CULTIVATING AN INDOOR GARDEN WITH YOUR SUNROOM
An indoor garden could be just the thing to brighten up the interior of your home. Imagine sipping your coffee on the couch of your sunroom, surrounded by fragrant, vibrant plant life. Imagine taking cuts of your own fresh herbs or vegetables for your cooking. You can even bring friends over to enjoy your garden. A sunroom garden provides your plants with all the light they need to thrive without the scorching, suffocating Texas heat. Here’s what you need to know about starting your own indoor garden:
Know what kind of plants you need
The great thing about an indoor garden is that plants that might not typically do well in your regional climate can still thrive because they’re protected from the harshness of the weather. Sunroom gardens require much less maintenance than outdoor gardens, and plants can continue to grow, even in winter. However, some plants will require more care than others. Do your research before deciding what plants to bring into your sunroom. Here’s a list of plants that typically flourish in sunrooms. All-season herbs, like mint and rosemary, are also recommended for sunroom gardens.
Find the Right Kind of Containers
The container you use to hold your plants can be absolutely vital when it comes to the survival of your plants. Without drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, the plants won’t receive the air they need and may be susceptible to root rot. It’s important to find pots for your containers that have drainage holes to allow the water to work through the roots naturally and fresh air to reach the plant. If you plant vegetables, a container with a water tray is preferable. You can even find self-watering containers with a built-in store of water.
Keep an Eye Out for Pests
Just because your garden isn’t outside doesn’t mean that pests can’t get inside. With an indoor garden, you’re able to control the environment and protect your plants more than you could outside, but small, harmful pests like aphids and spider mites can still find their way into the room. Watch your plants closely. Check the leaves–are there little holes? Is there downy or powdery mildew? Is the plant starting to wilt? Check this list of indoor garden pests and common diseases that can affect indoor garden plants. Make sure you always have clean clothes when you tend to your plants, and if you have pets, try to keep them out of the sunroom garden.
An indoor garden can add a sense of tranquility to your home and help your sunroom to give off an outdoor feel even when the weather is too hot or too cold to enjoy the outdoors. When having a sunroom installed in your home, make sure to tell a skilled professional your plans to use the space for a garden. They can help you create the perfect set-up and environment to start your new indoor garden. Take a look at our before-and-after gallery to see what Sunspace Texas can do for your sunroom.