I resolve to plant all the plants I get from the nursery as soon as I get them home, before their heads start drooping in their cell packs. These plants are already in less than optimal conditions, given that their roots are restricted in the cell pack. Letting them go dry on top of this will stress the plants and make them much more susceptible to disease and insects.
What will help me keep this resolution is to be prepared – before I go and buy the plants at the nursery. That means choosing the containers I’m going to plant in, having enough potting soil and making sure I have the time to plant, once I get the plants home.
I resolve to clean my clippers and trowel after each day in the garden so I don’t spread any diseases. A mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) will disinfect any tools and leave them ready for next time.
I resolve to learn how to collect and save seeds. These websites look like a good place to start my education: Seed Saving 101, Seedsaving and Seedsavers’ Resources and Victory Seeds.
I resolve to water my plants more faithfully. I have all the best intentions, but because I choose to water my 80+ containers by hand, it takes me over an hour – and that’s without any pinching along the way! Insufficient water tends to produce smaller plants, slower growth and weaker root systems. And frequently, these situations are misdiagnosed as pest problems, resulting in the temptation to use pesticides or excessive amounts of fertilizer.
Climate, type of plant, amount of sun and wind and type of container all impact how frequently you should water. But the best way to really determine if your plant is in need of water is to stick your finger in the pot – if it’s dry or just moderately damp at the end of your finger, you should water. Mulch is also a great ally in preventing plants from drying out. I use organic almond hulls, about 1-1 ½ inches deep, on all my containers.
