Healthy Plants
Everyone loves a garden--as long as it is healthy. What are the signs of healthy plants in our home gardens? To understand this, you should look to the signs of disease so you can combat problems early.
Thirsty Plants
This is the easiest problem to spot and easiest to fix. Most plants start to droop and wither when they do not get enough water, but it is especially noticeable on hot days--water also helps keeps roots cool.
Tip: To save money on water, keep it from spraying in the air where it can evaporate. A soaker hose is a great investment.
Unhelpful Wildlife
While insects and other life forms in the soil are often beneficial, some are not. For instance, the common earth worm is crucial to soil and helps create healthy plants in our home gardens. However, other kinds of worms and insects in the soil are often a sign of disease or an infestation of the actual insect. Get a book on this subject if you are not up-to-date on this sort of information.
Tip: To handle infestations in earth-friendly ways you might consider using plants nearby that ward off vermin, and using others that attract bees for pollination.
Hungry Plants
Plants need to eat, too. Although most people know this, they may not know that different plants have different food requirements. Some even have different acidity needs. Again, check out a book at the library and see what the Ph requirements are of the particular plants you want.
Tip: You can get a soil test kit at the hardware store and they will help you find the right things to add to your soil. There is a great deal of organic plant food these days, as well as instructions on making your own. Take care of the earth as you take care of your healthy plants.