If you’re tight on space but still want to enjoy the benefits of gardening, then apartment gardening is for you. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can transform even the smallest room, balcony, or window sill into a thriving urban oasis.
Still trying to figure out where to start? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Read on for our top tips on how to get started with apartment gardening today.
Apartment Gardening
Apartment gardening is a popular way to garden for people living in urban areas who do not have a lot of space for a traditional garden. These gardens can be either indoors or outdoors and can be as simple or complex as the gardener desires.
Common apartment garden plants include herbs, vegetables, and flowers. Apartment gardeners often use containers to grow their plants, which allows them to use a small amount of space effectively.
Start small and simple.
The key to successful apartment gardening is starting small and simple. Try to grow only a few different plants at a time. Pick one or two that you really love and focus on growing them well. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can always add more plants to your collection.
Get to know your space.
Before you start planting, get to know your space and understand the kind of light it gets throughout the day. This helps you choose plants well-suited to your particular set of circumstances.
If you’re unsure how much light your space gets, ask a neighbor or take a walk around the block at different times of day to get a sense of it. Once you know how much light you have to work with, picking plants becomes a breeze.
3. Choose plants that are easy to care for
Another critical factor to consider when choosing plants for your apartment garden is how easy they are to care for. If you’re new to gardening, I’d recommend starting with hardy plants that don’t require much fuss.
You can experiment with more delicate varieties once you get the hang of things. Some easy-to-care-for plants that are well suited for small spaces include herbs like basil and mint and low-maintenance vegetables like lettuce.
Get creative with containers
One of the great things about gardening in a small space is that you can get really creative with your plant containers. Think outside the pot and use anything from baskets to repurposed food containers as planters for your indoor garden.
Make sure whatever container you choose has drainage holes so your plants don’t end up sitting in waterlogged soil.
Be water-wise
When watering your indoor plants, be mindful of how much water they need—overwatering is one of the most common mistakes most new gardeners make. Stick your finger into the soil before watering; if it feels dry several inches below the surface, it’s time to give them a drink; otherwise, wait a while longer.
Don’t forget about fertilizer
Another common mistake made by new gardeners is forgetting about fertilizer. Like people, plants need food (in the form of nutrients) to grow healthy and strong. Indoor plants often don’t have access to the same nutrients as outdoor plants, so it’s essential to supplement their diet with good quality organic fertilizer now and then.
Enjoy the process
Last but not least, remember that gardening is supposed to be fun! So take your time, experiment, and most importantly, enjoy watching your little urban oasis grow.
Even if everything doesn’t go perfectly according to plan (and let’s face it, sometimes things definitely won’t), embrace the imperfections and enjoy the process anyway…who knows? You might find yourself becoming a plant parent before you know it. We hope these tips have inspired you to give apartment gardening a try!
