
Vegetable garden with Water Hydroponics system
Did you know that eating a plant-based diet is much healthier than meat-heavy options? If you’re thinking about going plant-based or want to incorporate more veggies into your diet, indoor gardens can help.
You might wonder how to get started since you don’t have the outdoor space available. Read this guide on how to set up a successful indoor garden today!
1. Choosing Your Indoor Garden Location
Even if you don’t have an outdoor space, a location with sunlight will work. Be sure to consider vegetable grow lights too.
Choose an area right near a window with plenty of natural light. Don’t use rooms that tend to have colder temperatures. It could kill your plants.
Avoid areas with fans or air vents. These could dry out and damage plants.
You’ll also want to think about each plant’s light needs. Some plants like moderate, direct, low, or indirect light.
2. Choose Plants To Grow
Decide what plants to grow for your indoor vegetable garden next. Consider what you use most often in your cooking.
Think about what you have to make an extra trip to the store for cooking. Herbs and vegetables are popular options.
3. Indoor Garden Ideas
Many use pots filled with soil for their indoor garden style. It provides your plants with air space, anchors the plants, and allows water and nutrients to enter.
Another option is a hydroponic garden. The plants are inside of water instead of soil.
Liquid fertilizer is added to the water. It provides your plants with the necessary nutrients. Freshwater provides your plants with oxygen.
If you’re considering hydroponic gardening, you’ll need to learn what nutrients your plant needs. It tends to take longer than soil potting. There are growing systems that you can consider buying.
Hydroponic gardens are best for those who want to plant a large amount in a small space. They’re often used for vegetables.
If there’s a chance that you’ll move your garden outdoors, or you might rearrange the look, stick with containers. They can also grow various-sized plants.
Choose Your Containers
For additional drainage, consider placing rocks at the bottom of your containers. Terra cotta and plastic containers are popular options.
Plastic containers are the best for retaining moisture. Wooden containers are another option. Speak with your nursing expert about the best wooden containers.
4. Temperature Control the Space
Consider a drip system to keep your plants hydrated. Each plant will have small tubes along with a timer that you can turn on and off.
Heat lamps help to maintain the temperature of the room. Fluorescent lights are a popular option.
Soil heat maps will keep your plants warm. They go underneath the plant and regulate the temperature.
5. Set Up Your Garden
Follow the directions if you buy a system. For homemade options, you’ll want to place your water tank on the bottom shelf.
It needs to be a few inches above the floor. Place plant containers above the tank.
Your water pump system needs to bring water to the plants. For hydroponic plants, speak to a gardening expert at a nursery.
Buy timers to make the entire process easier. You can choose what time the water runs.
Once everything is set up, you’ll want to check it over time. For hydroponic systems, you’ll want to check the condition of the water.
Make sure that it has the proper nutrients. You’ll need to drain and replace the water over time.
6. Planting Time
Check out local nurseries or online for seeds. Choose seeds with a high germination rate. Be sure that the seeds that you choose are for that date.
Don’t buy old seeds. Check the details such as how big the plant will get, how much room it’ll need, etc. If it gets too large, it might not be ideal for indoor gardens.
Check the packet instructions when you go to plant the seeds. You might be able to find transplants at nurseries.
They’ll take less time to grow than seeds. Place them at the same depth as their original container.
7. Fertilization is Key
After you use fertilization, it’ll let you know on the label how long it’ll last. You’ll want to continue using fertilizer to help your plants grow.
Some options include liquid fertilizers and slow-release fertilizers. Choose balanced fertilizers based on the type of plants you’re growing.
Avoid over-fertilizing your plants. Over-fertilization can lead to your plants growing too much at once. Their roots might not be able to support them.
Consider adding mulch to help keep the soil even. Mulch also helps to retain water.
8. Mark Your Plants
Since your plants will have different feeding requirements, mark each one to keep track. Place how often it’ll need to be fed, how often to water it, etc. This will also help you keep track of when there are issues with growth.
9. Harvest Time
Be sure that you move plants or harvest them as necessary. Clip them to keep them healthy.
You might need to move them into larger containers once they become bigger. Before moving a plant, you can use transplant fertilizer to help moisten it.
Exploring How To Set up an Indoor Garden
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea of setting up an indoor garden. If you’re unsure where to begin or what to plant, speak with your local nursery expert.
Would you like to read more informative lifestyle content? Then, be sure to check out our other articles on our site today!
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