Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Indoor Gardening for the Long Chicago Winter

Fall is here and winter is soon to follow. Don’t let the cold weather get you down. Planting an indoor garden is a great way to transition from outdoor to indoor activities. As long as there is enough sunlight, you can grow anything! Flowers, herbs, or spices; it all up to you.


Deciding what to plant really depends on each individual grower. Herbs are leafy and delicate. They can either be used in food preparation or as traditional medicine. Spices are tougher, fibrous, and much more fragrant than other plants. They can be dried and used year-round in cooking or as a chemical-free air freshener. And of course there are flowers! Plant flowers for their pleasant aroma and ability to brighten up any room. Chicago Gateway Green uses flowers at many of the expressway sites for their added aesthetics.

The first step for creating your indoor garden is deciding whether to grow your plants hydroponically or in dirt. If growing them in dirt, prepare your pots by mixing in organic nutrients and sifting the soil. It is important to plant the seeds or seedlings at the correct depth. This will allow them to grow properly with the least amount of difficulty. Then begin to water lightly in regular intervals suggested on the seed package. Make sure that the soil is well drained. As the plants grow, trim and get rid of old leaves ensure that they grow to their fullest potentials. That’s it! Sit back and enjoy.

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