#how to grow an indoor garden

[themandatedreporterjr]

How to Grow an Indoor Garden - For Beginners

Please like and share for more tips and hacks.

*Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission or credit if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you. An Indoor Garden Hydroponic Growing System is a great way to grow your own vegetables, herbs and plants. It is especially great for people like me who try to garden the traditional way, but completely stink at it. I discovered this…

[anipgarden]

Cheaply Starting Seeds

This is my fourth post in a series I’ll be making on how to increase biodiversity on a budget! I’m not an expert--just an enthusiast--but I hope something you find here helps! 

Having a high-quality seed-starting setup can feel like an ultimate but distant dream. An entire shelf--an entire room, even, filled with grow lights and plant trays in the optimal setup to make tons of plants? Tons of garden tools, each with a diverse and dedicated purpose? That’s just not an option for some of us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get started at a low cost!

Seed Starting Set-Ups

Speaking from a somewhat biased Floridian perspective, I’ve had great success starting seeds outside! My usual set-up is on a rarely-used outdoor patio table that’s moved to a sunny spot in the yard, but I’ve even grown seeds in solo cups on sidewalks, or directly in the ground, with great results! 

Some seeds grow best when they go through a cold period before germinating, while other seeds aren’t affected much by it and just wait for warm weather. As such, a viable option is to sow your seeds in late fall, let winter roll by, and wait until the seeds sprout on their own come spring! I would try and mark off where you planted said seeds, so you don’t lose track of them and accidentally dig them up.

Alternatively, if you want to get started while it's cold outside, a popular option I've seen is to grow in milk jugs! There's a lot of different ways to do it--everyone has their preference--but if you're already drinking things like milk or juice or sweet tea, and you're going to get jugs at some point in time--why not use them for gardening?

An easy way to clear up a section of lawn to create open gardening space is by using a sheet mulching or lasagna gardening method (though I like to call it the Cardboard Snuff-Out). Place cardboard or newspaper down in fall/winter to mark out where you want to garden. Layer compostable materials like grass clippings and wood chips on top of it, or potting soil/bagged compost. It’ll decompose over Winter into an organically rich bed that’ll have killed the grass and weeds underneath it. You don’t have to break out any tools and sweat over it come spring, and the cardboard itself will slowly decompose as well!

Though it's often recommended to plant things directly into the ground to decrease watering needs and increase nutritional independence, there’s plenty of reasons you may not be able to. Whether you’re renting, living in a place without a yard, or even just can’t or don’t want to break ground in a yard, you can still help biodiversity by growing in pots. Some plants have rather extensive root systems and aren’t well suited for pots, but there are still plenty of options available for plants that’ll boost biodiversity, be beautiful to look at, and grow just fine in pots! A recommendation is to get a larger pot, if you’re able, as it’ll hold onto more water and need watering less often. Not only are potted plants great for providing food for insects, but they can be shelter for other creatures too--there’s been a good few times I’ve moved a pot and found a frog or toad living underneath it.

If you don’t have room for pots on the ground, you could consider using hanging pots or window boxes! These can be great and easily-maintained options to provide food and habitat for insects and birds in an urban living situation like apartments or townhouses, but they can also be a fun way to add even more habitat to an already-robust home garden. You can even make an entire mini habitat in a window box or pot! I can personally say I’ve seen tons of pollinators visit my yearly hanging basket garden that consists of about five to seven plants, and I’ve always loved the idea of having a window box for blooms right out my window. Just make sure that it’s safe--make sure they’re securely fixed, and that whatever they’re hanging from can handle their weight when they’re freshly watered and loaded with plants. 

If you want to start indoors, you don’t necessarily need grow lights or heat mats (though it will make things a bit easier.) I’ve successfully grown milkweed, peppers, tomatoes, zucchinis, and even sprouted lemon seeds in college dorm rooms, and kept tomato and pepper plants in a dorm room on a sunny windowsill. For the most part, you need a nice and sunny window, some kind of container, and a source of heat (in my case, I used anything from a space heater to the warmth of my laptop running nearby. If you don’t have any sunny windows, or enough windowsill space to start plants on, its possible to obtain cheaper grow lights. One year, my mom bought me some gooseneck grow lights that could clip onto things for cheap off of Amazon. (Fair warning, though, they did light up my entire room in purple. I lived alone that year (covid year, my roomies bailed), so it was fine, but it was kind of trippy,)

Another year, when I was in an apartment on my own, I bought a grow light modeled like a normal light bulb from the lightbulb aisle in Lowe’s and put it in my desk lamp. Growing seeds indoors can make them grow fast and leggy, so it’ll help if you can keep a desk fan on them so they focus on growing strong instead of tall and fast.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a friend with a nice set up, you could see if they’re willing to let you borrow some of their space to start your own plants as well! My set-up in college was by no means High Class, but I was still more than willing to start seeds for my friends who asked!

Containers for Seed Starting

So now that we’ve talked starting seeds indoors and out, we need to address what to start them in. It’s important that whatever you’re using has drainage holes, and be large enough to support your plant (starting something like milkweed or a squash in a tiny little pot won’t yield great results). Fortunately, there are options here!

If you’re looking to buy pots, Dollar Tree will sell some small plastic pots for cheap in the spring! They’re kind of thin, and won’t last forever, but they’re great for a few uses and don’t cost a lot of money. Something that’s a bit more pricey but are longer-lasting, in my experience, are the Burpee SuperSeed trays. They come in different sizes, but I’m fond of the 16-cell trays--they have silicone bottoms and are made of a nice solid plastic with a tray to hold water, so they hold up for a long time and are easy to clean and reuse!

Burpee seed tray, my beloved.

What’s better than a cheap pot? Free ones, and there’s plenty of options there! I’ve seen people use toilet paper or paper towel rolls as pots by folding the bottoms in and have it work well for them! I think this method would work best if you had some kind of tray to keep them moist, because mine dried out fast last time I tried this method. I’ve also seen people make pots out of newspaper with a few different methods, and the people who use this method love it--apparently, the roots pass through the paper easier and it decomposes faster when buried, so you can just transplant the whole pot and avoid any kind of transplanting shock. If you don’t have any newspaper on hand, you can likely ask your friends or neighbors! 

I’ve gotten lots of mileage from reusing old containers by poking a few holes in the bottom with knives or scissors--just be careful while you’re doing it! I, personally, am more likely to use an already-used solo cup for it--they’re a nice size, so they hold a good amount of soil and moisture and give the seedling a good amount of root space. I tend to write the plant information on the side of the cup in sharpie marker, or on an index card in pen. I’ve also heard of people making use of egg cartons, fruit containers, yogurt cups, milk cartons, soda bottles--the more you start thinking about what you could easily poke a hole in, the more options start coming around!

This photo may be from 2018, but I'll still regularly reuse cups like this! They're also great for cuttings!

As you start planning to move your seedlings into the ground and preparing planting sites, you’ll likely need a few tools to do it! How do you get these? You may be able to borrow some tools from a neighbor! As long as you make sure to return them in good condition, depending on how friendly your neighbors are, they might be totally fine with you borrowing their tools for awhile. If you don’t want to take that route, there may be a tool library you can borrow from, or a mutual aid group that can loan you tools for awhile. Either way, borrowing tools is cheaper than buying them--though, if you do have to buy tools, cheap hand-tools from Walmart or the dollar store work just fine. They’ll even last a good while if they’re taken care of when not in use! I've even seen places like Ross sell some tools and pots in spring!

Spotted in a Walmart gardening section by the registers, 2023.

Of course, your mileage may vary with these. I genuinely cannot think of the last time my house got a newspaper, and as I've mentioned I don't have to worry about snow. Similarly, maybe you don't use plastic cups when you can help it, or don't have a particular affinity for eggs and yogurt. Maybe there isn't a tool library in your area--I sure don't know if there is in mine--but it could still be worth poking around and asking a neighbor!

That's the end of this post! My next post is gonna be about ways to support your plants for cheap--we're gonna be talking compost, mulch, and trellises. Until then, I hope this advice was helpful! Feel free to reply with any questions, your success stories, or anything you think I may have forgotten to add in!

[balkanradfem]

A woman shows you all kinds of containers that to and don't work for raising little transplants inside of your home! And she's right and I agree with her.

[toenail-town]

Everyone pls welcome Juniper, the jalepeno plant

[nomaishuttle]

i need 2 start prepping for the hobbies i want 2 start

[hydroponicgardeninglove]

Hydroponics: The Complete Guide For Beginners to Learn How to Start Gardening Indoor and Growing Fresh Vegetables, Organic Fruits and Herbs at Home With the Revolutionary Hydroponic Garden System.

Hydroponics: The Complete Guide For Beginners to Learn How to Start Gardening Indoor and Growing Fresh Vegetables, Organic Fruits and Herbs at Home With the Revolutionary Hydroponic Garden System.

Hydroponics: The Complete Guide For Beginners to Learn How to Start Gardening Indoor and Growing Fresh Vegetables, Organic Fruits and Herbs at Home With the Revolutionary Hydroponic Garden System. Product Description & Features: Locale : en_US Name : Garden Liam Role : Author Kindle EditionDigital Ebook Purchas *** Estimated Price: $2.99 Shop now at Amazon.com – CLICK HERE for more product…

[livingbewitchingly]

(via Houseplant How-To)

[solarpunkpresentspodcast]

Yesterday the weather outdoors was super terrible, so my Solarpunk Action was setting up a little gardening station in the corner of my laundry room so I could get tomato seedlings started.

[sauravsharma3489]

Embarking on apartment gardening as a beginner can be both exciting and rewarding. With the right tips and ideas, you can transform your living space into a thriving green haven. Opt for indoor plants that thrive in low-light conditions and are easy to care for. Some excellent choices for beginners include pothos, snake plants, spider plants, and peace lilies. Research the specific needs of each plant to ensure they're suitable for your apartment environment.

[thegardenenthusiast]

A Beginner's Guide to Growing Herbs Indoors: Tips for Thriving Indoor Herb Gardens

For those who have never grown herbs before, cultivating them indoors can be a delightful and fragrant experience. Growing an indoor herb garden is a wonderful and doable hobby, regardless of your interest in cooking or just the convenience of having fresh herbs on hand. This in-depth guide will show you how to successfully grow your very own indoor herb garden..

Choosing the Right Herbs: Start by selecting herbs that are well-suited for indoor cultivation. Popular choices include basil, mint, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Choose herbs that share similar growing requirements to simplify maintenance.

Selecting the Right Containers: Choosing the right containers is crucial for successful indoor herb gardening. Ensure that your pots have adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Additionally, consider the size of the pots, allowing ample space for root growth.

The Perfect Potting Mix: Herbs thrive in well-draining soil. Create a suitable potting mix by combining regular potting soil with perlite or coarse sand to enhance drainage. This ensures that your herbs receive the right balance of water and air.

Providing Adequate Light: Indoor herbs require plenty of sunlight to thrive. Place your herb garden near a south-facing window where they can receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. If natural light is scarce, consider supplementing with fluorescent grow lights.

Watering Wisely: Overwatering is a common mistake in herb gardening. Allow the topsoil to dry out slightly before watering. When watering, do so thoroughly, ensuring the water reaches the roots. Always use a saucer under the pots to catch excess water and prevent water damage.

Temperature and Humidity: Most herbs prefer temperatures between 60-70°F (15-21°C). Ensure the indoor environment remains well-ventilated, as stagnant air can lead to problems like mold. Humidity levels between 40-60% are generally suitable for herb cultivation.

Fertilizing Routine: Herbs benefit from periodic feeding during the growing season. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can harm the plants.

Pruning and Harvesting: Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and prevents herbs from becoming leggy, or similarly, elongated or stretched. Harvest leaves in the morning when the essential oils are most concentrated. Avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure continued growth.

Dealing with Common Pests: Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and spider mites. A mild solution of water and dish soap can help control these pests. Alternatively, introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs to keep your indoor garden pest-free.

In closing, embarking on the journey of growing herbs indoors is a delightful adventure for beginners. By choosing the right herbs, containers, soil, and providing the optimal growing conditions, you'll soon be enjoying the bountiful harvest of your indoor herb garden. Follow these tips, stay patient, and watch as your herbs flourish, bringing a touch of freshness to your culinary endeavors. Happy herb gardening!

[mossandfog]

How to Build Your Indoor Succulent Garden

In our busy modern lives, creating a space of tranquility and natural beauty in your home can be a refreshing little oasis. Plants can do that. And succulents are a perfect pick.  They are beautiful, diverse, and often easy to keep alive.  An indoor succulent garden brings a piece of the serene outdoors into your living space. This article guides you through the steps to create your own indoor…

[home--farm]

Lettuce update

This is what succession sowing looks like. The first picture shows seeds sprouting at about a week old. These have been sown in peat pucks (which is not environmentally friendly and I don't recommend that. I use them because I got them as a gift), the others are two weeks old and in my own soil mix, and the bottom picture are three weeks old now and starting to form hearts. Succession sowing just means sowing every few days or every week so you can get a succession of crops that ripen at different times. This way you avoid a glut (and can get a little gardening in while the weather stinks!)

[chokrihizem]

Eco-Friendly Gardening: Sprouted Popcorn in Toilet Paper Rolls 🌽

🌷💚 Transform your indoor space with our unique gardening project! 🌿 Learn how to plant sprouted popcorn in lean toilet paper rolls for a sustainable and fun garden experience. 🌽🧻 Our video tutorial provides clear and easy-to-follow instructions, ensuring your success from start to finish. 🌞 Discover the benefits of using high-quality seed starting soil and the best care practices for your new plants. 🌿 This project is perfect for all ages and skill levels, making it a great family activity. 🌻 Enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own popcorn plants and contribute to a greener planet. 🌍 Subscribe for more innovative gardening ideas and join our community of eco-conscious gardeners! 🌱

[planthouseandgarden]

How to Care for Poinsettias? All You Need To Know

How to Care for Poinsettias? Welcome to our How-To Guide on caring for Poinsettia plants, the perfect addition to your home’s festive decor. As the holiday season approaches, Poinsettias bring vibrant colors and elegance. This guide will walk you through essential steps to ensure your Poinsettias not only flourish during the holidays but thrive year-round. For a visual walkthrough, check out the…

[cselandscapearchitect]

How to Grow Ficus 'Audrey' and Ficus ficus benghalensis

The Banyan Tree, scientifically known as Ficus benghalensis (and sometimes sold as Ficus ‘Audrey’), is a magnificent and iconic tree known for its aerial roots and grandeur. While commonly found outdoors in tropical regions, it is also possible to grow this impressive tree indoors, bringing a touch of nature’s splendor into your living space. In this article, we embark on a journey to uncover…

[greenberry123]

With our selection of beautiful and stylish pots, you can bring a touch of elegance to your garden.

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