 Thank you to member, Leslie Kimball, for providing this tip of the month!
January is National Houseplant Month – and specifically, January 10th is Houseplant Appreciation Day. For many, January is a month of setting new intentions and goals for growth. What better way to begin a new year than caring for a houseplant (or a dozen!). Indoor plants have many benefits – they’re a natural air purifier, they’re therapeutic, they add aesthetic pleasure, and they improve psychological wellbeing. Consider setting aside a little time (20 minutes to 2 hours) to start caring for a houseplant or reinvest in the houseplants you already own. If you’re a beginner and you are worried about your ability to care for a plant - fret not. You’ve got this! When buying a new plant, consider if your window gets a lot of sun, or mainly shade. For under $20, you can pick up a moisture meter (this one is my favorite ) and an inexpensive houseplant, and you’re all set. The moisture meter will eliminate any doubts about when your new plant is thirsty, and you’ll quickly find a good rhythm of when to water it. If you have a bit more experience with houseplants, you know January means plants require a little less water but need more humidity since the air is so dry. If you don’t have a humidifier for your plants consider giving them one as a new year’s gift. They’ll thank you! Here’s a suggestion for a humidifier but there are lots of options for all price points. January is a great time to care for the plants you have by cleaning their pots, adding fresh soil, and giving all the leaves a good cleaning. You could pick up a pair of leave cleaning gloves to give your plants better airflow. More advanced plant folks could also consider adding some new winter blooming plants to your collection. Here are some stores to consider when looking for new houseplants and/or supporting items:
(Image credit: Vadim Kaipov/Unsplash - https://www.homesandgardens.com/advice/best-winter-house-plants)
For those of you tired of crawling under your Christmas tree to water it throughout the holidays, here's a solution I discovered several years ago: A water funnel. I bought mine at American Plant but they're readily available on the internet and at some hardware stores.
Just push the tube down through the branches so that the bottom of it slides into the water container of your tree stand and the top of it, with the funnel, is accessible at around waist level in the branches. Mine has a strip of velcro to secure it. Then just pour water in from a watering can while standing up. Some of the funnels have attachments that claim to be able to measure the water level in your tree stand, but mine doesn't, so I do have to check with a finger in the water container to make sure it doesn't overflow. But it's still a lot easier than watering your tree while flat on your stomach. One less ordeal during the holidays! Elisabeth Bumiller Thank you to member, Kaki Power, for providing the November tip of the month! 
 Thank you to Sharron Cochran for providing another tip of the month for November! It’s time to disconnect your garden hoses, empty them and store in a garage or basement. Turn off the inside valves for your hose bibs and then open the faucets outside and leave for the winter. In spring, you will do the reverse - first turn off the outside faucets, then open the inside valves. Thank you to member, Ann Swett, for providing our October Tip of the Month.  In the still of a winter day, it is great fun to see a variety of birds flocking to feeders outside the window. A brilliant red cardinal against a snowy backdrop is stunning.
When fall’s berries are gone, it is helpful to those birds that winter over and those that stop by on their migration routes to have readily available sources of good seed. In Maryland, naturalists recommend leaving out hummingbird feeders until early or mid-October, while other feeders can remain up throughout the year. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers a detailed look at types of seed and feeders. The Audubon Society gives a calendar, explaining how to attract birds to your garden throughout the year. Additionally, autumn is an ideal time to plant new native shrubs and trees that can provide useful berries and seeds for birds later in the year. Although it is a messy task, routine cleaning of feeders and birdbaths is necessary to prevent the spread of diseases affecting birds. The Audubon Society provides useful information on the methods for cleaning. Happy bird watching! Image source: https://www.audubonpark.com/blog/wintertime-for-wild-birds  Box tree moth caterpillars damage boxwood plants by chewing boxwood leaves and bark, leading to leaf browning, defoliation, and girdling. If you see chewing damage on boxwood leaves, it may be caused by box tree moth. For all of the details: extension.umd.edu/resource/box-tree-moth/  You may not be the only living thing enjoying your summer garden! Here is a guide to common garden pests in the Mid-Atlantic, categorized by their feeding habits. Source: Homestead Gardens        Thank you to Lisa Oswald for providing this article for July's Tip of the Month
Got weeds? Learn how to identify plants that are weeds, and get tips on why they’re thriving and how to get them under control. www.hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/12-most-common-weeds-pictures Thank you to Margarita Egan for June's Tip of the Month. This is a GREAT video on how to do the Chelsea Chop and Now is the time to do it!
There is also an article from Finer Gardening posted for in June 2023 about doing the Chelsea Chop youtu.be/CDMEo58o92E?si=or0mYU3FeSqxIlGx
In order to attract wildlife to your garden, their basic needs must be met – food, shelter, and water. Water especially stands out as one of the most important elements for a successful garden design for native wildlife. Even more important than providing food, water will attract a wide variety of wildlife including birds and insects.
Bird Baths The easiest way to provide fresh water is to set out a shallow bird bath. Add some irregular shaped stones that birds and bees can perch on to reach the water. Bees will drown in just a few inches of water without any type of resting spot. Think of imitating natural rocks in a stream when you set up a bird bath. Bird baths should be rinsed out every few days to prevent harmful bacteria from developing. Water Fountains/Small Water Features A bubbling boulder or small fountain will provide fresh drinking water for wildlife, and some animals prefer moving water. Make sure you clean it regularly to prevent algae buildup. A quick scrub with a water and vinegar mixture will remove any build up. A moving water feature will attract more wildlife than a still water feature like a birdbath. If you have a small space, consider a wall fountain which recirculates the water into a small basin. These can be found as ready-to-plug-in kits and are easy to install. Container ponds are also a good landscape feature for small yards. Easy to create out of a glazed pot or half of a wine barrel, you can even include fish in them. Worried about mosquitos? Add a non toxic mosquito dunk to the bird bath keep the mosquito larvae at bay. Read more about adding water to your yard and the benefits www.washingtonpost.com/home/2023/05/15/tips-watering-wildlife-birds-insects/ |
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