Contrary to the common notion, gardening is a simple affair. When it comes to home gardening, the task becomes even easier. With just a little guidance, anyone can have a beautiful, lush garden inside one’s house. Since the micro-apartment trend is catching up, home gardening has gained popularity among gardening enthusiasts. Relatively low on maintenance, a well-organised indoor garden can enhance your home décor. Furthermore, houseplants are believed to work as air purifiers, stress busters and memory enhancers. If you are still hesitant.
Select the plants carefully
Before you buy those orchids you have been eyeing for long, make sure to check the location feasibility at home. You will get to know what kind of plants will thrive all year long in your home garden. If you want a flourishing indoor garden, the first step is to select only such plants which thrive indoors. For instance, tropical plants won’t survive in hilly regions. Similarly, plants that are native to hilly regions may have a sluggish growth in tropical countries.
Choose the right soil type
Choosing the right soil type for your plants is equally important. Your potting soil should be tailored to the particular plant you are growing. If you are making a soil mix on your own, make sure it is aerated, well-drained, and has the ability to hold water and nutrients properly. A good soil mix should provide an adequate amount of oxygen to the roots. There are several tutorial videos available online which can show you the right way to mix soil. However, beginners should go with a ready-to-use soil mix. Remember that some plants such as Bromeliads and Orchids require a special kind of soil mix. The right soil type will maximise the growth of your indoor plants.
Water smarter
Both under-watering and over-watering can be harmful to your indoor plants. However, first-time gardeners usually end up watering their indoor plants more often than required. This can lead to root rot and ultimately premature death of your plants. Most indoor plants do best with less water, with some surviving days without a drop of water. The ideal way is to pour the water from the top with a sprinkler and let the soil soak it in. In case, you are not sure, look for visible signs of over-watering. If your plants have brown or yellow falling leaves, you may have been watering them too much. Also, Edema is another way to tell that your plants have fallen victim to over-watering. Just like over-watering, under-watering can also prove deadly to plants.
Fertilise and fertilise
Fertilising your home garden will expand its lifespan. Many people forget to fertilise the soil and then they complain about the sluggish growth of their plants. Applying mild fertilisers on a regular basis will ensure a constant supply of essential nutrients to your plants. However, be careful about over-fertilising your plants. When you put too much fertiliser in the soil, it gets so salty that it removes water from the plant’s roots. Check factors like plant type and the volume of soil before determining the fertiliser amount.
