It’s time to think about getting back to the land—namely, the plants around your home. Plants grant a fresh, natural beauty to your home while providing plenty of fresh air. But while they seem independent, they need your help to look good and thrive. Give your indoor and outdoor plants a makeover! Here are tips for keeping your plants and garden clean and healthy.
Spring Cleaning! But Wait...
If you garden, you probably get the hankering to pull weeds, trim plants, and turn over the soil on the first pleasant day. Resist the urge. Hundreds of species of insects—including bees, caterpillars, ladybugs, and others—are hibernating in your garden’s soil and plants. Let the temperatures linger around the 50-degree mark for a week before you start digging and cutting. Give all those wonderful pollinators and pest-eating bugs a chance to wake up! When you start cutting, consider leaving the trimmings off to the side for a few days before disposal, just in case any are still napping. Hold off on mulching until the ground dries up a bit so as not to trap any bugs that can help your garden grow.
Clear the Way!
When it’s time to clean up, make sure you remove any leaves that have fallen into your garden. You should remove dry leaves in fall, of course, because they can collect, get damp, and permit the development of harmful plant diseases that can hurt new growth in the spring. Likewise, remove any winter mulch you laid down in the fall. Look at shrubs, bushes, and similar plants and inspect them for damage. Clip off the damaged parts to prevent insect infestation or disease. Pull all the dead annual plants, and trim away the dead parts of your perennials. Slip on your gloves, pull the weeds that are starting to pop up, and trim the edges of your garden against encroaching grass. It’s a tough job, but it all pays off at harvest time—plus the wet, post-melt soil makes it all easier to do.
Another way to prevent insect and pest manifestation from running over your plants is by using nets as protection or fence. This will also discourage birds from roosting too close and feeding on your plants or creating nests.
Indoor Plants
When keeping your plants and garden clean and healthy, don’t forget the ones inside. If you maintain an indoor garden through hydroponics, you already ensure your system is clean and runs efficiently, protecting your crops from disease and more (and if you don’t, you really should). However, it’s easy to overlook potted plants. After all, they’re like furniture—they’re beautiful but blend into the background. Even so, they need more than the occasional watering. Gently dust them with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush, and wipe down larger leaves with a wet cloth. Handle them with care, and don’t use cleaners that can prevent the plants from breathing. Trim dead leaves and stems, and clear the pot of any dead matter that can attract insects and promote mold or mildew growth.
