As there is less to do in the garden in winter, why not switch your focus from outdoors to in? Brightly coloured indoor plants – the likes of amaryllis, orchids, and poinsettias – make great festive gifts for friends and family. And greening up your own home with gorgeous houseplants and flowering bulbs will not only satisfy your urge to grow things, it will also fend off any winter gloom that might threaten to descend once the excitement of the Christmas countdown is over.
Even if it feels like you’re more of an expert at killing houseplants than someone with the knack of keeping them healthy, it’s well worth giving them a go – bear in mind a few general rules, and you’ll find your plants will thrive.
Under-watering or over-watering are the usual reasons for houseplants not doing well. It’s best to wait for the top of the compost to dry out in between waterings as a permanently moist surface will encourage fungus gnats and potentially rot off the central stems. You can feel whether your plants need watering by pushing a finger into the top of the compost (some plants tolerate moist soil, others prefer soil that’s on the dryish side, so check individual labels first). Where possible, it’s a good idea to check the moisture at the bottom of the pots, too. Water plants thoroughly.
Love those leaves
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 07, 2019 من Amateur Gardening.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 07, 2019 من Amateur Gardening.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters