Gardening is one of the most practical hobbies for older adults in senior living apartments. It is more than a fun activity that you can do in your free time. There are many other benefits to gardening for aging individuals. To begin with, gardening helps to engage the mind and distract it from negative thoughts, making it an excellent form of stress management. It is also a great form of workout that helps to improve suppleness among older adults.
The fact that you are confined to your apartment does not prevent you from partaking in your favorite activity. You can still do some gardening on your windowsill. Windowsill gardens have been around for a while. They offer a simple and minimalistic area to plant some fresh flowers, herbs and vegetables. Here are some valuable tips on how to start and manage a windowsill garden.
Ensure Your Garden Gets Sufficient Sunlight
The location of your windowsill garden matters a lot. Plants cannot grow in the absence of sunlight. They need it to make their food and power their growth. Therefore, you need to choose a spot that receives direct sunlight for most of the day. You should ensure your garden is exposed to enough sunlight unless you intend to utilize grow lights.
Watch Out for Temperature Conditions
Temperature is an integral factor when it comes to the growth of plants. It tends to impact the rate of chemical reactions, which have a significant impact on the growth of your flowers. Other than that, temperature affects the rate of evaporation. The plants or soil in your garden will lose more vapor when temperatures are high. Losing a lot of water can make the plants wither.
Keep an Eye on Humidity Levels
Just like temperature, humidity is crucial for the growth of indoor plants. The level of humidity for windowsill gardening should be moderate. Extreme humidity levels have a detrimental impact on indoor gardening. They can trigger mildew problems and the growth of mold.
Water Plants Regularly
Water is life not just for animals but for plants as well. Windowsill gardens might not benefit from rainwater. Therefore, you have to commit to watering your plants regularly if you are keen to see your garden flourish. Nonetheless, you should not overdo the watering process to the extent of flooding the roots of your garden plants. At least an inch of water every week is enough to keep your plants strong and healthy.
Make Sure Plants Get Adequate Nutrients
Any plant, be it a flower, herb or vegetable, requires adequate nutrient nourishment to grow. The best way to tell whether your plants have sufficient nutrients is to look at their leaf pigmentation. If green plants have a yellowish pigmentation, they might require an extra supply of nutrients. Most indoor plants tend to be nitrogen deficient. You can choose to nourish your garden crops using either commercial fertilizers or organic fertilizers.
Time to Start Your Windowsill Garden
No space? No problem. Windowsill gardens are excellent for older adults who live in senior living. They do not demand a lot of space. Yet, you should stick to the right windowsill garden maintenance procedure to grow healthy plants! Follow these tips, and you’ll be good to go.
