Awesome reminders: touch up the deck (although we rent), declutter the kitchen, lighten up window treatments. But also something I haven’t done before: a summer bucket list.
Shed, Trellis, Arbor
Citrus trees, containers, what yellow leaves mean & how to fix it.
Details about how to collect and store cuttings & seeds as well as how to transplant them.
Repot, if needed. Two signs to look for if your plant needs repotting: yellowing leaves or the pot won’t hold much water — there’s barely space for soil due to pot-bound roots. Winter is a good time to upgrade plants to larger containers before they start their spring growth. Repot by gently tugging the plant out of the pot, loosening any root-bound roots and placing in a larger container with fresh potting soil.
Do a bug check. Regularly check houseplants for signs of pests, isolate infected plants and treat rapidly. Indoor plants are often more susceptible to pests and, once they get them, it’s harder for houseplants to shake them off in the absence of natural predators like insects or birds. Spider mites are common on houseplants like fiddleleaf fig (Ficus lyrata) and show up as tiny, powdery white specks on leaves and in areas where leaf stems meet the trunk. Remove by squashing them between your fingers, then wipe leaves with a damp cloth or diluted horticultural oil.
Move plants to maximize light. With fewer daylight hours and less intensity of ultraviolet in winter, houseplants that were thriving in one spot may need to be moved closer to windows where they’ll receive more light. Wash windows inside and out to maximize how much light can reach indoor plants, and your room will feel brighter — something that’s always welcome in the darkest months of the year.
5. Add a water element. Perfect for bringing the peaceful sound of water to a garden of any size, recirculating fountains can be easier to install than they may seem. Almost any ceramic pot can be turned into a recirculating fountain with the help of some basic plumping equipment and a trough to hold the pump. For urban gardens, in particular, water features that have a trickling or splashing sound can help mask the noise of the city and enhance the serenity of your patio or balcony.
Hydrogen peroxide for sanitation rather than chlorine free bleach or bleach
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