GARDENING WITH A GREEN THUMB!

Tips to Improve a Garden, both Indoor and out!

THE WATERING HOLE !   Liquid refreshment for your plants.

What's On Tap?.....If you use tap water, let it stand in a bucket for a few days before watering your plants.  This will allow the water to warm to room temperature and most of the harmful chemicals will settle to the bottom of the bucket.

Rain, Rain Dont Go Away! ...The best water for plants is rain water. It is naturally the right temperature and does not contain chlorine.   Keep a rain barrel outside in Summer and treat your plants to natures' bounty.

Starch Your Plants? ...   Plants love starch.   So when you're boiling spaghetti or potatoes, save the water; allow this leftover water to cool and sprinkle it over your plants.

Tea-Time for Falling Ferns...  Spruce up an ailing fern by substituting diluted tea instead of its' normal water solution.  This procedure should only be repeated once each month until the fern returns to normal.

Get Crackin' ...Rejuvenate ailing plants by watering with a mixute of egg shells and water.  Allow the shells to sit in the water for 24 hours prior to watering the plants, but be sure not to leave it any longer.

Plant Sitters! ...They're harder to find than a good baby-sitter.  If you are going away for a week and want to treat your plants kindly, try this hint:  Use a length of cloth cording long enough to bury several inches into the soil and to reach a large container of water set slightly above the plant.  This is particularly useful for large plants that are difficult to move...Alternatively, fill your bath with several inches of water (make sure the tap isn't left dripping).  Set plants on bricks inside the bath but dont sit directly in water. Check to be sure that all pots have drainage holes.....A washable blanket placed in the bath with an inch or two of water will hold enough moisture to keep plants from drying out.  Sit plants directly on top of the blanket. For smaller plants, try constructing a miniature greenhouse. First water the plants and then cover with a plastic bag.  Secure at one end with an elastic band or tie wrap and move away from direct sunlight.  For your outdoor plants, take a large plastic soft drink bottle and cut the bottom off. Punch a small hole in the metal cap and screw it on.  Now bury the bottle, cap side down, about two inches into the soil near the plants.  Fill the bottle with water and you have an instant watering system while you're away.  Have a happy holiday!!!

Hanging Basket Watering...Place a small funnel in the basket with the spout inserted in the soil.  You will find it easier to pour the water into the funnel mouth.  Allow the plants to grow around the funnel.

Oops! I Forgot To Water The Plants ... If the soil has crusted, most of the water you pour will run directly out of the pot.  This calls for immediate attention.  Loosen the soil as much as possible with a fork without damaging the roots.  Work some peat moss into the top layer of soil, and finally give the plant a good soaking in the sun.

HELP! We're Drowning! ...   Over watering is as dangerous as under watering and depending on the humidity and placement of a plant, it may require a different watering schedule than its' offshoot across the room. As a general rule, sink your finger into the soil to test for moisture.  If it feels dry, water,... if not, pass by and test again in a few days.

Hose Hints ...To stop your garden hose from leaking through small holes and cracks, take a hot soldering iron and hold it against the offending area. The heat will seal the hole or crack.  Guide your garden hose through croquet hoops strategically placed on the lawn around your flower beds.  This does a great job of keeping your hose off the plants while watering.

   PERFECT POTTING ! Pot Plant Pointers...

New Plants...Keep newly purchased plants, or plants you bring in from the garden, away from the rest of your collection until you are sure the new addition is healthy and bug free.

Potting Materials...Plants in clay pots require more frequent watering than those in plastic pots, due to the porous nature of the clay.  Collect materials such as stones, walnut or peanut shells, even childrens' marbles.  Place in the bottom of each pot to allow adequate drainage.  Dont throw out that broken clay pot.  Hammer it several times and save the pieces to provide drainage when repotting.

When To Transplant...Transplant when root-bound or when growth has stopped, but never to a pot more than 2" larger than the present container.

When Sunlight Hurts... Leave a newly transplanted plant out of direct sunlight for a few days to allow roots to grow again.  Snip away tiny budding leaves to promote root growth.

Removing The Rootball From The Pot... Never pull a plant out by the stem. Tap several times on the bottom of the pot.  Using a spoon, gently loosen surrounding soil and lift the entire root and stem with one motion. Shake gently and place in the new container.

Pots, Pans And Other Plant Holders...Place some miniature geraniums in an old basket lined with aluminium foil.  Save the plastic base of your solid air freshener. Clean thoroughly and place a miniature African violet in it.  An old wooden salad bowl makes an interesting container for your cactus garden.  Place several layers of foil in the bottom and fill with 2" of course gravel. Add a sandy mixture and arrange your desert garden.  Do the same with a chipped or lidless fancy sugar bowl.  But this time place a few clay pieces on the bottom and fill with soil.   Now you will have a matching centre-piece for your table settings.  Glue five fancy bathroom tiles together ... one for the bottom and four for the sides to make an attractive plant holder for the kitchen or bathroom.

BRANCHING OUT TO LEAVES AND STEMS!  Taking Care of Your Finicky Foliage ....

Dust Is A Nasty Word....and can filter as much as 50% of the sunlight that your plant needs to be healthy.  Use a feather duster for quick, gentle cleaning.

Leaves Leaves Shining... The inside of a banana skin gently wiped on your plant leaves will not only remove dust but will add a shine to them as well. Another method for cleaning house plant leaves is to give them a rub with a cotton wool ball dipped in egg white..... or use a few drops of glycerin on a soft cloth to put a sheen on leaves.

My Plant is Bugged! ...Wash leaves with a very mild detergent solution to remove many common bugs.

Withering Foliage... Give your plant a boost by adding a tablespoon of castor oil mixed with its' regular water.  To mend a broken limb on your house plant, take a small layer of onion skin and wrap it around the damaged area. Secure it well with some thin twine or thread and leave it for a few days. Chopsticks make terrific splints for leaning stems!  An ice lolly stick taped to a weakened or broken stem might save that little plant.

  24/03/01