If you love to live a life closer to nature, what better way to do that than gardening? Planting seeds, watering them, and patiently waiting as they grow into trees brings a deep sense of satisfaction that no other activity can match. Today, gardening has become a popular hobby among many people who use different methods to grow plants. These methods go beyond traditional soil gardening.
In this list, we look at 12 such hobbies that involve growing or cultivating plants.
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Indoor Houseplants
Many plant lovers grow plants like pothos and snake plants inside homes as they add a natural look to the interior spaces. Indoor plants also improve the air quality inside the house. Most indoor plants do not need constant watering and care, so they are easy to maintain.
Indoor plants are better suited for urban houses with no outdoor gardens and for apartments. However, you should closely monitor if the plant is getting enough sunlight, water, fertilizer, and humidity.
Gardening for Vegetables and Herbs
Some people still love to grow their own food at home so they are able to enjoy fresh and organic vegetables and herbs. Even if you have a small outdoor space, you can do container gardening. You can grow vegetables like tomatoes, chilies, onions, lettuce etc. in small pots. Herbs like basil, parsley and mint also can be grown in small containers. Growing food promotes a sustainable lifestyle and also brings down your carbon footprint.
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Succulent and Cactus Cultivation
If you are a beginner, try growing some succulents and cactus. These plants do not need regular watering. They come in different shapes, colors and sizes and add beauty to any space. However, you should make sure these plants get enough sunlight. You also need to use well-draining soil for these plants. They grow slowly, so you can use them to create terrariums.
Bonsai Trees
Bonsai – the art of growing miniature trees – needs patience and focus. A bonsai tree might take years to grow. Juniper and ficus are two trees often used for Bonsai. You need to prune, wire and repot the tree properly for them to grow healthily.
Orchids and Exotic Plants
Growing orchids and exotic plants is not something that everyone can do. You need to be extremely patient and attentive for this. Flowers like orchids need high humidity and must be exposed to indirect sunlight. Watering and adding fertilizers to these plants must also be done with precision. Though this is a difficult and slow process, every blooming exotic flower will add more to your satisfaction.
Growing Edible Mushrooms
Some people grow edible mushrooms like shiitake and oyster mushrooms, which is an extra source of income for them. You can grow mushrooms both inside and outside the house, but you need some tools (like spores) for this. Plus, you should control the moisture level of the mushroom cultivation. Once plucked, these mushrooms are protein rich delicacies that can be cooked with a varying range of dishes.
Aquascaping
When you are designing an underwater garden, you need to find aquatic plants, rocks and driftwood. You need to balance the light, CO2, and nutrients your garden is getting so that the plants will grow healthy. Aquascaping helps to enhance the look of your aquarium, making the fish live in an environment a bit more similar to their natural habitats. However, algae control and water quality maintenance are two issues aquascaping designers often come across.
Terrarium Building
Terrariums are small, self-contained ecosystems made in glass containers. People mostly grow mosses, ferns, and succulents inside the terrariums. While building this ecosystem, they layer pebbles, soil, and activated charcoal to help with proper drainage. You should never overwater the terrariums and carefully maintain the humidity levels.
Hydroponic Gardening
In hydroponic gardening, people grow plants without soil. Instead they use a water based system. This method is ideal for growing fruits and vegetables indoors and this helps to use water and space efficiently. Hydroponic systems allow year-round gardening and provide harvests faster compared to traditional soil gardening.
Fruit Trees
Growing fruit trees, like oranges, apples or mangoes is not a short process. But, at the end, you will be rewarded with organic fruits jam-packed with lots of fiber and nutrients. However, you need to prune and fertilize the trees properly so that they grow healthy. Pest control is also important to protect the fruit trees.
Flower Gardening
Who doesn’t love a garden full of colorful flowers? However, remember that different flowers grow better in unique climatic and soil conditions. So you need to pick the flowers that grow well in your region. Plus, flower gardens also attract pollinators like butterflies and bees, so gardening flowers helps to maintain the balance of our ecosystem.
Community Gardening
In community gardening, you share a garden space with neighbors or friends. This type of gardening helps you share resources and maintain healthy relationships with other people. People get together and grow flowers, fruits and herbs in these gardens. As they work together to maintain and keep the garden growing, it harbors a feeling of teamwork and unity among the community.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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