We started this project last week by picking a location in the house, putting up open shelving and mounting lighting. Now, we need pots and containers , which we will fill with 1” of sand or gravel for drainage and then fill on up with potting soil up to about 1” from the top. If you plan to transplant the seedlings very quickly, you may use peat pots. These are usually in trays of a dozen or more pots and start a lot of plants in very little room. The larger you want your plant to grow, the more room it will need for a root system.
You can either start your plants from seed or by planting plants with roots. Follow the directions on the packets and add the seeds to the depth specified by the manufacturer. Mist the soil with water, keeping the soil damp but avoiding over-watering. You may have to mist the plants every day, particularly if your home is especially dry during the winter months.
When purchasing seeds, make sure you choose compact varieties. The regular varieties are meant for growing in large spaces and can be difficult to grow indoors.
For rooted plants, take the plant out of the pot it was in when you bought it and gently shake off the old potting soil or mix from the root ball. If the roots are tightly wound, gently slice the sides of the root ball in two or three places. Fill one-third of a new container with potting soil and insert the plant stem or root ball. Fill in around the sides of the root ball with more potting soil, pressing lightly. The plant should be at the same soil level as it was originally growing and there should be a 1/2'' to 1'' space from the top of the mix to the lip of the pot.
When you're done potting your plants, organize the containers on your shelving, keeping in mind which plants need the most light.
Water your plants, thoroughly soaking the potting mix. Then allow it to drain. To ensure that your plants grow healthy and strong, feed them immediately after repotting and on a regular basis thereafter. Be careful not to use too much fertilizer; follow package instructions carefully. Use a liquid plant food such as Miracle-Gro® Liquid All-Purpose Plant Food.
If your greenhouse location is in a very warm, humid part of your home, your indoor greenhouse may not need covering, but you can cover your greenhouse with plastic sheeting to keep in warmth and moisture just like a full-size greenhouse. Deciding on whether or not to cover it can be determined by trial and error. Just keep a close eye on your indoor greenhouse to determine what works best for you and your plants. Sheeting can be held in place by using tape or by gently tucking the excess behind the shelving.
Alright! Now you and your kids have an indoor greenhouse. Let the good times grow, and remember that help is just around the corner at your local hardware store.
