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Due to the freezing cold,harrowing winds and frost, and possible snowstorms, winter poses a great many challenges for any gardener.
At this time of the year, plants are more at risk for developing diseases and eventually dying. You don’t want either of that to happen to your plants, do you? So to prevent any eventualities, you have to winterize your garden.
The main reason for winterizing your garden is to protect your plants from the harsh winter elements and help them survive the cold season, so you can have a healthy and productive garden in the spring.
Garden winterizing is done during the fall season, just before the cold temperature sets in.
Gardens vary in the same way that gardeners do. But although gardens differ, there are winterization procedures that are applicable to all garden types.
Here’s a few of them:
1. Rake off leaves from your garden. Doing so prevents diseases among plants and allows proper air and water circulation. Dispose of the leaves by adding them onto your compost. However, if the leaves are from diseased plants, throw them into the garbage to prevent the compost from being contaminated.
2. Cover plants with mulch. This will act as blanket to protect your plants from frost and winter extreme weathers. Unless your place is in the colder zone, use thin layers of mulch, as thick and compact mulch may work against your plants. Use sawdust, pine needles, straw, or shredded leaves as mulch, and apply them around the roots and over the beds.
3. Relocate delicate plants indoors. All plants that can’t survive winter weathers should be moved inside. Place them in a cool and dry place; do not forget to water them regularly. Do not, however, over-water the plants, as this may result in rot. As soon as the spring approaches, place them in sunlit areas.
4. Plant hardy, spring-blooming bulbs in the late fall. By this time, the soil is soft enough to accommodate bulbs. It is recommended to plant them two to three inches from the ground. The more delicate bulbs, on the other hand, should be kept indoors, particularly in a cool and dry room, as they can’t stand the winter cold outside.
5. Do not fertilize. Fertilizing encourages new growths that will be too tender to survive frosts and cold temperature. Should you need to fertilize, do this early in the fall. All fertilization should be put to a halt by mid- to late fall and resume only in the spring.
6. Clean up your plants. Remove the dead and damaged parts, then add the trimmings to the compost pile, unless of course they are cut from diseased plants.
7. Eliminate the weeds. Because weeds grow a lot during the fall, get rid of them as soon as you spot their presence. Otherwise, they will multiply uncontrollably and give you a lot of work come springtime.
When winterizing your garden, figure the possible winter extremes in your area, so you can adjust and better prepare your plants for the coming season.
There are a few insects that infect a plant that grows indoors. When the symptoms of these infestations become known you should take immediate remedial action because failure to do so will allow the infestation to spread to the other plants and lead to complete destruction in short time.
The most common plant pest is the spider mites. These are a very serious problem for plants as they multiply very fast, lead to defoliate and kill the plant.
These mites belong to the family of ticks and spiders. Spider mites are yellow or green in color and cannot be seen easily. To check for presence of spider mites tap the leaf over a piece of white paper and check for very tiny movements on the paper. Remove them with an insecticide spray from your plant store.
Shell Insects appear like a small bump of wax on a stem or leaf. It is usually not possible to view these creatures without magnification, but when their numbers increase they make their presence known.
Shell insects stunt a plants growth and can even kill the plant in time. The only known solution is an insecticide spray.
Mealy Bugs are easily visible without having to magnify the pest. These insects look like they have come out of a sack of flour and have a long waxy protrusion from their tails.
These appear like small clusters of cotton on the plant. Check the under side of the leaves to notice these pests and when you do find them wash them off with water and spray with insecticide for plants. A couple of weeks of treatment and you will be rid of these pests.
Pests not only kill a plant in time, they are also very unsightly. A beautiful plant will become ugly and the whole purpose of decorating the place is defeated by plant pests.
Proper cleaning and regular spraying with insecticide will help prevent any kind of pest infection.
Gardening is a hobby many people love to bide their
time with. It gives one a sense of accomplishment when
they see their flowers or plants blooming after a few
weeks or even months of tender loving care.
The plants also add to the aesthetics of the room and
sooth the occupants of the home or office as well.
There are many forms of indoor gardening. You could
have flower gardens, hanging gardens, vegetable
gardens, fruit gardens and bonsai gardens.
As with the many types of indoor gardening there are
indoor gardening tools available to help you make your
indoor garden blossom even better. There are
fertilizers, insecticides, implements and indoor
gardening lights to substitute sunlight.
For those who do not have a place to garden outdoors
there is always container gardening.
Containers are used to grow plants on windowsills or
on the balcony of an apartment and are useful when it
comes to moving the plants from place to place, be it
to optimize sunlight or to redecorate the place.
Container gardening is also useful when you have to
move from your home; you will not have to leave your
beloved plants behind.
There are many designs, sizes and colors of containers
and pots that can be used to grow indoor plants.
Plastic containers are economical and last a lifetime,
however, many people like to use hand crafted clay
containers for their plants.
These containers are very attractive and give a very
natural look to the place. Wooden containers made,
much like barrels, are another good choice for indoor
gardening containers.
Indoor gardening is a very satisfying pastime and
there is a lot of advice out there for the beginner
and even the seasoned gardener to learn from.
There are also scores of manufacturers offering
implements ranging from the very basic to the most
sophisticated for indoor gardening enthusiasts.
When it comes to choosing indoor plants there is no dearth of the variety you can select from. We will list some of the plants that can liven up your indoors and are easy to maintain.
It will pay, however, to keep in mind that any type of plant needs sunlight and will sooner or later begin to tilt toward the source of light. This will make them grow at an awkward angle and so you will need to rotate the direction so that the plant will grow straight up.
Some of the popular indoor plants include:
African Violets: These small potted plants are easy to grow and adapt well to the indoors. These plants blossom for about three weeks, however they need a lot of sunshine, so keep them on a windowsill.
However, avoid the heat of the sun or they will wither. These plants also need special fertilizer made especially for them. All green house stores keep a supply of it.
Begonias: You will find three kinds of Begonias;
Tuberous, Perennial and Semperflorens. The most common of the Begonias are the Semperflorens and come in ever
blooming and wax finishes.
Begonias are available in red, pink, yellow and white varieties and all have a very attractive yellow center.
Ivy: This variety of indoor climber makes for a very attractive indoor plant. Though this plant can survive for quite some time in a dark cornet of a room it will soon begin to demand its share of sunlight.
So if you plan to have this plant among your collection it is best to choose a place near a source of sunlight. Remember to add enough water to your ivy to make the water drip out of the bottom of the pot.
Too little water will stunt the plant.
Some of the other popular plants are Cactus, Coleus, Amaryllis, Geraniums, Paper Whites, Poinsettia and a variety of rubber plants.
Hey there, new gardeners. This one’s for all you kitchen garden enthusiasts that want to sow different varieties of indoor plants, both edible and the simply decorative ones too, who’d like to know simple, practical and home-grown wisdom regarding a garden that’s easy to maintain and provides for both body and soul nourishment.
While some people have all the luck and also large spaces to maintain kitchen gardens, others like those living in apartments, small spaces or those bereft of a backyard can still indulge in gardening as a hobby with making the best of growing potted vegetables, herbs, floral plants and indoor greens.
A good choice of flowering plants that do well even in limited areas of growth, like planter boxes and pots that have been prepped with potting soil are nasturtiums of the compact kinds such as Whirlybird and Copper Sunset.
Marigolds, Iceland poppies and smaller varieties of sunflowers are other options that are sure to happy up your indoor garden area. These are short, easy to care for and not likely to take over your walls like trailing plant varieties are prone to doing.
If choosing herbs for your indoor garden, even small tin-pot containers work well as long as you ensure the necessary sunlight (minimum 4 hours) and water nourishment is given them regularly; check a local nursery for pre-prepared soil-mixes as these contain the right balance of grub for indoor garden glories.
Do check for proper drainage (at the base) for your plant containers or punch holes if these are missing, so the excess moisture escapes and your plants get the necessary warmth too.
If planting herb seeds, try out an old home-gardener’s trick of pre-soaking them a couple of hours before planting in pots filled with potting soil; cover with a quarter inch more of soil after randomly scattering the seeds over the base soil and rosemary and thyme are sure to see you through the season with welcome aroma.
Though humidity is rarely found in the house, it is always good to keep an eye out for a plant that is being affected by humidity. If you notice rot, mildew or mold, it is time to get some ventilation in the area or else lose your precious indoor plants.
Contrary to high humidity low humidity could also adversely affect the plants by sapping them of their water content faster than they can replenish it.
Some of the signs of low humidity are brown leaves, wilting, buds dropping, and low humidity which is especially prevalent during the winter months, especially if it is too cold and you use heaters in the house.
If you follow the few ways to regulate the humidity at proper levels you will have a beautiful and healthy indoor collection of plants.
* Do not keep to a schedule to water plants. Check the soil in the pot before adding water. Water when you feel it is necessary not because it is time to water the plants.
* Use a mixture of soil and fertilizer that will hold water for longer periods. A sandy mixture will allow water to drain out easily.
* For low humidity, install an electric humidifier to raise the humidity level and a dehumidifier if the humidity level is too high.
* Keep plants in a place that is free from a draft. Such a location is bound to dry the plant.
* If you have many small pots of plants or flowers, make a large tray and fill it with marbles or pebbles. This will keep the pot above the water and the evaporating water will rise and wet the plants.
In the end, you will notice by regulating humidity levels you will have healthier plants.
Household plants are used to add beauty to the indoor environment. The term “household plants” does not mean that the plants have to be in a home, they cold be used to decorate a hotel, lobby or an office as well. A lot of care needs to be taken of these plants and prevent pests from infecting the plants.
Plants are usually infected with pests when they are put outdoors for sunlight or they may come infected
with mites, insects or their eggs.
Many pests are easy to get rid of with non-chemical means, however, if you are having a problem with your household plants being attacked by pests you could get an insecticide spray that is quite easy to use and rids the plant of the pests in a couple of days.
It is always better to prevent infection rather than let it happen and then look for a cure. It is always better to inspect plants before you purchase them.
Even after you examine the plants it is possible for you to get a plant with a disease or pest infestation. So when you get a plant to the house or office, keep it isolated for a couple of weeks to observe any infection. This will prevent the pest from infecting the other plants as well.
To prevent pests from infecting your plants it is best to inspect them periodically and spray the plants with fresh clean water regularly. Never use a feather duster to clean the plants; this is a sure way of transferring insects to the plant.
Spray your plants at least once every two months.
When winter sets in soon and nips at your toes, dont let the blues get to your love for gardening outdoors…simply bring it in indoors.
Yes, we recommend an indoor window garden to boost your spirits and keep the gloomy winter feel out in the cold with sensibly chosen winter plants – some fragrant and colorful, others edible and flavorful for enhancing your winter menus. Try this wonderful winter gardening remedy today:
Your windowsill is the perfect place for starting a seasonal indoor garden that will sustain your wintry gardeners soul and warm your heart with perfect seasonings for tasty, nutritious and wholesome soups, broths and stews if you plant timely, healthful herb when ushering out autumn.
Along with the versatile herbs like basil, compact dill and Greek Oregano, you can also consider thyme and parsley besides coriander that readily take to windowsill gardening and are likely to fill your winters with fragrance, greenery and soothing, medicinal value when added to soups.
These only require regular watering and a few hours of sunlight to grow and so are easy to grow even for those not blessed at birth with a green thumb.
Perhaps, some eye candy – in the form of fresh flowers that are regarded as winter blooms – can be your daily delight with just a snip of a seed packet, pre-prepared potting soil that has been treated for fertilizer mix and contains the necessary peat moss etc. for helping indoor plants nasturtiums, pansies and calendulas.
Sure to bring a smile to your face and color to the room, flowering indoor plants in your window garden, when tended with a little bit of sunshine, water and right soil-mixture, are the best bet for beating winter blues.
It is a difficult task to keep your indoor plants healthy. Therefore it will make a big difference if you chose those plants that could easily adapt to the indoor environment such as lesser light, heat and water.
It is not uncommon for plants to grow much slower indoors than they would outdoors. Many plants are known to stop growing or showing sign of development or change from fall to winter.
Indoor plants have different needs compared to outdoor plants and this means that they should not be “killed with kindness” either.
It is necessary to control the temperature indoors for the plants to thrive. It is recommended to keep the temperature between 60 degrees to 70 degrees F during the daytime and 55 to 65 degrees during the night.
It is advisable to keep the plants away from a drafty location as this could lead to the plants drying. Instead of keeping your plants in direct sunlight, it will do them good to keep them in a place that gets adequate light but not directly from the sun.
The varying changes in the day and night temperature will only damage the plants.
In the winter, the indoor environment gets a lot drier than the summer. This adversely affects the plants. Therefore it is advised to spray bathe the plants twice a week to keep them healthy.
Finally, a word about watering the plants: Tap water from your home is not good for your plants. You should store the water in a container and use it for watering the plants after keeping it for a day or two. This will help dissipate the Chlorine which damages the plant.
While all plants are quite apt to prosper indoors, they do need more or less the same conditions to grow
as outdoor plants do. These conditions are a good supply of fresh air, proper sunlight, water and
nutrients such as plant food commonly known as fertilizer.
We will include here a few tips that are sure to make your indoor plants grow healthier and add beauty to
your surroundings.
Ever notice how plants will face the source of sunlight? This is because the sun is the main source
of their nutrition. Plant leaves change water and nutrition from the soil to food through a process
called photosynthesis.
A couple of hours of sunlight is a must for your indoor plants. If you do not have a place where you
can have adequate sunlight, and cannot move the plants you should consider purchasing a couple of indoor
gardening lights.
Ordinary lights will not do. Indoor gardening lights provide enough of ultraviolet light to nourish the
plants.
Provide adequate water to your plants. Your indoor plants need room temperature water to survive. Do
not over water the plants, most plants die due to a lack of water or a surplus of it than they do of any
other reason.
Follow a rule of thumb, like you test a cake you should pierce a knitting needle into a plant
container. If the needle goes in with ease the soil is just the right dampness, if not increase the quantity
of water a bit.
Fertilizers are also important, once a fortnight add a scoop of indoor plant fertilizer to your plant pot.
Used tealeaves are also a very good supply of nutrition to your plant.
Follow these simple tricks and you will see your indoor garden prospering very soon.
Those wishing to grow indoor herbs, a sill sanctuary filled with flowers or a simple resting place for
healthy, veggie sustenance can bank on this craft-idea to bring joy to their homes – or that of loved ones
(should you wish to gift it).
Heres what you need: a drill machine, a store-bought or home-made window box with drainage provided,
drainage tray, sand-paper, compost and soil (or mixture bought from a nursery), favorite seasonal
flowers, acrylic white and colored paints, overcoat of clear gloss to hold in the colors, a 2 inch paint
brush and turpentine.
Method: Rub the sand-paper over the outside of the window box to smooth out the rough edges; in smooth
strokes, apply the base coat of white paint, wait for it to dry fully before applying a second coat.
When completely dry, paint in colored designs you like – hearts, leaves, lattice and stripes are some popular
choices – and wait for the colors to dry before going ahead with the overcoat of clear gloss. Let dry in
sunlight overnight.
Fix the painted window box to your chosen spot by the window after machine-drilling holes into it, placing
drainage tray and inch-thick layer of pebbles at the bottom, then before covering these with compost and
soil mix and sprinkling the plant seeds.
Lavender and Geranium grow well in small areas as do chives, mint and sage.
Whatever plants you choose, take care to water them regularly and treat them with adequate fertilizers
(even slow release ones are available, so do find out about these) to keep from withering.
If opting for different varieties of plants, sow the tallest at the back, bushy ones in the middle and
trailing kinds towards the front of the window box to give it an aesthetic look thats peachy keen for the
outsiders – looking in.
(Yeah, youre sure to have plenty of those too – with such a great garden idea decorating your home.)
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