Gardening can be a fun and useful activity during spring, but it can be a challenge at the best of times. It doesn't have to be. With these tips and suggestions, you too can grow your planters and keep them healthy until it's time to transplant them into your garden. Check out some of these gardening tips by Christina.
Transplanting Tips
As your plants grow, they may become too large for their containers. Moving them to a larger pot will keep your plants bigger, hearty, and more beautiful.
· Choose the best soil - plants need this to grow healthy.
· Dig a hole as deep as the root ball.
· Water the plant, then gently pull it out of the pot, gently breaking up the root ball a little, this will cause the roots to grow out into the soil.
· Place the plant and a little water in the hole and cover with dirt.
· Stems and flowers should never be covered in dirt.
· Water your transplant regularly: some every day, some once a week. Note: Typically wait until the top layer of soil is dry before watering again.
· Dead-head- this is when you remove dead blooms. This stimulates new growth and will have your plants looking healthy and beautiful.
· Don’t panic if your transplant looks a little limp at first, it will perk up in a few days.
Succulent Tips
· Too much water is not good for succulents, the roots like to dry in between watering.
· The thicker the leaves the less water it needs.
· Lots of sunlight!
· Propagate! Creating a new plantis as easy as taking off the leaves and putting them in damp soil, or rooting in water.
Herb Tips
· Herbs are fun and easy to grow inside, best on a sunny kitchen windowsill, ready for use. Yummy!
· Water when the soil feels dry about an inch from the surface.
· Herbs do not require fertilization - it could result in poor flavor.
· Herbs produce more when you harvest from them, pinch or cut them at a leaf nodule to encourage new growth.
· No need for waste! Easily puree and freeze in ice cube trays, or place in between paper towel to dry to use all year round.