Small Space Garden Ideas: Windowsill Gardening
Think you need a sprawling outdoor space to experience all the benefits of having a garden? Think again. You can create your very own natural haven in the smallest of spaces, and it doesn’t need to be outdoors! If you have little to no outdoor space, why not try windowsill gardening? Here are some small space garden ideas for the indoor gardening enthusiast.
Who should consider windowsill gardening?
Windowsill gardening is a great option for anyone, but especially:
- People living in apartments or homes with no outdoor space
- Beginners who want to test out their green fingers before committing to growing outdoors
- Cooking enthusiasts who want to grow a selection of fresh herbs to add to their favourite recipes
- Elderly people or those with limited mobility who want an accessible way to grow and tend to plants
- People who want to live a sustainable lifestyle. Growing herbs and small vegetables can reduce trips to the supermarket to buy goods that have been flown thousands of miles.
Small space garden ideas: Make windowsill gardening work for you
If you want to make indoor growing work for you, here are some top tips for success:
Choose the right plants
Not all plants thrive indoors, so for a successful windowsill garden, you need to select those that do. Herbs such as basil, parsley, and mint can do well on windowsills as do small flowering plants like begonias and geraniums, and succulents like aloe vera.
Ensure plants get enough light
Got a south-facing window? Your plants should get plenty of direct sunlight. Just remember to rotate your pots or all your plants will start leaning in one direction as they bask in the sun. Otherwise, if your windowsill doesn’t get much natural light, consider investing in grow lights.
Use decent containers
Containers are a feature of almost all small space garden ideas. For plants growing on windowsills, make sure containers have good drainage. You can use traditional containers or even DIY containers made from repurposed items like old watering cans or tin cans. Using containers of different types and heights can add interest to your windowsill display.
Get your plants off to the best start and keep them that way
Use a good quality potting soil which provides plenty of drainage and allows air to flow around the roots of the plants. Don’t forget to feed plants regularly with a water-soluble fertiliser to make sure they’re getting all the nutrients they need to thrive. As for watering, let the feel of the soil be your guide. You’re aiming for the soil to feel moist, not dry or drenched. If the top of the soil feels dry, water your plants but don’t water too much as this can cause the roots to rot.
Watch the weather
Most plants growing on windowsills thrive between 15 and 24°C. During bouts of hot and sunny weather, direct heat from the sun can prove too much so it may be an idea to move plants off the windowsill in these conditions. If plants have started to wilt because of hot weather, mist the leaves with water.
Keep an eye out for pests
Pests are not only a problem for the traditional gardener, they can affect indoor plants too. Pests like aphids and spider mites can infest plants grown on windowsills, causing damage and plant death. If you notice signs like yellowing or distorted leaves, fine webbing on plants, or the tiny insects themselves underneath leaves (their favourite spot to hang out), you need to act. Trim back overgrown foliage and remove any dead leaves, then apply insecticidal soap or Neem oil, which is a natural pest repellent.
So there you have it, a simple guide to getting started on your very own windowsill garden. For more small space garden ideas, check out the rest of our blog or some of our most popular articles
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