Make a Small Indoor Greenhouse for seedlings and plants

 Small Space Garden  No Responses »
Jan 312011
 

A small indoor greenhouse is perfect for starting bedding plants, healing a plant or as an indoor winter project for children. Such a project encourages an interest in nature and gardening for children.

One of the easiest small greenhouses is created by using a 2 or 3 liter clear pop bottle and cutting the top off about 3 inches from the bottom.  Full instructions for a pop bottle greenhouse can be found here: Pop Bottle Greenhouse

Creating a small Indoor Greenhouse

For a larger mini indoor greenhouse you can use an aquarium. Start by cutting a sheet of 1/4-inch-thick, clear plastic, so it is slightly bigger than the top of the aquarium. A tabletop or circular saw can be used to cut the plastic to the proper size. You can also measure the aquarium and buy a piece of Plexi-glass at a local lumber store. I ask for the seconds or left over pieces to get a better price.

Next drill three rows of three 1/4-inch holes in the top of the plastic sheet. You will want to space the holes 1 inch apart and center the rows in the middle of the plastic sheet. This is for ventilation.

Set a seed starting flat in the bottom of a 10 or 20-gallon aquarium. (I buy my used aquariums at an auction house or garage sale. You can either fill the flat with potting soil and sow seeds directly in it or set plant pots inside the flat. I usually set pots in the flat. I have more control over moving plants if they are individually planted in pots.

You will want to place a thermometer inside the aquarium. Choose the thermometers location by checking to see hoe easy it is to view through the glass. Set the plastic cover on top of the aquarium and place it in a brightly lit window or under a grow-light fixture. You now have a controlled climate that is perfect for starting seeds.

You may want to use grow lights for 12 to 14 hours a day, if there is no sunlight available for your greenhouse. My downstairs kitchen has a large window that has available light all day long. If the day is cloudy I might choose add additional lighting. You can tell if you need more lighting if your plants are getting tall and skinny.

Note: Watch your thermometer and remove the top of the greenhouse if the temperature inside climbs above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  The seeds may die if the heat is too warm. Replace the cover when temperatures drop below 80 F. This is a general rule for most seedlings. There are some plants that prefer a cooler starting temperature. To determine the proper temperature, do a little research on the seeds you are starting.

Water the soil in the flat inside the greenhouse when the condensation inside the glass begins to decline. Water from underneath. I use a tray and set the plants in that and them drain. You develop better roots from under-watering and have less soil disease problems.

Don’t over water your plants. Check the condensation and use that as a guide.
Small plastic aquariums make suitable greenhouses for single plants. I often use a small greenhouse like this for sick plants.

The plants you start in your small indoor greenhouse can be used to beautify your backyard gardens and patio areas. And if your children participate they will be able to enjoy the plants during the summer.

Posted by Denise at 11:58 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Ideas for setting up a Hydroponic Garden

 backyard projects  No Responses »
Oct 182010
 

The last few weeks I have been spent moving and dividing perennials and deciding how to grow more vegetables and plants indoors this fall and winter by learning and using Hydroponic gardening.

With the cost of food and the overall economy I decided its best to try and grow as much of your own food and plants as possible. It’s friendlier to the environment and by growing your own produce you take pressure of the food supply so that it can be sent where it’s needed.

So hydroponics is an area I am experimenting with. I think it will work better with my climate.

This you tube gives a great breakdown on how to set up a hydroponic garden. And hydroponic growing makes better use of space, which is a plus if you have a small backyard or life in a city or suburb.

The you tube set up is basic and made to be moved and created with cheap materials. This may give you ideas for your own set up.

Gardening indoors in the winter months also makes the cold days pass by quicker and gives you a garden feel to your home. If you give hydroponics a try drop me a message and let me know how it worked for you.

Posted by Denise at 7:33 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Backyard Hydroponic Gardening

 Small Space Garden  No Responses »
Oct 142010
 

There is a move towards growing hydroponic gardens.  And I myself find this is an area I want to explore and to add to my gardening experiences.

Hydroponically grown foods taste better and are high in nutrients. I have found hydroponic tomatoes are superior tomatoes particularly in the winter months. You can also grow more plants in a small space than with regular gardening so this style of gardening in perfect for apartment cities and limited space.

There are two types of indoor hydroponic gardens: an active hydroponic area and a passive one.

Active hydroponic systems pass a nutrient solution over the plant roots. To set up such a garden you will need a large sized planting medium like vermiculite, perlite and pea gravel. To make a passive indoor hydroponic system passively you will be providing a system that uses a wick or capillary system to feed your plants. The wick, which works like a kerosene lamp, sucks your nutrient solution via its reservoir, to the root system of the plant. Sand, peat moss or sawdust is the usual medium used passive hydroponics.

Hydroponic gardening is quite easy to begin. You need a lot of natural light for the best results. A sunroom or greenhouse is ideal. And if you use solar heating you will establish an econ friendly and cheap growing environment.

Easy Hydroponics

The first thing to do when learning how to make an indoor hydroponic garden is to decide exactly what you want to grow. Ask yourself these questions.
How many of each plant you want.
How much area will you need to grow your desired quantity of plants? Use the Internet or a hydroponic garden book to determine spacing.

You will need plastic piping and 4 inch diameter pots. Shade cloth is helpful for the first month, particularly if the growing climate is very warm. Mix fertilizer and water to a strength of 20 to 24 CF. If this is your first attempt at hydroponics have a reliable source of information available for plant mixes. The resulting pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5 for your plants.

Rinse the seedlings to remove any dirt before planting them. And don’t be too generous with nutrients. Hydroponic plants can cope with a low supply of nutrients but can die if you give them too much. My rule of thumb when beginning is to err on the low side.

Cubed chopped rockwool or fired clay are recommended as growing mediums but you can use chopped rockwool, rockwool slabs, rockwool blocks or cubes or fired clay and rockwool and expect good results form your hydroponic garden.

I look for the supplies I need from friends and as salvaged products. This would include pots, piping, cloth and growing materials. It cuts down of the expense of setting up your first garden.

Planting your hydroponic plants

  • Plant the seedlings in the hydroponic solution.
  • Check the water daily if you want to successfully learn how to make an indoor hydroponic system. This ensures the nutrient to water ratio is right.
  • Remember that Water evaporates which is why you have to keep an eye on it. Hydroponic gardening is not for you if you can’t check your water ratio frequently.
  • Your hydroponic plants will grow for 3 to 5 months. Overall you will not have many problems if you set the garden up correctly but you will have to watch out for root rot and pests.
  • You will know when you plants are ready to harvest. This part of gardening remains the same.

It can be expensive to set up an indoor hydroponic system the first time but the results are well worth it. You have fresh healthy vegetables and plants available all year long. You may even want to share or sell the extra crops and plants to friends and neighbors

Posted by Denise at 8:46 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Container Gardening for Winter and Spring

 Small Space Garden  No Responses »
Jan 242010
 

At this time of year, many people that are doing indoor gardening are using windowsill gardening methods or container gardening.

boardwalk greens ~ home and garden decor
Creative Commons License photo credit: striatic

For successful container gardening these 7 steps should be considered. These steps will work both indoors and outdoors.

  1. Light
  2. soil
  3. humidity
  4. temperature
  5. water
  6. the right container
  7. feeding the plant

The following you tube will expand on the seven steps for container gardening and provide you will very useful information.

I have found over the last few years that container gardening is quickly becoming my favorite style of gardening. Its easy, the gardens can be moved and they can be covered during severe weather. I also bring many of my mini gardens in during the winter months.

Container gardening is also perfect for small space garden needs.

Posted by Denise at 8:51 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,

Preparing the Backyard for Winter

 backyard oasis  No Responses »
Oct 182009
 

Our Squaw winter only lasted a few days, just long enough to remind me to get outdoors and get my last plants in the ground, perennials planted and the greenhouse ready for winter.

:: آخر لقانا في الخريف..تذكّر الثوب الخفيف ::
Creative Commons License photo credit: » Zitona «

I usually set up a cold frame or two and check all my indoor pots to make sure they are clean, disinfected and ready to use. Preparing soil for indoor plants is also on my list of activities.

I also gather all the garden tools, clean them and put them away in the barn until spring returns. The gardens will be cleaned and covered with a mix of grass clipping and leaves. This will protect the ground and will be worked into the soil next spring to enrich the soil.

Its time to get my windowsill gardens ready for a larger harvest of herbs, greens, a few tomatoes, peppers and even strawberries. And last year I grew a few beans – just enough to add to a salad.

We have for days of decent weather predicted and I need to paint the raised bed frame in front of the house and mow the yard two more times. One time to get the lawn the same length and to rake the excess grass clippings and leaves to add to my compost bins and the final mowing to make sure the yard is ready for winter.

I don’t know if you have noticed this, but it seems if I mow the yard as late as possible I don’t need to mow as early plus I don’t get snow mold in the yard. (Snow mold is not actual mold but if the grass is long it seems to get soggy and sticky looking) It just doesn’t look healthy and many people refer to it as snow mold.

I am also moving and diving my peony plants. I will just plant then in pots over winter and place them outside in the spring. By diving them now the roots will get over transplanting shock and will blossom next spring. If I wait until next spring there will be no flowers on these stunning heirloom plants.

Dahlia
Creative Commons License photo credit: my_southborough

I am hoping for a few more weeks of nice weather before winter decides to set in but NW PA was not blessed with a warm or long summer or fall so I plan to be prepared and start winterizing the yard and home this week.

And by setting up my indoor garden areas and working more with my indoor plants I will hopefully forget it’s a bit colder outdoors.

If you live in a warmer climate than my cool zone 5 you may want to look at thsi article at Best Flower Gardening for their fall clean-up tips.

Posted by Denise at 8:57 pm  Tagged with: , ,
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