You love the idea of having a gorgeous garden. Perhaps you would like to start a nice vegetable garden, or maybe you want to add some colour to your yard with some gorgeous flowers. Of course, you know that it can be expensive to buy plants that have already been started, and you know that just planting in the yard without starting the seeds does not always provide you with the yield that you would like. Have you thought about using your garage to start the seeds before replanting them? It’s easier than doing it in your kitchen, and it could be more comfortable than doing it in the basement, if you even have a basement.
Start Planning Now
Of course, you need to make sure that you have a plan in place first. You want to have your flowers look great, and you want your vegetables to be ready to pick at the peak of the season. When you sow your own seeds indoors, you can get a head start and ensure that you have healthy and strong plants before putting them in the garden. Of course, you need to keep in mind that plants vary from one another, so if you do not know the perfect dates for planting the different types, check it out in a book on gardening.
Keep in mind that you will not be having your entire garden in the garage all year long. Instead, you are just using this as a starter location for many of your plants. You will eventually move them to the outside and plant them. Many different types of vegetables can be started in the garden. You could choose to add peppers, onions, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, beers, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel’s sprouts, cabbage, and more. Herbs start well in the garage, and so do all manner of flowers and other decorative annuals.
Setting Up the Garage
Once you have had what you believe to be the last snowfall of the season, you can start working on your garden in the garage. You need to make sure that you have plenty of heat, as well as light. You will also want to have plenty of space, so remove the car. A garage should be insulated and heated, and unless you have large pots used for planting bulbs, you should not place seed trays on the concrete floor.
If you have windows in the garage, utilize them by placing your work area in a location where the seeds can get plenty of light. You can also use artificial sources of light, explained below, and it can serve as an additional heat source. Having shelving units for the trays you are using can help to improve your use of space, as well.
What You Need
The following are some lists of items that you will need to get started. Make sure you have what you need before you begin.
Starters:
- Trays – You can buy trays, or small planting pots if you prefer, that are geared toward planting. You could even use old washed out yogurt containers if you need.
- Potting Soil – Choose potting soil that will work well for the types of plants you decide to grow.
- Thermometer – This will let you know the temperature in the garage for your plants to keep them healthy and to let you know if you need to adjust the temperature.
- Spray Bottle – This is a fast and easy way to moisten the seeds.
- ID Markers – You can get these in plastic or wood and use them to write the names of the plants and the date you started them.
Lighting:
- Fluorescent Light Fixtures – These should be 48” long and between 7” and 12” wide. Use T‑8 bulbs. It is also possible to use incandescent or halogen fixtures.
- Timer – This is to turn the lighting system on or off.
- Plastic Sheeting – You can use this to help control the temperature.
You Are Almost Ready
Now that you know what you need to get set up, all you need to do is think about the types of plants that you would like to grow. Do your research on the various types of plants to see which ones tend to work well together. For example, it might be a good idea to grow basil with your tomatoes, as the basil can help to repel the pests that would normally cause problems for your tomato plants.
Is Your Garage Ready?
If you need some help with your garage, contact us.
We can provide you with a free quotation by email. We can even come to your home to help with your garage door. If you want to change out your garage door and want to know what a new one might look like, check out the Design Centre and our image gallery. Call us at :
- London: 519-685-9797
- Mount Pleasant: 905-304-9700
- Guelph: 519-821-4400
- Goderich: 519-482-3251
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