Start Your Journey with an Indoor Garden Now!

For many of our friends and loved ones, this has been the longest winter. One of the resounding takeaways we’ve learned from these uncertain times has been how important nature is to us. So we cannot wait for spring, which is just around the corner. But there are ways to bring nature inside—right now! Plants and flowers have so many benefits. Grab your notepad and pencil and make a list of how to brighten your world and celebrate spring with an indoor garden. 

The Benefits of Indoor Gardening

For years, people have decorated with plants. Living things are an inexpensive way to brighten a room, plus they have other benefits we are starting to understand more. If you’ve ever noticed that you feel better when you spend more time in nature, you’re not alone. Here are the top reasons humans thrive when they share a living space with plants:

• • Plants purify the air – Studies show that having between three and six plants in a living space greatly reduces the toxins in the air. 
  • Mental health – Plants make us happy, plain and simple. Just spending time around growing things relieves stress, boosts creativity and increases productivity. Numerous studies show that the psychological effects of indoor and outdoor plants are quite positive. 
  • Connection with nature – Especially since the dawn of the pandemic, people have been finding solace with flowers and plants. Bringing the garden indoors means that serenity exists in the place we are most. 

• Cooking and medicinal purposes – Having the freshest ingredients for your dinner right at your fingertips, inside? Nothing beats that. And you don’t need to be a healer to benefit from the many plants and herbs that can treat physical issues.

How to Make a Garden

First, decide what your goals are. Would you like to design an outdoor container garden for your deck or patio? Creating an outdoor living space you love with plants can last through fall temps. Maybe you’d like to begin with a small kitchen garden containing popular herbs, and see how that goes. Or maybe you’d like to try your hand at herbal remedies and healing plants. It’s best to begin a little on the smaller side if you’re new to the world of growing things! Luckily for everyone, you can dip your toe in the water of gardening and experiment without too much of an investment or time commitment. 

Designing an Outdoor Container Garden

March is not too soon to begin designing your outside living space! Warm weather is just around the corner and you’ll want to plan your goals and ideas and see what you need to buy. Urban gardens are becoming more popular as people spend more time at home. As interest in sustainable living grows, people want to know where their food is coming from. Starting out with container gardening is a great way to begin. To begin planning…  

• Look at your space. Are you dealing with a large space, a space already filled with many items of furniture, a grill, other objects? You don’t want to overcrowd, but container gardens can also provide privacy and a sense of balance. 
• Examine your lighting situation. If you are in an area that has many trees, bear in mind that the leaves will alter your sunlight amounts. If you’ve been at your residence for years or you’re a veteran gardener, you know what kind of sunlight you’ll have when April and May roll around. 
• You can design by plant shape, height or bloom and foliage color. Check out these ideas for artistic , plus visit a nursery like 14th Street Garden Center for inspiration. 
• Imagine picking your ingredients for dinner right on your back deck! Grow herbs and veggies in containers and you can harvest from June until October with the right planning. 

Creating a Kitchen Garden

The kitchen is the room we spend most of our time in, and the place that everyone seems to gather, despite our best intentions! If you love to cook, you know there’s nothing better than having fresh ingredients. Here are the best types of plants to grow in your kitchen garden – right at the windowsill! 

• Starting seeds indoors – March is the perfect time to begin seedlings in the warmth of your home. Begin annuals, vegetables or herbs right on your kitchen table and when the frost date passes you’ll be ready to transfer outside. 
• Indoor kitchen garden – The sky’s the limit when it comes to what kind of indoor garden paradise you want. You can buy a kit or build your own gardening station, complete with growing lights. The gadget geek in your life will love these garden systems that offer so many ready-to-grow options. 
• Herb garden – Every great chef needs an herb garden. The most popular herbs to grow are basil, chives and oregano. Parsley is a must for Italian cooking and the flavors of rosemary and thyme are an aromatic “welcome home.” 
• Inside veggies – Grow celery from stalks or scallions by your kitchen window. Salad greens, including microgreens, are a popular pick for urbanites. 
• Alive with color – Plants like tomatoes and peppers can actually be grown indoors, as long as you have enough sunlight. An indoor lemon tree is a lovely addition to any home with their vibrant green leaves and accents of yellow. 

Plants that Heal

Not only do plants help the mind and the decor, they can also help the body. The healing properties of plants and herbs have taken on new interest in recent years. It’s best to consult a professional whenever anything is consumed as a medication. With that in mind, growing your own healing plants in an indoor garden is a satisfying and useful hobby. Look in to these popular kinds:

• Aloe vera – This beautiful and easy-to-grow succulent has long been known for its healing properties. Everything from minor cuts to burns and useful for burns and skin moisturizing, this plant is easy to grow and is also known as a superfood. Try it in smoothies or drinks.
• Ginger – If you need an aid with digestion, turn to knobby old ginger. This old standby helps with everything from nausea to inflammation. Try a cup of fresh ginger tea instead of your coffee for a healthy cool-morning drink. 
• Plants that purify air – If your home is your refuge from the uncertain and often stressful world, make it a better place to breathe. A wide variety of air-purifying plants are available to brighten and freshen your home. Not only will they improve air quality, but plants like Boston Fern, English Ivy and Snake Plants are fantastic for decorating. 

Dream, Plan, Create an Indoor Garden

Part of the fun of gardening, whether you’re an urban city dweller, a veteran victory gardener, or just trying some herbs out for the first time, is planning your garden. These gardening journals not only provide a place for your ideas to get brewing, but they also provide great gifts for your loved ones.