A garden office is advantageous for everyone in your company. The multiple health benefits of plants and greenery cannot be overstated, and it will also provide you and your teammates an oasis in the middle of a busy workday. If your place of work has a garden, it’s prudent to give it the care it deserves. Here are some tips care tips you need to know, and how to balance your work with caring for the garden.
Get rid of pests
Mosquitoes are attracted to specific flowers and plants just as much as they’re attracted to people. This is why one of the best things you can do for your garden is getting rid of these disease-causing pests. Consider hiring mosquito control specialists before getting started on a garden, or if you already have some plants in your office. The best time is before you and your team come back to the office full time because you can be assured that every trace of mosquitoes will be gone before you and your team spends the majority of your time in the workspace. Eliminating mosquitoes and their eggs is a great way to give your team’s health, and your garden, a clean slate.
Choose low maintenance indoor plants
If you’re still in the process of choosing the best plants for your office, opt for ones that don’t require intensive care or maintenance. Some examples include:
- Aloe
- Spider plant
- Snake plant
- Philodendron
- Bromeliads
- Dieffenbachia
- Jade
- Rubber plant
- Pothos
- Kalanchoe
These plants and flowers are some of the most forgiving ones, making them the ideal choices for indoor gardeners who are just starting and honing their skills. Some of them require very little watering and can be happy in any kind of light, from low to bright. Do thorough research on these plants and find ones that will suit your company’s schedule, needs, and day-to-day comings and goings.
Consider building a separate structure for the plants
If you have more space in your office, consider building a shelf or structure for your plants. Incorporating comfortable chairs and throws can also be a great way to turn the space into more than just a garden; it can be where you and your team can take some time out of a busy workday to just relax and breathe. Instead of building an expensive extension, you can opt to turn the space into something more functional. Choose materials that won’t be vulnerable to weathering and moisture.
Mind the airflow
One of the biggest things you need to consider in terms of caring for your office garden is ensuring that there is constant airflow around and beneath your office to prevent moisture from building up. Damp air is one of the biggest contributors to various kinds of fungal diseases, and water on plant leaves can cause spores. Damp soil is also incredibly attractive to fungus gnats and slugs—definitely creatures you don’t want anywhere near your garden. Moreover, too much moisture can lead to mold and damp settling in, which can be a health hazard. An office garden may be a fun idea, but not at the cost of your and your employees’ health.
Provide good air circulation for your plants by taking the following steps:
- Make sure there’s enough space between plants. The look of an abundant jungle might be cute, but a healthy garden needs enough proper space between plants.
- Make sure there’s enough sun exposure for your garden, especially morning dew. Take into account how the room looks when laying out your garden.
- Make sure no wall, hedge, or other tall structure is blocking sunlight.
- When it comes to indoor plants, keep in mind that they need just as much airflow, perhaps even more, than outdoor plants. You can consider using a fan, or placing them near an open window.
Leverage technology
There are plenty of gadgets and apps you can explore to help care for your office garden as well as you can. Some of them include apps that remind you to water your plants according to a set schedule, and gadgets that use sensor technology into the soil to inspect if your plants are parched and need watering. You’d be surprised at the new tech tools that emerged in the past year thanks to so many people seeing the value in gardening, so consider exploring how you can use technology to help your plants thrive.
Having a garden in your office will benefit you and your team. Explore how you can turn a space into an oasis and let the plants care for you as much as you care for them.
