Dorm Gardening 101

DM by Andrea Freeman

Written Stephanie Rodriguez. Media by Andrea Freeman.

Spring is officially here! As we enter this ‘warm’ season there are many activities that you can engage in. For example, you and your friends can lay out in the sun and tan, play ultimate Frisbee, or create a mini dorm garden. Gardening is a great hobby for those nature lovers out there. However, we all know that dorm space is limited, but here are a few steps on creating your very own unique garden.

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Step 1: Choose Your Plant

houseplant expert.com
houseplant expert.com

Ask yourself, “What kind of garden do I want in my room?” But most importantly, “Will I take care of it?” Gardening is an easy process. The difficult part is remembering to tend it. For some people, herb gardens are better because those herbs can be used for teas or seasoning home cooked meals. Others prefer to have colorful gardens to bring their dorms to life. Another idea is to get cacti or bamboo plants because they don’t need much tending. Whatever floats your boat. IF you choose to make a garden of colorful flowers, herbs, or even vegetables then keep on reading.

Materials needed:

myfawltywiring.blogspot
myfawltywiring.blogspot

Container

Potting soil

Water

Your pick of plants

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Step 2: Choose Your Container 

Find a container that you want to put your garden in. For example, you can use a colorful

roadtripsandrevelations.tumblr
roadtripsandrevelations.tumblr

round plastic container, a tea kettle, or even an old rusty metal box. Anything that you consider unique and would like to have in your dorm room. Some of the thrift stores around Greenville have great things that can be used to hold your garden together. Once you have figured out what you’re using, make small holes on the container so that water can flow through the garden and it won’t overflow.

 

 

 

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Step 3: Get Dirty, Literally

simproproperty.com
simproproperty.com

The soil you use will be play a big factor on whether or not your plant grows. If you purchase potting soil, make sure that when transferring it into the container being used it is pre-soaked. This will help the plants adapt to their new environment easier. Helpful tip: Make sure that there is about ¼ of space left in the container and that the soil is spread out evenly.

 

 

 

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Step 4: Grow!

Miniship blog
Miniship blog

If you want to start your garden by using seeds just make sure you plant them out evenly so that they don’t grow too much on one side and not the other. Also, you will want to make sure it is at least ¼ in the soil. If planting grown flowers the same procedure applies. However, this is were your creativity comes in!

After you are done, place your earthly masterpiece by your windowsill so that it can get as much sunlight as possible.

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SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GROW YOUR OWN DORM GARDEN WITH HELP FROM THESE RESOURCES:

 

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/planting-a-window-box-container-garden.html

http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/how-to-grow-a-mini-farm-in-a-window-box/index.html

 

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