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Gardening in the Dead of Winter

BrookeHiggins

Gardening is an activity and hobby that is therapeutic for many. It is refreshing for people to get outside and connect with nature, slowing down the mind and taking a break from technology. Gardeners who grow vegetables, enjoy the added benefit of fresh produce to eat. These gardeners take a lot of pride in growing fruits and vegetables for themselves and their families.


Unfortunately, in South Dakota this luxury is seasonal and limited to the few short summer months. Unless, of course, you are lucky enough to have your own greenhouse where you can grow plants all year long. Some find ways to compensate for the short growing season by filling their pantries and freezers with canned and frozen goods from the garden. Others go back to purchasing produce from the grocery store. However, more people are beginning to adapt indoor gardening practices with advancements in technology and housing materials. Windows don't leak cold air as much as they once did. Plus, grow lights are now more accessible for consumers to purchase and install.


Gardening indoors can be as advanced or as simple you want it to be. Whether you want want to develop a hydroponic system with grow lights installed or simply place a few herbs in the window sill, the choice is up to you based on the resources you have available. For example, you may have some light available to keep the plant alive but

not enough light for the plant to flower or produce fruit. In that scenario, you may need to add supplemental light. Most vegetables perform best when they receive 14-16 hours of sunlight. There are many different kinds of grow lights on the market. To help you determine what type you want to invest in you can click on the button below for more information about each type.


Aside from light, there are other factors to consider as well when gardening indoors. For most plants the temperature needs to be around 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. This can vary a bit but may cause the plant to behave differently. Maintaining the correct humidity is also important. Winter is typically drier than summer and may require you to add humidity to your home in order for plants to thrive. If your plants look withered or the tips of their leaves are turning brown, you may need to increase the humidity in your home.


There is also options for your growing medium. You may choose the traditional option of soil. It is proven and provides plants with the nutrients they need. It is recommended though that you utilize potting soil as taking soil from outside may have pests and weed seeds. The other option is to develop a hydroponic system utilizing water and supplementing nutrients. In hydroponics there is no soil present and the roots grow into water. Some advantages of hydroponics include faster growth, smaller containers required and a disease free growing medium.



Overall, there are many options for growing plants indoors. As you begin, you will determine what works best for you and meets your goals of indoor gardening!




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