. This prevents spilling and keeps the foliage dry.
If you’re looking for the perfect garden supplies, you have to pick up a seed starter kit. Seed starter kits like the Bio Dome create the perfect conditions for seedlings to get the best start possible. The kit includes a waterproof tray, the growing medium in a block form and a clear cover to hold in moisture and heat while the seeds germinate.
Shop Seed Starting KitsWhether it’s a good garden trowel to help plant your seedling in its final home or a pruner to deadhead flowers or snip herb leaves, having a good set of hand tools can make gardening indoors a breeze.
If you want to grow plants that require more light than is naturally available in your apartment, don’t give up hope. You can provide the additional light needed by using grow lights. Grow lights are able to provide the wide spectrum light your plants need to grow lush and strong.
Shop Grow LightsOnce your seedlings are large enough to be moved to their permanent home, you will need a good potting mix. Some mixes come with fertilizer already added to the mix. If not, you will need to add fertilizer. You can use a long-acting, slow-release type fertilizer or a water-soluble fertilizer that is applied more frequently when you water your plants. Follow the directions on the fertilizer carefully. This is a case where too much of a good thing can be harmful to your plants.
Note: If you want to have an organic garden, choose your fertilizers and any other additives carefully.
Houseplants can be grown from seed, but it will take a significant amount of time. If you want your houseplants now, purchasing plants will give you an immediate reward. If you have a gardening friend with a collection of houseplants, you may be able to get cuttings from your friend’s plants to root. Here are some easy-to-grow plants to start with.
As you can see, there are a lot of options for indoor gardening — even in a small apartment. There are a few precautions to make your garden successful and safe. If you want to use a window box type container on your balcony rail, make sure it is well fastened to the rail with no possibility of falling. It is easy to underestimate the force of the wind. Even a soil-filled container can be caught by the wind and pulled from the rail. Wire it securely to the rail.
Get Started with These Garden SuppliesAnother tip is to always place a new plant purchase in quarantine for at least a week — preferably two weeks. Even if you examine the plant carefully before you bring it home, there is always a chance that it harbors an insect, pest or disease that isn’t yet noticeable. Be safe and keep it away from your other plants until you know it is healthy. Once the two weeks of isolation is over, it should be safe to let it join the rest of your plants.
Happy (indoor) gardening!
Image Credits
Romanova Ekaterina/Shutterstock.com
TWINS DESIGN STUDIO/Shutterstock.com
Lyona/Shutterstock.com
vaigirga/Shutterstock.com
DimaBerlin/Shutterstock.com
sophiecat/Shutterstock.com
Grumpy Cow Studios/Shutterstock.com
S_Photo/Shutterstock.com
Maritxu/Shutterstock.com