Monthly Archives: March 2011

Creative Containers

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Tracy

When I started container gardening, I thought that the only thing that constituted a container was a terracotta pot. Then I was given a gift of a large pond liner. For two years, my pond liner sat in my backyard, … Continue reading →

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Willow Bark – A Rooting Hormone for Starting Cuttings

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Tracy

In a previous post, I wrote about starting cuttings. Cuttings are a reliable means of starting plants indoors. When you start a cutting in soil, it may produce roots on its own. But to improve your chances of producing plant … Continue reading →

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A Steampunk Container Garden – The Victorians Practically Invented Potted Plants

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Tracy

I have a fun day job – I am a science fiction writer. When I go to science fiction fan gatherings to promote my books, I see the latest in geek culture. One of the hottest trends right now in … Continue reading →

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Rooting Cuttings – A Good way to Start Hybrid Plants

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Tracy

If I say the word clone you may think of sheep or something out of a science fiction novel. But cloning is the best way to reproduce your grandmother’s Christmas cactus or your cousin’s African Violets. Cloning is simply taking … Continue reading →

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Starting Seeds Indoors

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Tracy

About a month to a month and a half before your last yearly frost date is a good time to start seeds indoors. Seedlings take up to 6 weeks to mature to the point that they can be transplanted outdoors. … Continue reading →

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What is Seed Viability and Why Is It Important?

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Tracy

If you pick up an old package of seeds and plant them, you’ll notice that not all of the seeds sprout. The age of seeds determines their ability to sprout. This is known as seed viability. Not all seeds lose … Continue reading →

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Potting Soil – You Can Mix Your Own!

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Tracy

Walk into any garden center and pick up a bag of generic potting soil. Now pick up a brand that is labeled for use with orchids. Notice how much lighter the orchid soil is compared to the generic soil. Now … Continue reading →

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Get Your Containers Ready For Planting

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Tracy

In a previous article I mentioned that you must make sure that your tools and containers are clean before you put sterile potting soil in them. Tools and plastic containers can be cleaned with soap and water, but when it … Continue reading →

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When Is the Best Time to Plant Garden Containers?

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Tracy

Where I live, the first signs of spring come in the form of warm days in early February. By mid-March my local garden center is stuffed with cold season vegetables and flowers such as pansies and snap dragons. There are … Continue reading →

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Sterilize Potting Soil at home to Kill Microbes In the Soil

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Tracy

My friends in the great snowy north tell me that they still have lots of winter weather. But here in the sunny south, the daffodils are popping up and the witch hazel is in full bloom. Although it is still … Continue reading →

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