Rapid urbanization has reduced the greenery significantly. It is impacting our health and the ecosystem too. Well, urbanization is important but saving the ecosystem is also important. Are you also worried about it just like us? If your answer is yes, then start acting now. Start it from your house. Make a small garden area even in your 2 BHK apartment. It will also elevate your mental health. Research has shown that gardening helps in reducing stress & anxiety significantly. However, if you are worried about the shortage of space, then this blog is for you only. In this blog, I will share tips & ideas for apartment gardening for beginners like you. For more expert advice for your interior, connect with Realtech Nirman anytime.
1. Figure out the greens suitable for your space:
In your apartment, if you have a small space, you need to have an idea about the suitable plants for your space first. Here is the list of the best plants for your apartment.
A. Herbs: Apartment Gardening is the best place to grow herbs. Herbs take a small place, you can grow them in a container & they do not need a high level of care. With basic maintenance, you will be able to grow them. Some top choices for apartment gardening include mint, chives, parsley, basil, etc.
B. Salad greens: Do you love eating salads? Then you can grow your green salads on your balcony. You can grow lettuce, spinach, etc. very easily.
C. Succulents: Succulents are one of the best types of plants for your apartment gardening. They need very little amount of care as they don’t need to be watered very often.
D. Cacti. Cacti can also survive with less water, but they need plenty of sunlight and warmth.
2. Tips for your apartment garden:
- First, you need to recognize the right place for your garden. For example, if you have a very well-lit balcony then you can go for plants like. However, if your space does not get ample amount of sunlight then you can go for plants like aloe vera, succulent, snake plant, etc.
- When you are buying a new plant, do not transfer it immediately. The plant needs some time to adjust to the new soil, environment, etc. So, give it a time of a week or so, and then you can transfer it.
- Do not forget the importance of the quality of the soil. Without good-quality soil, growing plants is impossible. You can make your garden soil. Mix nitrogen-rich contents into your soil & you can also add some organic wastes to the soil to enhance the quality of the soil. However, for expert advice, you can connect with a nursery or search on the internet.
- I know that growing plants are the best. However, pruning and deadheading encourage healthy growth in plants. So, do it at regular intervals.
- Pay attention to the leaves of the plants. If there is any type of dust or dirt, clean it. Dirty leaves reduce photosynthesis.
- Paste attack is one of the most common problems in gardening. To prevent this you can use neem oils. However, if pests have already attacked the plants, you can mix some vinegar (apple cider) into water to make a solution. Add a few drops of mild dish soap into it and you can spray over the affected areas.
- If you are using pots or containers, make sure that the containers have a well-water drainage system. Otherwise, you will not be able to keep the plants alive.
- Do not place your plants too closely. This will reduce their free growth. Allow them enough space.
- Make a watering schedule according to the needs of the plants. For example, if you have succulents, you do not need to water them regularly. On the other hand, if your garden area is exposed to rain and in any case receives enough amount of rainwater, do not water it right after that. Many times the soil gets dry very fast, so, it needs water at an interval. One of the best ways of understanding, poke your finger into the soil of the pot. If it has moisture then do not overwater it.
- If you are going outside for a time, you can make use of a simple trick to keep your plants alive. Placing a bottle with a wick will do the trick. It may sound silly, but a simple wet cotton rope or strip of fabric that bridges the gap from a water source to your soil will keep your plants watered.
- Simple water cannot keep your plant alive or healthy for a long time. You need to provide fertilizer. So connect with a professional to know the kind of fertilizer you need for that specific plant.
- Learn when your specific plants are at their peak for harvesting, and then don’t delay picking the fruits of your labor. In some cases, harvesting promotes the plant to produce even more food for you to pick.
- If your plants are overexposed to high wind, you have to provide wind protection. High wind can injure your plants like can tear through leaves and overturn top-heavy pots. You can use a wind block to protect your plants.
- If you have indoor plants, you need to spray water on the leaves regularly.
- Clean the leaves of your indoor plants by spraying lukewarm water and after that, you can blot the water with a paper towel or a microfiber cloth and then you can place them.
- Do not forget to make enough space in your garden area for your free movement. Do not overload it with plants.
- Arrange the plants carefully. You can make stairs to place the pots. This way you will be able to clean the area easily.
- Buy some gardening equipment such as a watering can, spray bottle, trowel, scissors/shears, gloves, small broom/dustpan, insecticidal soap, fertilizer, trellises, etc.
Start small. You can start your gardening work with just one or two plants and after that, you can proceed. Do not overspend during your learning period.
Some common FAQs
Can I do gardening in front of my window?
Windows are one of the best places for gardening because they attract a lot of sunlight. You can turn it into your gardening area by placing hanging boxes. However, keep the safety procedures in mind.
Is balcony gardening very expensive?
No, it’s not. Remember, you have to start small. Do not overspend at the first instance. After a while, when you will learn the whole thing, you can spend according to your choice.
What kind of plants should I choose for my balcony?
It depends on the space you have. If you have a large balcony, you can go for a perfect mix of tall trees, shrubs, ornamental, and leafy plants to add beauty. However, if you have a small balcony then go for herbs or salad greens.
What are the benefits of apartment gardening?
- It will add more fresh oxygen to your home
- You will be able to eat fresh herbs or salads
- Research has proved that gardening helps in reducing stress & anxiety. So, it will elevate your mental health.
- It will help you in making a work-life balance. Dedicate some hours to your garden to add some fun hours to your life.
- It will help in beautifying your home.
How can I beautify my garden?
- You can place a mirror in your garden area to increase the lighting.
- You can paint your pots to increase the beauty.
- You can place a fountain in the garden area
- You can make a sitting arrangement in the garden area.
- You can place small containers with floating lotus and lilies and miniature Buddha statues. One can also add colorful garden pots, figurines of frogs, ducklings, elephants, etc. made of ceramic.
How can I know which soil will be best for my garden?
Well, it varies. So, according to me, the best way will be to connect with a nursery near you. Take the help of a professional.
My plants are dying very first. What is the root cause?
There can be a lot of issues such as over-watering, lack of nutrients, wrong type of plants against the soil you have, pests, etc. So, it would be better for you if you connect with a professional.
What is mulching and how does it help soil?
Mulching helps in balancing the moisture of the soil and also prevents it from the attacks of pests. If you also want to do it for your plants, connect with a professional.
What kind of lights are best for a garden?
Choose low-voltage, energy-efficient, and long-lasting LED lights all around the walls. Go for interesting lights from built-in walkways, walls, or hanging lights, to create an ethereal effect in the garden. Use a spotlight casting a beam on a tree or have floor lamps to brighten up the area delicately. Solar-powered lights are another option.
Final words:
Apartment gardening is one of the best ways of making your home more eco-friendly and your life healthy. I hope these tips will help you.
