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Did you know that there is an array of delicious vegetables and edible plants that love indoor or dark growing conditions? Just like the conditions in your garage.
In fact, garage gardens have several advantages over backyard gardens; it’s easier to control the lighting, water and air circulation which means that weather events won’t damage your produce. And you can grow an all-organic bunch of veggies without the need to use harmful pesticides.
So, if you’ve got a juicer that needs some action, want to teach the kids about growing veggies or are looking to become more self-sustainable, your garage can be an ideal space to start your veggie garden journey!
Read on for some essential tips for converting your garage into a sustainable garden.
First things first: safety
Before you begin your veggie-garden-in-the-garage makeover, make sure you havede-cluttered the space for your plants to grow. This includes moving any chemicals or paints out of the way to a safe location. Consider the best spot for your garage garden; if you have a garage window, utilise that area to get a bit of natural sun.
If you are serious about converting your garage into a garden oasis, then it might be time to relocate your car to keep the air fresh and free of fumes.
Herbs
Growing herbs is the perfect place to start on your garage-garden journey as they are low maintenance, and you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour immediately!
Basil, thyme, rosemary, mint and parsley will grow best in your garage, so pick your favourites and keep reading to find out exactly what you need to get started.
What do I need?
Not much! Choose your herbs, any pot with a drainage hole, and something to put your herbs on. This could be a tiered herb ladder, hanging pots from the ceiling or simply sitting the pots on the windowsill. If you do not have a window in your garage, then you will need grow lights to help your little herbs become big and strong.
How do I set up my garage herb garden?
Pot the herbs individually with indoor potting soil, or group some together, making sure there is plenty of space between them! Water your herbs just enough to keep the soil moist and healthy.
Trays underneath each pot, or perhaps a large bucket or container under a number of them, can help catch any water run-off.
Before long, you will be eating delicious, herby salads, garnishing your pasta with fresh basil and cooking pizza with your delicious, garage-grown oregano!
Winter vegetables
Fancy a hearty soup or warm vegetable medley in the winter? How about trying your hand at growing your own winter veggies, in your garage!
Think broccoli, radishes, cauliflower, potatoes, turnips, and so many more delicious vegetables perfect for winter.
What do I need?
For these winter veggies, you will need deep pots or planters, to house their larger roots. You will also need access to a window that receives a large amount of natural light in the winter, or invest in some grow lights to regulate exposure.
If your garage is not climate controlled, you may like to research temperature regulators to ensure your veggies have the best chance of growing. Winter veggies can handle some cold; however, you should keep an eye on the temperature in your garage to ensure its suitable for growing!
How do I set up my garage-veggie-patch?
The above-mentioned vegetables require a significant amount of space, so if you are serious about gardening, it might be time to move do some manoeuvring in the garage make enough room.
Each vegetable has their own light requirements, though generally require a mix of direct and partial sunlight.
Perfect for smoothies and juicing
Take your smoothies and juices to the next level with homegrown produce, all from your garage! Carrots, spinach and strawberries can thrive when grown in an environment like your garage and will be delicious in your smoothies and juices!
What do I need?
Carrots need to be placed near a window or under a light source that can provide full or partial sunlight. A long window box planter would be perfect! Loose soil, fertilizer and consistent watering will have you harvesting your carrots in no time.
Spinach can be planted in a small-medium sized pot and only requires partial sunlight, so placing it next to your herb garden would be ideal! Drainage is important, so consider purchasing indoor potting soil and ensuring your vessels have sufficient drainage holes.
Strawberries also need a bit of TLC when it comes to being grown indoors. Unless your garage window receives full sunlight, you will likely need grow lights for your strawberries. Much like spinach, this sweet fruit requires good drainage, so look for that when purchasing your pot. Also, like spinach, strawberries do not require a large pot, so are easier to find space for in your garage!
Keep your veggie garden safe in your garage and allow ease of access for yourself or family when needed by ensuring you have a Merlin Garage Door Opener installed.
For information about Merlin’s range of garage door openers and accessories, contact our Customer Service team on 0800 653 667 or visit our website.