Our Winter Gardens
Brenda Hyde
January 2, 2010
Consider an indoor window box this year! Choose a sunny warm, window and either expand the windowsill to hold a purchased windowbox or build your own out of scrap wood. You can prime the outside and paint it a color to match your room. Consider stenciling a pretty design as well, or use transfers which can be rubbed on and sprayed with a sealant. You'll want to line your windowbox with plastic if you are placing the soil directly in the box. You can also consider placing potted plants in the box with their own trays. I would still line the box with plastic just in case water spills over at some point. I have a small southern window that I am going to do this with, as well as a bathroom window, which is also on the south side.
Either way, choose plants that will fit the box. If you have a 4-6 inch box choose plants that are in 3-4 inch pots. These inside planter boxes should not be overly crowded. Be sure to use pebbles or gravel in the bottom of the pots or box for drainage. Peat moss can be placed on top to help keep the plant moist, but not soggy. Wet the peat moss and pack it around the base of the plant. Another option is too line your box well, place an even layer of gravel on the bottom and set the potted plants on top of this. You will water as usual, and the gravel will help provide some humidity for your plants.
Consider groups of African violets, wax begonias, herbs, or small ferns for your windowbox. This is a nice way to add plants to a room where you may not have space to put them on the floor or a tabletop.
MORE GARDEN TREASURES:
Learn to care for a living Christmas tree this year!
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Old Fashioned Living offers down to earth advice on cooking, crafting, gardening, and traditions that grandma passed down, plus newsletters, community forums and contests. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, you'll find something for everyone in the family. Here we feature information about backyard birding!
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