Grow Kits & Guides | Urban Goes Green

Q: Do I need grow lights for indoor plants in the Philippines?

Most indoor plants in the Philippines get enough natural light near windows. However, grow lights become useful if you are growing seedlings indoors, cultivating plants in rooms with limited natural light, or starting a small indoor vegetable garden. LED grow lights are the most energy-efficient option and produce less heat than fluorescent alternatives. They are especially useful during the rainy season when cloudy days reduce natural light levels.

Q: What soil mix should I use for raised bed gardening?

A good raised bed mix for Philippine conditions uses three parts loam soil, one part compost and one part coco peat or rice hull. This combination provides nutrients from the compost, moisture retention from the coco peat and good structure from the loam soil. For vegetable gardens, add a handful of organic fertilizer per square metre when filling the bed. Refresh the top layer with compost every 2 to 3 months to maintain fertility. Avoid using pure garden soil in raised beds as it tends to compact and drain poorly.

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Coco Peat and Coco Coir Guides

Learn how to use coconut-based growing media

Coco Peat

Complete guide to buying, hydrating and using coco peat for gardening

Coco Peat Soil

Mixing coco peat with soil for the ideal container gardening blend

Coco Peat Use

Practical applications of coco peat for seed starting, mulching and more

Coconut Coir Fibre

Properties and uses of coconut coir fibre in gardening and landscaping

Coconut Coir for Gardening

How to use coconut coir as a soil amendment and standalone medium

Coco Coir Hydroponics

Using coco coir as a hydroponic growing medium for vegetables and herbs

Coco Coir Mulch

Coco coir as a natural mulch for moisture retention and weed suppression

Coco Coir Products

Overview of all coco coir product types from bricks to loose fibre

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Potting Soil and Growing Media

Guides for soil mixes, potting media and specialty blends

Potting Mix

How to choose and use potting mix for containers and indoor plants

Seed Starting Mix

Fine, sterile mixes for germinating seeds and growing strong seedlings

Orchid Potting Mix

Bark-based mixes designed for orchid root aeration and drainage

Succulent Potting Mix

Fast-draining mixes for succulents, cacti and drought-tolerant plants

Soil for Bonsai Tree

Akadama, pumice and lava rock blends for healthy bonsai root systems

Soil for Plants

General guide to matching the right soil type to your plant species

Loam Soil for Plants

Which plants thrive in loam soil and how to prepare the perfect mix

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Raised Bed Guides

Build, fill and maintain raised garden beds

Garden Beds

Types, materials and sizing for garden beds in Philippine homes

Gardening in Raised Beds

Step-by-step guide to growing vegetables and herbs in raised beds

Raised Garden Bed Blueprints

Free plans and dimensions for building your own raised beds at home

Vegetable Garden Beds

Bed layouts, soil filling and crop rotation for productive vegetable gardens

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Grow Light Guides

Supplement natural light for indoor and low-light plants

Grow Lights for Indoor Plants

Choosing LED grow lights for houseplants in dim rooms and apartments

Grow Lights for Plants

Complete guide to grow light types, spectrums and placement heights

Grow Lights for Seedlings

Setting up grow lights for strong, stocky seedlings indoors

Succulent Grow Light

Light requirements and grow light setups for indoor succulents

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General Guides

Broader guides for indoor growing and plant care

Low Light Plants Indoor

Best indoor plants that thrive in low-light conditions and shaded rooms

Bulb for Plants

Guide to light bulb types and wattages suitable for growing plants indoors

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is coco peat and why is it popular for gardening in the Philippines? ▾

Coco peat is a natural growing medium made from the husk of coconuts. It is lightweight, retains moisture well and has excellent aeration properties that promote healthy root growth. In the Philippines, coco peat is widely available and affordable because the country is one of the world's largest coconut producers. You can buy it in compressed bricks that expand when soaked in water, making storage and transport easy. Coco peat works as a standalone medium for starting seeds and growing seedlings. For mature plants, mix it with loam soil and compost at a 1:1:1 ratio to create a balanced growing medium with good drainage and nutrient content. It is also pH neutral, which suits most vegetables and herbs. Unlike pure garden soil, coco peat is free from soil-borne diseases and weed seeds, giving your seedlings a clean start. Our coco peat guides cover hydration methods, mixing ratios and specific applications from hydroponics to mulching.

Do I need grow lights for indoor plants in the Philippines? ▾

Most indoor plants in the Philippines receive enough natural light when placed near windows, especially those facing east or north. The tropical climate provides strong sunlight year-round, so many low-light plants like pothos, snake plants and peace lilies do well indoors without supplemental lighting. However, grow lights become valuable in several situations. If you are starting seedlings indoors before transplanting them outside, grow lights prevent leggy, weak stems by providing consistent light intensity. If your apartment or condo unit has limited windows or faces a wall that blocks sunlight, grow lights fill the gap. During the rainy season from June to November, consecutive cloudy days can reduce natural light levels below what some plants need. LED grow lights are the most practical option for home use. They consume less electricity than fluorescent tubes, produce minimal heat and last for years. Position them 15 to 30 cm above your plants and run them for 12 to 16 hours daily. Our grow light guides explain spectrums, wattage and placement for different plant types.

What soil mix should I use for raised bed gardening? ▾

A good raised bed mix for Philippine conditions combines three parts loam soil, one part compost and one part coco peat or rice hull. The loam soil provides structure and minerals. The compost supplies nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. The coco peat or rice hull improves drainage and prevents the mix from becoming too dense and waterlogged during the rainy season. For vegetable gardens, add a handful of organic fertilizer per square metre when first filling the bed. This gives your plants an immediate nutrient boost. After the initial fill, refresh the top 5 to 10 cm with fresh compost every 2 to 3 months to maintain fertility as plants draw down nutrients. Avoid filling raised beds with pure garden soil. It tends to compact under heavy rain, which suffocates roots and causes poor drainage. Also avoid using only coco peat, as it holds too much moisture and lacks the minerals plants need. The three-part mix strikes the right balance for most vegetables, herbs and leafy greens grown in Philippine raised beds. Check our raised bed guides for filling quantities based on common bed dimensions.

Grow Kits: Guides for Filipino Gardeners