Apartment gardening can be much easier and attainable than you think! With the right knowledge, set up, and attitude anybody can create their own garden indoors and out. Different plants can grow and thrive in an indoor garden, some that may be harder to grow outdoors depending on your location.
Plan out what you want in your garden, are you looking to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs to be more self-sufficient, or plants and flowers to improve the air quality and liven up your space? Every gardener has a different goal in mind, but we can all create a beautiful indoor apartment garden that suits our specific needs!
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What are the best plants for an apartment garden?
If you have the correct supplies, such as grow lights, high quality soil and the correct size pots with adequate drainage holes, you could have a lot of success with many different plants in your apartment.
Plan your garden around your lifestyle. If you are busy and not home plants that require less water and low sunlight might be the better option for your garden. However, if you are interested in other plants that require more maintenance to grow and thrive, you can absolutely be successful growing them in your apartment garden.
Some common plants for an apartment garden can include fresh herbs, aloe vera, pothos, snake plant and Peace lily. Fresh herbs and Aloe Vera have many great uses in starting your apartment homestead and are relatively easy to grow. Snake plants and Peace Lilies are beginner friendly plants that are also known for their air purifying properties, making them a great plant to keep in your apartment.
How to fit a garden in your apartment
Creating a beautiful garden in your apartment can be possible even if you are short on space. There are many creative options when planning out your apartment garden. You don’t have to be confined to the spaces by your windows either. Think of the type of plants you want to keep in your home and the purpose, and get creative!
Lights like these: ** can make growing plants in your apartment a breeze. Simply stick them into your pot, adjust the height, and your plant is getting great direct sunlight in any location.
Large plant shelves come in many different shapes, sizes and styles. These can be perfect for utilizing vertical space in an apartment and fitting even more plants into your indoor garden.
If your apartment has a patio, you can utilize this space in the spring and summer months. Grow seasonal foods and harvest before the fall, or allow your indoor plants to get fresh air and more room to grow! Of course, make sure the pot they are planted in has plenty of room.
8 secrets to being more successful with your apartment garden
1.Let there be light!
Not all apartments will have windows facing the best direction for growing. If you’re lucky enough to have a south facing window with great light throughout the day, growing near a window may be a good option for your apartment garden.
Supplementing light in your apartment with grow lights can be a great option for many.
Grow lights dont have to be expensive, and they come in many different shapes and sizes suitable for all gardeners.
Mounting strip lights onto the bottom of your plant shelves is a great way to ensure proper and even lighting.
Lights that come on stand can be very useful too, if your plants are not getting even lighting be sure to rotate them periodically.
Or, larger traditional grow lights can be worth the expense to give your garden the best conditions.
You can even find small lights that fit into the pot of your plant and give light to each plant individually.
Also Read: 13 Must-Read Tips for Learning How to Start a Homestead
2. Allow proper air circulation
Allow for proper air circulation around your plants. It can be very important to the health of your plants for many different reasons!
This will help prevent the growth of mold and mildew and will help with pests that thrive in these environments. Proper air flow will also create a more stable temperature for your plants which is ideal for the overall health.
Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, a supply of fresh air will ensure your plant is able to act as it should to grow and produce fruits, vegetables or flowers.
3. Keep pests under control in your apartment garden
It is vital to a plant’s health to address pests promptly. Different pests may require different courses of action to fight against them.
If you notice a plant is infected with a pest, isolate it right away. This can help prevent the spread to other nearby plants.
Neem oil and Horticultural oil can be effective against many different types of common household plant pests. Stick to safe options, and ensure they are safe for your pets before using store bought sprays and soaps.
4. Proper watering and humidity
Be sure not to overwater your plants! Check the soil in between waterings and ensure the soil is dry before giving your plant a good thorough watering. Pots with proper drainage holes are important for your plants.
If you’re one to forget to water your plants on time, consider setting reminders on your phone. Set a weekly or bi-weekly reminder to check certain plants depending on their water cycles.
Controlling the humidity level in your apartment can be difficult. Consider getting a humidity reader to accurately track the levels around your plants.
If your apartment is dry, consider getting a humidifier for the room your plants are in, or a small greenhouse to keep indoors to help lock in the moisture around your plants.
5. Plant food and fertilizer
Plant foods and fertilizers can be beneficial to your indoor apartment garden. They can provide much needed nutrients to help your plants grow and thrive.
If you’re using pre-made store bought fertilizer, be sure to follow the instructions on the package and remember that indoor plants will typically need less frequent doses than outdoor plants.
6. Find the right sized pots with adequate drainage
Having proper drainage in your pots will help prevent waterlogging, root rot and other overwatering related issues which can cause your plants to die.
Having pots the right size will allow your plant to reach all the water and nutrients available in its pot. Having a pot too big or too small can be an issue for your plants as well.
A good rule of thumb is to keep a few inches of soil on the bottom and an inch around the side of the pot to allow for the best condition when potting your plant. This gives you plant room to grow, while still being able to reach water and nutrients throughout the pot.
7. High quality soil
Soil can make a big impact on your plants.
Consider mixing your own to have better control over the quality and nutrients your plants are receiving.
Different types of plants you grow will require different types of soil. Research each plant you intended to grow to ensure proper care.
8. Prune and trim regularly
Regular pruning and trimming of your plants can promote bigger and healthier growth, especially for fruit bearing plants!
If you notice any yellowing or dying leaves or branches, cut them off! Keep your plant in a healthy state.
Apartment gardening can be a breeze and open a world of opportunity you may though wasn’t obtainable in an apartment setting. Allow yourself to create your own apartment homestead, or take the right steps to becoming more self-sufficient.
With the correct plants, soil, light and determination anyone can cultivate a luscious apartment garden of their dreams. There is always room to add in a touch of greenery, and many plants can have multiple benefits making them more beneficial than others when limited on space.
