The temperature for indoor plants should be on average 75 degrees during the daylight hours and 60 to 65 degrees at night.  This temperature range will vary but this is the most common.  Indoor plants don’t like drafts and    placing them in a sunny window is not always a good spot for them, if you do place them there rotate them every day or so, so that all sides receive sunlight.  Plants experience different temperature changes when you have them in a window; they get sun by day but suffer the cold from the window at night.

During the winter most homes tend to be drier than normal and many plants aren’t tolerant to the extra dryness. With the exception of the “African Violet” most plants can take a good misting on the driest days of winter, otherwise use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe their leaves every week or two; this is also an easy way to remove dust build up on them.  Use a potting soil that is specifically for houseplants, it will generally be well draining, correctly blended and balanced with the right amount of nutrients and acid Ph levels.  Since potting soil looses minerals over a period of time, re-potting or replacing  the top layer of soil every few years is a good idea.

Because they grow slower, indoor plants need less fertilization, so when you fertilize use a balanced slow released fertilizer for indoor plants and then only fertilize every two or three weeks. Learn something about your houseplants before you purchase them, the small plant stakes stuck inside the pot is a good source for the information, it will tell you how and when to water and what and how much to feed in most cases.

Most plants love a good soaking, so apply water to the plant to the point that it drains out of the bottom openings, this will also get rid of any excess fertilizer.  Let the soil become almost dry before watering again.  If at all possible use distilled water to water your plants with; many people don’t realize that regular tap water sometimes contains excess salt and chlorine.  If you must use tap water let the water set out for a few days and the extra chlorine will dissipate, and then generously water plants.

[tags]Houseplant Care]

Plants can use practically all the light that is generated from an LED light because they need no special ventilation, have a longer life period have low power consumption and are high efficiency.  The balance of the red and blue spectrums, the two colors needed most by plants for growth and fruit production is controlled by you giving you the best results and allowing your plants to thrive.

The versatility of these lights have proven extremely effective when growing lettuces, tomatoes, parsley and basil because they won’t burn young seedlings, they are quite easy to use and are affordable.   Some of the advantages are that these lights have a reduce heat output, they reduce power consumption, they cut maintenance costs, they  will work with your existing  lighting  grow light system and being a Full Spectrum light they can be placed as close as 3 inches from your plants without burning them.

When you are using these lights if you reduce the distance between the light and the plant by one-half, it will increase the intensity of the light reaching the plant by 4 times. If you choose to increase the lighting with a blue spectrum light will produce sturdier seedlings and you will have less long leggy plants.  Leafy crops such as lettuce will have an increase in yield at the end of the growing cycle if you use an all red bulb, however red and blue to close to your plant can cause poor growth so a good distance from the lighting is usually 12 to 14 inches away.

To get more for your dollar and have an abundance of hearty, healthy fresh winter vegetables add an LED grow light system to your existing system or create a new full spectrum system.

[tags]LED Grow Lights]

Natural sunlight has a variety of colors that range from red and yellow to violet to blue hues, the same colors that are found in your average rainbow.  Since some plants will require a different color of light, intensity and time spent under the light itself,  when selecting these types of lighting systems be sure and select a system that is best suited for your home.  Plants use all these different variations of color to grow and produce buds and fruit, although some will do better with more of a certain color of light.

Selecting the right type of bulb(s) that your plants will need is extremely important.  Wattage is determined by the bulb(s) that you buy which will determine how much intensity of light the plant will receives and the closeness to the light itself because  some colors of light have a different intensity.  Basically all this means is that your Tropical Plants and your houseplants such as Ivy and Philodendrons will not require a high intensity bulb as your flowering plant such as Orchids would, however if you are growing fruit producing vegetables, they will need a High Intensity light to bud, flower and produce fruit.

Whatever type of plant that you decide to grow inside, remember that they will need rest also because resting time and growing time affects their growth rates and the setting of their buds and fruit.  The majority of vegetables are known as what’s called Long Day Plants, meaning they will need at least 14 to 18 hours of light each day.  The wrong lighting or too much lighting will cause them to become long, pale and leggy with poor fruit production.  The type of bulb(s) and where you use them should depend on what types of plant you are growing.

Of the three types of Indoor Growing Lights Incandescent, Fluorescent and High Intensity Discharge Bulbs, each has its own benefit to the plants.  Incandescent bulbs are a good source of “red light” but don’t supply enough source of “blue light” and if the plants are place to close to the bulb, they can be burned.  Halogen bulbs become even hotter and will surely scorch and burn the foliage.

Fluorescent Bulbs will produce 3 x’s more light than incandescent bulbs and they are less expensive to use for indoor gardening.

The Cool White Bulbs are a good source for “blue and yellow light” however plants that are grown under them will probably be stunted.

Warm White Bulbs have an “orange and red” spectrum, both beneficial to the plants growth  If you decide to use a two bulb lighting fixture, to achieve a good color balance combine one cool white bulb and one  warm white bulb.

Full Spectrum Fluorescent Bulbs will give you light that are most similar to natural sunlight and will be the best for houseplants, herbs and other plants.

Whatever bulb you decide on remember that you will still need to rotate your plants weekly, replace your fluorescent bulbs when you notice the ends darkening, and clean your lights at least once a month.

To determine if your plants are to close to the light simply place your hand on the foliage where the light hits it and if your hand feels warm then your plants are to close.

Growing indoor plants or an indoor garden is not as hard as one would think.  Once you pick your spot in the house, choose your lighting then select your plants it won’t be long before you will be enjoying fresh herbs and vegetables all year around.

For more information on Indoor Growing Bulbs & Lighting go to www.gardens.com

[tags] Artificial Lighting for Plants]

Early planning of your garden will help in the overall planting for next year and with a diagram you can prevent damage to plants that are still dormant before you begin preparing the soil in the spring.   It is a good idea to make a few notes as to what was where and what did best in certain areas of the garden.  This will help you to determine whether or not you should change the location of some of your garden flowers and vegetables.

Any plants that did not fare well can be placed somewhere else when you start planting.   Write reminders to yourself as to which vegetables did not do well and over the winter months you will have the opportunity to bone up on your reading and see what can be done to improve your gardening skills as well as your crop.

Adding organic composts such as manure and soil amendments such as dried blood and bone meal to your garden soil now, will give the soil time to absorb all their healthy ingredients and have it rich with nutrients when you begin to plant next spring.  Topping off the soil with mulch or compost and allowing it to over-winter will also aid in next year’s garden planning.

If you plant spring bulbs, now is the time, plan out an array of colors, sizes and varieties of daffodils, tulips, crocus and other early blooming flowers for a garden of beautiful color when spring comes.

Spring and summer gardening plans are easy when you have all winter to sit and imagine how you want your garden to look.

[tags] Garden Planning]

Control of the environment sometimes makes it easier to grow herbs that you normally have trouble growing outdoors.  When growing your herbs a good southern exposure to sunlight is ideal because your plants will need a minimum of 8 hours of sunlight so a grow light may become necessary for adequate light.

Florescent lights placed closed to the plants have been known to work equally as well. One way to know if your plants are receiving enough light is to watch their leaves to make sure they are not falling off for any reason or fading or maybe the plant itself is becoming long and leggy.  These are sure signs that your plants need more light.

Other concerns are room temperature and soil moisture.  If the inside temperature becomes to dry, misting your herbs will give them the added moisture they need or as an alternative you can place their pots into trays and add water allowing the plant to absorb the humidity as the water evaporates so be prepared to re-fill the trays often.

Plant pests can become a problem to your herbal garden also and seem to appear out of nowhere.  Once you see these insects crawling or flying around your herbs, make some warm soapy water (a mild detergent) and use your hands to cover the base of the plant and swirl the plant in the water to wash the leaves and stems off.  This will kill of any insects or pests and will not harm or cause damage to the plant itself.

Another way is to mix warm soapy water in a spray bottle and saturate the leaves and stems, making sure that you soak the underside of the leaves as well to kill any hatchlings or eggs.  If you follow these few simple guidelines your indoor herbal garden will flourish and you can enjoy fresh herbs for eating and cooking all winter long.

[tags] Indoor Herbal gardens]

If straw is your choice to use as mulch, it is best used in a vegetable garden because it decays away and it will improve the soil as it is also ideal winter mulch for your perennial garden.  You should note to be very careful as not to purchase straw that may have a lot of weed seeds in it.  If you have newly plant trees or shrubs, Pine Needles make for excellent mulch.

While Cocoa Hulls have a beautiful color and smell they should NOT be used if you have pets.  Dogs are particularly attracted to the smell as so are cats.  The cocoa hulls contain Theobromine which is extremely toxic to cats and dogs.  Some dogs are attracted to the smell.

As you rake and pile your leaves, if you can, go over them with you lawn mower to shred them and then use them as a garden mulch.  Spread them around and as they decay and rot away the will add nutrients to the soil.   Rocks ad nothing to the soil as far as adding nutrition goes, but adding a 2 inch layer of rock will help deter weed growth.

Rocks are hard to get rid of once you have put them down even when they are laid on top of heavy gauged plastic so they are really best for permanent landscaping.    Heavy gauged black plastic is another good weed deterrent, but it will hold water in the soil and should not be used in a poor draining garden.

However in the spring it ( heavy plastic) does make for a good ground warmer for your vegetable garden to help keep young seedlings from the still cool weather.  Then, simply cover with bark and this will keep your plants warm.
Whether you choose to use wood chips or bark remember that the bigger the pieces the harder and longer it will take for them to break down.  They generally wash away during heavy rains.

[tags] Garden Mulches]

When removed properly it will reduce the chances of diseases in your next year’s garden.  How much of the plant you should remove depends upon your garden type, so naturally anything that was infected with a disease should be completely removed.

If you brought your house-plants outside for the summer, now is the time to start bringing them in.  Some will more than likely need to be re-potted and or cut-back if they grew well during the summer growing season.

Be sure to check them for insects and diseases that may be on them so as not to contaminate any other houseplants.  Bring them indoors in plenty of time to re-adjust to their indoor environment.

Now is the time also to lift and harvest your young bulbs from plants such as Dahlias, Gladiolus and Begonias, three of my favorites.  After lifting them and leaving the foliage around the roots intact, the proper storage of them is equally important.

Most bulbs will over-winter well when stored in an airy spot to dry out for 2 to 3 weeks then placed in a cool dark place that will be 45 to 50 degrees using vermiculite or peat moss and be sure to dust them with a fungicide and a insecticide to inhibit any insect or disease growth.

When you lift your begonias, be sure not to cut them back where they come from the root, after removing them allow them to dry and become brittle enough to break off.

After you have labeled and stored your bulbs be sure to have them where rats, mice or other rodents can not get to them.  They love bulbs with the exception of daffodils.

Begin planting your spring bulbs now also, such as daffodils and tulips and band your new trees and shrubs with Tanglefoot to help deter fall canker-worms although the spring ones are the worse.  Take the preliminary steps to safe-guard your roses now too and do the last by late October by cutting them back after the have began to go dormant.

Cut the canes back by 6 to 12 inches and then mound them with fresh soil and cover with a basket, raised cones or wrap and tie them in burlap.

When your garden is completely cleaned out and litter free, all neat and tidy then its time to till and turn the soil at least once to get it loosened.  If your soil is unusually heavy you may want to soften its texture by adding some 4o pounds of gypsum per 1,000 square feet, and then add a really good mixture of compost or peat moss for added benefits.

A good garden clean-up now along with good and proper sanitation will surely guarantee you a healthy garden for next spring.

[tags] Fall Gardening Tips]

Knowing that the N= represents the amount of nitrogen and that nitrogen promotes a good healthy growth of the plants foliage. P= represents the amounts of phosphorus which will aid stimulate and promote good root growth while K= represents the potassium levels for the cell functions and a healthy plant.

Sometime cooler weather will make plants seem dead or dormant when they are not, their roots are only growing and then is a good time to fertilize with a high phosphorus fertilizer to help assure yourself that your plants will have a strong root system next spring.

When there is an early frost in the fall this helps plants to produce higher levels of amino acids which will help them to resist freezing and making them hardier when the winter temperatures drop.  As you start your fall fertilization remember that different plants have different needs such as perennials, your spring bulbs and your roses.

Perennials love a high phosphate fertilizer with  a low nitrogen content and fertilizing with this type will give you an lovely array of blossoms at blooming time.  In September or October plant your spring bulbs such as tulips and daffodils and feed them with a phosphorus fertilizer at the root level to help get them established before the winter sets in.

As I plant I like to add a little compost as food while being sure to plant with the tips up and in a manner that the hole is at least 4 times the height of the bulb.  Now is not a good time to fertilize roses, they should be fertilized before the winter set completely in and cut back after they have gone dormant for the winter.

Fertilizing in the fall only promotes and encourages new growth or simply cut them back and feed them well in the spring when new foliage begins to appear.  After fertilizing with a granular time released fertilizer and raking it good into the ground it is a good idea to apply a layer of mulch, then water well allowing it to soak into the ground.  A good fall fertilization of your garden will definitely pay off when next spring finally arrives.

[tags] Fall Gardening Tips]

Fall is a very under-used season that many people don not take the advantage to enjoy when it comes to gardening.  Many novice gardeners don’t realize what crops can be planted late in the season because of their climate zones and miss taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and consistent rains which provide plenty of moisture to the plants.  By planting as soon as you have cool nights and frequent rains you can start a perennial garden for the next spring.

This will allow the new plants to establish their root system and settle down for the winter avoiding stress to their roots when the growing season starts. Plant your perennials in a well draining part of the garden and put down plenty of mulch to help them get well established.

If you are planting new trees or shrubs do it while the ground is still warm being sure to stake them firmly to help protect if they will be expose to cold winter winds.  Adding a layer of mulch will also help to prevent any weed seed that blow from sprouting up.  Keep in mind that they will need to be watered even during the winter months. Snow does not always provide the root system with enough water to sustain new plants through a winter, so be prepared to water them.

Spring blooming bulbs such as daffodils, early blooming snowdrops, crocus and tulips should also be planted in the fall.  Select which bulbs will be best suited for you then plant in layers as to give you a continuous burst of color during the spring blooming period.

Delicate plants such as roses should be covered if you reside in a colder climate.  Covering them with burlap or strong rose cones will help to protect them from cold harsh winter winds.

Remember to fertilize not only your lawn in the fall but your plants as well.  Fertilizing them in the fall helps them to withstand cold winters because the nutrients help to keep their roots fed and aids when the new growth starts.  So go ahead and extend your gardening season from fall right into next spring and summer.

[tags] Fall Gardening]

If and when you do decide to plant any of these plants try planting them in the same general area giving you a very dramatic effect at blooming time.  This way as one flower fades away and dies another is already up and coming into bloom therefore giving you blossoms and blooms all spring and summer long.

To add even more color, naturalize your flower beds by adding different varieties of the same type of flowers and adding some that will spread keeping your garden growing and glowing all during the season.

As your plants begin to fade away, let them die back naturally, this will  let the regain their energy , plus sometimes when you cut them back to soon they will bloom smaller or less blossoms the next growing season or sometimes they just don’t bloom at all.  As you prepare your garden and choose your bulbs for next spring’s planting, know what you should be looking for when purchasing bulbs.

Always try and choose healthy bulbs for the very best in blossoms.  Avoid bulbs that are soft, moldy, and slimy or have a rotten smell.   Larger bulbs will give you larger blossoms and will also bloom earlier because they draw their energy from the growing plant.  As you plant, plant your bulbs in some sort of pattern, for instance, some of the same, some of the same in a different color or variety and some a different variety altogether.

Use a bulb planter when you plant, this will give you the right depth for your bulbs and add a little bulb food for winter nourishment.  Water well and wait for the spring.  As your new spring garden appears, you will see the advantage of starting your Spring Garden in the fall.

[tags] Fall Gardening Advice]