With the world becoming increasingly urbanized, many homes lack the outdoor space necessary for a garden. But don’t let that stop you from growing your own food and flowers! You just need some equipment such as led grow lights. An indoor garden is a great way to reap the benefits of gardening without having to sacrifice your limited outdoor space. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can create an indoor garden at home and the various benefits of having one. From reducing stress and improving air quality to providing fresh produce and creating a beautiful space, an indoor garden can be a great addition to any home.
It starts with the seed.
When you plant seeds in early spring, they will sprout and grow faster than plants grown from seedlings. And if you start them indoors, they’ll be ready to transplant into the garden by mid- to late spring, when the weather is still cool. Here’s some tips:
- Start with a seed starting mix that has been sterilized with heat or peroxide so that it doesn’t contain any diseases or pests (usually available at your local garden center).
- Fill pots with the soil, then sow the seeds and cover them lightly with more soil.
- Place each pot under fluorescent lights for about 16 hours a day for six weeks. Wait til you see little green leaves forming on some of the plants—this means that they have germinated!
- Once this happens, move each pot into a sunny window so long as there’s no direct sun. Otherwise place them under led grow lights instead until temperatures outdoors are warmer than 55°F/13°C during nights and 70°F/21°C during days. The temperature recommendations vary depending on what type of plant you’re growing.
- Water regularly so that the soil stays moist but not soggy. As soon as seedlings have their first true leaves (not those tiny round ones), transplant them into larger pots filled with new potting mix every two weeks. Keep doing that until temperatures outdoors reach 65°F/18°C at night and 75°F/24°C during the days. Again this varies depending on which type of plant you are growing.
Maximize space by using vertical shelving, tiered containers and hanging baskets.
Vertical shelving
If you have enough room in your home, vertical shelving is a great way to grow plants vertically. You can use it to grow herbs or vegetables, or even both! You might want to consider growing vegetables that don’t need much water or soil (such as beans). The water won’t drain away easily from the roots of other plants above them.
Tiered containers
Another great way to maximize space is with tiered containers. You can use one large container on top of another smaller container. That way you’re only taking up one foot of space instead of two feet worth when it comes time for harvest season!
Just make sure there’s enough room between each level for adequate airflow between layers. Otherwise mold could form which could lead down into your food supply if left unchecked over time.
Use a cold frame to extend the growing season.
If you want to grow veggies year-round, try a cold frame. A cold frame is a mini greenhouse that traps heat from the sun and warms up the soil, allowing for earlier planting of seeds or seedlings. You can use it in spring and fall, extending the growing season by several weeks.
When using a cold frame, follow those tips:
- Find an area with good drainage that gets plenty of sun exposure but isn’t too windy (a south-facing wall works well).
- Make sure there are no weeds growing in it yet. Rake away all existing plant matter before laying down newspaper or cardboard overtop to prevent weed growth later on.
- Make sure there’s enough room inside for plants! If not then build another one next door (or buy one pre-made). The ideal size should be about 1′ deep x 2′ wide x 4′ long with clear sides.
- That way you can see inside from outside without opening them up every time someone walks by! Build these out of wood planks if possible. This will allow better insulation between layers than plastic ones would provide alone.
Conclusion
Indoor gardening is a gratifying hobby that can be learned quickly and easily. With a little know-how and the right tips and tricks up your sleeve, you’ll have a thriving indoor garden in no time. It just goes to show that you don’t need to have a sprawling outdoor space in order to grow healthy, vibrant plants. You can do it all indoors with minimal effort. With the right strategies and care, your plants will be blooming in no time!