Earlier in June, we shared an article about must-have products for your outdoor summer garden. This week, we’re going over must-have products for your indoor garden.
There are a number of reasons why you might be considering an indoor garden. You can grow plants all year long, plants are aesthetically pleasing, and you can enjoy the benefits of gardening right from your home.
The most common types of indoor gardening include container gardening, which involves containers and soil, and hydroponic gardening, which cultivates plants in an aquatic growing system.
There are pros and cons to each type of indoor gardening. Container gardening closely resembles outdoor gardening, and a number of plants can effectively be grown within a container. Hydroponic gardening uses less space, tends to attract fewer pests, and allows plants to grow more quickly.
Some of the essential supplies you’ll need depends on the system you’re using, but the products below will be useful for all indoor gardeners.
Hand tools
Some of the hand tools you’ll want to have include pruning shears, trowels, and spades. Pruning shears are particularly useful for indoor gardeners. They allow you to quickly remove dead/unwanted leaves or branches without causing damage to your plants because they provide precise cuts.
Regularly pruning your indoor plants creates better airflow for your plants and allows all parts of the plant to be exposed to light.
Watering can
You might be under the impression that a jug of water or a cup works just as well as a watering can, but that’s not true. Jugs dump the water onto plants all at once, which creates an overflow that can damage the roots of your plants and slow the growth of your plants. Dumping water onto your plants can cause your roots stress, which could lead them to resurface. Surfaced roots will eventually begin to rot.
Watering cans are preferred because they allow for precise pouring that allows for the water to be evenly distributed. The gentle sprinkles from a can will be easier on the leaves of your plants and will help prevent your roots from feeling stressed.
Grow lights
Indoor grow lights are a must if your indoor garden doesn’t receive enough natural sunlight. Grow lights replicate the natural solar spectrum that plants need to grow.
The most common types of grow lights include LED and fluorescent lights. More and more gardeners are turning to LED grow lights. They are calibrated specifically for indoor gardening, are more energy efficient, last 5x longer than fluorescent lights, and are better for the environment.
Oscillating fans
Some indoor gardeners will say that you don’t need an oscillating fan, but that’s not true. An oscillating fan keeps air circulating, which removes oxygen and brings in fresh carbon dioxide. Keeping the air circulating around your plants results in strong, healthy plants because it strengthens their stems and branches.
A fan can also help regulate the humidity and prevent the growth of mold or mildew. If your plant has pockets of moist air just sitting around its roots or branches, that moist air eventually starts allowing mold to grow on your plant.
Neem Oil
Neem oil contains natural substances that repel bugs and can help prevent diseases. It is essential to help control pests. Not only does the smell repels most common insects, but it also disrupts their ability to reproduce. When an insect nibbles on a plant with Neem oil on it, the oil interferes with their hormone system and makes it harder for them to grow and lay eggs.
The best news is that neem oil is safe for humans, pets, and plants. Treating your plants in advance with neem oil can prevent a nasty infestation of pests.
Conclusion
There are a number of products that can help make your indoor garden a success! The items listed above are some of the must-haves no matter what.
As you start gardening, you’ll figure out other products that make gardening easy for you. For example, some people prefer to heated soil mats to help with germination.
