Positioning for
outdoor plants…
When choosing plants, find
out what kind of light they need: dappled? Half shade? Full sun? Most
plants I’ve come across can tolerate different amounts of light, but may not thrive
in certain places.
What kind of soil do
you have? Is it quite dry and nutrient-poor? Is it a moisture retentive
clay? Best way to find out is to have a look in your garden, surprisingly
enough. Sandy soil allows for better drainage, whereas some plants like richer, heavier soil
which stays moist for longer. Have a little dig and see what your soil looks
like – goodness knows I couldn’t (and didn’t want to) afford a soil testing
kit.
Will they be chilly? Spring
is prime gardening time because the temperature is beginning to rise again,
after plummeting for the few months beforehand, so you can begin planting out
your veggies that can’t survive in the winter frosts. Wait until after the last frost of the season to plant out your
lovelies.
Positioning for
indoor plants…
Think about light.
Again, have a look in the room you’re hoping to introduce a plant to and see
where receives the most and least light. Spider plants are excellent for rooms
that receive little light, and are incredibly easy to propagate. If you have bright sunlight you have a little more freedom, and may choose something a bit more
exciting.
Is your air dry or
humid? Centrally heated rooms are often drier (unless you have a problem
with damp) so think about getting a water spray bottle for plants that seem to
be struggling, and spritz around the plant to liven it up. Seeing as my desk is
so warm, I’ll be introducing an orchid at some point. But to make sure it’s in
the warm and moist air it likes, it’ll be on a pebble bed. When I manage to
find to a suitable glass vase, orchid and pebbles, I’ll post a step-by-step
guide for it. For now, to increase the local humidity for a plant, you can put
pebbles in a tray and fill with water. Place the potted plant on top of the
pebbles, and position in a warm spot.
Will they be sweaty? Perhaps
not sweaty, but they might find it a little too hot for comfort. Much like my issue
with the blasting radiator, make sure the plants won’t be too warm. Also protect them from draughts. Many plants
can tolerate draughts, but the abrupt change in temperature don’t bode well
for a happy Larry so err on the side of caution and double-think the clematis
on the nippy windowsill – and instead opt for a shelf nearby. Provide fresh air, by opening a window
for example, but simply ensure it doesn’t mean the plant is in a sudden breeze
of cold air. Ease them in. Softly, softly, catchy monkey – so to speak.
A brief sweep…
- Light
- Warmth – but not too much (ideally no more than 20-23C)!
- Protection from frost and draught
- Keep it fresh
- Water
- Air – humid or dry?
- Drainage
- Goodness – compost, mulch and feed provides extra nutrients for your plants
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