Start a windowsill garden to celebrate Earth Day
Earth Day is April 22 of every year. It’s a chance for Americans to reflect on the beauty of nature and how we all can adopt better practices to make it a healthier and cleaner place to live. One way to celebrate Earth Day is to bring a bit of the earth into your home in the form of a windowsill garden. Plants can bring color and texture to your space while also literally cleaning the air you breathe. Take a look at the steps below on how to start a windowsill garden and consider starting your own this Earth Day!
Choose your plants. Perhaps the most important part of building your own windowsill garden lies in selecting what types of plants you want to grow. Based on your location, pick a few herbs or small flowers that have been proven growers on windowsills. You can choose to grow them from seeds, or seedlings. The seeds versus seedlings choice is one only you can make based on how you like to garden; do some research if you’re unsure which method will work best for you.
Pick the right window. After selecting your plants, be sure to understand the sunlight needs for each kind. This information should be included in the directions on the back of the seed packet, or on a small tab in the soil. Hopefully, each one will require the same amount of sunlight. If not, figure out the best place for each one depending on its needs. You’re not actually choosing which window where the plants will live — the plants are actually choosing it.
Collect the right containers. Now it’s time to make a happy home for your little plants. Unlike choosing a window, you have a bit more control over the aesthetic of your planters. Choose ones that fit your decor, while accentuating the natural beauty of the plant. Take care to ensure that the size of the container is big enough for your plant, and be mindful of its size as your plant grows.
Plant your plants, and take good care of them! Grab a good bag of potting soil and spend an afternoon carefully building your garden. Make sure that your seeds are planted deep enough in the container, but they still have access to the proper amount of water. For seedlings, be careful with root systems, as they are crucial to their health and growth. The fun isn’t over after you’ve completed this part! Tend to your garden every day, making sure each plant is getting enough sunlight and water. Should everything go according to plan, you’ll have a nice reminder of the ideals that Earth Day stands for all year long.
Indoor Kitchen Herb and Vegetable Gardens [Better Homes and Gardens]
How to Start a Window Herb Garden [WikiHow]