Submitted by Joan Regan
Winter is on her way and I’m getting ready for her. I have all the planters around the house emptied of summer and they are filled with greenery from the tree trimmings in the yard – mostly Cedar with a bit of Balsam and a tiny bit of Pine. All the Xmas bling to follow. I got caught up a few times with waiting till December to add the Bling so might just start earlier before the soil freezes in the planters.
My confused Xmas/Fall Cactus are all blooming, a gorgeous bright pink one from a friend and two came from Peacocks three years ago. One has a split personality – half a pretty pink and the other an almost scarlet red. All three are thriving now and fully recuperated after their spring pot changes. Boy did they ever get pouty for a while. I gave them a shot of Miracle Grow Fertiliser that I had for my annual pots and I guess it was all they needed, they immediately took off running and are beautiful.
The rest of my pouty house plants are happy now that Mom has decided to give them some TLC, some M G has cheered them up as well and my Peace Lily has even decided to throw out a flower (another happy house plant from our local grocery store Peacocks).
I am the not so proud owner of a real house plant that is so ugly that I even forget what it is. So today is the day for tough love. She/he? is going in a smaller pot with new soil and getting moved to another location. It has till the New Year to smarten up or into the Compost bin it goes. Yup, tough Momma over here.
Speaking of house plant soil, I have a bin in the house of house plant soil and all my soil is kept in it – used or new – makes no difference. I give it all a good check to make sure there are no critters lurking in it and into the bin it goes. I’ve had a few hitch hikers show up from the soil over the years from doing this but they were left right were they were. “Bloom where you are planted eh?” This soil is stirred up when I use it and I have no issues with it.
My indoor garden is looking so happy now that Mom is back with the TLC. It’s getting to be the time when the Xmas CDs come out and Christmas comes to the Bury Road Garden, inside and out.
HAPPY WINTER GARDENING,
Joni
Hints and or questions? Email jpregan@amtelecom.net or phone 519 596 2389
