Maybe you live in a northern climate where the growing season is very short. Or you live in the city and don’t have any outdoor space. You might even have the land and extensive growing season, but find it simply too hot to work outside. Whatever your reason, indoor gardening is the perfect solution. If you enjoy getting your hands dirty and love reaping the fruits of your labor (literally) then working in the comfort of your own home is perfect. Some of us at Workman’s Friend are avid indoor gardeners and know there is a lot of careful planning and work that goes into your garden. That’s why we created a product that protects your hands as you work in the dirt then allows you to quickly clean hands when you are finished. Apply Barrier Skin Cream before you begin,and your hands will be covered with an invisible layer of protection as you work that prevents dirt from sticking to your skin and making it hard to wash off.The cream will also prevent any dirt from getting into any scratches or small cuts you may have. Once you are finished working, a simple wipe or quick wash will leave your hands with no traces of dirt and comfortably moisturized.Workman’s Friend is here to lend you a helping hand with growing your indoor garden so you can enjoy watching your plants and flowers thrive. Consider these different factors when planning your garden to make it a success.
Related: How to Create a Container Garden
Space
Ask yourself how much space in your home can you dedicate to your indoor garden? Most are centered on a large window usually in the kitchen. This allows the most natural light possible. Whether you place your plants on a window sill or table, make sure there is a tarp under them to soak up the inevitable water that will drain from your pots. Using shelving is another great idea for your garden. It will provide a lot of planting room while taking up space. However, if you’re using shelves make sure that there is enough light that reaches every plant. This may require a separate grow light for each shelf.
Light
All plants need a light source in order to photosynthesize. Without this a plant will not grow, flower or produce fruit. If your indoor garden is located in a part of your home where there is limited natural light, you may want to consider installing a grow light. There are many choices of light bulbs for an indoor garden. The least expensive and most effective is a fluorescent light.
Alternatively, there are High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs. They are the brightest and most expensive bulbs available to indoor gardeners. A single HID bulb can produce as much light as several 50-40 watt fluorescent ones. There are different types of HID bulbs to choose from. It is usually recommended that indoor gardeners choose either a High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide HID bulb.
Temperature
How hot or cold should your indoor garden be? Generally, temperatures between 65-75 ℉ are best for most plants. Remember, if your fruit or vegetable plants are too hot they won’t grow to their full potential and remain weak. Conversely, if your plants are too cold they may produce yellow leaves, not bear fruits, flowers or simply die.
Humidity
If your home isn’t humid enough for your plants they will certainly tell you. Brown leaves, looking withered or losing their leaves are common signs that your plants aren’t getting enough moisture. This problem can be exacerbated in the winter when outdoor humidity is especially low. Increasing the moisture levels in your home is quite easy. You can mist your vegetation daily using a spray bottle. Make sure you do not do this to hair-leaved plants. The water hangs on to the hairs and can cause disease.
A simple approach is place an open tray of water near your plants. Add a couple of lava rocks to the tray to increase the surface area for evaporation. This will increase the moisture level in your home. You can also buy a humidifier for your indoor garden. Not only will it help your plants but it will also make your skin softer too! Finally, position your plants closer together to increase their relative humidity.
Soil
Light, water and soil are the three elements all plants need to grow and thrive. But creating an indoor garden does not mean that you can simply take soil found outside and use it inside. This type of dirt is often too heavy and contains weed seeds and insect larvae. Instead, what you need is a potting mix designed specifically for indoor plants. This organic matter should drain well and be loose to the touch while still being able to hold enough nutrients and moisture for the plant to survive.
Type
Perhaps the biggest question any indoor gardener must answer is what am I going to plant? From geraniums, pansies, strawberries, basil, peppers, and carrots, there is a wide variety of vegetation you can grow indoors. It is recommended that you plant together similar species of flowers, herbs and vegetable plants that require the same amount of light, humidity and soil. This will ensure your garden operates efficiently. Beyond that, you should ask yourself how much time and effort, are you willing to devote to your indoor plot? You might start out with the best of intentions planting a dozen of items only to realize you don’t have the time or interest to dedicate to them. Do your research ahead of time and be realistic about what you want to accomplish.
Above all remember to have fun with your indoor garden. Whether you created it due to a short growing season, not enough space or simply because it’s too hot outside, enjoy the process. Take your time to plant, water and grow the fruits of your labor.
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Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream is light-weight moisturizing perfect for your gardening hands. A simple application of our unscented formula means you can get them as soiled as you want.Then when you’re done, a simple wipe and you they’re clean.