Even if you live in a small house or apartment, you can grow plants. In addition to typical house species, certain herbs, fruits and vegetables can thrive in an apartment. Start with just a few pots and gradually improve your gardening skills. Here’s how to start a garden on the right foot:
How to grow plants in apartments
Although some seedlings are more resistant and tolerant, perfect for beginner gardenersall have specific growth requirements that must be met. Here are some elements to consider when choosing which species to plant:
Sun light
Most fruit and flower species need a full day of sun. This means six to eight hours of direct sun dailywhich can be hard to find in an apartment – especially in a city where tall buildings can block natural light for at least part of the day.
balconies and roofs offer the best chance of full sun. If you are planting on a windowsill, choose plants that require less sunlight, such as certain greens and herbsor you can add a grow light to mimic the sun’s rays.
Ground
The branches depend on the soil for water, oxygen and nutrients. Since your apartment garden will likely involve containers, you cannot use regular garden soil because it will compact in pots, limiting oxygen access and preventing water from flowing.
Therefore, a mixture of well-draining substrate, light, fluffy and efficiently circulate oxygen and water to keep roots healthy. Because it’s somewhat sterile, you won’t have to worry about bringing diseases or pests into your space. See all about soil types here!
Water
Choose a location for your garden that has easy access to a water supply, and always research the species you are going to plant. One common mistake of first-time gardeners is to exceed love and end watering the seedlings too much.
Moisture
If you are growing your species on an indoor windowsill, you may need to provide a little extra moistureespecially when the heat is strong. spray the plants with a little water can help, or you can put them in a tray with water.
Wind
If your seedlings are exposed to strong winds, especially in roofs or balconies, they may need additional protection. O wind it can shred leaves and knock over the heaviest shells. Therefore, provide a wind block such as a screen or grid, make sure your pots are wide and heavy enough to anchor the plants, or if you’re feeling excited, build your own DIY greenhouse!
Weight
Containers filled with soil are heavy to begin with, and once saturated with water their weight can triple. Make sure your apartment’s garden location can support this.
Best floor plans for apartments
You can plant just about any species in a container to some extent. For example, a full-size apple tree might be out of the question, but there are trees that can fit in a corner of your porch.
Think about what you like to eat and choose some types of branches to try. You can start with seeds, which offer more variety and are cheaper.
herbs
While many herbs grow well in pots, they won’t grow as big and bushy – unlike if they were grown outdoors in soil. Plus you might have to replace your plants if you harvest frequently. But it’s wonderful to have fresh herbs around for cooking! Some of the best options for apartment gardening include mint, chives, parsley, lavender, basil and thyme.
green salads
Salad favorites – like lettuce, spinach and arugula – are fast growing plants with shallow roots. They are not very picky about their growing conditions if they are given a lot of water.
tomatoes
Tomato seedlings can get big and heavy, but they do well in pots. They will appreciate a reservoir that is at least 14 inches in diameter, but bigger is better. Be sure to choose a dwarf or determinate type of tomato.
Pepper
If you like the heat, peppers grow very well in containers and can bear fruit year-round. look here how to grow pout pepper, a darling of Brazilians!
strawberries
A strawberry garden is as beautiful as it is delicious. Strawberry plants generally need at least six hours of sun a day and consistently moist (but not soggy) soil to produce their best fruit.
care
There are certain tasks you can expect to perform on a regular basis, including:
watering
By far the most important task is watering. Even if your garden is exposed to rain, there probably won’t be enough water. Soil in containers dries out quickly, especially as your plant grows. Test the soil by sticking your finger an inch or two below the surface. If it’s dry, it needs water. See tips for properly watering your plant here!
Food
You will need to feed your branches regularly, according to their individual growth needs. One water soluble fertilizer, which can be added when you water, is usually the easiest method. Also, look to see if the selected substrate already contains fertilizer, as this will usually delay the need for you to feed your plants.
Problems
Pests and diseases have a way of finding plants no matter where you grow them, and there is no predators natural for insects indoors. Inspect your seedlings for problems whenever you water or harvest them. If you spot signs of pests or disease, such as discoloration or holes in the leaves, keep the species away from others until the problem is resolved.
Harvest
Learn when your seedlings are at their peak for harvest, and don’t delay picking the fruit. In some cases, harvesting actually encourages the plant to produce even more food for you.
Check out a list of products to start your garden!
* The generated links may yield some type of remuneration for Editora Abril. Prices were consulted in December 2022 and may be subject to change.
*Via The Spruce