Everything you need to know to start an indoor garden
19 May 2020 by Sloan Van Mierlo

Everything you need to know to start an indoor garden

Indoor Gardening Tips

If you’re looking to exercise your green thumb but don’t have access to a nice, big backyard or outdoor area, these tips will help you start up a lovely space for your plants right at home.

Slide 2 of 30: You might think you’re too stressed or busy to be a plant person, but having them around is actually beneficial to your health. When you have plants at home, they can help reduce stress, make you feel calmer and even reduce pain, helping a person heal faster.

There are health benefits to having plants

You might think you’re too stressed or busy to be a plant person, but having them around is actually beneficial to your health. When you have plants at home, they can help reduce stress, make you feel calmer and even reduce pain, helping a person heal faster.

Slide 3 of 30: When buying plants for your indoor garden, buy plants that are visibly healthy. The foliage should be medium to dark green, unless it’s specifically meant to be a different color.

Buy plants with medium to dark green leaves

When buying plants for your indoor garden, buy plants that are visibly healthy. The foliage should be medium to dark green, unless it’s specifically meant to be a different color.

Slide 4 of 30: Whether you’re planting fruits, vegetables, herbs or beautiful seasonal flowers, the best place to start is by reading the packet your seeds came in. Seed packets typically list guidelines on germination and plant care specific to the plant in question.

Always read seed packets

Whether you’re planting fruits, vegetables, herbs or beautiful seasonal flowers, the best place to start is by reading the packet your seeds came in. Seed packets typically list guidelines on germination and plant care specific to the plant in question.

Slide 5 of 30: Two of the most basic things every beginner gardener should know is what tools are needed and what the watering needs of your plants are. A mister or a watering can with fine holes is best so as not to overwater your plants and ensure gentle watering.

Use the right watering can

Two of the most basic things every beginner gardener should know is what tools are needed and what the watering needs of your plants are. A mister or a watering can with fine holes is best so as not to overwater your plants and ensure gentle watering.

Slide 6 of 30: When determining how much and how frequently you need to water your plants, take into consideration the type of plant, type of container it is in, your location, time of year and weather conditions. Make sure to adjust how much you water your plants depending on how these factors change.

Water needs depend on a variety of factors

When determining how much and how frequently you need to water your plants, take into consideration the type of plant, type of container it is in, your location, time of year and weather conditions. Make sure to adjust how much you water your plants depending on how these factors change.

Slide 7 of 30: Weather affects many factors important to plant growth, and plants require the right temperature as well. Most plants are good at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal temperature varies based on the plant.

Make sure your plants sit at the right temperature

Weather affects many factors important to plant growth, and plants require the right temperature as well. Most plants are good at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal temperature varies based on the plant.

Slide 8 of 30: Just as humans require sunlight for vitamin D, plants need it for photosynthesis, so it’s important to make sure your plants are sitting in an area that gets them enough sunlight. For most plants, windows that face south or west provide enough sunlight.

Place plants near windows that face west or south

Just as humans require sunlight for vitamin D, plants need it for photosynthesis, so it’s important to make sure your plants are sitting in an area that gets them enough sunlight. For most plants, windows that face south or west provide enough sunlight.

Slide 9 of 30: If you can’t get your plants enough sunlight, place some fluorescent lights about 6 inches away from them instead. Adequate light is of the utmost importance for plant growth and can be affected by factors such as other buildings, trees, day length and even wall color. LED grow lights may be used, but fluorescent lights are just as effective and will save you money.

Fluorescent lights can be used in place of sunlight

If you can’t get your plants enough sunlight, place some fluorescent lights about 6 inches away from them instead. Adequate light is of the utmost importance for plant growth and can be affected by factors such as other buildings, trees, day length and even wall color. LED grow lights may be used, but fluorescent lights are just as effective and will save you money.

Slide 10 of 30: Having the right humidity is important for plant health, as well, as too much or little of it can prevent plants from thriving. Because most indoor plants originate in tropical environments, they require higher humidity. One way to create more of it is by placing your plants closer together for a more humid environment.

Place plants close together

Having the right humidity is important for plant health, as well, as too much or little of it can prevent plants from thriving. Because most indoor plants originate in tropical environments, they require higher humidity. One way to create more of it is by placing your plants closer together for a more humid environment.

Slide 11 of 30: A humidifier is good for your health as well as that of your plants. Having one in your home is another quick and easy solution for creating more humidity for your growing plants.

Have a humidifier

A humidifier is good for your health as well as that of your plants. Having one in your home is another quick and easy solution for creating more humidity for your growing plants.

Slide 12 of 30: A plant’s need for fertilizer, which is often vital for its nutrition, will depend on what kind of plant it is, what weather conditions are and what time of year it is. However much fertilizer your plant does need, if it’s indoors, it is best to add small amounts of it to your plant as it grows rather than all at once.

Add small amounts of fertilizer as your plants grow

A plant’s need for fertilizer, which is often vital for its nutrition, will depend on what kind of plant it is, what weather conditions are and what time of year it is. However much fertilizer your plant does need, if it’s indoors, it is best to add small amounts of it to your plant as it grows rather than all at once.

Slide 13 of 30: Make sure you have the right kind of soil for both your plants and your indoor conditions. Indoor gardening typically does best with potting soil, which is available at most stores.

Use the proper soil

Make sure you have the right kind of soil for both your plants and your indoor conditions. Indoor gardening typically does best with potting soil, which is available at most stores.

Slide 15 of 30: There are so many plants and flowers you can eat, and herbs are great for planting indoors. When planting seeds for herbs, place them at a depth of two times their thickness in the soil.

Herb seeds should be planted two times their thickness under soil

There are so many plants and flowers you can eat, and herbs are great for planting indoors. When planting seeds for herbs, place them at a depth of two times their thickness in the soil.

Slide 16 of 30: There are many kinds of pots and planters to grow your plants in, but terracotta pots may be the best choice. Due to their porous surface, the plant’s roots and surrounding environment have a good exchange of air.

Plants love terracotta pots

There are many kinds of pots and planters to grow your plants in, but terracotta pots may be the best choice. Due to their porous surface, the plant’s roots and surrounding environment have a good exchange of air.

Slide 17 of 30: Plants can become infested with pests or fall victim to a variety of diseases, and it’s important to monitor them for both. In order to prevent the spread of an infestation, separate the affected plant from others or get rid of it entirely if the infestation is severe. Treatment will depend on the kind of pest or disease as well as type of plant.

Plants can get infested or diseased

Plants can become infested with pests or fall victim to a variety of diseases, and it’s important to monitor them for both. In order to prevent the spread of an infestation, separate the affected plant from others or get rid of it entirely if the infestation is severe. Treatment will depend on the kind of pest or disease as well as type of plant.

Slide 18 of 30: Plant cleanliness is vital to plant health. Dust can block sunlight and exchange of gases, inhibiting plant growth, so it’s important to properly clean your plants. Plants with thick and shiny leaves should be cleaned with a damp sponge, while plants with hairy leaves or spikes like cacti should be cleaned with a small paintbrush and no water. For small plants, dip the leaves in lukewarm water, swirling them around.

Cleaning plants is important

Plant cleanliness is vital to plant health. Dust can block sunlight and exchange of gases, inhibiting plant growth, so it’s important to properly clean your plants. Plants with thick and shiny leaves should be cleaned with a damp sponge, while plants with hairy leaves or spikes like cacti should be cleaned with a small paintbrush and no water. For small plants, dip the leaves in lukewarm water, swirling them around.

Slide 19 of 30: Plant cleanup often includes pruning and cutting, particularly of dead foliage. You can also cut healthy parts of the plant in an effort to grow more by having them root in water or a soilless potting mix. It’s a great method of conservation and a way to save money.

You can grow more plants from cuttings

Plant cleanup often includes pruning and cutting, particularly of dead foliage. You can also cut healthy parts of the plant in an effort to grow more by having them root in water or a soilless potting mix. It’s a great method of conservation and a way to save money.

Slide 20 of 30: Plants improve the air quality of a given space, a benefit to humans, animals and other plants alike. Having plants can also help you boost productivity at work or at home if you’re working from home.

Plants make for a happier home

Plants improve the air quality of a given space, a benefit to humans, animals and other plants alike. Having plants can also help you boost productivity at work or at home if you’re working from home.

Patience is key

As much as we would like them to, plants don’t grow overnight. A huge aspect of gardening is patience, a good habit to have that will lead to more satisfaction and a more peaceful life.

 

 

 

Sloan Van Mierlo

As your realtor my job is to make your buying and home selling process as smooth and stress-free as possible. I will be with you every step of the way through the process to make sure you receive the best possible expert advice and guidance. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, give us a call and I will put our years of experience to work for you!