garden Archives - CENTURY 21 MarketLink Realty

Here’s How to Grow a Garden Indoors

August 21, 2015 By Casey Danton

Summer is coming to an end and fall is right around the corner. But that doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying gardening. According to a study in Psychology Today, there are multiple benefits of having house plants. They have been found to lower blood pressure, increase attentiveness, lower anxiety, and improve well-being. Furthermore, a NASA study found that plants purify the air. Need another reason to grow plants inside? Pasta, pizza, and other delicacies taste better with fresh ingredients. Ready to get started? Here’s how to grow a garden indoors.

Give yourself some space: An indoor garden can take up as little or as much space as you are able and willing to use. Most plants (even something like tomatoes) can be grown on a windowsill. Consider using a table, bench, or shelves designated for your little garden.

Pick your plants: Choose wisely. Smaller plants that require less direct sunlight will do better indoors. Here are some good choices: carrots, lettuce, kale, peppers, onions, beans, parsley, basil, oregano, lavender, cilantro, rosemary, chives, strawberries, blueberries, and citrus.

Let there be light: Some of your plants will survive in a sunny window, while others will need more help from special lighting. There are several types of lights you’ll have to choose between, including: incandescent, fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and High Intensity Discharge bulbs. The wattage needed will vary based on the size of your garden.

Keep up with maintenance: Tending to your plants indoors involves regulating temperature, humidity, and water. Plants generally prefer a temperature range of 65-75 degrees. Look for signs like the tips of the leaves turning brown, plants losing their leaves, and plants looking withered. To counteract this, mist plants regularly or run a humidifier. Plants grown in containers may dry out more quickly and require more watering.

Move things around: If you decide to move your plants outside, give them about a week to prepare. Leave them outdoors for a few hours each day, gradually decreasing their time indoors to get them acclimated. And if, at the end of the growing season, you decide to move plants from your backyard garden indoors, give them the same acclimation period.

Go ahead, get growing!

Syndicated via Century 21®. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/cf7TQep8yaE/

Tips for Growing Fruits and Vegetables at Home

June 11, 2015 By Casey Danton

There may be many benefits to growing your own garden, including better quality of produce, saving money, and having a healthy hobby. If you’re just getting started, use the guide below.

Here are our tips for growing fruits and vegetables at home!

● Gather your tools: Before you get down in the dirt, gather your gear. If you aren’t properly equipped already, head to your local home improvement or gardening supply stores to stock up on the essentials. To get started, you will need: a trowel (weeding, digging small holes), gardening gloves, a watering can and/or hose, a wheelbarrow, a shovel (digging large holes), a rake, shears (pruning), and sun protection.

● Decide how your garden will grow: Once you’ve planned the spot for your garden, you’ll need to decide which type you will grow. The traditional route is an in-ground garden, which uses natural soil and should ideally receive at least six hours of natural, direct light. If you have poor soil, you can choose a container garden instead by using store-bought potting soil (just make sure the container you use has proper drainage and enough space for deep-rooted plants). If you’re looking for something between the two, consider a raised-bed garden or the square-foot gardening method to get better control over the soil.

● Prepare your soil: Set your garden up for success by using high-quality soil. It should be well-aerated, free of stones and sand, and rich in compost for plenty of nutrients. Test the pH as well to make sure that your soil is only slightly acidic (unless you’re growing something like blueberries which prefer acidic soil).

● Pick your plants: Deciding what fruits and vegetables to grow is entirely up to you (and your growing conditions, of course). Plants like tomatoes, squash, beans, eggplant, corn, and peppers all love lots of sunlight, while leafy vegetables, potatoes, carrots, and turnips can do with less (which means they can be planted in early spring or late summer). If you’re a beginner, consider starting with seedlings from your local nursery.

● Tend to your garden: After the seeds are in the soil, keep a close eye on them. You may want to add more compost to help control weeds or cool roots during the summer. Depending on the weather, you may need to supplement the rain with additional water. Be careful not to water too much, though (watch out for leaves and stems that start to lighten in color or turn yellow).

Impress your friends and family with great, fresh meals all season long.

Syndicated via Century 21®. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/wZVG4WxUTus/

A Day in the Garden: Paint Palette

March 28, 2014 By CENTURY 21

Use this bold and vibrant color palette to decorate your home!

What: This palette is inspired by one of our favorite springtime pastimes, gardening.

Where: Let your garden inspire your outdoor decor! Section off your deck or patio with a large area rug in honey to provide a contrast to your wood furniture. Paint a piece of furniture chartreuse to create a fun and bold pop of color. Combine patterned and solid pillows with shades of honey and cerulean. We recommend displaying potted plants in similar shades such as: hydrangeas, daffodils, peonies, and snowball bushes.

Why: Nature makes people feel calm and regenerized.

How: If you like vibrant colors, try cushions in bubblegum and chartreuse. To tone it down, keep the accent pieces simple and elegant in shades of cerulean. For a monochromatic look, play with different shades of one of the colors with minimal accents in the remaining colors.

Would you paint your home with this palette? What colors in your garden inspire your decor?

Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/century21/wAvv/~3/1hv8LHRDhpo/