Welcome to
my 101 series, which explores 101 little things you can do to improve your day
to day life, and the world, just a little bit.
Our first post is: GROW SOMETHING
Growing
plants is one of the most natural joys we can experience as humans. We have
been farming and harvesting since before we were even homo sapiens, and even if
you don’t have a huge garden, there is a sense of pride in sprinkling your
dinner with herbs you grew yourself. Or you might find you get a better night’s
sleep with some plants purifying the air in your room at night.
Some of us
find we have a black thumb though. However, that’s just because we don’t
understand plants. There are three elements to growing plants.
1. Light.
2.
Soil/substrate.
3. Water.
All plants
need these things in some degree, though how much and what kind can vary quite
a lot. We all know cacti don’t need much water and can handle a lot of light. It’s
also true that if they have dense soil and poor drainage, they are prone to
root rot. They just can’t handle constant damp.
Likewise,
plants can be a bit picky about their light. Some will die in full sun and some
will die without full sun. So, if you are picking an indoor plant, look for one
that appreciates low light. Even if you plan to keep it by a window. You can
set up special lights indoors to allow plants to grow as if they are in full
sun. Unless the lights are solar powered though, it could be an expensive
venture.
Soil is not
just what holds a plant upright. It’s what feeds it. Good quality soil has a
lot of nutrients that allow plants to grow. Poor quality soil doesn’t. Good
quality soil is created when nutrients are decomposed, such as plant matter,
dead animals, poop and other natural waste.
In hydroponic systems, that nutrient must be introduced in another way.
The most natural method is fish poop.
Since worms
eat rotting plants and fruit, and fish eat worms and plants eat worm poop, you
can create a nice circular ecosystem with worms, plants and fish. However any
systems claiming your fish will survive picking algae off the roots of the
plants are actually cruel and a lie. Your fish will eventually just starve to
death. Or in the case of gold fish, eat your entire plant.
You can make
your own soil with vegetable scraps. Worm farms produce the best soil. However,
a working compost pile is a good second place option. You can also buy good
quality soil and add liquid fertilizer to your plants every few months to
replace the nutrients yourself. However, the fake stuff will never give you as
good results as worm poop.
Do a little
bit of planning and research before getting your first plant. First decide
where you’re going to keep it. Inside? Balcony? Front step? Observe how much
sun it will get and choose a plant that will thrive. Choose a pot that fits
both the size of the plant and the decor and feel you want. Depending on the
type of plant, ensure there is adequate drainage and/or moisture retention in
the soil.
Add a
reminder in your digital calendar either every day or every week or every month
to water your plant, depending on its needs. And do the same for fertilizer. A
spider plant is a fantastic indoor plant and will produce hundreds of babies
for you to give to friends. Snake plant is great for bedrooms, as it produces a
lot of oxygen at night and will improve your sleep. Basil, mint, chives,
parsley, oregano and strawberries are all fantastic balcony herbs and will
happily provide you will food all year around, depending on your climate.
Here is an
article on the best indoor plants for apartments from Houzz.com.au:
https://www.houzz.com.au/ideabooks/27299305/list/our-10-hottest-indoor-plants
