Many things must go right if you want to cultivate your own food. Ensuring proper plant and environmental care are prerequisites for fantastic yields. However, these may vary depending on the type of plants you intend to grow. Some factors are general and useful for growing indoor and outdoor plants. If you want to join the many Britons growing their own foods, here are 4 useful tips for boosting your plant growth at home.
By Team Savant
Image: Daiga Ellaby
1. Adequate Lighting
Light is regarded as the vital energy elixir. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the major requirements for plants. Inadequate natural or artificial light can stifle plant growth by affecting its photosynthetic process. Plants use this energy to grow, blossom, and reproduce. It is always advisable to find a good light balance for faster growth by considering whether plants need direct or indirect sunlight. For instance, plants like tomatoes, peppers, and melons won't grow without full sun, while others like Mint and ginger can grow in shady areas or those with little lighting.
2. Correct Soil Texture
There are several soil types. Some can be harsh, while others are stony, clay-like and compact. It is best to research the type of soil you have before growing any plant or vegetable at home. The most significant component in plant growth is the soil quality, so ensure that the plant you cultivate is compatible with the soil on the land. The correct soil texture controls how quickly the plant grows by providing it with the nutrients, minerals, and everything else it requires to flourish.
3. Add Nutrients To the Soil
Every plant has its own set of nutritional requirements. Fortunately, all-purpose plant feeds work well in almost every vegetable garden. These fertilisers contain the right amount of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus useful for plants. Despite this, it is always advisable to learn about your particular plant's needs. This way, you can guarantee that your plant receives optimal nutrition to develop quicker than it would without specific nutrients. You can use a commercially available potting mix made from compost and other materials that the plants require. Or, build your own potting mix by adding drainage agents to make the soil lighter, useful for planting saplings that need well-drained soil.
4. Proper Watering
Water is necessary for plant growth. Regularly watering your garden or setting up a watering routine for your indoor plants demonstrates the importance of plant watering. It would be best if you paid attention to the water content in the soil since it serves as a medium for plants to absorb minerals and nutrients. Under or overwatering can be detrimental to your plants, so it would be best if you adopted the right mechanisms to guarantee constant water availability.
You can install rainwater tanks to harvest water, store and use it if you can't guarantee constant supply to your home. Set up routine watering for your indoor plants and regularly water your outside garden to ensure faster and healthy growth.