Easy Tips on Caring for House Plants

Many people worry a lot when it comes to caring for their plants.  When talking about house plants, there is no need to worry.  There are just a few things you need to consider. 

Image via Wikipedia1.  Watering
Overwatering kills most houseplants. Looks can be deceptive, so to see if your soil is dry enough to water, try the finger test.  Insert your index finger up to the first joint into the soil.  If the soil is damp, don't water it. 

2.  Feeding
Foliage plants usually have high nitrogen needs, while doe flowering plants, K2O is needed. Slow release fertilizers can be mixed with the compost.  However, certain plants like cacti and orchids need special fertilizer.  Feed plants during their most active growth period.

3.  Lighting
Plants like Sanseveria and Aspidistra require no sun.  They can be placed away from a window.  Spider plants need semi-shade.  You can put plants like these near a window that does or does not get sunlight. Check the label to see what your plant needs.

4.  Temperature
Most houseplants can survive in cool or warm temperatures, but drastic fluctuations of temperature may not be good for them.  One thing that most plants cannot survive is gas heating. And if you have a plant that likes warm conditions, don't put it near an air conditioner in the summer.

5.  Humidity
Some houseplants require a humid environment. One tip to maximize humidity is to put the pot inside a larger pot and fill in the gaps with stones or compost to keep in the moisture.  Grouping plants together often creates a microclimate that they will benefit from. If you want, you can spray them with water once or twice a day depending on the temperature. 

6.  Re-potting
Some plants require re-potting for optimum growth but there are others that resent having their roots disturbed. Or their roots system may be small enough that they don't require re-potting.  One way to check if your plant needs re-potting is to turn it upside down.  Tap the pot to release the plant and check its roots.  If roots are all you see, then re-pot. Sometimes the roots will come out of the pot. In this case, you should either cut them off or re-pot the plant.

You just need to give your plants a bit of care, and in turn, you'll reap the benefits.  Indoor plants not only add to the beauty of your décor, but also give much pleasure to the indoor gardener - particularly those trapped inside for the winter!

Indoor Gardening & Houseplants: Recommended Resources:

Christmas Tree Mulch or...?

Image via Wikipedia
Once Christmas has come and gone, you may be wondering what to do with the tree.... Just tossing it doesn't seem very sustainable (particularly if it's not a real tree - please don't toss an artificial tree - it's a huge waste of resources and also takes up a lot of space). Some areas have Christmas tree recycling programs, which will turn your used tree into mulch for free. Some will let you have the mulch for your garden or yard, while others will use it for local parks or schools. Either way, this is a much more responsible method of disposal.

Or, here is a very interesting new alternative, which I hope will start catching on in more areas soon!

Christmas Tree for Rent | Grass Rooted – All About Lawns Blog
... you can still practice responsible gardening. You can use your Christmas tree for mulch. Call a tree service that has a wood chipper. They can mulch your Christmas tree and you can use it in your garden. Share/Save/Bookmark ...
Publish Date: 12/15/2010 1:23
http://www.allaboutlawns.com/blog/christmas-tree-for-rent.html

 

Related articles on Live Christmas Trees:

• Greening Your Holidays: Tips for Making Tree Selection Environmentally Friendly (yubanet.com)
• Which is greener? Another look at real vs. fake Christmas trees (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Recycled Content or Live Christmas Tree Alternatives for the Holidays (green-talk.com)

Holiday Decorations from the Garden

For those of us celebrating Christmas, the big day is already here! If you are still a bit short on decorations, and want to spruce up the house a bit for company, why not check the garden and see if there is any greenery or other items you can use?

This quick video gives a great demonstration of a few truly lovely holiday decoration ideas using materials right from your own garden - even in the dead of winter!  Rather than having to brave the hustle & bustle of holiday shoppers, why not save some cash and create a few decorations yourself, grown in your own backyard! (Or give the kids something to do for an hour or so - they'll have fun, and stay out of your hair during the holiday preparations...)

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas from all of us at New Holistic Living!

Virginia Farm Bureau - In the Garden - Christmas Decorations
In this month's "In the Garden," Mark Viette talks about decorating our homes for the holidays using greenery from the back yard. More at vafb.com

Related articles on Natural Holiday Decorations:

• Last-Minute, Stress-Free Holiday Decorating (wisebread.com)
• Deck the halls: The best Christmas decorations are to be found in the garden (independent.co.uk)
• Merry Making: Nearly-No-Cost Holiday Decorations (apartmenttherapy.com)

Winter CSA Goodies

Image via WikipediaThink there's no way you could get fresh local veggies in the winter where you live? You could be wrong. Really wrong!  We've posted a few articles on here lately about CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), but maybe you're thinking there's no way there is one in your area. Well, maybe not, but with the growing popularity of CSAs in the last few years, there have been a number of winter options springing up.

For example - see below post, on the goodies from one of Tucson's local winter CSAs (this was what shareholders received last week):

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 – Week 3 of 11
Navel Oranges, Butternut Squash, Purple Top Turnips, French Breakfast Radishes, Curly Mustard Greens, Baby Kale, Spinach, Green Onions.
Publish Date: 12/14/2010 15:59
http://www.tucsoncsa.org/2010/12/wednesday-dec-15-week-3-of-11/

Image via WikipediaOkay, you're thinking, but Tucson isn't exactly the heart of the snowbelt....  Well, I can tell you that I live in central Ohio (really not a year-round warm climate, to say the least), and last week I got a big lovely bag of sweet potatoes, collard greens, swiss chard, salad mix, sprouts, mushrooms, apples, and winter squash - all grown organically and within less than 2 hours from my home. While there may be a bit less variety than in a summer CSA share, I'm definitely still well-fed on fresh local produce, even throughout the winter months (in fact, my grocery shopping is cut more than in half now). (Sorry - these pictures aren't from mine - I forgot to take one; I will try to remember to take one of my next share, and post here soon.)

Here is the CSA I am currently a member of, if you are in the Central Ohio area, and are interested in learning more:

Athens Hills CSA: December 8th Newsletter
Nestled in the hills of Athens County, lies a 120 acre farm - the home of Green Edge Organic Gardens & the Athens Hills CSA. CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, is a way for you to have a direct relationship with the farmer who ...
Publish Date: 12/08/2010 11:40
http://greenedgegardens.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-8th-newsletter.html

Next month I will also be signing up for several months of local meats, again through a CSA.

Visit www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html to learn more about CSAs, and find out how to find one in your area. And you, too, may be able to eat local, even during the non-gardening season!

Recipe - Spruce Needle Vodka

Image via WikipediaI know I don't usually post recipes here on the sustainable gardening blog - usually we reserve these for our Cooking From Scratch blog! However, this one does fall in the category of foraging or collecting your own natural foods - sort of, and it's perfect for the holidays!

Making your own spirits has become somewhat of a popular hobby these days, and this festive recipe utilizes locally grown (and collected) fir needles (make sure it's from a wild tree - not one treated with pesticides or other chemicals; cedar tree needles would also work well). A lovely bottle of this tied with a green ribbon would make a great gift for the nature lover on your list!

Enjoy, and happy holidays from all of us at New Holistic Living!

Spruce up holiday cocktails with evergreen tips
Place the spruce or Douglas fir needles and one-third of the bottle of vodka in a blender. Blend at high speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a large clean jar. Pour the remaining two-thirds vodka into the blender and swirl it around to ...
Publish Date: 12/01/2010 18:33
http://www.seattlepi.com/food/431050_Spruce01.html

5 Pricey Garden Gifts (And Some Affordable Ones)

I stumbled across this funny article, and figured it was in keeping with the season! Please keep in mind this is here for humorous purposes only - I'm not suggesting you actually buy any of these things. (Though if you want to, don't let me stop you!)  I just thought it was amusing (and somewhat disturbing) that people pay this much for such items....  What do you think? Does it make you laugh? Cry? Angry? 

Feel free to post comments! (And there are some more reasonable gift ideas below, if none of these work for you.)  :-)

5 Garden Gifts to Give if You're a Multi Millionaire
The imp in me decided to change gears and come up with a list of garden gifts for those of you with cash to burn. The rest of us can just chuckle at the absurdity of paying $269 for a freaking watering can.
Publish Date: 12/06/2010 9:00
http://lifeonthebalcony.com/5-garden-gifts-to-give-if-youre-a-multi-millionaire/

 

Related articles on Gifts for Gardeners:

• 5 Green Holiday Gifts Under $45 (alternativeconsumer.com)
• Gift Ideas For The Avid Gardener (glenns-garden.com)
• Affordable Gifts for Plant-and-Flower-LoversGarden Party (apartmenttherapy.com)
• Gifts for Gardeners (eatdrinkbetter.com)

The Best Pots for Indoor Gardening

You have researched the benefits of having an indoor garden and found the best plants for your home -- now what do you put it in?  From terra cotta pots to decorative ceramic ones, there are many choices available and in various sizes (you can find some cute ones at the bottom of this post).  Not only do you want to choose a pot that looks good in your home but you want one that is the best size for your plant too.

Image via WikipediaYou want to look at the long-term growth expected in the plant you have chosen and use that information to pick an appropriately sized container.  If you pick a pot that is too small your full-grown plant the roots will not have enough room to grow and the plant will be come “root bound”.  This is a rectifiable condition with re-potting, but it can put the plant through unnecessary stress and creates more work for you.  Your plant may look unbalanced at first in a container that is out of proportion but you will be glad you thought ahead as the plant continues to grow.

The container you choose needs a form of drainage too.  The most common method of drainage is one or more holes in the bottom of the pot to let excess water drain out.  If you have chosen a pot that does not have these holes there you still have two options to provide drainage.  You can put your plant in a smaller pot with drainage holes and then place the smaller pot inside the larger one with no holes.  Or place an inch or two of gravel in the bottom of the container before you put in the soil.  The gravel will allow the excess water to run through the soil and into the rocks instead of staying in the soil and water-logging the plant (just make sure not to water it too much).

 

Related articles on Indoor Gardening:

• Winter Indoor Gardening - Part 2, by Kate in Colorado (survivalblog.com)
• Your Winter Indoor Vegetable Garden (lewrockwell.com)

Creating an Indoor Herb Garden

Fresh herbs can make a world of difference in your meals.  Instead of buying them at the grocery store and getting too much at once or a bunch that isn’t as fresh as it could be, grow your own.  Grow a variety or just your favorite, in a window box or on the kitchen counter.  It is an easy introduction to indoor gardening.

To start your own herb garden you have two options, you can go to your local nursery and purchase some seedlings or grow your own from seed.  Either way is fine, but if you are a novice the seedlings are the way to go.

Image via WikipediaOnce you have your seedlings at home, you can replant them or for the first season you can leave them in the small plastic pot that they come in.  If you do decide to replant them, do not pack in the soil too tightly and place a small amount of gravel or woodchips at the bottom of the pot for good drainage (and make sure there are a couple of small holes in the bottom).

If you want to grow your herbs from seeds, follow the instructions on the package carefully and use a container large enough to accommodate future root growth.  Herbs also like air circulation, placing near an open window when it's warm enough out can provide both the sunshine and air movement that they need to thrive.

Image by ReeseCLloyd via FlickrIf your herbs are growing too large for their pots, you can separate a portion of them (including the roots) and transplant them outside in the spring or summer time.  You will double the amount of herbs you can grow.  On the flip side, if you already have an outdoor herb garden it is a simple matter to take a portion of each plant indoors to have fresh herbs all winter long too.

And of course read the recommendations and information that comes with your herb plants -- not all are suitable for indoor gardening. (For some ideas to try, see below.)

Related articles on Indoor Herb Gardens:

• Start Growing Your An All Natural Herb Garden, Inside Your Home (backyardgardeningtips.com)
• 5 Step by Step Tips For Gardening in Containers (hbb2obm.com)
• Growing Tips for Herbs in Cold Climates (brighthub.com)

Short Video on Winterizing your Flower Garden

This quick video gives a few tips and ideas for preparing your flower garden to weather the winter storms, so that it comes back strong and beautiful next spring.

Although many may have already prepared your gardens for winter, in some climates the preparation is still going on, so this may be helpful for those of you in the southern states.


Preparing Your Garden For Winter : Protect Your Growing Plants & Flowers from Cold Weather
Plants and flowers need to be insulated from cold-weather conditions. Learn more in this free educational video series. Expert: John Guion, Arnetia Francis Bio: John Guion is the Area Manager for Bell Nursery in Burtonville, MD. He has 12 years exper...

 

Related articles on Winter Garden Preparations:

• Mulching in Your Flower or Vegetable Garden (hubpages.com)
• December In The Garden:Cool helps bulbs set flowers (commercialappeal.com)

Natural Pest Control for Indoor Plants

It is inevitable that insects or another infestation will make its way to your plants at one point or another.  If you are dealing with pests in your indoor garden you may want to find a natural way to eliminate them especially if you have young children or pets in your home.  There are ways to do this and most of them require ingredients that you can get at the grocery store.

When you find insects or another disease that is making your plant sick.  Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the problem spreading to the other plants inside your house.  Depending on the type of problem the solution will be different.

Image via WikipediaIf your plants are being eaten by spider mites, you can eliminate the problem by making a solution of buttermilk and water.  Put the solution into a spray bottle, put the plant in the bathtub and give a thorough once over.  A mix of 50-50 is recommended, if this is too thick to use with the spray bottle, add more water for a thinner consistency.

You may be able to control aphids with a thorough washing of the plant leaves with water.  Another recommendation is to kill a couple of the aphids and leave them in the bottom of the pot.  They then emit an odor that lets the other aphids know that danger is near and they abandon the plant.  If this method is used, do it outside so they can find another home that is not inside yours.

The natural and organic methods available for the wide variety of problems your plant can encounter are too numerous to list.  These are the two most common pests, but with some research there is a natural solution to many more different insects or diseases that can affect a plant’s health.

(For some more ideas on sustainable gardening and natural pest control, visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/sustainablegardening.html.)

Terrarium as Indoor Garden - Great for Kids!

This is not so much for us vegetable gardeners, but can be a cool idea for getting your hands dirty with a bit of indoor gardening, and especially for getting your kids started with their own little garden!

This is also a solution for you if you love the look of plants indoors but don’t have the time or a green thumb to take care of them.  A terrarium is a self-contained plant habitat.  Once you have set-up the terrarium and closed the lid (on the jar or other container you have chosen) the plants inside create their own eco-system – all you have to do is enjoy it.

The choices for terrarium containers are only limited by your imagination.  Traditionally a smaller aquarium is used with a lid but a glass jar or other container will work nicely too.  Plastic will work as well, just make sure that it is a clear plastic or you won’t be able to admire your handiwork once it is completed.  Whatever size or material you choose for your terrarium the most important factor is that it does not leak.  You need the water and moisture to stay inside for it to work and you don’t want a mess inside your house.

Image via WikipediaThe plants that you choose should all thrive in similar conditions and grow well in a humid environment.  Popular plants to put into a terrarium are carnivorous (Venus Fly Trap (kids will love these!), sundew, or pitch plant) or rain forest plants (chamaedorea palms, small ferns or fittonia). 

Terrariums are a low-maintenance indoor garden.  They need indirect sunlight (not too bright) and very little watering is needed after the initial water is added.  The heat from inside the terrarium evaporates the water and then it condenses on the lid falling back down to the plants.  This process will continue keeping your plants alive.  If there is too much water present, you may need to vent the terrarium (with a vented lid or opening the top a small amount) just be sure to keep an eye on the soil’s moisture level (not too wet or dry).

Related articles on Terrariums & Indoor Gardening:

• Select the Best Plants for a Small Plant Terrarium (brighthub.com)
• How to Create a Terrarium? (brighthub.com)
• Gardens under glass: Terrariums flourish (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• 5 Indoor Garden Design Ideas (mademan.com)