Have you botany plants lately? With U.S. horticulture businesses bringing in over 13 billion dollars a year, chances are that you have. Watching your small flowers or shrubs grow into a blooming cascade is just one of the fun things that happen when you add to your yard.
Whether you are a pro gardener or a newbie, you don’t just want to keep your plants alive, you want them to thrive. Learning to distinguish between good plant care tips and not-so-great ones could mean the difference between a stalwart bloom and a dead one.
Continue reading for 3 tips to turn your black thumb into a green one and bring the best growth to your plants.
1. Plant Care Tips: How Often to Water
Over or under watering plants is usually the first mistake that gardeners make. A simple trick to figuring out whether your plants need watered or not is to check the soil. When the first inch or below is completely dry, it may be time to water.
Check the leaves of the plant as well. If they are dry and crumbly, you may not be giving your plant enough water. Healthy plants have soft leaves with minimal discoloring.
Keep in mind that it is easier to bring back a plant that has been underwatered (if it’s not dead) than to help one that has been overwatered.
2. Smaller Plants Grow Faster
The root system of a plant is what enables the plant to grow quickly. The plant growth won’t begin until the root system has caught up with the body of the plant. Since smaller plants can put out roots faster than larger plants, you will see them thrive more quickly.
When looking at plants in a store, see if you can determine a set root system poking out of the plastic boxes they come in. Caring for plants becomes easier when they already have a leg up on life.
If your plants are still slow to grow, you could check out products by companies such as Marrone Bio Innovations that are made to assist with looking after your plants.
3. Know Your Lighting
Plant care is more than just watering, you also need to know what kind of light they need. Some plants require exposure to the sun or full-on lighting for most of the day. Other plants only need an hour or two before they are good to go.
If your home or yard doesn’t provide the right kind of light or shading, you can consider getting different plants or purchasing the tools to make your plants feel more at home.
Sunshades provide cover from full sun for your more delicate plants, while grow lights will simulate the conditions your plants need. Play around with the exposure, but make sure that you become well versed in the best way to care for the specific plants that you purchase.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
By following these simple plant care tips you may find yourself with more growth than you know what to do with. If that’s the case, share it with your neighbors and friends.
Did you find this article helpful? You can find more like it in our House and Lifestyle sections.
Leave a Reply