It’s difficult for me to go downtown and pass up on the wonderful indoor plants I see, particularly by the holidays. My house seems to cry for color and a new plant. I again fell prey to the new plant syndrome and brought home the last lonely looking Christmas Cactus in the plant section.
photo credit: gurdonark

As with any new plant it takes time to adjust to its new home. In a home this usually means a drier climate, warmer climate and reduced lighting. When choosing a plant it’s wise to take into account all of these conditions and buy a plant that will fit, but these impulse buys or more selective plants sometimes create challenges.

Plant leaves loose water more quickly in a house than in a greenhouse so your plants may loose a few leaves the first two weeks. This may also be a sign that you need more light for the plant.

So for the first week or two water your plant more than you normally would but make sure you don’t water until the soil is soggy. It should be moist to the touch but not wet. I like to spray it more than water it, as the leaves are what usually lack the water first. I also set all my plants on pebble trays to help with humidity. And if I buy a plant that looks a little sad I use a plastic bag over it to help give it a greenhouse effect for the first week. I find this helps the plant to adjust to its new home quicker.

Lat but not least, even if the plant is a sun lover I keep it out of direct sunlight for the first week.

My Christmas cactus is sitting in its own little plastic greenhouse climate and seems to be doing fine. I will know for sure next week

Technorati Tags: indoor plants

The Gardener’s Rake tip for November 10, 2008 is for raising vegetables indoors . If you want a few fresh garden vegetables during the winter all you need is a sunny window or a windowsill.
photo credit: erix!

I grow mustard, spinach, several lettuces, onion and radishes on one windowsill and herbs in a hanging planter. I already have a nice crop growing and will be starting a new crop soon. I also grow cherry tomatoes and at least one experimental plant each winter.

Here are a few steps and supplies to help you set up a windowsill garden.

Supplies.

• Fresh soil… I heat it in the oven to make sure it is sterile.
• clean pots
• small pebbles or rocks
• seeds
• plastic

Start by making sure you pots are clean. I fill the pots with good soil and place the pots on a tray with rocks. This will insure I have good drainage and that the plants have a humid atmosphere. Humidity in the air promotes healthier plants.

A window with southern lighting or southwest lighting is the best for garden crops. I like to have 6 to 8 hours of light. If you don’t you can always supply additional lighting. I plant my seeds a cover with clear plastic to help them germinate quicker.

Once the plants have germinated I remove the plastic. I also water from the tray instead of on top of the soil. This prevents soil mold. If by chance you get soil mold (A light white look to the soil top) cut back on water and use artificial lighting to dry the top of the soil. You can also add a couple of sprinkles of baby powder to the top of the soil. I also water once a month with chamomile tea, which helps prevent bacteria and helps to prevent the mold.
photo credit: cygnus921

As the winter progresses you may want to use a liquid fertilizer or compost for more nutrients. I also change the soil in my pots once during the winter when I am replanting  crops.

Growing a few fresh vegetables gives you produce without chemicals and with today’s high prices will help your food budget. It is amazing how much you can grow on a windowsill! It also adds color to your rooms and reminds me of spring and the summer that will follow. I also have a few flowers mixed in the vegetables too for more color.

Technorati Tags: gardening tips, vegetables

This summer I decided to make plans to open a perennial garden business next year. My plan was to do it in such a way that I did not have to take out a loan and have a large overhead in inventory.
photo credit: laudu

I was lucky enough to attend an auction at a greenhouse where I picked up around twenty different perennial varieties.  I also traded plants with friends, which lead to another 15 varieties. Scavenging at a few local abandoned houses (anyways ask first) lead to another 15 varieties and last but not least there is a wholesale $2 a shovel perennial business nearby which I purchased $20 and divided up the plants into around two hundred new plants. I also plan to start a few perennial plants from seeds so I will have close to 75 varieties of plants for my first year with very little money in the project… but a lot of time.

If your thinking of starting a small perennial garden business you can read my first article here, How to start a Perennial Garden Business

In September I tilled the ground and worked leaves and star into the soil each week for the entire month. This made the soil more workable and this material will break down and add nutrients to the soil. The last week I added well rotted sheep manure and then added my plants. This is a working garden. I plan on transplanting the plants from here into other gardens but I still want an interesting look so I laid the garden out into 6 small sections and planted the perennials by size and color combinations. In between the small sections I placed flat rocks to add interest and to create walkways.

The plants have been watered each week and are doing well so far.

My next step in the business for this year is to make sure all my plants are marked well for easy identification in the spring, to make sure the gardens have a good mulch covering to protect the newer plants and their root system and to make raised beds for some of the other gardens I will add in the spring.

During the winter months I will be making the raised beds over in the barn out of salvaged barn boards. I will also be planning out the layout of additional gardens and starting perennial plants in a small greenhouse. So far I have spent less than $50 and have a nice start for a future business.
photo credit: Markles55

I hope to start perennial herbs in the spring, pick up a few additional plants and possibly put in a cutting garden. In the spring photos will follow of my progress. If you have a small perennial garden or wish to start one contact me. Denise

Technorati Tags: Backyard Flower Garden, perennial flower, perennial garden business