The idea of gardening appeals to many people, but for those of us with little time or limited outdoor space, it can sometimes feel as though we’re not in a position to put our would-be green thumbs to use. However, it is quite possible to cultivate a beautiful garden, and even to grow some edible produce, without setting foot outside.
Indoor gardening has always been popular since many people live in cities and private outdoor space comes at a hefty premium. With the advancements in technology, and with upcycling increasing in popularity, there are now more ways than ever to get creative and bring nature into your home. We at Key Mortgage Advice have picked our three favourite projects that you could try for yourself over the coming bank holiday weekend:
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Succulents and Cacti
These two families of plants are a great choice for amateur botanists as they’re extremely hardy, meaning they’re almost impossible to kill. They can also go for longer periods without water than most other plants, which is good news for the more forgetful among us. Both succulents and cacti appear very modern aesthetically and are especially appealing to those with a minimalist interior. There are many different species, and all live well together, so you can mix and match to create a look that you like.
To care for them, place them in an area of your home that gets a lot of sun. They like to receive around six hours of sunlight every day and will thrive if allowed these conditions. They look best in sleek, minimal containers, or metal planters which will give them a juxtaposition of industrial and natural.
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Grow Your Own Herbs
Making a small indoor herb garden can be very rewarding. They’re often fast-growing, meaning that you can be reaping the fruits of your labour in no time. Also, you can change the herbs you grow to suit the season, so you can benefit from fresh herbs all year round. As well as being edible they’re also wonderfully aromatic, lending their aroma to the kitchen and creating a sensory experience.
Herbs require plenty of sunlight and enjoy fresh air, so it is best to place them in a window. Most herbs grow well with just some basic care and plenty of water, so they’re perfect for amateurs. Get creative with your planters too! – Herb gardens are great for getting the kids involved, you can have great fun decorating a planter, and enjoy fresh produce together once they’ve grown.
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Make a Terrarium
Making a terrarium can be extremely rewarding, they take a little more work to put together than potting a regular houseplant, but once it’s done you’ll have a stunning piece of natural art. Also, terrariums generally require very little care, so they’re great for people with little spare time for tending plants.
To make a terrarium you’ll need to layer pebbles, activated charcoal, potting soil, and then moss (all of which can be found in any garden centre) inside a transparent glass container of your choice. You can use old bottles, an unused fish tank, a large wine glass, the options are endless! The activated charcoal will filter out any toxins and odours, keeping your plants healthy, and the moss will help the terrarium to retain water. You can then add in the plants and decorations of your choice, and enjoy your miniature garden! With minimal watering, a terrarium can thrive and sustain itself for many years.
We hope we’ve inspired you to get creative and bring nature into your home in one of these unique ways. If, however, you’re looking to upgrade to a property with a traditional outdoor garden, then we can certainly help with that too! We have branches in Preston, Southport and Garstang, and we’re experts in providing impartial mortgage advice. We will search thousands of available products to find the perfect one for you. Find the contact details for your local Key Mortgage Advice branch here.