Any experienced gardener knows all about the benefits of growing and maintaining plants, including a boost for both mental and physical health, so it makes sense that you want to continue gardening throughout the year, expanding on your hobby no matter the season. Here are some tips to demonstrate how you can make that dream come true with a garage-to-gardening haven conversion!
Scale Down and Pot It Right
Ideally, your garage has ample space, natural light and running water available from the outset, but this is rarely the case. It’s going to take a bit of work to get everything you need in place before you can transplant your outdoor garden or start anew.
First, you have to determine just how much room you’ll have to work with. You may need to scale down, so consider looking for smaller plants that don’t require much room. Just be sure to choose the right pot size for each plant
Once you know you’re going to grow, clear out a space in your garage and set up your indoor gardening area. This can be a bench or shelves lined with potted plants, or you can create a raised bed specifically for your space. Consider hanging plastic up around your gardening area to make a simple greenhouse. Just make sure your plants are getting enough light.
Light It Up
Place your garden in the area of your garage that gets the most light, and invest in artificial lighting if you must. Seasoned gardeners often take advantage of indoor light systems when they’re growing their plants from seeds, but you can easily create your own artificial lighting system for indoor gardening. Again, as Urban Organic Yield notes, what you choose to grow will determine the type of lights you need to invest in.
You’ll likely need extension cords and to keep track of times you turn the lights on. Most plants need at least 14 hours of light, but they also require darkness as well. The only thing left after lighting up a nutrient-rich garden is getting water to the plants.
Water Your Garden and Keep Things Warm
Unless you’ve completely gotten rid of the soil and created a hydroponic system, pay close attention to the soil’s moisture. Over-watering your garden is easy to do, so ensure that each container has adequate drainage to avoid rot. If you do create a greenhouse, this will help retain the moisture and keep things damp; however, this can also make things too warm. Invest in a thermometer for your garage and consider adding insulation around nearby windows if you’re dealing with extreme temperatures outdoors.
Don’t Be Afraid to Call for Help
If all of your horticultural endeavors result in dead plants and confusion, don’t hesitate to pick up the phones. Gardening professionals provide many helpful services designed to keep your plants, vegetables, and flowers looking great, regardless of the season. Even if you need help figuring out when you should water everything, the experts will help guide you through the process so your garden can begin to grow and flourish. Just search Angi for “backyard landscaping near me,” then use their handy ratings and review system to browse the available deals in your area.
No Garage? Build a Space
You may not have the space you want or need to build an indoor garden in your garage. You may be able to build your own small space to garden, but be sure to get any of the necessary permits for your area.
This could be your chance to build the indoor garden of your dreams, so don’t hold back. Give yourself room to grow everything you want as well as storage for your supplies. Depending on your preference, this structure can be built from either wood or steel. CDMG explains that both kinds of structures come with their own drawbacks and benefits.
Wood can rot and be infested with termites; steel structures can rust when exposed to moisture. You’ll have more shapes to choose from when building with wood, but steel often lasts much longer when properly treated. Both require a sealant or treatment for longevity, but wood needs to be treated regularly.
Gardening doesn’t have to be restricted to certain times of the year when it’s done indoors. As long as you put time and effort into your indoor setup, your garden can flourish, and you can transform unused garage space into a thriving garden or greenhouse.
Carrie Spencer created The Spencers Adventures to share her family’s homesteading adventures. On the site, she shares tips on living self-sufficiently, fruit and vegetable gardening, parenting, conservation, and more. Their goal is to live as self-sufficiently and environmentally-consciously as possible.