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Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are one of the most popular plants people grow. My nephews and niece were always fascinated with its growth and all the new plants it had cascading down in long lines.

Lighting

Spider plants like low light conditions. Indirect or defused lighting are best for the plants leaves. But they will benefit by being place in a sunny window once or twice a week but just make sure its not direct lighting. Direct lighting will burn the leaves and make the tips turn brown.

The Spider plant likes well-drained, rich potting soil. It also grows and looks best in hanging baskets.

Watering

Watering the plant is the most important step in caring for a plant and the step that seems to challenge most people. Water the spider when the soil feels dry to the touch. Moisten the soil, but make sure the soil does not get soggy. If by chance it does turn a fan on the plants soil to help dry it.

This plant usually does well being watered once a week. I like to take the plant outdoors and mist it once a month or if it’s winter hang it in the shower and mist it. It cleans the plant and just seems to perk it up.

If you notice the ends of the leaves on your plant are turning brown this could be from the water you’re using. If you have town or city water you may need to use distilled water as chemicals found in urban tap water is often too harsh for plants. I also let my tap water warm up before I use it on plants.

Special care

Prune your Spider plant often. The more “babies” your plant produces, the more water and food it will need to stay alive. Pruning back the new growth will keep your plant healthy and give it a more full rich look.

You can also propagate the new growth by setting a small pot of soil next to the large plant and standing the baby plant into the soils surface. Roots will quickly develop and you can separate it from its mother for a new plant. Some people just clip off the baby plants and stick in water to encourage root growth, then plant them.

Remember to feed your spider plant approximately every month. Spider plants only need light fertilizing so you can dilute the recommended strength in half.

Spider plant do not like cold temperatures or drafts so remember to move them away from windows if its cold at night.

It’s close enough to spring for me to start some of my seeds, get the cold frames and greenhouse open and to redo my gardens. My Zone 5 winter shows signs of weakening.

I have a busy summer coming so I am simplifying my gardens. Everything will be in containers, hanging baskets or raised beds. Its means a little more building this spring but it will cut down on time later in the summer.

I am also moving all the gardens to the front of the house. It will be faster harvesting, easier watering and closer to the house. Right now my spillover garden is behind the barn and about 1000 feet away from the house. It’s a great place for enjoying the yard or creek but its difficult to water.

At one time I had a garden that was about one acre in size. A one-acre garden took about 12 hours a day to maintain. I have also had as many as 13 mini gardens in one year. Even as much as I like to play in the dirt, both are too much. Gardening always has to stay fun and if the garden takes too much time it almost becomes work.

I do have very nice gardens set up that I don’t want to see go to waste. I may see if a local garden club wants to use them or a neighbor or two.

So my plans for tomorrow are to soak my tomato and pepper seeds (heirloom varieties) for planting the following day. I use a re-potting method for the tomatoes and start a few peppers early for the greenhouse or for ornamental plants. The variegated pepper plants are so pretty and make great hanging baskets.

Gardening season is here!

First prize in the Victory garden contest goes to Jennifer Lindell from Alberta, Canada. Jennifer has been a gardener for 3 years. Her love is cutting gardens and indoor plants but she also grows vegetables but said, “It’s not her area of expertise.”

She does plan on growing an original Victory Garden this spring. Many of the vegetables she will be growing for the first time. Good luck Jennifer!

Jennifer’s Victory garden tip:

Keep a gardening journal. You can record all your successes and problems. You can also record you garden growing plan so you know where you grew what crop in what location in the garden

Jennifer receives 20 packets of seeds for her garden, a 1944 Victory Garden pamphlet filled with gardening tips, garden recipes  and how to plant a Victory garden. The prize also includes a fold up garden carrier and garden gloves.

Gardening journals are very important to your yard and garden. They capture your successes and area you need to work in, your planting dates, crop rotations and so much more.

They also record the history of your property, weather and often times your family. Many people incorporate photos and even art work in their journals ant those captured moments of time bring back wonderful memories.

I would like to thank Sue Neitzel for judging the Victory garden contest. I met Sue through gardening and our interest in herbs and foraging for wild food and herbs. Sue lives in West Plains, Mo., and describes herself as a Web writer, Wife, Mother, Grandma, Gardener, Crafter, Friend to Mother Earth and a Woman of Faith. I describe her as a great friend and an inspiration.

Check out Sue’s blog:
www.countrypleasures.blogspot.com
And Etsy Store:
www.heart2home.etsy.com

Also read Sues current article in Small Town Living http://www.stliving.net                        Her article is all about theme gardens and on page 33.

Thanks again to all the people who entered the contest. Plant a Victory garden or A row for the poor this year. You also all get a copy of the winning garden tips. Watch you email! Denise