ROOTS, SHOOTS, AND MUDDY BOOTS

Gardening is in my blood, and  on the soles of my muddy boots.

 
I like to take any opportunity to get out and make note of what needs to be done in the gardens and landscape. This quiet time, in the throws of winter before everything pops up, is ideal for planning.

I took time to check out the garden today. Temperatures were mild, near 40 degrees. It felt good to breathe fresh air instead of dry heated air. Some hyacinth shoots were peeking up through the muddy mulch, and the buds on the Endless Summer Hydrangea are swollen.

This pre-spring review is also reminding me that I didn’t clean up the fall debris as much as I could have.

I‘ve left seed heads of Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) and Coneflower (Echinacea) for the birds to eat . Watching the yellow finches trying to land on the tips is quite funny. They are tenacious and now the stems look pretty ratty. I’ll need to recruit the grandkids for a clean-up party soon.

It seems that  the garden is sleeping. In reality, tree and shrub roots are already starting to take up water. The sap is beginning to flow up into the future canopy. This is the time I normally apply organic granular fertilizers to the ground at the base of trees and shrubs. The freezing and thawing of the ground will help this organic material work its way into the soil. Then when the warmth and moisture of the spring come along, the organic material has worked into the soil and the micro organisms in the soil will be ready to make nutrients available to the roots of the plants as they come out of dormancy.

I 'm getting my order for organic fertilizers ready to submit. I really became concerned about the chemicals we were putting on the lawn. a while ago. I mean, when the lawn care companies have to post warnings after an application,- - what were they telling me? So, we switched to organic fertilizers. I know I'm applying safe and effective products without the  contamination of water, soil, or my family.

With organic lawn products I never have to put a sign in the yard ‘Danger, keep kids and pets off’! These organic products are grains and compost that contains no manures or chemicals. My dog, Shelby can lick the products and no harmful chemicals are present to make her sick. Our 5-3-4 General fertilizer is a good option for established perennials and shrubs in the landscape and our 3-5-4 Starter fertilizer is good for establishing bedding plants and seedlings. 

I use Corn Gluten as a pre-emergent for annual weeds and grassy weeds like crab grass and foxtail. Corn Gluten can go down in March. This is best applied when the daffodils start blooming and when the forsythia bloom. When the ground temperatures are right for the daffs and forsythia, it is also right for weed seeds to germinate. Corn Gluten sets up a barrier through which weeds cannot penetrate. I spread Corn Gluten on the lawn and flower beds for weed control. Corn Gluten is also a good nitrogen source for your lawn with a N-P-K of 9-0-0. Two for one! How awesome is that?

So my plan is: order fertilizers, put down the corn gluten, and call grandkids.....!!!

What are you planning in your yard and garden this season? Have you considered organic fertilizers for your yard? Wonder how organics work? Are they effective? Are they too pricey. Let me know your concerns. Let’s talk gardening, naturally. I've written several articles on organic gardening. Visit my page on Organic Gardening for more information. 

Houseplants for a Healthy Winter!

How Houseplants Affect Our Health

Yes, that is me!  I have been taking care of plants for a very long time.  The sanseveria or snake plant (also known as 'mother-in-law's tongue') in the photo was my grandmother's.  I now have in my front window  the same plant. It is probably over 60 years old. Obviously, a very reliable houseplant

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Seeing green plants during these long winter periods around the house, keeps me from going completely bonkers! Healthy therapeutic benefits have been documented for homes, schools, and offices.

Relative humidity can get a boost and make the environment more comfortable and healthy.  Rooms with houseplants have 50% - 60% fewer airborne particles. As an air purifier, plants remove chemicals that come from fabrics, carpet, and cleaning materials.

Toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, acetone, and chloroform come from adhesives, caulking compounds, paints, particle board, stains,and varnishes.  Other offenders that put off harmful chemicals are tobacco smoke, detergents, and ceiling tiles. Houseplants can cleanse the air for a healthier environment.

Home and office settings could all benefit from the presents of houseplants. Plants can remove up to 87% of air toxins within 24 hours, replacing the toxins with oxygen. Health issues like symptoms of fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and concentration problems fell by 30%, and coughs were reduced by 40%, while hoarseness and dry throats were reduced by 30%.  Sorry, but you need to invent another excuse for taking the day off since sick days related to environmental conditions were greatly reduced with in introduction of plants in the workplace. Then again, you may realize a higher overall job satisfaction and enthusiasm, less frustration and more patience and you won't be looking for an excuse to call off.  

School settings have also showed benefits by having nature in the classroom.  Students were placed in two rooms - one with plant material around the room, the other with no plant material, only bare walls. The two groups were given a list to memorize.  The students in the plant filled room remembered more of the list than those in the bare room.

Houseplants have a place in the home.  They make the rooms more warm feeling and are attractive decorating elements.  Plants finish the setting. Since houseplants can take low light conditions, they adapt well in the home or office.

Fertilize houseplants monthly with a liquid organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract to keep them healthy.   Pest control of spider mites, mealy bugs, and white fly can be treated with insecticidal soap spray or tacky paper strips placed on the plant. See how to recognize houseplant stress here.

Envision your space with a healthy green plant.  Enrich your environment with healthy benefits of houseplants.  Enjoy.