Indoor Growing Systems for Fall: How to Make the Switch
Canadian winters mean low temperatures, fewer hours of daylight, and overall harsher conditions for plants. With the first frosts arriving as early as September/October, leaving plants outdoors in the fall effectively ends your growing season. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. With the right growing equipment, you can move plants indoors to a more stable environment, allowing them to thrive a little longer despite the conditions outside. In this blog, we’ll tell you how.
Hydroponics or Potting Soil?
Before making the switch indoors, there’s one crucial decision to make. Should you start a hydroponic garden or stick with soil-based growing? Both have their advantages, and you’ll still need the right growing equipment to see success.
Soil-based indoor gardening is similar to what you do outside. Plants grow in nutrient-rich potting soil, offering a straightforward approach. Generally, this option is more manageable and easier for those who are transitioning indoors for the first time.
A hydroponic garden ditches the potting soil entirely. Plants instead grow in water solutions, allowing roots to suck up nutrients and stay hydrated without soil. Hydroponics is incredibly efficient. The proper growing equipment helps you save space, and high-quality setups can result in faster growth and higher yields.
Both soil-based and hydroponic gardening will require equipment. You’ll need to invest in grow lights to simulate sunlight, heating to keep plants warm, and humidity control equipment to create the perfect environment. Hydroponics requires additional gear, such as grow kits purpose-designed to help plants flourish without potting soil.
Preparing Growing Equipment for Fall Gardening Success:
No matter which indoor growing systems you choose, there’s plenty of prep work to complete before you move your plants inside.
- Choose the Right Location: Choose an accessible spot with room for your plants to grow. If possible, select an area in your home with natural sunlight.
- Clean and Sanitize Growing Equipment: Clean your equipment to rid it of pests and potential disease.
- Prep Containers: In addition to cleaning and sterilizing, organize containers and prepare them for any possible transplantations.
- Perform System Checks: Ensure all your equipment works properly, including grow lights, hydroponics pumps, humidity control devices, etc.
- Organize Supplies: Keep your potting soils, plant nutrients, and other supplies readily accessible for easy maintenance.
Which Crops Will Thrive with Indoor Growing Systems?
Many types of plants will prosper in indoor growing systems. Here are a few fall crops to consider cultivating:
- Herbs: You can’t go wrong with herbs. Basil, cilantro, chives, and more do well with the right growing equipment.
- Microgreens: Microgreens can flourish in an indoor soil or hydroponic garden. They grow quickly and produce nutrient-dense harvests.
- Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, arugula, and many types of lettuce can provide harvests throughout the fall season.
- Small Vegetables: Compact vegetables like cherry tomatoes, small cucumber varieties, and peppers will produce fruit even in a tight space.
Plant Nutrients, Lighting, and More: Transition Tips to Follow
Moving plants into indoor growing systems can be daunting, but it’s easier than you think. To avoid shock and growth issues, follow these tips for a smooth transition.
- Move Plants Gradually: Don’t move plants all at once. Instead, do things gradually by moving them indoors for only a few hours a day. Increase the amount of time spent indoors until you relocate them full-time.
- Fine-Tune Lighting: Learn about the lighting needs of each plant and adjust accordingly to maintain consistent light cycles.
- Manage Humidity Levels: Use humidifiers or trays to mimic warmer outdoor environments.
- Use Plant Nutrients: High-quality plant nutrients can help crops grow faster and stronger while producing higher yields. Monitor nutrients in your potting soil or hydroponics setup and fertilize when necessary.
The arrival of fall doesn’t mean your gardening ventures have to end. Follow our tips, invest in the right equipment, and use indoor growing systems to keep your green thumb active through the fall and beyond.
