Not
all people are afforded the privilege of having an extra lot
at home for gardening and this presents an extra challenge for
a garden enthusiast who loves plants. Indoor gardening is a
great alternative and gives the green-thumb the opportunity
to show off his or her skills in tending plants inside the home.
You may never realize that your home is a climate zone, but
indeed it is, making it one of the best places to do gardening.
The controlled temperatures—provided by heating in cold months
and cooling during summer time—create a comfortable environment
that is just right for houseplants. Because most houseplants
are related to plants that grow naturally in warm climates,
your home can allow jungle plants, and even desert plants. to
grow and thrive yea-round no matter what the weather is outside.
You can buy houseplants in gardening stores, supermarkets, or
discount stores. For the more adventurous, you could to the
woods and pick out plants that are attractive and easily transplanted.
Just make sure you are familiar with the plant. You don’t want
to unwittingly bring in to your home a poisonous plant.
There are many exciting and unusual plants from which to choose—some
with interesting leaves, some with beautiful flowers or fruits,
some that climb, some with unusual shapes. Sometimes plants
can be found at sales by garden clubs or charitable groups.
Picking out a plant that you like is just the beginning of the
pleasures that indoor gardening can bring.
What You Need
Well-lit Space – For plants to grow
well, they need an area that receives bright natural light but
usually not direct sunlight. All plants need light to make food,
but most houseplants in their native habitats grow in shaded
woodlands or jungles. Only desert plants, such as cacti, need
plenty of bright sunlight.
A Pot, Soil and Fertilizer – Unless
you try to grow a plant form seed, which can be difficult, your
plant will come with a small pot and some soil. (You eventually
may need a larger pot to accommodate your growing plant.) Clay
pots and plastic pots are both good choices for houseplants.
The pot should have a hole in the bottom so water can drain
out. Put a saucer under the pot to catch water.
Potting soil can be purchased already mixed, or you can mix
it yourself. Use ½ part garden soil, ¼ part peat moss or leaf
mold, ¼ part clean, coarse sand, and add one teaspoon slow-acting
fertilizer (such as bone meal) for each quart of soil. Mix it
well.
You will also need some all-purpose fertilizer, which contains
minerals that the plant needs to grow. There are many kinds
of fertilizers. Some fertilizers are powders that you mix with
water, others are already liquid, and still others are solid
sticks or tablets. This last kind dissolves a little each time
the plant is watered, giving a slow, steady feeding.