So You Want to be a Gardener?
Lesson 5: Your plants’ microclimate is its home
A microclimate is the miniature world in which your plants live. It may just be a deck or a windowsill to you, but to your delicate plants, it is much more. Before you begin a garden, you’ll need to consider these factors: the amount of direct sunlight in the area, the average temperature, the humidity levels, the wind factor and the exposure to rain and extreme weather. Many expert gardeners carefully track these conditions throughout the seasons, from year to year, so that they can determine the best plants to grow in a particular microclimate. Bring a list of the conditions of your microclimate with you when you purchase plants and seeds, doing this will make it easier to decide what to buy. Plants and seeds are labeled with detailed descriptions of what they like in a home and how to care for them. Love your plants and they will love you back by spouting bright flowers, aromatic herbs or hearty vegetables.
Lesson 6: Germination is a miracle of life
Believe it or not, plants have some striking similarities to humans. Contained inside a plant seed is a plant embryo, the beginnings of leaves and a root. The outside of the seed is actually a protective coat that houses the embryo as it begins to grow. As the seed begins to absorb water, the cells begin to duplicate. Soon the embryo is too large and the seed coat bursts open to reveal the growing plant. This is germination. Don’t feel bad; we missed this whole speech in junior high, too.
Lesson 7: Plants are not people—you CAN over-water them
While care varies widely from plant to plant, there is one mistake the overanxious novice gardener tends to make no matter what they are growing. Watering your poor plants morning, noon and night could very well drown them. Potted plants need to have drainage so that some of the excess water can escape but even then, it is possible to hydrate your plant to the extreme. The best way to determine if your plants are thirsty is to stick your forefinger into the soil. If it is dry down to your knuckle, water them just until water comes out the drainage holes.
Happy planting!
|
Email this Article
Print this Article
(Rate this article)