Hydroponics gardening uses grow lights to light the plants properly in order for photosynthesis to occur and for the plants to grow and thrive. Lighting is crucial to every kind of indoor gardening situation, because without adequate light, the plants will be stunted and not grow to their full potential. LED grow lights can be used to good effect in an indoor plant growing situation.

LED refers to light-emitting diode. A diode has two terminals, and it allows current to flow in one direction and not in another. It is a simple semiconductor.

Photons are units of light. Atoms contain photons, and it is the photons that produce light. They produce light when electrons move around and change positions. Electrical current, in an LED lamp, flows across the diode, and when this happens, it causes a change in the movement of the electrons. The positively-charged electrons will move in the opposite direction from the negatively-charged electrons. A semiconductor is made more conductive to electrical flow when free electrons are added to the conductor material, creating negatively charged areas, or when they are taken away, leaving gaps in the chain, and positively charged areas. Electrical current flows over these areas, and it causes the electrons to move. The side effect of all this movement is the production of light.

The color of the light emitted by these types of grow lamps is based on the size of the gap in the electron chain. The gap size affects the frequency of the photon, and this is why it has an impact on the color of the light produced. Low-frequency light produced by an LED light is used to light remote controls for one of many common examples, because it it infrared light.

If you are growing plants indoors, then the color of the light that your grow light emits is quite vital to your plants’ health. Young plants at the seedling stage require blue light in order to grow properly. Mature plants, such as a flowering or fruiting plants, require red and orange light in order to get the plants to produce the flowers and fruit that you want. All of this is dependent on the light that you use with your plants. LED lamps come in a wide variety of colors, so it is easy to get the exact grow lamps you need in order to get the results you want from your indoor plants.

The advantage to using LED lights is that they do not get hot as they are in operation, and they also do not have a filament, which you find in incandescent light bulbs, so they often have a longer productive life because of this.

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Space can be at a premium, especially these days when apartments and condos are so popular. A simple solution for those wanting to grow at least a few basic herbs and vegetables is to grow in containers. Maybe you don’t have the time to maintain a large vegetable garden, or you have a physical condition that prevents you bending down or using the usual gardening tools. Whatever the reason, container gardening can be a great way to produce some of your organic food needs.

While container gardening may have its limitations, there are some great benefits.
* You have the advantage of being able to bring containers indoors through the coldest part of winter.
* Your pots / containers can create a focal point on a balcony or patio area, adding interest, colour or foliage.
* Planters can be made from just about any type of container that holds soil and allows adequate drainage.
* Potting mediums are easy to work with as they are the correct pH.
* Weeds are much less likely to become a problem.
* Less likely to be attacked by snails and slugs or soil borne diseases.
* The tiniest space – even a windowsill can be used to produce some fresh herbs

Soil
You need to purchase premium potting mix for growing in containers. Don’t be tempted to use soil from the garden in your pots as it will become compact and heavy, not allowing water to drain well. A premium potting medium is a must. It is lighter and so provides excellent drainage.
You will need to provide all your plants nutrients as most potting mixes do not come with organic fertilizer. Remember that more is not better when it comes to applying fertilizer. Too much fertilizer in contact with your plant’s roots will burn them. Always follow the directions on packaged fertilizers. There are many organic fertilizers available to choose from so look for blends suited to the type of plant you are growing - leafy, flowering, vegetables, etc.
Container plants need watering more frequently than normal garden plants, and as a result the water leaches away fertilizers. So container grown plants benefit from liquid feeds on a regular basis throughout their growing season. You can purchase organic liquid fertilizers if you don’t have room to make your own. Use them for foliar feeding and drenching the soil around your plants.

Watering
Because container plants are above ground the sun and wind will dry potting soils out quicker than plants grown in the ground. During summer you will need to take care that your pots do not dry out.
Water containers when the soil dries out to a depth of 1-2cm (1/2 inch). Apply water with a soft flow to be gentle on your plants and the soil. In really hot weather I usually re-water about 30 minutes after my initial watering. This is beneficial in containers as plants cannot always take up the water quickly.
It is important to make sure that your containers have adequate drainage or your plants will suffer and ultimately die if the roots are permanently sitting in water. If your containers sit on the ground bottom holes may not drain readily. If they are on a patio or are just off the ground, there should be no problem with bottom holes. If you’re not sure, make side holes.
Pieces from an old broken clay pot or fly wire placed over the holes will keep the potting mix from packing around the holes and reducing drainage, as well as keeping it in the pot.
You can add some mulch to larger pots in summer to help prevent them from drying out. I like to use pea straw.

Choosing the right plants
When you’re growing in containers you will need to look for varieties that are the most suitable for growing in small areas. Many herbs make excellent container specimens. You could start with some of the smaller vegetables such as radishes, lettuce, onions, capsicum or chillies, eggplant, short varieties of carrots, bush beans etc. Container planting is ideal to try out some companion planting techniques. You’ll have better success if your plant combinations are happy ones!
If you plant in three weekly successions you may be able to achieve continuous production of some plants.
You can also try some climbing plants providing you have some trellis or railing for support. Strawberries grow well in containers, particularly hanging baskets if they are not allowed to dry out.

Location
Choose a position for you container plants where they get about six hour sun each day, preferably morning sun rather than afternoon sun.
You may also need to protect your plants from falling over in strong winds. If you have many pots they might provide some protection for each other. Place the tallest plants along walls or trellises.

Many conventional gardeners find themselves with more than just a few plants growing in containers. I wouldn’t think of any other way to grow mints as they are just impossible if they escape into the garden. And how many people have the space for a full grown bay tree, when they only use a few leaves each week?
Yes, they take a little extra care, but we are well rewarded with our bounties. Try growing a few pots together. They look great and they provide a suitable micro-climate for each other. Good luck with yours!

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As winter sets in, you usually start getting worried about the plants that you have in your garden because they might not be able to fight the frost or resist the chilly winds. This holds true especially for herbs because they are delicate. Indoor herb gardening is the answer to all your worries regarding your garden. And you don’t even have to renovate your home to start growing herbs indoors. A widow that faces the South or West direction and allows sunlight for 5 hours in a day will suffice your need for indoor herb gardening. If you are staying in a high-rise apartment and the only greenery that you get to see is the distant park, then indoor herb gardening is good for you and your apartment too.

Thyme, rosemary and mint are good options as starters for your indoor herb garden. You can grow them from cuttings or buy them from a florist. You can get these plants from a supermarket as well. If you want to start your indoor herb garden this way then you need to initially grow the herbs in a soil-less mix of perlite, peat and vermiculite. You get the directions for use on the package or the greenhouse from where you bought the mix.

If you prefer staying away from all that shopping, then you can start your indoor herb gardening with the seeds. To start, you need to get some pots in which you can grow your herbs. A pot with good drainage, especially terracotta or a clay pot is preferable. Small pots of 6″ diameter are perfect for indoor gardening as they are small enough to grow compact plants and allow enough growth as well.

You should have pots of same material, shape and size to bring symmetry in your indoor herb garden. The contrast that you desire can come from the colors and shapes of herbs. Also you should plant different herbs in different pots, rather than 2/3 in the same one so that mint and basil do not taste the same. Herbs that can be directly grown from seeds are basil and Greek Oregano. You need to be careful while choosing the seeds. Buy the ones that are specified as ‘compact’ as the regular ones are difficult to grow indoors because of their size.

To grow your herbs indoors from seeds you need to fill the pots with potting soil that you can get from any florist or greenhouse. Then tuck the seeds in soil to a certain depth as specified on the packet and spray them with water. These pots should be kept on the window shelf facing the southern or western direction to soak up enough sunlight. You should also keep the soil damp, especially if you live in a dry or overheated apartment. You should not over-water your herbs once you see the sprouts, as the roots may rot.

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Hydroponics gardening is great for anyone who wants to do some gardening but may not have the space or a lot of experience.

Hydroponics gardens are different from regular gardens in that there isn’t any soil involved, which makes them great for indoors. The word begins with hydro for a reason! Hydroponics isn’t anything new, either, as it’s been around since as early as 600 BC. The other wonderful thing about hydroponics gardens is that they can be grown anywhere. For example, NASA uses indoor hydroponics for growing produce during lengthy missions. Lettuce is also being grown on U.S. submarines.

To get started with hydroponics gardening, you will need to germinate seeds just as you would for any other type of garden. Then you choose a growing medium. The medium can be anything from composted bark to peat moss to sand to nutrient-enriched water. You can also purchase kits that have everything you need to get your hydroponics garden started-and growing. For the beginner, this is probably the best way to go, as you can get everything you need along with expert advice.

The benefits of gardens grown using the hydroponics method are many. They allow you to grow your produce organically, without harmful pesticides or fertilizers. And since water is re-circulated in a specialized system, you also conserve water. This is great news for people who live in drought-stricken areas or in places where water is scarce.

Hydroponics gardens are also very low-maintenance. Because the produce is grown in water, you don’t have to do any digging. Even better, with these gardens, there’s no weeding involved either. Plants grow faster, too. Thirty to forty days from seed to fruit or flower is average. This is 30-50% quicker than plants grown in soil.

Hydroponics gardening makes it possible to grow produce year-round. That means you can enjoy fresh vegetables and fruit anytime of the year without paying outrageous prices for them. Plus, since there’s really no telling just how fresh the produce is in your local market, you’ll never have to guess about freshness and purity again. You’ll know because you grew it yourself under circumstances you control.

This is an important advantage that hydroponics gardens have over traditional gardens. When you grow plants in soil, even under the best of circumstances, you don’t know for certain that your plants are truly getting the nutrients vital for them to grow. In gardens grown hydroponically, you know your plants are getting the very best nutrition right at their root system. This not only ensures the highest quality possible, but it also takes the guesswork out of your gardening. That way, you can relax and enjoy your gardening efforts while feeling secure.

Hydroponics gardening is becoming more popular with novice and expert gardeners alike. As people become more aware and concerned about the environment, this trend is sure to continue. So whether you’re looking for a hobby or a new environment-friendly way to garden, hydroponics gardening is certainly worth experimenting with-just be warned that once you begin, you’ll never want to stop. The fruits of your labor will be too good to give up.

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Organic gardening information is not so hard to come by since it has become trendy. Garden centers offer organic compost, soils and seeds on a regular basis, and most will be happy to offer you advice as well.

Any garden can be grown organically, whether you are growing fruit, vegetables or ornamentals.

The basics of organic gardening are using natural substances to feed the plants rather than commercial fertilizers made from chemicals. Compost is the cornerstone of organic gardening, and the more you can learn about compost, the better. Most organic gardening information you come across will discuss compost in some form. Compost is made from rotted leaves, vegetables, weeds, egg shells, coffee grounds, newspapers… just about anything that does not contain meat or bones. Manures make good additives as well, especially if your chickens, rabbits, horses, or cows are not eating any medicated feeds. Some manures need to age more than others, and this should be taken into consideration when making your own compost. You’ll want to contain the pile in some manner. You can find commercial compost bins made of plastic, or you can contain it inside wooden pallets. Or, you can just make a pile.

Once you’ve decided how to house your compost for your organic garden, it is time to start filling it up. All the above goodies can be added… garden trimmings, leftover veggies and grains, sawdust from changing the guinea pig… all of that can be added. In fact, to make your compost work faster and more efficiently, you should be layering organic waste (veggie scraps and plant matter) with a substance like torn newspaper, leaves or fine sawdust. You can let it work on its own, turning it occasionally with a shovel, or you can buy microbes that will kick start the process at your local garden center. The ultimate goal is to produce a dark, rich organic soil that will amend your garden soil, feeding your plants with nutrients and beneficial microbes.

Once your compost is ready to add to your garden, mix it in lightly with a shovel. If you just can’t wait (compost can take a year or more to become that lovely rich stuff our gardens crave), you can purchase ready made compost. Be sure to check if it is organic. It should be clearly labeled as such, since organic materials are so popular.

Now that you’ve prepared the garden bed, choose your plants carefully. Any good organic gardening information should tell you that the plants that will do best in your organic garden are either plants native to your area, or plants that grow in similar conditions. Utilizing such plants will make your gardening much easier.

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