You are interested in doing some gardening. However, the climate that you live in prevents you from gardening as much as you would like to. Thus, you would like to find a way that you can enjoy a gardening hobby, but at the same time have the benefit of being able to garden all year. Thus, what you would like to do is some indoor gardening.

About Indoor Gardening

Indoor gardening is something that is especially popular amongst those who live in colder climates. This is because the plants that they would like to grow can only be grown in certain temperatures, and those temperatures cannot be cold.

Thus, indoor gardening can be very beneficial. For example, if you are the kind of person that likes to grow your own vegetables, normally you could only do so during certain times of the year if you lived in a colder climate. However, with indoor gardening, you have much more flexibility.

The most common kind of indoor gardening is gardening that involves greenhouses. Greenhouses are specialized places that many professional gardeners as well as amateur gardeners use.

Greenhouses are made either out of glass, or out of plastic material, and can be found in a variety of different sizes. They are the preferred method of indoor gardening because the temperature in the greenhouse can be adjusted.

However, indoor gardening can be as simple as having several large pots placed in a warm area. The area that you choose will have to do with the kind of plants that you have. Growing plants in pots is an especially good idea for certain kinds of plants such as cherry tomatoes, that do not grow too large for a large pot.

If you are interested in indoor gardening, there are a few rules that you should follow. First of all, be sure that you have a room in your house that is warm enough for the plants that you would like to have, and be sure that the room gets at least partial sunlight.

Also, be sure that wherever you decide to place the plants, they will not be bothered by young children or animals. If either one tries to eat the plants, that could be dangerous. For more information on indoor gardening, visit your local gardening center. You can also search the internet for more information. You are sure to find the right information on indoor gardening with the proper research.

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Through the years many plants were considered to be only greenhouse subjects rather then house plants. That, thankfully, has changed and many species can be considered as house plants to decorate your home. Here is a house plant guide to the basics of caring for your plants also known as container gardens. It is best to choose plants that have thick leathery foliage. The reason they can withstand heated rooms is that they have tough leaves and can withstand adverse conditions. This also cuts down on house plant care. It is wise however, to keep the foliage free of dust so as not to interfere with the plants pores.

It pays to get your house plants ready for indoor life. If it is possible buy your plants when you no longer need to heat your home. This way they will get plenty of fresh air to harden the developing foliage, giving it strength against a hot dry atmosphere of heated rooms. This is especially important for tropical house plants. If you buy a tropical plant, such as a begonia, keep it in a room that is warm and moist, like a bathroom. They thrive on moisture and because of the steam from showers tropical house plants will get the necessary humidity.

To keep house plants species hardy they must be in a cool a place as possible. An unheated room that does not fall below 45 degrees is ideal. If you have a very cold spell, bring the plants into a heated room but be sure to get them back to the cool atmosphere as soon as possible. If you have a very large house plant that is not easily moved cover it with material, like several layers of burlap, to shield it from the elements.

When it comes to house plant care, watering is usually the trickiest. The amount of water will depend on how fast the plant absorbs the moisture. Obviously, a house plant that is in active growth requires more water than a dormant one. A good rule of thumb for house plant care is that they will require more water during the growing months, April through October. All container gardens should be watered when relatively dry. Sufficient water should be given to the house plant to reach to the drainage hole. This is important because the feeding roots closest to the bottom need water to continue growth.

A good trick for house plant care is to tap the pots half way down with your knuckles. If there is a hollow sound the plant needs water. But, if you hear a dull sound there is still plenty of water. The exception here is if the soil has been compacted firmly into the pots, then you will always here a hollow sound. If possible use rain water for house plant care. If you cannot use rain water on your container gardens, you can use tap water. Be sure to inspect your house plants daily to see if they need moisture.

If the tips of your foliage turn a sickly yellow you are over watering the plant. Do not water it again until the soil is quite dry. Over watering will also cause a moss or algae to grow on the soil. This must be removed, then use a sharp stick to aerate the house plant.

Another task of house plant care is feeding the plant. Plants that have rooted well and are growing freely need the most feeding. This extra nourishment is especially needed from May to August. Flowering house plants benefit by feeding them as soon as there flower buds appear. There are many types of fertilizers, speak to the people at your garden center to find the right one for your house plants.

These are some tips on caring for house plants. Keep your house plants feed, watered and clean so that you will have years of enjoyment and beauty.

Happy Container Gardening!

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

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Garlic, leeks, and shallots have a little cousin, the chive. It is the smallest and non-odorize member of the onion family. The leaves sprout from a bulb that is planted in the herb garden or in a container garden. Chives are a marvelous way to spruce up omelet’s or soups, even stews, chicken, or fish and its fat free, a healthy addition to your diet. A sunny windowsill can also be used to grow the chive herb. An added bonus, if you grow chives in your “in ground” herb garden, you are in the fresh air and are getting a little exercise. Can’t hurt, huh?

The chive has been a native of Asia and Europe for over 5000 years. They grow much like grass, in clumps. They send up graceful hollow leaves that will flower into lovely purple puffballs. If you allow the chive in your herb garden to flower the flavor of the chive becomes harsher.

It is not hard to grow the chive in your herb garden or container garden. It needs six hours of sun, well drained soil, moisture, fertilizer and pinching back. The pinching back will make the plant bushy and lush. Always use a high quality potting soil when growing your herb in container gardens. If planting the chive in an “in ground” herb garden, add some organic mix. A seaweed based fertilizer is best for feeding. You can use your old coffee grounds to mulch around the base of the chive in your herb garden. When it’s time to harvest the herb cut from the base to encourage more growth.

It is recommended that you harvest the chives before it flowers. If your chive does flower you can eat the chive flower but they are intense and should be pulled apart before use. They have a spicy, peppery taste.

As your herb garden or container garden ages, you will want to pull the plant up and divide the roots and then replant. The chive prefers a cool atmosphere so if you live in a hot area it is best to grow the chive in pots inside.

If you have an abundance of chives, make an herb salt by mixing one cup of sea salt with one cup of snipped chives. Bake in an oven for 45-60 minutes, seal tightly in a jar and place in a dark cabinet. This is a great way to spice up any culinary dish.

To dry the chive harvest snip into ¼ inch pieces, lay in thin layers on trays. Take them outside to a sunny spot and allow drying for 8 to 10 hours. An alternative method is to snip the chives, spread on a cookie sheet and dry them in a 110 degree oven with the door propped open for 4 to 6 hours.

Fresh chives can be store in the refrigerator for up to one week in a plastic bag. Do not wash or snip until ready to use.

Here is a recipe for an elegant soup that uses the chive as a garnish.

1 cup sliced raw potatoes
½ small cauliflower, floweret’s separated.
3 ½ cups of milk
4 tablespoons of soft butter
Snipped chives as needed

Cook the cauliflower, 3 cups of the milk, potatoes and salt until the vegetables are tender. Place the mixture into a blender and blend until smooth, (do this in batches).

Place the puree back into pot, dilute with the remaining milk, heat for 5 minutes then stir in the butter.

Put the soup into pretty bowls and garnish with the snipped chives.

Serve with thin slices of French bread that has the crust removed and has been sauteed in butter until lightly brown on both sides. This can be served hot or cold.

Now, enjoy your harvest and the soup!

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

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