The secret to garden
The secret to garden
Spring is upon us! With every day that passes the surroundings look lush and brimming with new life. Little daisies, daffodils and numerous wildflowers have been sprouting alongside roads for a few days now. In this weather it is irresistible to spend as much time as possible outside in nature. At the same time, it's also a great time to bring that greenery inside your home by starting a mini spring garden! Don't worry if you do not have green thumbs, the following green guide can help you successfully take on an indoor garden project just in time for the summer break!
1) Sunlight
Sunshine is vital to growing an urban garden. You can choose the plant variety and garden you want to develop based on the amount of sunlight your home receives.
If your unit faces north, it will receive the least amount of sunlight and heat during the day. The greatest plants to cultivate are those that need little sunshine, such as herbs. An indoor garden would be better for you than a balcony garden. As we move towards south facing blocks, the amount of sunlight increases proportionally.
If your unit faces south, it will receive heat and light for around ten hours. Plants that demand a lot of light, such as cacti, floral plants, and fruit trees, can be grown. You can use the balcony or the windowsill. The kitchen window is also a good spot for herbs.
2) Soil
Healthy plants require good soil that contains nutrients, water, and oxygen. When gardening in an apartment, you cannot use the soil used in outdoor spaces as it will clump up in the smaller containers. Use potting mix instead, which is widely accessible in stores these days.
You can also make your own mix from scratch using soil, homemade compost, and coconut husks (found as cocopeat in stores). It is ideal for pot gardening since it allows for the passage of water and oxygen.
You could also cultivate plants that don't need soil at all! Such as Lucky Bamboo, Money plant and even some types of orchids.
3) Water
It is crucial to water plants properly, both in terms of timing and amount. You will generally use containers for apartment gardening, and you might need to give your plants more frequent waterings than once per day. But also, be careful not to overwater them. Upon watering, all layers of soil should feel damp, but the pot should not fill to the brim. On the other hand, the plant shouldn't be left without water till its roots dry out more than eighty percent.
A watering can or even an old water bottle should be enough to start with a small garden. Tap water is perfectly healthy for plants. Rainwater is even better with extra minerals! But never use water that is too cold. Instead collect rainwater and store it till it reaches room temperature before watering.
With these 3 essential topics covered, let us take a look at the type of plants that are relatively easy to start with:
Cacti: Aloe vera, mini succulents.
Flowering: Marigold, Morning glory, Lavender (with enough sunlight)
Aesthetic: Ferns, Lemon, snake plant.
Herbs: Basil, Mint, Thyme.
It is always preferable to start modestly before moving on to larger, more complex plants. Gardening is meant to be fun and not stressful. It is okay to make mistakes cause after all, we grow as we go! Hopefully, this inspires you to start your own little spring garden this year!