Are you looking to getting into indoor gardening? It is is quickly becoming the
go-to hobby for people living in urban areas. Not having a yard doesn’t mean
you can’t grow your own herbs and vegetables! If you are into keeping things eco-friendly
here are a few tips to keep in mind while you garden:
Eco-Friendly Bug
Control Options. Having an indoor garden will naturally draw pests, but don’t
fear, there are several cost-effective, natural bug repellents:
- Soapy Water. Mix 1 teaspoon of mild soap with 2 cups of water. It’s effective in getting rid of mites, beetles, aphids and whiteflies.
- Neem Oil. Mix 2 teaspoons of neem oil, 1 teaspoon of mild soap, and 2 cups of water. It is quite effective in getting rid of most common insects.
Eco-Friendly
Fertilizers. Providing your plants with the necessary nutrients is essential
for ensuring your plants grow well. There are several natural fertilizers that
you can use and probably have around your house:
- Banana Peels. Soak them in water for week as the water will absorb the nutrients from the peels. Then water your plants as you normally wood.
- Tea Leaves. Used tea leaves or tea bags still have some use, so don’t discard them. You can soak them in hot water to absorb whatever nutrients are remaining, let the water cool and then water your plants as normal. You can also mix the leaves into the soil and as they degrade, they will put nutrients into the soil.
Eco-Friendly Water
Options. As you know water is necessary when indoor gardening. Here are ways
that you can reuse water:
- Used water from cooking vegetables. Boiling vegetables removes some of the nutrients and by using the same water you not only recycle water but also putting nutrients back into the soil.
- Water in the evening. For better water absorption water your plants when there is less light.
- Practice companion growing. Growing complementary plants in the same pot cuts down on the amount of water used. Check out our companion growing blog to learn more.
Eco-Friendly Light
Options. Use natural light as much as possible. Set up your indoor garden so it
gets as much natural light as possible. This will help cut down on the amount
of energy used when using grow lights.
