When you don’t have the space or the schedule to maintain a garden but you still want a bit of greenery to enjoy, then consider investing in a potted garden.  Below are some helpful tips on container gardening.  

What to Pot?

   Not all plants do well in pots.  Even with proper drainage, some plants are more susceptible to root rot.  A lot of gardening is trial and error.  If you find a plant in the garden nursery and want to pot it, go ahead.  There’s a fifty/fifty chance your plant will survive.  From my experience, herbs such as mint, chives, and thyme thrive in containers.  Perennial flowers like hydrangeas can survive the winter in pots.  You can plant flower bulbs of daffodils and tulips in the fall and watch them bloom in the springtime. 

    Evergreen shrubs and fruit trees need a container twice the size of the actual plant.  Citrus plants can be potted but will eventually need to be placed indoors during the winter months.  Lush florals like peonies and dahlias can be potted.  Unfortunately, roses do better when planted in the ground.

   If you have a small budget for flowers, then consider purchasing a hanging plant.  Pre-made container plants have been specifically curated to do well in their container.  Check your local grocery store before venturing off to Home Depot.  

Rule of Thumb

    When starting a container garden, use soil that is for potting and not the ground.  Potting soil contains perlite that provides oxygen to your plant.  Invest in containers with drain holes and a watering can when you don’t feel like dragging the hose to water.  Stick a garden flag or pinwheel for a bit of flare.  And most importantly have fun planting.

                       Happy Gardening! 

Do you have a friend who is also a plant mom? Need a gift for a new mother-in-law who happens to have a green thumb? Below is a list of festive plants for this holiday season.

HOLIDAY PLANT GIFT GUIDE 

Snowdrop and Amaryllis bulbs– These perennial flowers are the perfect gift for avid gardeners or someone who simply just loves flowers.  Snowdrops bloom between January through March and can survive freezing temperatures.  Bulbs can be planted in the ground if not frozen or in a pot.  Note: Like daffodils, snowdrops can multiply, so it’s best to dig up the bulbs, separate them, and replant them. 

Amaryllis flowers come in shades of red, white, and pink.  You can grow the bulbs in water, but they will only bloom once.  Best to plant in a flowerpot so that you’ll have cheerful blooms every year.  Note: Amaryllis are toxic and cannot survive freezing temperatures.  

Herb Kit or Potted Herb Plant– Cooking enthusiasts will appreciate growing fresh herbs.  You can order herb-growing kits online.  Also, at your local grocery market, you can find fresh herb plants like rosemary, basil, and parsley.  Use a festive flowerpot or add a holiday ornament to your plant for some extra Bazaz.         

Venus Fly Trap– A plant that kids will enjoy, the Venus Fly Trap is a fun and educational gift.  A native plant found in North and South Carolina, the Venus Fly Trap requires full sun and moist soil.  Note: Use only distilled or rainwater when watering this plant.  Also, this carnivorous plant does eat insects but can survive months without eating. 

Include a children’s book with the plant.  My favorite is Elizabite- Adventures of a Carnivorous Plant, by H.A. Rey.    
 Book Link: barnesandnoble.com

Christmas Cactus – This perennial plant is a favorite of mine.  Part of the succulent family, Christmas Cactus blooms around December and thrives in cold temperature rooms, like a closed-in porch or sunroom.  The plant requires partial sun.  Allow soil to dry before watering. 

Poinsettias, mini holly, and miniature evergreen trees are also popular plants that are in season.  All are festive and inexpensive, but highly toxic to pets.  

Besides plants, practical gardening tools, gloves, and gardening planners make lovely gifts for loved ones who like to garden.  

Holiday shopping can be stressful.  Keep it simple and purchase gifts that are practical and meaningful.         

     Happy Holidays!!!

**This article contains an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you use the link and purchase the recommended product. You are not obligated to use the link.

   October is also the perfect month to start planting bulbs.  If you want an abundance of spring flowers in your yard or patio garden, look no further.  Below are some helpful tips for planting bulbs.  

The Layout

Before planting, you’ll need to plan.  It’s important to decide which bulbs to plant and where to plant them.  Typically, spring flowers like daffodils and crocuses are early spring bloomers.  You can expect tulips to pop up during May followed by irises.  And lilies, which always remind us of Easter, are late bloomers.

Roots

Bulbs may look intimidating to plants.  The trick is to know how to plant them.  Most bulbs will have roots which are located at the bottom end of the bulb.  When in doubt, the pointy end of the bulb faces upward.  The depth of the hole to dig is specific to the flower you are planting.  Follow packaged instructions.  Avoid digging too deep.  You want the bulbs to be nestled in the ground where it is protected from frost, but not too deep where they will struggle to reach the surface to flower. 

Patience

After planting, there is nothing left to do but water.  You may leave a marker of some kind to indicate where you planted your bulbs.  

Keep in mind that squirrels do like to eat bulbs, so be prepared to lose a few.  A beloved neighbor of mine would place mothballs in her garden to keep the squirrels away.  I don’t recommend this.  The odor is extremely potent and unpleasant.  Your neighbors will despise you and the squirrels will seek their revenge.

Finally, as your garden slumbers during winter, take comfort in knowing that you’re bulbs are eagerly waiting to bloom.  

What are your favorite spring flowers?  Comment down below. 
  

                         Happy Gardening! 

Propagation 101

Propagating is simple.  All you need is a mason jar or some kind of vessel for your plant clipping, a pair of scissors, and water.  Cut a stem from the plant of your choosing that has at least two leaves on the stem (one leaf is totally fine) and place it in water.  You may want to change the water every three days.  When the stem starts to grow a decent amount of roots, you are ready to plant. 

*Tip:  If you notice your plant is taking a long time to grow roots, it might be due to the lack of sunlight.  

**You can keep your cuttings in water as long as you want.  Just remember to change the water periodically to prevent slime build-up.  

***When planting and repotting houseplants, use a container that has proper drainage to prevent soggy soil and root rot.

                 Happy Propagating!!!

The Power of Mulch    

I cannot stress the importance of using mulch in your garden.  Even with mild temperatures, the sun’s rays can dry out the soil, leaving your plants in distress.  To prevent this from happening, spread an even layer of mulch around your plants.  Mulch also acts as a safety barrier, as it prevents fallen leaves from touching the soil, thus avoiding contamination. 

Note:  The biggest mistake amateur landscapers make is “over-mulching.”   I see countless trees with volcano-shaped trunks of mulch piled on.  Trees need to spread out their roots and over-mulching prevents that from happening.     

Write it Down

Plan what you want to grow for the spring and summer months.  That way when you go shopping at the garden center, you’ll know exactly what plants/vegetables you need.  Set a budget for how much you want to spend on plants.  Keep in mind that seeds are inexpensive and are a great way for kids to see the growth of a seed to its maturity.   

Switch It Up

Avoid planting the same vegetables in the same garden bed.  This will deplete the soil over time.  Instead, try containers/flowerpots to plant your veggies.  It’s important to have good drainage when using flowerpots and only use potting soil.  Regular soil is too compact for containers.

This year, I plan to sow only flowers that are great for pollinators in my raised garden beds.   

         With gardening comes a lot of trial and error.  You’ll learn what areas in your yard or patio get the best sun and what plants will do best in the shade.  Container gardens are practical and easy to manage.  Not to mention fewer weeds to remove.  The best part of gardening is to watch your plants thrive.  Keep a garden journal documenting your plants’ journey, water schedule, time of harvest, any pests or unforeseen droughts, and plant loss.  Take pictures of your garden to use as a reference for next year’s planting.  And most of all, enjoy the beauty of what you grow.

                         Happy Gardening!

-The mums that I meticulously placed in the front of the house, can be planted in the ground.

-Clean the bird feeder and purchase bird seeds.

-Stock up on paper leaf bags.

-Clean and store away gardening tools.  

-Bring outdoor plants that won’t survive the winter inside the home.  

    Despite the colder autumn temperature, don’t be surprised to find roses still in bloom.  Enjoy your flowers by making an arrangement.  Personalize your cornucopia centerpiece by adding fall leaves and pine cones from the outside. (make sure to clean the leaves first)  Rummage through a thrift shop or yard sale, where you can find unique dishware to be used for Thanksgiving dinner.  Be adventurous and bake instead of buying store-made desserts.  And purchase a few bottles of wine so you’ll always have a gift for a hostess at a party.   
                           

   However you spend the holidays, be sure to sit back and enjoy the festivities. 

                         Happy Holidays! 

  Now that summer is soon approaching, I want my garden buzzing with pollinators.  Below are some tips on how to create a bee sanctuary right in your own yard. 

 Flower Power

One of my favorite flowers to grow during the summer are zinnias.  Their bright cheerful colors can make your garden look whimsical, just like in a fairytale book.  Not only do gardeners love growing zinnias, but bees and butterflies sure love them.  Other flowers that attract bees are sunflowers and coneflowers.  If you have limited space to garden, plant flowers and bee-friendly herbs like parsley, lavender, and lemon balm in pots.   

Extra Care 

 Bees feed from the flowers, but they also need water and shelter from the rain.  Place a dish of water near your plants so that the bees have access to it.  As for shelter, Amazon sells wooden bee houses that have individual tubes for solitary bees to rest in.

Support Bees Sanctuaries

A few years ago, Actor Morgan Freedman turned his 124-acre ranch in Mississippi into a bee sanctuary.  Yay for the bees!   Not everyone, however, can accommodate a room in their backyard to be a bee hotel.  Instead, donate to organizations that are equipped to provide a safe haven for bees.  Search for bee sanctuaries where you live.  The Bee Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that provides habitats for bees throughout New York City.  The organization also promotes educational programs and advocacy work to ensure that the bee population is protected and continues to thrive.  

For more information about The Bee Conservancy, check out their website, thebeeconservancy.org.   

           So if you’re planning to garden this summer, think about planting flowers that pollinators love.  And visit and support local bee sanctuaries to learn more about bee conservation.  We can all do our part to protect the bees. 

Orchids-  One of my favorite house plants.  Orchids appear delicate, but with proper care, you’ll have flowers blooming every year.  Some helpful tips when caring for your orchids is to avoid placing your plant in direct sun and water once a week with an ice cube or a shot glass of water.  During the winter, keep orchids away from heat since that may affect their ability to bloom flowers.  

African violets- Cat-friendly plant.  African violets need bright, indirect light.  When watering, avoid getting the leaves wet.  Remove dead flowers to encourage new growth.   If you need to repot, simply choose a flowerpot that is double the width of the plant, in order for the roots to spread out.  

Money plant- This hardy house plant is pet friendly and can be a great accent piece to fill a space in a room.  Money plants need proper drainage to prevent root rot.  Water when the soil on top is dry. 

Bamboo- Unfortunately, lucky bamboo is toxic to pets.  It is, however, easy to care for.  Avoid placing your bamboo in direct light.  Drain and fill your plant with fresh water every two weeks.  

Succulents- I have to admit, succulents can be tricky to take care of.  They are delicate and toxic to pets.  Do not over water and do not let your succulents dry up.  Avoid direct light. 

Primrose- Beautiful but toxic to pets.  Susceptible to drying out so keep the plant moist.  Trim dead leaves and flower buds to promote new growth.    

So whether you are searching for a new plant to add some dimension to a room or you are in need of a new hobby, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an indoor plant.  Read plant care instructions thoroughly to ensure your plants are properly cared for.  If you are a pet owner, research the toxicity of the plant before bringing it home.  Invest in good soil for indoor plants.  Make sure your flower pots have holes to ensure proper drainage.  And keep track of when you water your plants to prevent over-watering.             
                                         Happy Indoor Gardening!

My prized Calamondin Orange Tree that I bring indoors every winter.  The juice from the orange is bitter, so I only add just a splash when making Mimosas.  

Plant What You Know

Plant herbs that you normally cook with.  Basil, oregano, cilantro, parsley, and dill are the most popular herbs to plant. 

Reuse               

Why spend additional money on flower pots when you can perfectly reuse candle jars or empty coffee and soup cans.  If you are unable to poke holes in the bottom of your jar for drainage, you can add pebbles inside the jar so that the plant’s roots are lifted and not sitting in a puddle of water.      

Harvest

When you’re ready to harvest your herbs, you want to make sure your plant is tall enough, about 5 to 6 inches to trim. 

Basil– If you need a few leaves to top a pasta dish, pick the leaves from the top and sides of the plant.  Another tip is that you want to avoid your basil plant from producing flowers since it can change the flavor of the plant.  Prune every two weeks so that the leaves can grow big and lush.      

Oregano– Trim the top portion of the plant since that is where the leaves are the most fragrant.  Oregano can grow wild so be sure to prune regularly.

Parsley– Snip the outer stems of the plant by cutting just a few inches near the base of the plant.  Place your cuttings inside a cup of water so that your parsley stays fresh.

     Whether you just recently got inspired to start gardening or you’re in need of some fresh grown herbs, it’s never too late to start an herb garden.  If you can, take advantage of the warm weather and place your herbs outside.  When the temperature starts to drop, bring your herbs indoors.  Make sure that your herbs are pet friendly.  Invest in a tablet-top greenhouse in order to create a humid environment for your herbs, plus it will keep your feline friend away from your leafy greens.  And remember to prune correctly in order to ensure that your herbs continue to grow.

                                                       Happy Gardening!

August is also a special month since it marks the one-year anniversary for which I officially launched my blog.  I was searching for a creative outlet to write and share my ideas and experiences.  A space to provide tips on gardening and review the latest natural beauty product in the market.  To share pictures of my cats and write about my latest bargain find. 

To my followers, thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  And if you’re new to my website, Welcome!          

I want to end this post by sharing some wisdom for the remaining weeks of summer.   Enjoy!!!

 Useful Tips to Live By 

1) If you feel that your garden is lacking in the floral department, plant sunflower seeds.  Sunflowers are fast bloomers and can transform your garden to look like a sunflower field from Tuscany, Italy.

2) Fill sachets with lavender and rosemary from your garden.  You can place the sachets inside your pillowcase to help calm you before bed or place the sachet inside your dresser drawer to freshen your clothes and keep moths away.

3) Don’t pull out the clover in your garden.  It’s a sign that your garden has nitrogen, plus clover brings good luck. 

4) Cut and save the dead flower heads from your garden in a paper bag and store them in a cool place.  You can use the seeds for next year.

5) Be on the lookout for end-of-summer sales on gardening tools and decor.  

6) Take long day trips with loved ones now before you’ll be too busy to plan a trip later on.

7) Do remember to touch your bare feet on the grass or rub your feet in the sand.  This will allow you to stay grounded and connected with nature.

My final tip is that it’s never too late to start a garden.  Research what plants will do well during the autumn season.    

Happy Gardening!!!  

  Be on the look out for new articles this Fall.