Tips on How to Garden While Traveling in Your RV
One of the hardest things for gardeners to do is to decide to travel full-time in their RV and leave their beautiful gardens behind. I know, I was one of those organic gardeners with a large veggie garden and had an assortment of inside plants too. It was a tough decision to start traveling knowing I couldn't garden the way I used to. What fascinated me was meeting other full-time travelers that were in RVs and how they were able to keep gardening even when out on the road. I came up with a few tips on how to garden while traveling in your RV after many talks with other hardcore gardeners.
Inside the RV
Most indoor plants are found in nature at the bottom of the forest, underneath the canopy of other plants. This environment means that these plants prefer filtered light, their roots like well-drained soil, and they get their nutrients from decaying plants. These key elements are easy to replicate in your RV.
Indoor plants do bests in a pot with stones placed in the bottom so that the roots don't become waterlogged. Next, use good organic compost or potting soil for the planting medium. Put anti-skid pads on the bottom of the pot or use a non-skid trivet so the plant doesn't slide all over the place.
Totally Bamboo Silicone Non-Skid Round Trivet
There are many plants that will do well inside your RV including Dieffenbachia, Spathiphllum or Peace Lilies, Bonsai plants, Ivy and Ferns, plus Golden Pathos. If you want flowering plants you can't go wrong with Kalanchoes, Anthuriums, Bromeliads and even Calla Lilies.
Outside the RV
Vegetable plants and outdoor flowers need at least six hours of sunlight a day. When you are pull your RV into a campground for a few days, get those plants outside so they can soak up the sun. Water them too and let the water run out the drainage holes on the bottom. Leave these plants outside the entire time you are parked. Another tip is when you are traveling and take a couple hour break, go ahead and put your plants outside. It is a bit of work, but the rewards are quite awesome.
You can grow all sorts of herbs this way including Basil, Thyme, Oregano, and Cilantro. I've seen Rosemary grown as well, it just can get a bit big and you will have to divide it at some point. For flowers try growing Petunias, Alyssum, Begonias, Geraniums, Nemesia, and Violets.
Have fun gardening in your RV. Keep a gardener's journal so you can write down notes about what your plants like most. You are gardening in a different way than most, and keeping detailed notes will help you to replicate your results. Happy gardening my fellow travelers!
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