F OCUS ON W HAT Y OU W ANT FROM Y OUR I NDOOR G ARDEN
For any lifestyle change (like starting an indoor garden) to be successful you need to have motivation. The stronger the motivation, the faster you will find the road to success and the easier it will be to deal with any changes or challenges that come up in life. When you decide what type of plants you want to grow in your home, think carefully what will give you the most pleasure; what do you want from your indoor garden?
Do you want gorgeous, colorful flowers that bring a smile to your face all year round?
Do you want fresh herbs to help you prepare gourmet, healthy meals for your family?
Do you want cleaner, fresher air?
Do you want more greenery in your house?
Do you want to decorate a certain room or spot?
Do you want something to care for and nurture?
Do you want to grow fresh vegetables and fruits?
Take out a notebook and write down what you want from your indoor garden. This will help keep you focused and excited about your new project.
Below are some of the most common reasons why people start indoor gardens and how to go about it:
1. A B EAUTIFUL H OME
In this case choose plants that flower, grow colorful foliage, evergreens or even bonsai plants. These types of plants would add color as well as fragrance to your home. They will also enhance the beauty and elegance of your interior décor.
2. A M INI K ITCHEN G ARDEN
You can very comfortably grow a wide variety of herbs and vegetables in pots. Cooking can be a totally new experience with fresh herbs plucked from your kitchen garden. Think of ripe tomatoes, beans, green peppers, cucumbers, parsley, oregano, basil, strawberry, okra and so on that you could just pluck and use for your cooking.
3. P ROVIDE A DEQUATE S PACE AND L IGHT FOR Y OUR P LANTS
Before you decide how many pots you will install in your home, check out the space you have available. Keep in mind that you will need to provide enough sunlight to each of your plants. So, even if you will rotate them periodically to occupy the place near your sunny windows, there should enough space for every plant to get enough sunlight.
4. I NDOOR G ARDENING A IDS
Get in touch with your nearest garden store and/or research on the internet for implements that will make gardening more enjoyable to you and healthier for your plants. Things such as a sunlight lamp, indoor compost maker, exhaust fans, lighting aids, sprays, organic fertilizers and pesticides, pebbles, pots, pot drainers, etc. would help you keep your plants healthy and happy. Remember that different house plants have different requirements for everything from sunlight to water to nutrients (we’ll cover that later).
5. U SE B EST G RADE P OTTING S OIL
It is always best to ask the advice of the shop keeper of your garden store. Buy the best available because it will go a long way. Your local gardening store expert will definitely advise you on what you need to keep your plants healthy and strong. Just make sure you ask someone who has a lot of experience with gardening and not just someone who’s working there for a summer job.
Make sure that you follow the instructions with each plant. If you have already decided on which type of plants you want to grow, share these details with the store keeper who could advice you on the exact needs of each plant. If you can’t find a local person to answer these questions for you, just search online for “How to take care of a tomato plant” or whatever plant you’re growing.
6. G ET THE A SSISTANCE O F F ARMER’S B EST F RIEND
You cannot imagine the difference a handful of earthworms can do to your plants. You can easily purchase earthworms from the local bait and tackle shop. You can also buy a portable compost maker where you could create your own compost with the help of earthworms and organic waste from your kitchen. This will ensure that you have a perpetual source of high quality fertilized earth for your pots and plants.
If you
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