The end of warm weather does not mean the end of gardening. Cold weather gardeners can take certain precautions to move their working environment indoors. Maintaining plants inside is a delicate process that differs depending on the type of plant and your environment. Here are some indoor gardening tips to keep your plants thriving over winter!
Below are five tips that can help any aspiring gardener succeed even in the coldest temperatures:
Considering Which Crops to Plant
Different plants work in different climates. The type of plant being planted needs to be considered because some plants work better in the winter than others. Some plants also thrive under minimal sunlight, which is ideal during the winter months. It’s possible to grow plants from other seasons as long as the climate in which they thrive can be replicated.
Figuring Out Temperatures
In situations where plants that might not do as well in the winter are being considered, work has to be done to reproduce the climate in which those plants do well. Artificial lighting can replace sunlight and watering systems can replace rainfall and other more natural watering methods. The amount of artificial lighting a plant needs is twice as much as their ideal amount of sunlight, so it’s important to pay attention to each plant’s requirements in this area. Finding the right setting requires some experimenting before the ideal level is reached.
Choosing the Right Window
Even though there’s less sunlight in the winter, there’s still some sunlight. That’s why each window in the area that plants are stored has to be looked at to determine how much sunlight comes through during any given day. Plants that require more sunlight could be stored in that area while other less light dependent plants could be placed elsewhere in the room. Having no ideal window could increase the amount of work that would need to be done to replicate a sunlit environment.
Deciding Ideal Starting Points
The time at which planting begins will go a great deal towards determining their success rate. The earlier planting begins, the higher chance the plants will have to succeed. Special attention needs to be paid to the recommended starting time for each plant. Putting in a plant later than is recommended will sharply reduce its chances for having a productive winter season. Ideally, the chosen plants will have the same or similar start periods to avoid any confusion. Planting out of season plants is possible as long as the environment in which they’re cultivated is ideal.
Thinking About Warmer Temperatures
As winter draws to a close, winter planting enthusiasts begin thinking about what they are going to do with their plants when warmer temperatures come into play. Before plants can be transferred into a different setting, an entirely new habitat has to be built. The environment to which the plants are moving has to be identical to the one from which they came. Any difference between the two could result in irreparable damage to the plants. Replanting has to be done carefully to avoid any issues throughout the lifecycle of the plant.
Use These Tips for Indoor Gardening this Winter
Now that you know some great tips for indoor gardening, don’t stop growing your plants once the cold weather hits. Move your favorites indoors, or start from scratch. Combining these tips with high quality soil and care will ensure that you will be able to use your gardening skills year round.