Best Apartment Gardening Tips
When it comes to apartment gardening, quality produce is usually best. If you live in a tiny apartment with limited space and limited outdoor area, quality produce might be the only thing that makes sense. There are three important points to consider when you are apartment planting. They include proper lighting, watering, and pests. The following apartment gardening tips will address these points and provide some advice on how to get started.
The best apartment gardening tips include watering. In the winter months, you want to water your plants only twice a week, especially if they are going to be in containers. It is best to water in the evening and again in the morning. In hot weather, or very warm days, you want to water more often. In areas where pests attack plants, like Los Angeles, you can spray pesticides to prevent them from growing.
The best apartment gardening tips involve proper lighting. Lighting will either complement or contrast with the plants you choose to grow. Incandescent bulbs placed in the proper areas of your apartment will create an atmosphere of warmth and home. Fluorescent lights will create a cheerful mood, but not appropriate for apartment plants with shorter growing seasons.
For areas that do not get enough light, artificial lights are a good choice. You can choose between fluorescent and incandescent lights to ensure that your plants receive the best possible light for their growing season. Be sure that your lights are energy efficient. You should use about one watt per square foot, for indoor plants, and half a watt for outdoor plants.
The best apartment gardening tips focus on pest control. There are many different types of pests that can infest apartment plants, so it is important to keep your garden free of bugs. Mites and ants are the most common problems, but termites and spiders can be a problem if they are present. Chemical pesticides can help eradicate these insects, but be sure to wash the chemicals off immediately after the application.
Watering is a vital part of apartment gardening. If you have trees in your garden, be sure to water them at least once a week. Likewise, be sure to water your plants thoroughly before removing any leaves. The best apartment gardening tips advocate only watering for short periods during the day, since over-watering plants will stunt their growth.
Fertilizing your plants is another essential step in the best apartment gardening. Your soil may be sandy, but if you fertilize it poorly, your plants will be unable to absorb the necessary nutrients. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer you purchase.
Many apartment gardeners neglect watering, but this step is very important for the best apartment gardening. You should water plants just once a week, and you should water deeply. If your soil is extremely dry, do not use plant mister, as this will inhibit plant respiration. Follow all of the instructions included with your fertilizer, and enjoy your beautiful apartment plants.
Humidity is another issue that most gardeners are ignorant to. Any gardener knows that plant growth is heavily affected by relative humidity. Be sure to keep your plants well watered, and when you see your plant’s starting to wilt, water lightly.
During periods of drought, like those experienced during the summer months, the best apartment gardening tip is to give your plants approximately one inch of water per week. Keep in mind that plants use much more water than you think. For example, let’s say that you have three plants. Calculate that each plant uses five gallons of water to grow, and you will quickly see that you are in dire need of more water!
Be aware that when you are pruning, you must do so only after the soil has completely dried out. Do not prune more than one-third of the root system at a time. By doing this, you will reduce the risk of disease. You should also avoid fertilizing until after the soil has completely dried out. Fertilizing your plants prematurely causes them to become stressed and ill.
When you are ready to start growing, you will need to get your pots, containers, and supplies. You can find these products at any local gardening store. If you do not have one of these options, you may want to consider purchasing a large Tupperware container in order to save space. You will also need a net or hook to help support your plants. You will want to prepare your soil, and then begin planting. If you follow these best apartment gardening tips, you should have a successful garden that provides a healthy living environment for you and your family.