Here at Glover Nursery we’ve noticed that the number of new gardeners we’re helping keeps going up and up every year. And we love to help new gardeners fall in love with this growing pastime. Here’s five tips for you to be your plants Valentine!
Gardening is an incredible hobby. Not only does it bring you joy, it can help keep you in good health. There’s extraordinary benefits that you gain both body and soul when you garden. We know how good gardening is for each and every human and that’s why we want to make sure that new gardeners know how to give that good ole TLC right back to the plants in your life.
Below are 5 tips to show you how to be your plants Valentine and keep them strong and thriving throughout the year. It may take time, patience, and some trial-and-error but you can save the day and be your plants’ Valentine by following these steps:
1. Check for Signs of Over or Under
Watering Your Plants
The number one issue we see with new gardeners is a lack of understanding around under/over watering. Plants need water. But did you know that not only too little but too much water can be a problem?
Our new “hire”, Elizabeth, has two great tips about how to water your indoor houseplants. You can head over to our Instagram account to hear her great advice.
Now on to our top 5 ways you can be your plants’ Valentine 😍
Underwatering
This is the number one reason we see plants returned here at the nursery. To be a gardener in Utah is to understand that we live in a desert. Very few plants can survive here without regular watering. There are a few times a year where we can rely on rain/snow but for the most part your plants will need watering assistance from you throughout the year. Even in the winter!
Signs that you may be underwatering: your plant is wilting or drying out or you may even notice burn spots on the leaves. If you notice this it’s a sign that your plant needs to be watered more regularly. Start with a good long soak then up your regular watering schedule until you see the plant return to its regular perky, happy, healthy green.
Overwatering
If you have been overwatering, the soil will be moist and the leaves will be yellowish. Overwatering can cause the roots to rot. To fix this, stop watering ASAP, and if you can, move the plant out of direct sunlight until the soil that dries. To avoid this mistake, look up your plant to figure out what its exact watering preferences are. You can also snap a photo and send it to the experts here at Glover Nursery. We’re happy to help you diagnose your plant’s issues and get it back to health. You can submit an inquiry via our website plant diagnosis form here.
2. Remove Dead Leaves/Branches
In order to let the plant focus on new growth, you must remove dead leaves and branches. This is also called pruning. You can use a pair of scissors or shears to cut away brown leaves and dead branches. Every plant has its perfect season for pruning. A quick internet search will reveal your plant’s best time for a little hair cut. It may feel like you’re harming the plant, but you’re helping it so much in the long run!
3. Consider the Lighting
One of the big ways to be your plants Valentine is to set it up for success with the sun. Different plants need different amounts of light – some plants prefer hours of exposure to direct sunlight, others thrive in the shade. Make sure you know which your plant prefers and plant it/place it in your home accordingly. If a plant is getting too much or not enough sunlight, it could contribute to its decline. Just adjusting it’s sun exposure can make all the difference!
4. Feed Your Plants Additional Nutrients
Maybe your plant is malnourished and not getting all of the nutrients it needs.You can remedy this using fertilizer or compost. Signs of a malnourished plant include weak stems and discolored leaves. Glover Nursery recommends: REGAN RECOMMENDATION to help revive your plant.
5. When all else fails…Look for Signs of Life
Check your plant for any hint of green – even if your plant is completely brown, it may still be alive! If you can’t find any sign of life in the leaves or stems, see if you can check the roots. The roots are the plant’s support system and can provide plenty of insight into the health of your plant. If the roots are plumb and tan or white, they are likely getting enough water and nutrients to keep the plant going. If the roots are healthy, you are back in business. Your next step is figuring out what is going wrong. You can submit a photo to the experts here at Glover Nursery and we’ll help you diagnose your plant and get it back on the road to health.
The best way to bring your plant back to life and be your plants Valentine is to go through these steps slowly. Too many changes at once could overwhelm your plant. Once you’ve figured out the problem, stick with those habits to ensure your plant lives a long happy life. If you have any questions or need help figuring out how to care for your plant, you can ask our plant diagnosis team.
