An Inside Vegetable Garden

Photo: Flickr

Houseplants and herb gardens are well-known as common plants that are grown indoors.  But they are not the only plants that can be grown indoors.  By using the right containers and having the ability to mimic the ideal growing conditions you can also have an indoor vegetable garden.  The benefits of having one go beyond the beautification of your home or the relaxation you get from gardening, but you can also pick your own vegetables right in your kitchen.

Carrots, tomatoes, and radishes are three of the easiest vegetable to grow indoors.  Each grows differently and will need separate containers but with some research, this is not a problem.  A south-facing window is the best source of natural sunlight for your vegetables to grow in.  If you do not have the right exposure, you can invest in an artificial bulb to provide supplemental light.

As with any container you choose to grow plants in, making sure there is enough drainage is key.  If your plants sit in too much water they are not going to survive.  If the pots you choose do not have holes in the bottom be sure to put a layer of gravel or wood chips to allow the water to run out of the soil.  The flip side of this is not to ensure the water does not run out too quickly either.

When choosing the types of vegetables to plant, follow the same guidelines as you would for outdoors.  On the seed packets, it will give recommendations on when to plant, the amount of light and water that is needed and the spacing requirements.  Tailor your water schedule according to the condition of the soil, make sure it doesn’t get too dry or stay too wet either.

By the end of the summer or early fall, you should be able to harvest the vegetables grown inside your own home.

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The Wide Choice Of Indoor Plants

African Violets - Photo: Pixabay

When it comes to choosing indoor plants there is no dearth of the variety you can select from. We will list some of the plants that can liven up your indoors and are easy to maintain.

It will pay, however, to keep in mind that any type of plant needs sunlight and will sooner or later begin to tilt toward the source of light. This will make them grow at an awkward angle and so you will need to rotate the direction so that the plant will grow straight up.

Some of the popular indoor plants include:

African Violets: These small potted plants are easy to grow and adapt well to the indoors. These plants blossom for about three weeks, however, they need a lot of sunshine, so keep them on a windowsill.

However, avoid the heat of the sun or they will wither. These plants also need special fertilizer made especially for them. All greenhouse stores keep a supply of it.

Begonias: You will find three kinds of Begonias; Tuberous, Perennial and Semperflorens. The most common of the Begonias are the Semperflorens and come in everblooming and wax finishes.

Begonias are available in red, pink, yellow and white varieties and all have a very attractive yellow center.

Ivy: This variety of indoor climber makes for a very attractive indoor plant. Though this plant can survive for quite some time in a dark corner of a room it will soon begin to demand its share of sunlight.

So if you plan to have this plant among your collection it is best to choose a place near a source of sunlight. Remember to add enough water to your ivy to make the water drip out of the bottom of the pot. Too little water will stunt the plant.

Some of the other popular plants are Cactus, Coleus, Amaryllis, Geraniums, Paper Whites, Poinsettia and a variety of rubber plants.

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A Few Tips For The Indoor Gardener

Indoor Plants - Photo: Wikimedia

While all plants are quite apt to prosper indoors, they do need more or less the same conditions to grow as outdoor plants do. These conditions are a good supply of fresh air, proper sunlight, water and nutrients such as plant food commonly known as ‘fertilizer’.

We will include here a few tips that are sure to make your indoor plants grow healthier and add beauty to your surroundings.

Ever notice how plants will face the source of sunlight? This is because the sun is the main source of their nutrition. Plant leaves change water and nutrition from the soil to food through a process called ‘photosynthesis’.

A couple of hours of sunlight is a must for your indoor plants. If you do not have a place where you can have adequate sunlight, and cannot move the plants you should consider purchasing a couple of indoor gardening lights.

Ordinary lights will not do. Indoor gardening lights provide enough of ultraviolet light to nourish the plants.

Provide adequate water to your plants. Your indoor plants need ‘room temperature’ water to survive. Do not over water the plants, most plants die due to a lack of water or a surplus of it than they do of any other reason.

Follow a rule of thumb, like you test a cake you should pierce a knitting needle into a plant container. If the needle goes in with ease the soil is just the right dampness, if not increase the quantity of water a bit.

Fertilizers are also important, once a fortnight add a scoop of indoor plant fertilizer to your plant pot. Used tealeaves are also a very good supply of nutrition to your plant.

Follow these simple tricks and you will see your indoor garden prospering very soon.

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Part-Time Indoor Gardening

Indoor Garden - Photo: Flickr

There are part-time indoor gardeners; these are the ones that live in an area with cold winters – too cold for their outdoor plants to survive in.  By transplanting or bringing the plants indoors, they can survive the colder months and add greenery inside the home. There are some considerations and preparations that should be made before you decide to become a part-time indoor gardener.

The most important point to think about before bringing a plant indoors is whether or not it will survive to be an inside plant.  If the plant has high or very high light requirements and your house does not get a lot of light in the winter time – it may not be a good solution.  As a back-up, you can invest in an artificial light source to supplement the natural light the plant will get.

How will you get the plant indoors?  If the plant is already in a pot that will fit inside it is easy enough to move it indoors.  But if the plant is in the ground you need to find a pot large enough to contain the root system and one that will not be too difficult to move.  Keeping in mind that when a large plant is transplanted (re-potted or put in a pot for the first time) it may go into shock.  Although with careful attention, you can nurse your plant through this.

Most likely you have been taking care of your plants outdoors and they do not have any pests or bugs on them.  But it smart to double-check.  By bringing an infested plant indoors you are putting all of your other indoor plants at risk of becoming infected too.  Either forego bringing the plant inside or treat the pest problem before the cold weather arrives.  You may enjoy having your plant inside all winter that you decide to keep it there come springtime.

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Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening

Photo: Pixabay

If you have heard of hydroponics or other methods of growing plants without soil and want to try it out at home, you can.  Hydroponics is easy to care for and set-up at home.  There are materials you can buy or some you may be able to find around the house.

The dirt or soil that you use to grow plants in a traditional method is substituted for a growing medium (full of nutrients the plant needs to grow) in hydroponics gardening.  The growing medium is fed directly to the roots by the method of a drip-feeder.  The system can be automated and the gardener can control how many drips the roots receive in a specified time frame.  The more of the growing medium the faster the plants grow.

Since the system can be automated, the amount of time and energy that is required to maintain a hydroponics garden is less than with a traditional garden.  As long as enough water is present and growing medium the plants can be left unattended for a longer period of time.

A home-based hydroponics garden can grow vegetable year round.  The concern about pests and the composition of the soil are not an issue with this type of gardening.  Another bonus with this type of gardening is how fast you can have mature vegetables indoors (by increasing the amount of growing medium).  

The types of plants that are best for hydroponics are ones with thin spider-like roots.  Plants that have a bulb root system are still best grown in the traditional soil method inside a pot or outside.  When you are ready to begin, germinate the seeds for your plants like you normally would.  When the seed has started to sprout and has approximately 2-5 millimeters of growth it is ready to transplant to the hydroponics container and begin growing.

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Tips for Home Hydroponics Gardens

The requirements for plants are the same whether you are growing a garden traditionally or with a hydroponics method.  In hydroponics, the nutrients the plant would get from the soil are replaced by a growing medium that can be purchased at gardening supply stores.  

The need for water and light is still just as important though.  Light can come from a natural source, an artificial source or a combination of the two.  Depending on the type of hydroponics system the method that your plant gets water will differ too.

In order to get the best results from your home-based hydroponics garden, find a south-facing window to give the plants the best natural light.  If this isn’t possible, you can purchase special lights that are specifically designed for plants.  Instead of using a fluorescent light, buy what is known as a discharge light.  This imitates the light the plants would naturally get from the sun and will produce healthier and hardier plants.

The water that the root system is growing it needs to be healthy water full of nutrients and this can be determined by checking the pH level (it should be a pH level of 6).  The pH level should be checked on a regular basis to ensure it is not too acidic or alkaline.  If the reading is too high, add small amounts of vinegar and keep re-testing until you can the reading you want.  If the water reading has a pH level that is too low, use the same procedure to raise the pH level except using baking soda instead of vinegar.

By growing your plants with hydroponics, you will see faster and more abundant growth.  The method that the plants get their nutrients is more efficient and results in robust and prolific plants – whether they are houseplants, vegetable plants, or herbs.

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Humidity: The Destroyer Of Household Plants

Photo: Pixabay

Though humidity is rarely found in the house, it is always good to keep an eye out for a plant that is being affected by humidity. If you notice rot, mildew or mold, it is time to get some ventilation in the area or else lose your precious indoor plants.

Contrary to high humidity low humidity could also adversely affect the plants by sapping them of their water content faster than they can replenish it.

Some of the signs of low humidity are brown leaves, wilting, buds dropping, and low humidity which is especially prevalent during the winter months, especially if it is too cold and you use heaters in the house.

If you follow the few ways to regulate the humidity at proper levels you will have a beautiful and healthy indoor collection of plants.

* Do not keep to a schedule to water plants. Check the soil in the pot before adding water. Water when you feel it is necessary not because it is time to water

the plants.

* Use a mixture of soil and fertilizer that will hold water for longer periods. A sandy mixture will allow water to drain out easily.

* For low humidity, install an electric humidifier to raise the humidity level and a dehumidifier if the humidity level is too high.

* Keep plants in a place that is free from a draft. Such a location is bound to dry the plant.

* If you have many small pots of plants or flowers, make a large tray and fill it with marbles or pebbles. This will keep the pot above the water and the evaporating water will rise and wet the plants.

In the end, you will notice by regulating humidity levels you will have healthier plants.

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Natural Way to Deal with Pests on Indoor Plants

Photo: Pixnio

It is inevitable that insects or another infestation will make its way to your plants at one point or another.  If you are dealing with pests in your indoor garden you may want to find a natural way to eliminate them especially if you have young children or pets in your home.  There are ways to do this and most of them require ingredients that you can get at the grocery store.

When you find insects or another disease that is making your plant sick.  Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the problem from spreading to the other plants inside your house.  Depending on the type of problem the solution will be different.

If your plants are being eaten by spider mites, you can eliminate the problem by making a solution of buttermilk and water.  Put the solution into a spray bottle, put the plant in the bathtub and give a thorough once over.  A mix of 50-50 is recommended if this is too thick to use with the spray bottle, add more water for a thinner consistency.

You may be able to control aphids with a thorough washing of the plant leaves with water.  Another recommendation is to kill a couple of the aphids and leave them in the bottom of the pot.  They then emit an odor that lets the other aphids know that danger is near and they abandon the plant.  If this method is used, do it outside so they can find another home that is not inside yours.

The natural and organic methods available for the wide variety of problems your plant can encounter are too numerous to list.  These are the two most common pests, but with some research, there is a natural solution to many more different insects or diseases that can affect a plant’s health.

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A Terrarium as an Indoor Garden

carnivorous plants - Photo: Flickr

There is a solution for you if you love the look of plants indoors but don’t have the time or a green thumb to take care of them.  A terrarium is a self-contained plant habitat.  Once you have set-up the terrarium and closed the lid (on the jar or another container you have chosen) the plants inside create their own eco-system – all you have to do is enjoy it.

The choices for terrarium containers are only limited by your imagination. Traditionally a smaller aquarium is used with a lid but a glass jar or other container will work nicely too.  Plastic will work as well, just make sure that it is a clear plastic or you won’t be able to admire your handiwork once it is completed.  Whatever size or material you choose for your terrarium the most important factor is that it does not leak.  You need the water and moisture to stay inside for it to work and you don’t want a mess inside your house.

The plants that you choose should all thrive in similar conditions and grow well in a humid environment.  Popular plants to put into a terrarium are carnivorous (Venus Fly Trap, sundew, or pitch plant) or rainforest plants (chamaedorea palms, small ferns or fittonia).  

Terrariums are a low-maintenance indoor garden.  They need indirect sunlight (not too bright) and no water is needed after the initial water is added.  The heat from inside the terrarium evaporates the water and then it condenses on the lid falling back down to the plants.  This process will continue keeping your plants alive.  If there is too much water present, you may need to vent the terrarium (with a vented lid or opening the top a small amount) just be sure to keep an eye on the soil’s moisture level (not too wet or dry).

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A DIY Craft For All Ages - Great Gift Idea Too!

Photo: Flickr

Those wishing to grow indoor herbs, a sill sanctuary filled with flowers or a simple resting place for healthy, veggie sustenance can bank on this craft-idea to bring joy to their homes - or that of loved ones (should you wish to gift it).

Here’s what you need: a drill machine, a store-bought or home-made window box with drainage provided, drainage tray, sand-paper, compost and soil (or mixture bought from a nursery), favorite seasonal flowers, acrylic white and colored paints, overcoat of clear gloss to hold in the colors, a 2 inch paint brush and turpentine.

Method: Rub the sand-paper over the outside of the window box to smoothen out the rough edges; in smooth strokes, apply the base coat of white paint, wait for it to dry fully before applying the second coat.

When completely dry, paint in colored designs you like - hearts, leaves, lattice and stripes are some popular choices - and wait for the colors to dry before going

ahead with the overcoat of clear gloss. Let dry in sunlight overnight.

Fix the painted window box to your chosen spot by the window after machine-drilling holes into it, placing drainage tray and an inch-thick layer of pebbles at the bottom, then before covering these with compost and soil mix and sprinkling the plant seeds.

Lavender and Geranium grow well in small areas as do chives, mint and sage.

Whatever plants you choose, take care to water them regularly and treat them with adequate fertilizers (even slow release ones are available, so do find out about these) to keep from withering.

If opting for different varieties of plants, sow the tallest at the back, bushy ones in the middle and trailing kinds towards the front of the window box to give it an aesthetic look that’s peachy keen for the outsiders - looking in.

(Yeah, you’re sure to have plenty of those too - with such a great garden idea decorating your home!)

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Growing Cacti in an Indoor Garden

Indoor Cactus -Photo: Maxpixel

The homeowner who wants to start a home garden that is light on the maintenance needed may decide to buy cacti.  This is a good plan because they need less water than most plants and are quite hardy.  Although there are still care instructions that need to be followed to increase the life and longevity of a cactus.

Cactus plants are used to the heat and being dry, for this reason putting them in a 

windowsill with full sunlight is optimal.  Depending on the cactus and the amount of heat it is getting you may not have to water it for weeks at a time (once a month is the recommended watering schedule).  Cacti like coarse soil, it is recommended to use a soil that is meant specifically for a cactus instead of a generic mix.  When a fertilizer is needed you should also purchase a fertilizer that is just for cacti.

When watering a cactus, you want to be careful not to over water it.  A good tip to prevent this from happening is to place the cactus pot in a shallow dish full of water.  The plant will soak up all of the water it needs through the drainage hole in a period of 1-2 hours.  Complete this task and don’t worry about it again for another month unless the plant is starting to get a shriveled look.

When handling your cactus, be careful they can hurt.  If the pot is not large enough to hold onto without your hands getting to close to the prickly part of the pant use a folded newspaper and place it around the plant.  This will protect both your hands and the plant when moving it.  If you do get a piece of a cactus in your finger, remove gently with a pair of tweezers or a piece of strong tape.

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What You Need to Know About Indoor Organic Gardening

Photo: Pixabay

Indoor organic gardening is the perfect solution to people who love gardening but encountering problems due to natural elements such as climate. Compared to other countries that have a tropical climate, indoor gardening is more popular in countries with cold weather. This is because people cannot grow the plants they want anytime for it will only die due to the condition of the site. 

If you want to experience the beauty of indoor organic gardening, you must familiarize yourself first with everything that you need to know about it. Conducting a research about it will definitely help you achieve success especially if you are new to the craft. Reading agriculture and gardening books or magazines available in most bookstores nearby can do research. You can also browse the Internet and visit websites that contain information about indoor organic gardening. The following should be answered by your research: 

1. Soil to be used. This is very important because this is the lifeline of your soon-to-be crop. It is very important to know which is the most suitable soil for you to ensure the success of your crop. Experts say that clay is the most ideal to be used because it has great water retention properties compared to other types. 

It is also high in natural nutrients so the less organic matter is needed to ensure that the plants get the number of nutrients they need. But, if slay is not available, you can also use sand or the ordinary garden soil. Just make sure that you replenish it with the right amount of organic matter such as decaying plants, kitchen wastes such as fruit peels and vegetable stalks as well as animal manure. 

2. The plant you want. You cannot just buy any seed of the plant you like without considering the natural conditions of your site. Make sure that before you buy a large quantity of any seed, you can double-check the living condition of your organic indoor gardening site to ensure that the plants will grow well.

3. The amount of warmth needed by the seeds. If you are in a cold place, you need warmth to ensure that the seeds will germinate very well. Make sure that you before planting any seed; there is an area where it could get the warmth it needs. 

4. The type of container to be used. It is very important to know what is the most suitable type of container for your gardening because this will ensure the healthy growth of your plant. Ideal containers are those that have tapered bottom and sides to ensure that air and water will circulate very well. There are available containers in groceries that are already tapered such as trays and pots. 

But, if you are tight on budget, you can use recycled items such as empty juice cans, milk cartons, and other containers that can hold soil. Make sure that you sterilize it first before using by washing it very well using warm water with parts of chlorine bleach to remove all residues and kill the germs. 

5. The planting process. This is very important in organic indoor gardening because it will ensure that the seed is planted properly to germinate. The best seeds that are easy to plant include eggplant, cabbage, peppers, lettuce, or tomatoes as well as fast-growing plants such as melon, pumpkin, and cucumber. When planting, make sure that you fill individual containers with soil and planting mix and press it gently. 

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An INDOOR GARDEN for Children

Photo: Pxhere

If you have young children around an indoor garden is the perfect project to teach them about nature. It is also an avenue to teach children about the responsibility needed to care for something on an ongoing basis.  Simple is best, even for older children – as they prove themselves and their garden thrives they can expand the plants that they grow.

To enrich the learning opportunity purchase clear containers to grow the plants in.  If you can not find a traditional pot that is clear make sure the container you use either has a drainage hole in the bottom or layer gravel on the bottom before adding the soil.  Once the plant starts to grow more the roots will become visible in the pot.

Children will love to grow their own vegetables and maybe even eat them once they are ready.  Buy each child a large container that is theirs to take care of and let them pick the type of vegetable they want to grow.  The easiest vegetables to grow indoors are carrots, tomatoes, and radishes.  There are a wide variety of tomatoes that you can grow from beefsteak to cherry tomato.

The next time you eat an orange, save the seeds.  Children can plant the seeds in small containers about 1 inch down into the soil.  By giving the plant watered and in the sunlight, in two to three weeks they will have their own citrus tree growing.  They can choose to keep it indoors or plant it outside in the summer when the small plant has become bigger and stronger.  Try the same with other fruit seeds too from watermelon to apple seeds.

Getting children to help with your houseplants is a good idea too.  Children love to help out with adult chores and it gives you a break at the same time.

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Keeping Pets our of your Plants

Photo: Maxpixel

Cats and dogs love dirt, they dig in it, play in it and if a cat’s litter box isn’t clean they may find a backup location in your potted plants.  Some pets will leave the dirt alone but are irresistibly drawn to the leaves, either to nibble on or bat at.  There is no fail-safe plant but there are some tips and tricks you can follow to make your pets leave the plants alone.

The biggest problem and the most damaging to an indoor plant is a cat deciding to use the dirt as a litter box.  Once a cat has done this once, the odor is there and it is going to be hard to stop them from going back.  To prevent this from happening in the first place, cover the dirt in larger pots with lava rock or wood chips.  A cat will not like the feel of either of these materials on their paws and will not feel comfortable using the pot as a bathroom.

Dogs are easier to train and keep away from plants but it is harder for other animals.   Especially for cats - a deterrent may be necessary to keep them away.  You can use a spray bottle of water to stop them from chewing on plant leaves or digging in the dirt.  Since cats don’t like anything from the citrus family you can put fresh citrus rinds at the base of the plant too – their sensitive noses will stop them from getting too close.

Keep your soil nice and moist, not only is this good for the plant, cats will not enjoy digging in the wet dirt.  Some trial and error may be called for until you find the right solution that works for your pets.  If all else fails, buy hanging plants instead or put the plants in an inaccessible location. 

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Plants That Should Be Left Outside

Flowers - Photo: Pixabay

When you are an indoor gardener the same rules apply to your plants as they do to any other type of gardener.  Your plants will need water, food, and plenty of light as does the ones grown outside or in a greenhouse.  Of course, there are special considerations such as temperature and humidity control but they can be overcome with relatively minor adjustments.  With that being said, there are some plants that are best left to the outdoor gardener.

The type of plant that won’t do well indoors is really dependant on the climate you live in.  If you live in a warm area and have the air conditioning or fans on during the day a plant that is used to a higher temperature will not do well inside your home and should be left outside.  The same goes for the opposite if your house is overheated a plant will most likely dry out from lack of moisture in the air.

Other plants that are best left outdoors are perennials and bulb plants that need the seasonal rains and temperatures outside to grow again.  You could bring some tulips or daffodils inside in a pot but they will do much better outside.  

Most trees are best left outside too; by trying to grow certain trees inside you will only have a smaller less sturdy version than its outside mates.  If you do decide to grow a tree indoors plan ahead for a transplant that may have to occur.  You do not want to wait until the tree becomes too heavy to move.  When a larger plant is repotted or planted elsewhere it will usually go into shock – meaning it will not grow for at least one season (it may be more depending on the size and age of the plant).  

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Safety Considerations for Indoor Gardening

Rosary Pea - Photo: Wikimedia

It is most likely that your indoor plants will be safe from hard other than the odd garden pest.  But if you have young children or pets in the home, the danger can be for them.  There are many plants that are not recommended for indoors (or outdoors for that matter) when children or pets are present.  Some plants are poisonous, even fatal if ingested.  Listed below if a few of the more popular plants that aren’t safe to have around.

The seeds of Rosary Pea and Castor Bean plants are lethal.  Fatalities have been reported from the ingestion of just one seed.  If a young child or cat chews on one of the leaves they are sure to get sick.  You can purchase necklaces that are made from the seeds of this plant.  These are not meant for children and can cause skin irritations in adults.

Parts of the Oleander plant (the leaves and bark) are also poisonous.  It is not worth the risk to have these in the house.  Even with due diligence children or pets are bound to get into a houseplant at one point or another.  It is hard to safeguard against falling leaves or other unavoidable events.

The bulbs of certain flowering plants are considered poisonous too.  Even if you are planning on planting the bulbs outside, be careful they are stored in a safe out of the way area that is not accessible to little heads.  The flower bulbs in question are from the Hyacinth, the Daffodil, and the Narcissus flowers.

If you own any of these plants and don’t have little animals or children running around to get into still use caution.  Be aware of what plants in your house are potential hazards to humans.  In addition, be a considerate host or hostess and put the dangerous plants in a safe way when young visitors are coming over. 

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Cheer Up Your Window This Winter With A Garden To Grace It!

Photo: Wikimedia

When winter sets in soon and nip at your toes, don’t let the blues get to your love for gardening outdoors...simply bring it in indoors!

Yes, we recommend an indoor window garden to boost your spirits and keep the gloomy winter feel out in the cold with sensibly chosen winter plants - some fragrant and colorful, others edible and flavorful for enhancing your winter menus. Try this wonderful winter gardening remedy today:

Your windowsill is the perfect place for starting a seasonal indoor garden that will sustain your wintry

gardener’s soul and warm your heart with perfect seasonings for tasty, nutritious and wholesome soups, broths and stews if you plant timely, healthful herb when ushering out autumn.

Along with the versatile herbs like basil, compact dill, and Greek Oregano, you can also consider thyme and parsley beside coriander that readily takes to windowsill gardening and is likely to fill your winters with fragrance, greenery and soothing, medicinal value when added to soups!

These only require regular watering and a few hours of sunlight to grow and so are easy to grow even for those not blessed at birth with a green thumb.

Perhaps, some eye candy - in the form of fresh flowers that are regarded as winter blooms - can be your daily delight with just a snip of a seed packet, pre-prepared potting soil that has been treated for fertilizer mix and contains the necessary peat moss etc. for helping indoor plants nasturtiums, pansies

and calendulas.

Sure to bring a smile to your face and color to the room, flowering indoor plants in your window garden, when tended with a little bit of sunshine, water, and right soil-mixture, are the best bet for beating winter blues!

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The Wide Choice Of Indoor Plants

Maceta con begonias rosas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When it comes to choosing indoor plants there is no dearth of the variety you can select from. We will list some of the plants that can liven up your indoors and are easy to maintain.

It will pay, however, to keep in mind that any type of plant needs sunlight and will sooner or later begin to tilt toward the source of light. This will make them grow at an awkward angle and so you will need to rotate the direction so that the plant will grow straight up.

Some of the popular indoor plants include:

African Violets: These small potted plants are easy to grow and adapt well to the indoors. These plants blossom for about three weeks, however, they need a lot of sunshine, so keep them on a windowsill.

However, avoid the heat of the sun or they will wither. These plants also need special fertilizer made

especially for them. All greenhouse stores keep a supply of it.

Begonias: You will find three kinds of Begonias; Tuberous, Perennial and Semperflorens. The most common of the Begonias are the Semperflorens and come in everblooming and wax finishes.

Begonias are available in red, pink, yellow and white varieties and all have a very attractive yellow

center.

Ivy: This variety of indoor climber makes for a very attractive indoor plant. Though this plant can survive for quite some time in a dark corner of a room it will soon begin to demand its share of sunlight.

So if you plan to have this plant among your collection it is best to choose a place near a source of sunlight. Remember to add enough water to your ivy to make the water drip out of the bottom of the pot. Too little water will stunt the plant.

Some of the other popular plants are Cactus, Coleus, Amaryllis, Geraniums, Paper Whites, Poinsettia and a variety of rubber plants.

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Indoor Gardening

Philodendron - Photo: Wikipedia

A lot of people stick a fake tree in a corner, dust the leaves off every week, and call it indoor gardening, but indoor gardening has grown into much more than that lately.  There are also a lot of people that think plants belong and should stay inside, but there are many reasons for starting an indoor garden.  For instance, plants don’t only remove carbon dioxide from the air, they also remove many poisonous toxins and pollutants as well.  Indoor gardening will result in beautiful decoration in your house as well as cleaner air.  

When picking out plants for indoor gardening, make sure the plants are adaptable and will be able to thrive in the conditions and setting in your house.  Consider how much time you will be able to spend caring for the plants, how much light your house offers, and also how much money you want to spend in your indoor garden.  If you are on a low budget, start with seeds or cuttings.  If you have a little more money to dish out you can buy a plant that is already grown.  Another thing to consider is if you want a plant that can be displayed all year or just for a season. Herb gardens are a good thing for indoor gardening; they are both attractive and edible.  They will grow pretty quick and you won’t have to wait a long time to see results.  Some popular herbs, especially for cooking, are chives, dill, sage, thyme, and oregano.

When indoor gardening, consider the amount of experience you have before choosing a plant.  There are some plants that are stronger and harder to kill and therefore better for a novice gardener.  Examples are Fatsia, Cyperus, Scandens, Popular Succulents, Coleus, and Bromeliads.

Some things, such as the basic rules of maintaining plants, are different in indoor gardening that in a regular outdoor setting.  Since plants won’t get the sunlight they do outdoors, lighting is essential.  You need to know exactly how much light your plants need and pick plants that only need a medium to low light, such as ferns or Philodendrons unless you plan to supply artificial lighting.  If you buy a plant already grown, wherever you get it probably has better lighting than your house so you will need to “condition” your plant and gradually reduce the light it receives.  Once you get the plant inside, make sure and rotate the plant to encourage upright growth.

Just because you are indoor gardening, don’t think the plants don’t have to have water; they still do.  How often you water, once again, depends on what type of plant you have.  Make sure the water can drain out of the bottom of the pot and try to use water that is about the same as the temperature of the room.  Also, pay attention to the temperature in your house in order to ensure healthy plants.  A 10-15 degree range won’t hurt any plants, but rapid changes could cause damage.

Indoor gardening is not all that difficult; in fact, it is pretty much the same as outdoor.  There are even some advantages to indoor gardening.  For example, you won’t have to worry as much about bugs and insects bothering your plants.  You also won’t have to worry about wind or frost reeking havoc on your garden.

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Indoor Garden Tips For Beginners!

Photo: Pxhere 

Hey there, new gardeners! These ones for all you kitchen garden enthusiasts that want to sow different varieties of indoor plants, both edible and the simply decorative ones too, who’d like to know simple, practical and home-grown wisdom regarding a garden that’s easy to maintain and provides for both body and soul nourishment.

While some people have all the luck and also large spaces to maintain kitchen gardens, others like those living in apartments, small spaces or those bereft of a backyard can still indulge in gardening as a hobby with making the best of growing potted vegetables, herbs, floral plants and indoor greens.

A good choice of flowering plants that do well even in limited areas of growth, like planter boxes and pots that have been prepped with potting soil are nasturtiums of the compact kinds such as Whirlybird and Copper Sunset.

Marigolds, Iceland poppies and smaller varieties of sunflowers are other options that are sure to happy up your indoor garden area. These are short, easy to care for and not likely to take over your walls like trailing plant varieties are prone to do!

If choosing herbs for your indoor garden, even small tin-pot containers work well as long as you ensure the necessary sunlight (minimum 4 hours) and water nourishment is given them regularly; check a local nursery for pre-prepared soil-mixes as these contain the right balance of grub for indoor garden glories.

Do check for proper drainage (at the base) for your plant containers or punch holes if these are missing, so the excess moisture escapes and your plants get the necessary warmth too.

If planting herb seeds, try out an old home-gardeners trick of pre-soaking them a couple of hours before planting in pots filled with potting soil; cover with a quarter inch more of soil after randomly scattering the seeds over the base soil and rosemary and thyme are sure to see you through the season with welcome aroma!

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