Have you always dreamt of gardening but thought you never could because you live in an apartment? As it turns out, it is entirely possible to have a beautiful apartment garden full of your favorite flowers, medicinal herbs, and most frequently used veggies. If animals can be brought in from the wild to be our beloved pets, so can plants! They just need their basic needs covered, and they will thrive no matter the size of your home. Read on to learn more about the requirements of apartment gardening, and make your dream garden a reality.
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Finding the Space
Ideally, your plants should be outside, where they’ll get exposure to sunlight and pollinators. Thankfully, most apartment units nowadays include a small outside space with each unit, such as a balcony, patio, deck, or front stoop. Alternatively, many complexes also have fire escapes or rooftop access with plenty of space to offer. That said, check with your landlord and leasing policies first to determine whether container gardening in these areas is allowed. While you’re at it, consult them about weight restrictions as well. Potted plants full of soil and water can get pretty heavy, and you’ll need to be sure your space can handle the weight.
If you don’t have any outdoor spaces of this sort, don’t worry! The indoors are still a perfectly viable option. Windows are the logical best choice for indoor gardening. Take advantage of any wide window sills or open space near a large window. Otherwise, you may want to consider rearranging your furniture to make an adequate space near the window. As you contemplate which window to use, observe how the light behaves throughout the day. North-facing windows tend to get less light, while south-facing windows get more – what kinds of plants do you want to grow, and what are their lighting needs?
Sunlight & Alternatives
Evidently, sunlight is one of the most significant factors in finding a good space for your apartment garden. If you’re lucky, your balcony or windowsill may receive partial sun or full sun: anywhere from 4 to 6 or more hours of sunlight per day. On the other hand, your windows might only have partial shade or full shade: 3 hours or less of sunlight per day. If you don’t have access to an outdoor space or your space doesn’t provide adequate sunlight for the kinds of plants you want, all is still not lost! There are a couple of ways to maximize or supplement your light.
Your first and easiest option is to use a mirror. Not only are mirrors aesthetically pleasing, but they can also bounce sunlight from the window back onto your plants. Watch how the light moves throughout the day, and position the mirror just right so that it catches the light at peak hours.
Your second choice is to buy some grow lights. These light bulbs are specially designed to imitate sunlight for growing plants. Some grow lights also shine certain wavelengths of color to help plants with their specific requirements, such as flower growth, root stimulation, leaf and stem production, etc. If you aren’t ready to level up your gardening setup just yet, you can also rely on standard light bulbs in a pinch.
Containers & Soil
Unless you have a plot of land inside your living room, your apartment garden will have to grow in containers of some kind! Pots, of course, are the first option to come to mind, but they aren’t your only option either. Window boxes are a type of planter that hangs outside your window or off of a railing. These are a great option if your apartment is too tight for an indoor window garden and you have no access to an outdoor space. Hanging baskets are another classy choice and certainly add color and life to your otherwise blank ceilings and walls. However, keep in mind that hanging baskets are best for vining plants that don’t need much sunlight.
Once you have your containers situated, you’re ready to fill them up with fresh, fertile soil. Every plant species will have different soil needs according to pH, types of nutrients, and drainability. Because containers do not allow for much drainage compared to the open ground, regular soil could cause fungal diseases and prevent oxygen from circulating. Therefore, you should always fill your containers with potting mix, which is light enough to let air and water flow.
Over time, your plants will have absorbed all the nutrients in their containers and will need fresh soil. Remember to change out the soil every so often, or at least add compost and worm tea to reimburse it with nutrients. In any case, you’ll have to re-pot your plants eventually as they grow in size.
Water & Humidity
If possible, build your container garden close to the sink to minimize trips to refill your watering can. Alternatively, you can buy an indoor hose that attaches to your tap and extends 30 or more feet. Some plants don’t just need water in the soil but also water droplets on their leaves or in the air. Humidity levels are particularly critical in the wintertime when the air tends to become colder and drier. Try filling up a spray bottle with water and misting your humidity-sensitive plants once a day.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to have a big house with lots of backyard space to become a gardener. Nor do you have to be an experienced farmer to grow the kinds of plants you enjoy most. All you need is a basic understanding of how you can provide the space, light, soil and water that container plants require – plus an enthusiasm for gardening and eating fresh produce! Start small with a single container of herbs or peppers, and gradually level up your gardening game as you learn and become more comfortable with it. Soon enough, you’ll see for yourself just how rewarding gardening can be!