Gardening: Caring For Your Plants

Having live plants around us makes us feel good. When we have green plants inside the house and in our gardens, we feel that we've let some of the outdoors in and when we're sitting on our deck and are surrounded by an array of colors, we feel as alive as the flowers themselves. These living things that make us feel so good need the a little TLC if you want them to stay healthy and look their best. These are some tips that will help you do just that.

Do not over water. This is the number one cause of death in container plants. To check to see if your plant needs water, check the soil by sticking your finger about one inch down into the soil to see if the it is damp. If so, do not water.

Give your plants the light they deserve. Some plants require no sun. Aspidistra and Sanseveria and are two examples. These plants thrive on the shade. Other plants, like flowers and vegetables for instance, like the sun. Be sure to read the tag that comes on the plant or gardening seed packet to know exactly what kind of light is needed for that particular plant and then plant accordingly.

Feed your plants. All plants should be fed during their most active growth period. Foliage plants, in particular have y have very high nitrogen needs. Flowering plants, on the other hand crave K2O. There are slow release fertilizers that you can buy that are meant to be mixed with the compost. There are some plants, such as plants orchids and cacti that need a special fertilizer.

Some plants need temperature control. While houseplants can usually do well warm or cool temperatures, drastic temperature fluctuations are not good for them. Again, read the tag on the plant and if a plant needs warm conditions, do not place it near an air conditioner. Note - Most plants do not do well with gas heating. Know your vegetables when gardening as some will only grow during certain seasons when the temperature and hours of daylight are most suited for them.

Some plants need just the right humidity. There are some plants that require a humid environment. One way to take full advantage of the existing humidity in container gardening is to place the plant, pot and all, into a larger pot. Then fill in the empty spaces with compost or stones. This will keep in the moisture. Another way to create a microclimate of sorts is to group plants together. Also try spraying your plants with water once or twice daily in the warm weather.

Don't be so quick to repot your plants.

You may need to repot some of your plants for optimum growth. However, not all plants do well after their roots have been disturbed. Also some plants have smaller root systems and these may not require re-potting. Before you repot any plant, do a simple test to check the roots. Get the plant out of the pot by turning the pot upside down and tapping the it. The plant should drop out easily. If you only see roots, then re-pot the plant.

In order to keep your plants at their best and get the full enjoyment out of your gardening, you need to give them that little extra tender living care that all living things thrive on.

GARDENING: Plant now and enjoy vegetables in the fall (Eureka Times-Standard)

Even as summer becomes long in tooth, there is still time to plant more vegetables. In fact, some of the best gardening weather is yet to come. The warm days of late August, September and October are ideal for many kinds of vegetables.

Kids really dig gardening (The Columbian)

Children, it seems, are universally attracted to bugs and dirt. Even if their parents are not. Bugs and dirt, naturally, can turn into a curiosity for gardening. Even if parents are not interested in gardening.

Gardening inspires great quotes from others (Muskogee Phoenix)

Put down the rake, trowel and packet of seeds. Take a few minutes to consider the joys of nature and gardening in other people’s words. “When in these fresh mornings I go into my garden before anyone is awake, I go for the time being into perfect happiness.”

Gardening thrills squashed by childhood trauma (The Marion Star)

Hello and welcome back to our continuing conversation about the summer season. Today, we turn our thoughts to the subject of gardening.

Festival will highlight gardening for wildlife (The World)

The Oregon Shorebird Festival, one of the state’s longest-running bird festivals, will celebrate 22 years the last weekend of August.