If you’re an avid gardener growing indoors during the winter is often something you’ll be excited to do. While growing indoors can be very easy and give you more control over the environment there are a few mistakes we’ve notice many gardeners make. Today, we’ll detail 5 common mistakes gardeners make when growing indoors during the cold winter months. These winter gardening tips should help you grow a beautiful garden filled with plants you love regardless of the weather.
Lighting
First off, in many places the winter means the intensity of light the sun provides is less. This can be a drastic change, and sunlight your plants get and drop by as much as 50% during the winter months.
This means that many plants will need slight adjustments in order to receive the correct amount of light. In some cases, this can be as easy as moving them closer to the window or to a brighter spot in the home. Small steps like cleaning leaves of dust can also help plant make use of the light they do get.
If all else fails, grow lights are always a good option. The good news is often you might only need supplemental light. This means that instead of running a light all day, you can simply give your plants a few hours under it to boost their light intake.
Overwatering
While a problem year round, overwatering can be even more of an issue during the winter months. The problem is that many plants will grow more slowly or become dormant during the winter months. These plants will then often need less nutrients than when they are actively growing.
This makes it very important to watch how much water you’re giving your plants during these months. Make sure to be actively checking the soil for moisture, never let your plant sit in soggy soil, and don’t feel bad about lessening the amount of water given.
This also applies to fertilizing. If your plant goes dormant during the winter then fertilizing can actually harm it. In these cases, it’s best to stop fertilizing until the spring when the plant’s growth will pick back up.
Temperature
Temperature is another point that can be an issue during the winter. While indoor temperatures are perfectly fine for most plants, some exotic plants may dislikes the generally lower indoor temperatures during the winter. You should be careful which rooms you house your plants in if they’re very temperature sensitive.
Another issue to watch is areas in the home where temperature changes might be drastic. This is often in areas near heat sources, but can also be plants too close to a drafty window. Take care to watch for these issues and move plants to an area with a more consistent temperature.
Humidity
Humidity is another issue many plant owners might deal with. Humidity indoors during the winter is typically far lower than most plants enjoy. This is especially true for tropical or exotic plants.
Signs of humidity damage include browning leaves or general unhealthiness of your plants. Keep an eye out for these signs as it’s much easier to correct the issue when it’s caught early.
There are simple ways to improve humidity.
Bringing Pests In
Lastly, one mistake many that are indoor gardening in winter make is accidentally brining in pests. If you’re simply brining in pots and containers there’s always the chance that you’ll bring nasty pests into your home. This are not only gross, but can often damage your plants!
Luckily, there are some easy steps to take if you’re planning to move your garden indoors during the winter. Check out our article on that here! In general, you’ll want to do your best to wash your containers and inspect your plants for any signs of existing pests. This goes a long way in making sure you’re not brining any critters into your home.
Winter Gardening Tips
Indoor gardening is a great way to enjoy the hobby during the winter. Keeping the above problems in mind will help you avoid them, and let you enjoy a vibrant garden all year round. If you have any other questions please feel free to reach out. We’re happy to help any gardeners looking to keep growing this winter!
