There are several things to keep in mind if you want to do indoor container gardening in the winter. This includes acclimating your plants to lower lighting levels, protecting them from the winter sun, and making sure they get the right amount of fertilizer.
Proper care
If you plan to do indoor container gardening in winter, you need to make sure you provide your plants with the proper care. Taking these steps will help you avoid destroying your plants’ health.
The best way to keep your potted plant healthy in winter is to provide it with adequate water. Water your plants at least once a week. In addition, you should keep them away from cold drafts, as well as frosty windows.
You should also try to provide your plants with enough light. Light helps protect your plants’ roots from damage. However, the proper amount of light is different for each plant.
Indoor containers can become susceptible to cracks, if they are porous. They may also break when exposed to strong wind. It is best to choose a container that has good drainage.
In addition, you need to add mulch around your plants’ stems to keep moisture in. Adding a mulch will also keep weeds from sneaking into your garden.
In addition to providing your plants with the proper care, you should also keep an eye out for any pest problems. Slugs can wreck havoc on container gardens. Your local extension service can give you advice on how to deal with these pests.
If you live in USDA Zones 7 through 11, you may not have to worry about hard freezes. But in other areas, you can expect to have a couple of months of freezing temperatures.
During this time, you should check your potted plants’ roots for signs of rot. This includes dry or broken roots, as well as broken stems.
Another sign of trouble is when your leaves begin to wilt. If your plant is a vine, it is natural to climb a fence, post, or arbor.
Fertilizing
The right fertilizer is essential to the success of your container garden. You should always start with an organic type of fertilizer. This will not only make your garden healthier, but also minimize the risk of burning the fertilizer. Whether you choose granular or liquid, make sure to follow the directions on the package.
Depending on the plant, you may need to feed it more frequently than once a week. For example, some plants require more water and nutrients during the spring and summer. However, the majority of plants do not need any additional feedings in the winter.
If you do decide to feed your houseplants, keep in mind that they are less active in the winter. Unlike outdoor plants, indoor plants have lower nutrient needs and need fewer fertilizers.
In addition to feeding, you should also make sure to water your plants properly. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Also, keep your plants in a bright room to promote blooming.
It’s best to use a liquid fertilizer. These are often diluted with water to spread out the release of nutrients. Liquid fertilizers are a better choice for indoor containers than granular types.
You should also check the soil for phosphorous and potash. Soil test kits will help you determine what your plant needs.
Once you know what your plant needs, you can decide how much to fertilize your indoor container gardening in winter. Keep in mind that the amount of fertilizer you should feed your plants depends on the type of soil and the frequency of watering.
If you notice your plants are not growing or have stunted growth, consider adding a fertilizer. You can also check for signs of nutrient deficiency such as yellow leaves.
Acclimating plants to lower lighting levels
If you’re interested in indoor container gardening during the winter, you’ll need to take extra precautions to protect your plants. One of the most important factors to take into consideration is the amount of light and humidity they receive.
Many popular houseplant varieties will grow more slowly during the winter. However, there are some that will still thrive if you can provide them with the correct light and humidity levels. This is called acclimating.
To acclimate your plants, you’ll want to start by reducing the amount of light. In addition to reducing the amount of sunlight they receive, you will also need to reduce the humidity.
Indoors, the amount of humidity can be as low as 40%. As a result, it is often a good idea to spritz your plants with a pesticide to keep insects from invading. Similarly, if you see bugs in your plants, washing them with Castile soap and water can remove them.
When a plant needs to be rehydrated, the best method is to re-water it with municipal tap water. However, if you notice that the water contains chlorine, you may need to switch to reverse osmosis water.
Another way to reduce the amount of light is to move your plant away from the window. Generally, the light intensity drops by about 50% as the distance from the window increases. Alternatively, you can simply cut back on watering.
You can help your plants acclimate to the reduced light level by putting them in shady areas outdoors. Also, you can avoid the danger of a sudden transition from outdoors to indoors by trimming dead leaves from your plants.
It can take up to two weeks for your plants to adjust to a new light environment. Once your plants are accustomed to a lower light and humidity level, you can bring them back outside.
Protecting your plants from the winter sun
If your plants are exposed to the winter sun, you need to take steps to protect them. You can protect your garden by covering them, moving them indoors or using mulches to insulate them. Using protective coverings will prevent the freeze from destroying your plants.
Winter conditions have been especially tough on landscapes in the past two years. Snow can destroy the foliage and roots of plants, and wind can create damage.
For some plants, such as agapanthus and cordyline, it is important to cover them. Depending on the plant, you can use blankets, old bed sheets or even bubble wrap to protect them from the cold.
Other types of mulch include pine straw and wheat. These mulches trap heat efficiently. They also prevent the sun’s rays from affecting new growth. Wood chips can be used to insulate perennial beds.
Watering your plants before sundown is a simple way to keep air temperatures around them moderate. When the air is dry, moisture evaporates from the soil. The condensation creates warmer air around your plants.
Plants need a constant supply of air. This can be provided by watering during the day and evening. A watering schedule can be supported by placing plant stakes in the ground to prevent moisture from evaporating.
Using straw and anti-desiccant can protect new foliage from the winter sun. If the weather is mild, you can even remove some of the mulch in the fall to make room for new growth.
Besides protecting plants from the winter sun, it is also a good idea to cover your garden when the nighttime temperature drops. In this case, you should roll up your garden covers and store them off the ground. Be sure to take them down when the temperature rises.
Growing veggies indoors without a greenhouse
Growing veggies indoors is a great way to enjoy fresh produce year-round. The cold winter months can be tough on plants, but with proper care you can harvest some of your favorite ingredients.
One of the biggest challenges in growing vegetables indoors is the lack of sunlight. Vegetables and fruits require between four and six hours of direct sunlight each day. Luckily, you can add supplemental lighting to supply the extra light your plants need.
Many vegetables and herbs can grow indoors without a greenhouse. Depending on the type of plant you choose, you may need to use a grow light to ensure that your crops get enough illumination.
Alternatively, you can start your seeds in a shallow container and transplant them to a larger pot when they grow big enough. Once you have your plants in place, you can begin to harvest the plants as needed until they are full size.
Some of the easiest vegetables to grow indoors are lettuce, celery, and green onions. Lettuce can be grown in trays, and some varieties can even grow up to 10 inches wide. You can also start some seeds on a windowsill. If you live in an area with good natural light, you won’t need supplemental lights.
Tomatoes and peppers grow well on a windowsill or conservatory. However, they do require a long season to fruit, so keep that in mind when you are planning your garden.
Carrots can be grown indoors as well. They don’t need as much light as some other vegetables, but they do need adequate water. Smaller carrot varieties are easier to grow, while larger carrots take up more space.
Other popular indoor plants include herbs. Parsley, cilantro, chives, basil, and mint are just a few of the more common choices.