Hello, Everyone!

As winter is coming to its end, sporatically teasing us with warm, we find ourselves trying to make our way back into the dirt. We go outside in shorts, turn on the music and mow or rake our little hearts out, preparing our areas, once again, for spring and summer. Then, the next day, rain storms or wind with hail and a chill factor blow in, and back inside we go. Well, don’t despair. It’s planting we want, it’s planting we do. It’s warm inside and seeds need to be started where it’s warm. Indoor container gardening and terrariums can feed the fever and have us on our way in no time.

Seeds don’t necessarily need sunlight; however, they do need to be warm. Once they sprout, they’ll need to be moved to a sunny location. The easiest way is to use the peat pellets in the covered trays. The cover holds the moisture inside and keeps the soil moist. It’s quite simple to plant the seed into the peat pellet as the directions indicate, and keep them warm until sprouted. Then move them to a sunny location of your choosing. When the little roots start creeping out of the pod, you’re ready to transplant.

You can just use a tray to start your seeds, but keep in mind how dry the air is inside our warm homes. Seeding in trays: Select the seeds you will be planting. Remember each seed should only be planted 3-5 times its own length in depth. Select a starting soil of your choice and spread it out. Make little rows and sow, sow, sow, remembering to mark or label the rows or pan with each type of seed planted. Keep warm and when it sprouts, place in sunny spot inside your home. When you have two sets of leaves – “true leaves” – you are ready to transplant into desired area. Simply pinch off the lower set of leaves and replant them at the depth of where you removed the leaves. This will soon become a root system. Some of y’all may remember this is what we do with the “maters” when we plant them from the plants we buy at the nursery. Either way you choose will be fine.

I want to now share with you how we can get dirty. Yay, dirt! Warm dirt. Terrariums were huge in the 70’s, but are making a huge comeback for diehard gardeners who can’t wait for summer. As simple as going to an antique store or a thrift store and finding any size clear glass jug, jar, vessel, container or box that has a lid. The lid does not have to be clear, so let the fun begin.

Choose the plants according to their size at maturity and choose the container which will allow optimum accommodations for the plant or plants. Example: Get a two gallon clear glass candy jar or fishbowl-style jug. Pour pea gravel first into a clean, dry bottom – about 1/10 total depth. Then use charcoal for the next layer, about the same depth. (NOTE: NOT BBQ CHARCOAL!) Most “total nurseries” carry this product. It’s agricultural charcoal, and it’s in a small bag and it’s tiny, tiny pieces. The gravel allows for drainage and the charcoal acts as a filter and keeps the water from becoming rancid and not to compromise the integrity and sustaining ability of the soil. Next is the soil. Now, according to the size of the chosen vessel you use, comes determining the rightamount of soil. The soil should be twice as thick as the first two layers. I, along with most who actually know what they’re talking about (LOL), suggest a potting soil with slow release fertilizer already in it. Once you have all three layers undisturbed, make an area the size of the loosened root ball and plant your little friend. For multiple friends to be planted in one container, find out their sizes at full maturity and either plant the one that will be the tallest in the center or toward the back side. Be sure not to over crowd. Once planted, pour about one ounce of water at the base of each plant. Cover with the lid and put in a good area to meet the plants needs. Choosing plants with similar requirements is crucial.

I want to try this with several different sizes and styles and decorate my jugs. I think it will be fun to get creative this way, and it’s warm inside, so we don’t have to wait. These make a wonderful gifts, too.

Now when watering, wait until the soil is dry to the touch, keeping the one ounce per plant at base system in mind. If the soil is still moist, wait a few days to a week and recheck it. Loose fitting lids or lids without a rubber seal are the best. Glass on glass or plated top are also ideal. You don’t want to seal it up air tight or your plant will over respirate/transpirate, suffocate and that would be bad. When watering, try to use a funnel-type apparatus, keeping the water off of the foliage. This will prevent fungus. How fun!

Please share with me (us) here at the paper when you do this. Now, as some of you may already know, I am no longer with the Home Depot. However, I am still your Plant Lady. You can still reach me by email at plantlady@northsacnews.com. I am here for you and with you, I promise. So, until next month, I want to tell all of you how much I appreciate you and love you. Please keep in touch. Your Plant Lady, Rene Lindsey