Do you love growing plants, but find yourself unwilling or unable to spend long hours in the hot sunlight caring for them? That’s just one of the reasons why you may find it useful to learn how to grow plants inside your garage. A garage is also a good place to start spring plants early so that they have the best start when being replanted outside later. And if you want to grow plants that aren’t native to your area and may not thrive in the soil and weather conditions outside, you may be able to outfit your garage so that it does meet the conditions those plants need. Take a look at a few tips that will help you create a garden in your garage.
Set Up the Lighting
The biggest barrier to growing plants in your garage is probably the lighting situation. Many garages don’t have windows or have windows positioned in such a way that they don’t allow much sunshine in. Many plants can be grown indoors, but far fewer will survive without a light source, and a bare bulb in the ceiling isn’t going to be enough.
Luckily, it’s relatively easy to add lights to your garage. Do your research into what the plants you want to grow require in the way of lights. For some plants, you may need special grow lights, while others may do just as well with a fluorescent bulb. Try suspending the lights from chains in the ceiling, positioning them close to the tops of the plants.
Create a Greenhouse Effect
Plastic sheets are recommended when you’re starting seedlings in your garage, or if you’re trying to grow plants in cold weather or in a cold climate. They’re optional otherwise, but may be a good idea. Simply hang the plastic sheets around the area where your plants are growing.
This helps by protecting your growing plants from drafts, keeping the temperature in the garage stable. This is smart in a room that probably fluctuates in temperature with the weather, unlike the rest of the house. Plastic also reflects the lights in the room, which can help increase the amount of light that plants get.
Invest in a Heat Supply
If you’re going to be growing plants in the garage in the winter time, you’re going to need a way to heat up the garage. Assuming that your garage isn’t connected to your home heating and air conditioning system, that probably means bringing in solar lamps or a space heater.
Be careful not to make it too hot. Plants require more water and light the hotter they are. You may be able to bring in extra water, but once you’re set up for plants it may not be so easy to add more lights. Also keep in mind that different plants may do best at different temperatures, so if you’re growing more than one type of plant, make sure that they have similar light and temperature requirements.
Turning empty garage space into a greenhouse is only one way to use that open space. For more great garage design ideas, contact us.
