You feel frustrated for killing just about any plant you have ever tried to grow in your home? Don't worry, indoor gardening is not as tough as it seems.
In fact, once you get the hang of it it is a truly rewarding and joyful experience!
The truth is, what you need in order to grow your own indoor garden is quite simple.
Just remember the essentials which your plants need - light, water, air, nutrients and a lot of love.
Here are some tips to get you familiarized with growing plants inside, which will help you get started on the right track.
The benefits of indoor gardening
Apart from the fact that your home will become much more beautiful, having plants inside will also help improve the air quality and will add a lot of freshness.
Flowers can bloom in the winter to remind you of the joyful summer days.
You can also plant your own small mini herbal garden in your kitchen to have access to fresh and organic basil, oregano, rosemary and whichever herbs you prefer for spicing up your home-cooked meals.
You can grow a small citrus tree, strawberries, and a bunch of veggies, which will not only bring you happiness and pride as you watch them grow, but you can enjoy eating a fresh fruit or salad from your own home-grown garden as well.
The first step is picking the proper container
Keep in mind that the size of the container has a huge effect on the proper growth of the plant. If you want a full-grown plant, veggie or fruit, choose a larger sized container or pot, so that the plant can grow properly and reach full maturity without its roots being constricted in a tight small pot.
As a rule of the thumb, never choose a pot which is less than six inches deep and wide. If you only have a window sill available for your indoor plants, you can use a long and narrow pot instead of a bunch of small ones.
The container needs to have at least one drainage hole in order to allow for the water to freely flow through the soil and to avoid drowning your plant. You can also add pebbles to the bottom before adding the soil which will help improve the drainage.
Choose the proper soil
You may not know this, but there are different types of soil, some of which are suitable for indoor planting and others which are not.
A good soil for your indoor garden should allow for easy water draining and yet provide the nutrients which your plants need, and keep some of the moisture necessary for the proper growth of the plants.
There are soil mixes which are created especially for home use, so look for local companies supplying organic soil which includes bark, coconut fiber or compost to add texture and richness and to keep the healthy levels of moisture inside the pots.
Pay close attention to the light
Every plant needs light to grow, even though some like more shady areas. Typically, plants which are edible need from four to 12 hours of direct sunlight.
Check the labels and instruction bags before you plant a particular type of flower, veggie, fruit or other flora.
When the tag says that the plant needs direct sunlight this means you should ensure it gets at least six hours of nice bright sunshine every day.
If the tag says moderate light, your plant will need at least four hours of sunlight a day.
For the tags which say indirect light - make sure the plant is away from direct sunshine, and ensure it gets only ambient light.
For tags on the plant which say low light - your plant will grow well and happily in a low light room without any direct and very little ambient sunlight.
In general, North facing windows do not get too much sunlight, and Southern windows are sunny nearly all day long. Eastern and Western facing windows get sun during most of the day.
If you don't have too many sunny windows or want to place your indoor garden in a place where there is insufficient lighting, it is essential that you get the suitable type of LED grow lights to ensure that your plants are getting as much light as they need. If you have no idea where to find LED grow lights you can start here - https://growace.com/grow-light...
The importance of getting special LED grow lights is due to the fact that they are specially designed and made to provide the appropriate type of light which has the same brightness and wavelength as that of natural sunlight.
Make sure you place the LED grow lights in appropriate positions depending on the type of plants in your indoor garden, so you can be certain that all your beloved plants are getting all the light they need, for as many hours as they need.
Be careful about the watering of your plants
Water is essential for healthy plant growth as it helps transport the important minerals to the plant, helps cool the plant through evaporation and is vital for photosynthesis. But there is more to just simply water your plants. Here are the basic principles which you need to know about watering your indoor garden.
1. Water plants regularly. You shouldn't let the soil go completely dry. If you do so, the water will pour to the sides of the pot rather than through the soil uniformly, and your plant won't get the minerals they need to survive and grow.
2. Add enough water. Water your plant until you see some of the water seeping through the drain holes. This ensures that even the deepest roots of your plant have access to the water and the minerals. If you don't water your plants enough they will develop shallower roots, and thus become weaker.
3.Do not add too much water. Overwatering your plants causes oxygen flowing to the roots of the plant, and this can cause the roots and the plants to decay and rot. Regularly inspect the bottom of your pot to see whether it is still not damp before watering it again.
4. Water in accordance with the seasons. The need for water changes depending on the temperature levels, the humidity levels and the amount of sun which the plan gets. These tend to change from one season to another. In the summer - your plants need more water as the soil dries faster. In the fall as the day becomes shorter, your plants will start needing less water.
Hopefully, these several basic tips will help you get an idea of how to get started with planting, growing and caring for your home garden.
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