Most people don’t think of gardening until the springtime, which for some areas is too late to start your seeds. There is so much that can be done in the winter for your garden. It’s also a great time to start gardening, especially if you’re a beginner. This guide will help you learn how to grow and care for plants during the winter months, so you can be prepared for spring.
Set Up a Grow Light
If your plants are indoors and the daylight hours are limited, you will need to supplement their natural light with artificial ones. Plants require light to grow as the sun provides a source of energy for them that is essential. An LED grow light is a portable light source that can be used to provide a wide range of wavelengths and intensities, depending on the type of plant you have. Some plants require more light to grow than others and using a grow light can ensure they get all the light they need.
To set up a grow light choose a place where there will be enough space for your plants to grow without being crowded by furniture or other objects. You also need to be near an electric socket to ensure no one will trip over the light. There are many different grow light systems to help you produce anything from microgreens to lettuce at home.
Get All the Necessary Supplies
You’ll need plenty of items to start your garden. Whether you’re getting seeds started indoors for the springtime, or you want an indoor garden all year long, you can grow just about anything as long as you have the right tools.
You’ll need planting pots with drainage holes and a hand trowel or shovel. Buy your favorite seeds. Good choices include basil, tomato, chives, and herbs that you can use to make tea or infuse oil like lavender or rosemary. You can also grow edible flowers such as nasturtiums or pansies. Next, invest in a good potting mix that also includes fertilizer designed for what you’re growing. You’ll also need a watering can with a fine tip and even a humidifier if your home gets dry in the winter.
Choose Seeds That Grow Well in Your Zone
There is a map that shows your growing zone. Using this map to determine not only when to plant your seeds indoors, but also when to transplant them outdoors. A good rule of thumb is to start seedlings indoors 4-6 weeks before the final frost of the season. Most plants are safe to put outside after the risk of frost is gone.
Plants like lettuce love cooler early spring temperatures while peppers tend to like it hot outside. Not only do you want to grow items for your zone, but you also want to make sure to grow things during the right season and with the right amount of light. If plants get too much light they can die, and the same goes for not enough light.
Choose seeds that are easy to transplant. In general, smaller seedlings will do better than large ones when transplanted into the ground because roots aren’t as likely to break off or become damaged during this process. Also consider that some seeds do well with direct sowing and no indoor time is necessary.
Use a Heating Pad for Increased Warmth if Needed
In the winter, you may need to use a heating pad to keep your seedlings warm. Be sure to choose a heating pad that is appropriate for the size of your seedling and that is safe for use with plants. If you use a grow light, make sure that it is not too close to the plant and place the heating pad away from it so as not to cause damage from heat. Using a heating pad can ensure your plants grow the way you desire.
Re-pot Seedlings
When the roots begin to stretch out of the pot, or when the plant reaches a certain height (based on the growing instructions for your seeds), it’s time to re-pot them into a larger container. You may notice that the roots of some plants begin to grow out of the bottom of their containers and into the soil below. This is a sign that it is time to repot those plants. Repotting helps seedlings grow faster because it gives them more room to spread out and become established in their new home. It also allows them to be transplanted into larger containers without as much stress.
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