Sustainability is the practice of living without depleting natural resources, risking environmental degradation, or passing on a diminished quality of life to future generations. Also, sustainability does not only link to our environment but also to social and economic issues. Sustainable indoor gardening practices are easy to implement and good for the environment.
Typically, when people think about sustainable gardening, they often imagine large-scale farming operations where people use chemicals and pesticides in abundance. However, you can also practice sustainable gardening on a smaller scale, like an indoor herb garden or vegetable patch. Here are ten tips for getting started with sustainable gardening.
How do you garden without chemicals?
Many people assume that gardening without chemicals is impossible. However, there are plenty of ways to garden without harmful chemicals on your food and plants. The first step toward sustainable gardening is identifying what type of soil you have in your yard or home.
If it’s too acidic for growing vegetables like tomatoes or peppers but just suitable for lettuce and basil, consider mixing compost before planting anything else!
Armed with this knowledge, you can then take steps to amend the soil and create a healthy environment for your plants.
The next thing we need to consider when thinking about sustainability in our gardens is composting. Composting is a great way to create your soil and nutrients for plants without buying them from the store! It also helps reduce waste, another essential part of sustainable gardening. If you don’t have any kitchen scraps lying around, collect some leaves or grass clippings; instead, they’ll do just fine!
You might not think much about what type of fertilizer you’re using in your garden. Still, it can make all the difference when trying to be more sustainable. Many different types available today range from organic options to manure-based products. The manure-based products tend to be less expensive than synthetic ones. The all-natural chemical fertilizers made with ingredients such as chicken poop are costly. If you’re looking for something more affordable, try using compost instead!
What are the best practices for indoor gardening without chemicals?
If you’ve decided to garden indoors, consider some things before starting.
Your Location
First off: how much light does your house get during different seasons and times of the day? Your location will impact what type of plants grow well inside. Consider any special lighting needs or temperatures particular species require.
Remember, a little bit goes far with indoor gardening because it’s easier than outdoor growing due to the lack of pests/diseases on crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants.
The Watering
A common question people have regarding sustainable gardening is how often they should water their plants. Depending on the climate, soil type, plant variety, and other factors, you may need to water your plants every day or only once a week!
One way to tell if your plants need watering is by checking the soil moisture levels. You can do this by sticking your finger in the dirt up to your knuckle (or using a tool called a soil probe). If the top layer of soil feels dry, then it’s time for a drink.
Pests and Diseases
Another thing to think about when trying to garden indoors sustainably is pests and diseases. Just like outdoor gardens, indoor ones are susceptible to all sorts of critters that can harm your plants if you’re not careful.
One way to prevent pests is by keeping the area clean and free of debris, which will also help reduce moisture levels (and, therefore, the likelihood of diseases). You can also use natural enemies such as ladybugs or praying mantises to control pests without harmful chemicals.
Chemicals To Avoid when gardening Indoors
If you want to be more sustainable, it’s important to avoid using chemicals in your garden. You can use all-natural products that won’t harm your plants or environment. Here are some of the most common chemicals found in gardens and how you should avoid them.
- Pesticides
Pesticides kill bugs and pollute water sources when washed off into rivers or lakes by rainwater runoff from roofs. If you’re going green with gardening indoors, don’t forget what type of pesticides are lurking inside those bags!
Ensure that any insecticides used on houseplants aren’t harmful before purchasing them because they could cause health problems if ingested through ingestion (even though this is unlikely).
- Fertilizer
There are many different types of fertilizers. Still, most contain nitrates which can cause algae blooms and water pollution when misapplied or in excess. If you’re trying to be more sustainable with your garden by reducing chemical usage, don’t use too much fertilizer!
- Herbicides
These kill weeds so that desired crops may grow better without competition for resources (sunlight, water) near them during their growing season. However, these herbicides also contaminate soil and water supplies when misused. You can spray them on the ground near waterways, leading to contamination if not applied correctly.
10 Best Practices for Indoor Gardening without Chemicals
Use your compost
Composting is the process of breaking down organic matter into a rich soil amendment that you can use to fertilize plants and improve soil structure. Making your compost is a great way to reduce the amount of waste in landfills. It’s easy, gather up organic matter from around your house (fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and the likes.) and mix it with some dry leaves or straw. Composting also helps to improve soil health, which is vital for sustainable gardening.
Supplement your soil needs
Different plants need different types of soils to thrive. To ensure that your plants get the nutrients they need, it’s a good idea to rotate produce in each indoor pot. For example, you might grow leafy greens in one pot and root vegetables in another. It will help keep the soil healthy and give the plants what they need nutritionally.
How often should you change indoor plant soil?
It’s a good idea to change your soil every few months. It will help prevent diseases from spreading among plants and keep the soil fresh for new spring growth. Indoor plant soil needs changing once or twice a year to maintain its healthiness and fertility so that your houseplants stay happy healthy!
Use organic matter
One of the best ways that you can conserve water when gardening is to use organic matter. Soil with a high percentage of organic matter can hold up to three times its weight in water, which means less watering for you! You can add organic matter to your soil by using compost or mulch.
Choose natural light or high-efficiency lights
If you want to reduce your energy consumption, consider using natural lighting instead of artificial ones. Natural daylight is much brighter and more efficient than incandescent bulbs, which means less electricity used when gardening indoors.
You might also want to consider growing LED glow lights that are more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs. But still, provide enough lighting so they’ll last through multiple seasons without needing replacement too soon. If you have an area where there’s not much sunlight coming in during the winter months, then investing in some extra lamps could make all the difference.
Use the right containers
When gardening indoors, it’s essential to use the correct type of container. Clay and terracotta pots are porous and allow good air circulation, which is beneficial for plants. You can also use plastic containers, but they tend to hold moisture and lead to root rot.
Group plants together
When gardening indoors, it’s a good idea to group plants based on their needs. For example, you can put all herbs together in one pot or cluster the plants that need lots of water near the sink. It will help you to be more efficient with your watering and fertilizing.
Plan ahead
When gardening indoors, it’s essential to plan. Take into account what time of year the plants will need to be watered or fertilized. Hence, you have everything ready before arriving at their final destination (which could be your home). This way, there won’t be any surprises when planting season starts again next spring!
Keep an eye on watering needs
The amount and frequency of watering needed for indoor gardens vary significantly from one plant type to another, so keep this in mind as well. Some classes require more water than others do. Some can survive with more minor but still thrive if given enough moisture throughout the day. Others don’t like wet soil at all times, too much water will kill them quickly.
Do not overwater.
Overwatering your plants can lead to root rot and other problems. If you notice that the soil is always wet, try letting it dry out before adding more water next time around (but don’t let them go completely dry!).
It’s also important not to fertilize too often because this can cause a buildup of salts in the soil, eventually killing off many beneficial microbes living there. A good rule of thumb is once every two weeks for indoor gardening or about once per month outside during warmer months when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (about ten Celsius).
The best time for feeding would be late spring through early fall with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion diluted at half strength.
Use the right soil
Not all makings of soils are equal, which is especially true when it comes to gardening. For indoor gardens, it’s important to use soil that drains well and doesn’t hold too much water. If you’re unsure which type of soil is best for your plants, ask at your local garden center or home improvement store. They’ll be more than happy to help! The suitable soil will help plants thrive indoors by allowing them access to nutrients that they need.
Avoid Harmful Pesticides and Fertilizers
One of the best ways to have a sustainable indoor garden is by avoiding harmful pesticides and fertilizers. These can be toxic to both people and plants and will build up in the soil over time, making it difficult for anything to grow there. If you’re having trouble with pests or diseases, try using organic methods such as insecticidal soap or neem oil instead. They may take a bit longer to work, but they’re much safer for both your plants and your family.
What are organic pesticides?
Organic pesticides are made from natural ingredients and are less harmful to plants, people, and the environment than synthetic pesticides. Some common organic pesticides include:
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt),
- Pyrethrum
- Rotenone
- Sabadilla.
What are some Non-Chemical Methods for Controlling Diseases in the Home Landscape and Garden
The first step to controlling any disease is identifying what kind it is. The best way to do this is with a microscope, but you can also look for signs such as discoloration on leaves or spots/mold growing between them. How should we treat it once we know which type of problem exists?
- Compost and Compost Tea
These are two common ways to use natural remedies against diseases in their home landscape or garden. They contain beneficial microbes that help fight off harmful ones (like the fungus causing blight). They are both relatively easy methods since all need some composted manure from animals like cows, pigs, etc. Then, mix water before applying it directly to the soil or leaves of plants.
Another way to use compost is to make compost tea, a liquid high in nutrients and beneficial microbes. You can make it by filling a burlap sack with compost then submerging it in water for about two weeks. Strain off the top layer of organic material (leaving the murky water below) and apply it directly to your plants using a watering can.
How do I keep bugs out of my garden without chemicals?
There are many different ways to keep bugs out of your garden without chemicals. One option is to use physical barriers such as row covers made from lightweight materials like cloth or plastic and placed over the plants to prevent access.
You can also try traps like yellow sticky cards (which attract insects with their color) or homemade concoctions like oil and soap sprays. If you’re having much trouble with certain pests, consider calling in a professional exterminator who will be able to help get rid of them safely and effectively.
Wrapping Up
Sustainable gardening is about creating a healthy environment for both plants and people. By following these ten best practices, you can create a chemical-free indoor garden that’s good for the earth and your home.
Creating your compost is a great way to supplement your pots’ soil needs. Not only will this help reduce watering needs, but it will also provide essential nutrients to your plants.
If possible, use natural light or high-efficiency lights to minimize energy usage. And be sure to rotate your produce regularly so that all plants have access to intense sunlight.
You can create a beautiful and sustainable indoor garden using only organic methods with a bit of effort!