Page 46 - AreaNewsletters "Aug 2022" issue

Keys to Succe for Apartment Gardening Gardening can be done in so many places! Even in an apartment, you can grow anything from houseplants and herbs, to full vegetable gardens and fruit trees! After living in various apartments over the past 5 years, I’ve been through a lot of trial and error. While not everything will thrive indoors, you can still grow beautiful plants on a balcony, in a kitchen, or even on a bookshelf. Beforeyoubeginapartment gardening, you need to consider a few things. First, determine what kinds of plants you want to grow. What I’ve started to do is “purposeful planting.” Before buying any plant, I ensure I know exactly where the plant will live in my home. If I know the plant requires a lot of sunlight, like a patio tomato, basil plants, or gardenias, I ensure I have space on a balcony or near an east or south-facing window. If I know a plant requires higher humidity, such as a fern or an orchid, I make sure I have room in my August 2022 • Castle Rock “AreaNewsletters” 46 bathroom. If I know I have space in a low-light room, I’ll grab a pothos, spiderplant, or peace lily. Just take a look at the tag when searching for plants for one that ts your space! The next key to success is understanding if your place gets enough sunlight. The #1 challenge that I’ve run into throughout the years is ensuring that my plants were given enough time in the sun to survive. I’ve seen many a houseplant wilt away because my apartment simply didn’t let enough light. But even if your place doesn’t get enough sunlight, you can invest in a plant light. You can nd them for around $20, and when hooked up to an automatic timer, they can provide your plant just what they need to not only survive, but thrive indoors. I’ve grown herbs, houseplants, and owers, in a dark apartment all with the help of a plant light! Plant lights are also great for seed starting as well. The nal key to success is watering. Many apartment gardeners tend to water their plants H O ME & G A R D E N When we think of gardening, we often imagine the sprawling vegetable gardens, or ower beds that dot landscapes across Douglas County. However...