Fresh Air, Fresh Food
By JOEL PILON
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — If you’re embracing the North Country’s famously damp basements, a little common sense goes a long way.
Keep an eye on your space. If you notice mold growth beyond the occasional surface spot, address it quickly. A small dehumidifier in non-growing areas, improved airflow, or better ventilation can help keep moisture levels balanced while still allowing plants to thrive.
And remember: health comes first. Anyone with respiratory concerns, allergies, or signs of significant mold growth should consult a professional before turning their basement into a tropical paradise.
With the right balance, that old basement moisture can become an asset instead of a headache.
Want More Plants? Add Some Light
Many popular houseplants, including snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos, and peace lilies, do surprisingly well in basement environments. Add a full-spectrum LED grow light on an 8-to-12-hour timer and you’ll keep things looking green and vibrant throughout the year.
It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make and opens the door to a much wider variety of plants.
Ready to Start Your Own Basement Jungle?
What began as a joke about Watertown’s historic homes and damp basements has turned into something of a local phenomenon.
Historic houses, century-old infrastructure, creative homeowners, and a little North Country ingenuity are combining to create some surprisingly impressive underground green spaces.
Whether you’re starting with a single fern, experimenting with a mushroom kit, or going all-in with a basement full of tropical plants, you’re joining a growing community of Watertown residents finding new uses for old spaces.
Affordable, sustainable, and undeniably unique, the Watertown Basement Jungle may be one of the city’s most unexpected trends.
Share your photos and transformations using #WatertownBasementJungle, #SewerToSerenity, and #UndergroundGrow. The Watertown Post would love to see how local residents are turning damp basements into thriving green retreats.
The basement jungle movement is growing. The only question is: how green are you willing to go?
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