Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Tips For Successful Gardens Using Starter Plugs For Plants

By Richard Allen


People who enjoy flowers, and garden fresh fruits and vegetables, often think they don't have the skills necessary to start and maintain a nice garden. Inexperienced gardeners may not know how to cultivate a plant from a seed, and buying established ones can get expensive. There is an alternative to these two scenarios however. You might consider purchasing starter plugs for plants instead. These are tiny, but have already sprouted and have an established root system.

Since they have germinated, you will not need to leave them in a darkened place, covered with plastic wrap to keep moisture in, the way you would have to do with seeds. You can simply dig a hole, and set them in. Most do not do well in cold temperatures, so you should make sure any danger of frost is past before planting.

If you are decorating a patio, window sill, or balcony with containers, the plantings you put in them need to be turned regularly to ensure even sunlight exposure. Without turning, stems tend to overreach to try to get sunlight and end up long, reedy, and unhealthy.

Most plantings need food, and little ones are no exception. You will find plenty of options for plant food at your local nursery or home improvement store. They will have liquid, pellets, sticks, and other varieties for you to choose from. Many gardeners prefer the time release pellets that release food periodically over a three or six month time span.

When you are planting more than one plug in a given space, you need to make sure you give each one plenty of room to grow. Putting them close together may look better when they are little, but once they start getting bigger, your garden will be crowded and the plantings won't have the space they need to fully develop. You can always uproot a plant that is too close to another one, but you need to be very careful doing it.

Rather than planting your baby sprouts in direct sunlight, you should consider putting them in a shady area of your yard or patio. You can gradually increase their exposure to sunlight and heat so they don't burn or wilt. They will need plenty of water once you have them in a permanent location. Depending on the part of the country you live in, the summer sun can quickly kill vegetation.

If this is your first real experience with gardening, you shouldn't expect every plant to make it. Some will not thrive and will have to be replaced. Some gardening experts suggest keeping records of what you planted, where you planted it, and what you fed it. That way next year you will have a record of what worked and what didn't.

Gardening can be very enjoyable, and it's always fun to watch flowers grow and bloom. You don't have to be a master gardener or an expert in order to have a beautiful green space of your own.




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