Whether you're just beginning to learn how to maintain an indoor garden, or you're trying to grow your plants in a container, there are several things you should know. Besides planting seeds, there are also some tips you can use to help you care for your plants. You can start by choosing seeds that are known to germination, set up a system for your plant, and keep pests away.
Fertilize
Whether you're trying to grow plants indoors or out, you need to fertilize your plants. A high-quality fertilizer is vital to maintaining a healthy environment for growth. You don't want to over-fertilize your plants, though, because it can cause excess new growth that requires extra watering.
The best time to fertilize your indoor plants is in the summer. This is because the temperature is warmer and plants grow more actively. When temperatures are lower, they slow down their growth and metabolic processes.
You can apply fertilizer by hand or in a watering can. You can also use a liquid fertilizer that you spray on the soil. Liquid fertilizers are great for plants that have been weakened by disease or stress. They're also gentle on all varieties of houseplants.
If you use liquid fertilizers, apply them in the cooler hours of the day. They're also more economical than granular fertilizers. Using liquid fertilizers also increases your plants' resistance to disease and pests.
You can also choose from a variety of slow-release pellets. These products release nutrients over a period of months, requiring fewer applications. They are also best suited for plants that are sensitive to fertilizer.
You can also choose to fertilize your plants with an organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizers can help your plants combat leaf chlorosis, particularly in nitrogen-poor soil. Organic fertilizers also increase the budding of all plants.
You can also grow herbs indoors in a smaller pot. If you're growing an herb indoors, you should flush it monthly. It's a simple chore that you can do while you're doing other projects.
If you're growing an herb indoors, be sure to choose a product that is formulated specifically for houseplants. If you don't, you can trap harmful elements.
Keep pests at bay
Keeping pests at bay when maintaining an indoor garden can be tricky. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to do it.
First, use the right growing conditions. If you want to plant an orchid or some other kind of decorative flower, make sure to provide them with the proper water and light. Also, keep them well fed by providing them with healthy organic matter.
Another way to keep pests at bay is to pick off bugs and weeds manually. A strong blast of water or soapy water can also dislodge bugs.
One other way to keep pests at bay is to use a natural pesticide. An organic pest spray is safe to use around your family. You can make one with a mix of vegetable oil and soap. For best results, mix about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into one quart of water. Shake the mixture to mix, and then spray it on the affected area.
You can also use a sticky trap to catch flies and slugs. One idea is to use a clear monofilament fishing line. If you can't find one, you can also use sticky paper.
In addition, there are also some organisms that are beneficial to your garden. These organisms can be beneficial by providing food for pests, or they can be harmful by spreading diseases.
Aside from using natural pest control, you can also keep pests at bay by using barriers. These barriers can be as simple as row covers, deer netting, or fruit bags. These barriers are effective because they are easy to install and keep out unwanted invaders.
Lastly, you can also reduce pests by choosing the right plants. Aside from being decorative, many plants can be useful to deter insects. A few examples include rosemary, basil, and lemongrass. You can also grow plants from seed to save time and money.
Set up a system
Using a dedicated gardening space has its advantages over the cluttered floor or bedroom. Having a small indoor garden is also good for the birds. The biggest challenge is finding a suitable location. For this you might want to consider a few things like location, space, and time. The best bet is to find a place with good ventilation. Ideally the garden should be in a well lit room. This is not only more aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it also increases the odds of survival if you have an accident. This is especially true if you have children and pets in tow.
One of the best locations is in your basement. You will need to get creative about where you put your gardening wares. You may want to consider an off-site workspace as well. If you can get past the cleaning and organization up front, you should have no problem.
Repurpose old yogurt pots or ice cream cartons
Using old yogurt pots and ice cream cartons to keep your indoor garden looking fresh is a good idea. They are easy to find and you can reuse them for a number of tasks. They are also a nice touch when your home is decorated with plants.
The best part is that they are inexpensive to purchase. You can also find many of these containers at your local thrift store or yard sale. They also have a lot of other uses, not the least of which is for storing art supplies. You could even get creative and use them for other purposes, such as displaying your best work.
They may not be able to hold a lot of water, but they are an excellent way to keep your succulents happy and your fridge looking snazzy. One thing to keep in mind though is that they will be warm during the day. If you are planning on using them for storage, make sure to use your best judgement and don't forget to cover them with plastic wrap.
Choose seeds with a high germination rate
Choosing seeds with a high germination rate is important for maintaining an indoor garden. Choosing seeds that are less than a year old will increase the chances of germination. In addition, seeds can be stored in a freezer for a day or two before planting.
Some seeds require soaking before planting. If the seed packet lists the recommended soaking time, you can use that to determine how long to soak the seeds. Be sure to allow for at least four hours of soaking time, and preferably longer. The amount of time that you soak the seeds depends on the variety.
When soaking seeds, keep the seed tray warm. Some people use the top of their refrigerator or a mantelpiece as a warming area for their seed trays. When the seed tray is warm, the germination rate will increase.
It is also important to keep the soil moist. If the soil is dry, you should water the plants immediately. If the seeds float to the top of the soil, you should immediately plant them.
Most seeds will germinate in 50 to 60 days. If the seed packet says that the seeds require a cold period before they germinate, you need to plan ahead. Some seeds need a warm spell to germinate, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Plant the seeds as close to the depth indicated in the packet as possible.
Many plants that require pollination, such as peppers, require bumble bees. If you are unable to find a bee, you can transfer pollen to the seeds using a kid's watercolor paintbrush. Similarly, peppers require wind to move the pollen.
Some seeds, such as carrots, can tolerate some shade. Some plants, such as lettuce, prefer cooler soil.