Tips

It’s really easy to start your own indoor garden! It’s even easy on a small budget, with a busy schedule, and with no prior gardening experience. Many people also find gardening to be one of the best ways to alleviate stress. Once you get your garden started, you’ll love the results! Here’s how to get started! 

Step #1: Determine the Size of Your Garden

 
Don’t buy a lot of indoor plants all at once, especially if you’re new to gardening, because you don’t want to overwhelm yourself. Remember that each plant has a specific way in which it is supposed to be cared for so make sure to the read the plant label or research about your plant online. Once you feel you have mastered taking care of one or two plants, add another plant! 

Step #2: What Do You Want From Your Indoor Garden?

 
As you try to decide exactly what type of plants you want in your home, think about what you want from your indoor garden. 

Do you want colorful flowers during each season? 
If so, try and pick plants that flower at different times of the year so you’ll have a new pop of color as each season comes. 

Do you want a plant that requires a lot of care or one that requires little or no care? 
Some plants require a lot of care, such as orchids, while others require hardly any care, such as cacti or succulents. Check with your local nursery or garden center to see what type of plant will work best for you. 

Do you want to grow fresh vegetables, fruits or herbs all year long? 
Many plants can be easily cared for inside and still produce fresh vegetables, fruits or herbs. 

Step #3: Location & Lighting

 
Before you purchase your plants, figure out where each will be placed. You need to keep in mind that each plant must have the proper amount of sunlight (this will vary for each plant). NOTE: The ideal spot for most indoor plants requiring a mix of sun and shade is in front of an east or west-facing window. The ideal spot for plants requiring a lot of sunlight is in front of a south-facing window. After purchasing your plants, don’t be afraid to try different locations until you find the perfect spot. 

Step #4: Use the Right Soil

 
Using quality soil makes all the difference in the health of your plants. You want to use soil that drains properly, has a lightweight formula, and is formulated specifically for your indoor plants. The Schultz full line of rich potting mixes have been developed with years of experience to provide everything your plants need to thrive. Check out the different mixes.

Step #5: Watering & Water Control Technology

 
Watering your plants is one of most important parts of gardening. Each plant has a different watering schedule, but the general rule is to water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Protect your plants against over and under-watering with Schultz® Moisture Plus® Potting Mix. This soil is formulated with advanced moisture crystals that absorb water, slowly releasing it as the plant needs moisture making your job much easier. 

Step #6: Feeding

 
All plants require macronutrients as well as micronutrients for normal growth. The variety of specially engineered Schultz® Plant Food makes finding the right one for your indoor plants quick and easy.

With well over 20,000 different varieties, orchids are an extremely diverse and popular flower with colorful and fragrant blooms. Orchids have a reputation for being difficult to grow, but in fact many varieties make excellent house plants. Follow these helpful tips for beautiful orchids that will bloom for months each year.

Lighting. Like other blooming plants, orchids require abundant, bright, but filtered light. A southern exposure is usually best in an east-facing window or can be grown under artificial lights. 

Watering. Check the potting material’s moisture content with your finger. If it feels moist and cool, don’t water. If it feels dry and warm, water thoroughly by soaking pot in room temperature water for 10 minutes. Allow water to drain thoroughly. For best results, use water with low mineral content. Normal watering is about once a week. DO NOT overwater or let sit in waterlogged soil.

Fertilizing. Generally, the faster an orchid grows, the more food and water they need. Most orchids are slow growers so be patient and give them proper care. Avoid overfertilizing and over watering. For best results, use Schultz® Orchid Food Water Soluble Plant Food which is specially formulated for orchids. This way you are feeding every time you water.

Growing Media. Most orchid types are epiphytes, meaning they grow best in mixtures without soil. Keep in mind that a few orchids, including Paphiopedilum and Cymbidium, need to be planted in a soil mixture for nourishment. Schultz® Orchid Mix is a great option for your orchids.

Temperature. Consider your home climate carefully, then choose orchids that will thrive in those conditions. Orchid types fall into three general categories: 

• Cool growers (60 - 70°F days / 50 - 55°F nights)
• Medium growers (65 - 75°F days / 55 - 60°F nights)
• Warm growers (70 - 85°F days / 60 - 65°F nights)

Humidity. Most orchids require humidity levels of 40-60% year-round. In low-humidity conditions, mist leaves daily. As an alternative, fill a tray with pebbles or gravel and only enough water so the pot, resting on the gravel, will not absorb water through the drain hole. In stagnant air conditions, position a fan so that it circulates the air without blowing directly on the orchid.

Insects. At first sign of infestation use insect spay. Early morning application is best.

Repotting. Orchids typically need to be repotted once a year; be sure to use the proper growing media. The best time to repot your orchid is soon after flowering or just after new growth appears. It’s time to repot your orchid when you see: 

• Yellowing foliage 
• Poor moisture retention or drainage 
• Rotting or matted roots 
• Poor growth or blooming

The idea of planting a flower garden can feel overwhelming, but with some consideration and planning, you can easily plant the beautiful garden you desire. Before you begin mapping out your area, there are a couple things to consider. 

Location:

The first step to growing flowers is selecting the location for your garden. In order to select the best location, it is helpful to have a good idea of the types of flowers and a good understanding of their personal growing requirements. You can find this information on each plant’s tag. Pay special attention to the light requirements, as no amount of TLC will help a shade loving hostas survive the summer sun, or make a sun-loving coneflower thrive in the shade. Be sure you find a location with a large enough area for your garden to grow. Plant and space out your flowers accordingly to allow enough room for when your plant reaches maximum growth and full maturity. 

Soil:

After you choose a location, check the quality of soil. It is important the soil is not too sandy or clayey. For best results, add an Enriched Garden Soil to the top 6 inches of native soil. This will add nutrients and provide better drainage for the plant’s roots to thrive. 

Kind of Flower: 

• Annuals go through an entire life cycle in one season. It is best to put them in areas that can be changed year after year. They provide lots of colorful blooms year round. With that being said, they also require more watering and fertilizing than perennials. For short-term blooms, annuals are your quickest option. 
• Perennials will continue to return year after year. Even though the flowers might die off in the winter, their root system will remain alive. Perennials may only bloom a few weeks or months during the year but they do require less maintenance than annuals. For long-term flowers, perennials are the best option for your money. 

Flower Choice:

Now you must decide the variety of flower and colors. You can plant the same variety in different colors or the same color with different varieties. For other ideas, see Plant Combination Ideas. 

Seed or Plants:

 

• Seeds. There are many varieties of seeds available in stores and online making your options endless. Seeds can take a season or more before your flowers bloom, so you must have patience. 
• Plants. If you start off with plants, you’ll see blooms within the season giving you an instant gratification. Depending on what your local store is carrying, your plant selections can be minimal. 

Planting:

Now that you know your location, prepped your soil and choose your flowers, then let the planting begin! Follow the instructions with your flowers for best results. Enjoy!