What exactly are these bugs doing to my plant? Are they eating up this plant? Are they spreading? Why are the leaves falling off so quickly? Is the plant dying? Are the roots rotting? Lots of questions, right?
Tending to a garden or houseplants is a great hobby. However, there are several environmental factors coupled with inadequate human care that can potentially cause damage to plants leading to death or stunted growth. If you wish to have gorgeous flowers and plants weathering the seasons, then it is crucial that you equip yourself with the right know-how for protecting and conserving your plants. Gardening expert Vinayak Garg lists 8 simple ways to protect your plants and keep them in the pink of health in any kind of weather conditions.
4 General Plant Care Tips for Increasing Your Plant’s Life
1. Cover the plants:
Different plants have different needs as all plants cannot be kept indoors during seasons like the winters. Plants that can’t be brought inside can be protected if they are kept covered over this season. Although they can’t withstand freezing temperatures, old blankets, drop cloths, and tarps are examples of things that can protect plants from frost. During winters, remember that coverings will need to be removed during the day because plants still need exposure to the air and sunlight to maintain themselves. Even during the hot sunny days of summers, it is better to put your plants under indirect sunlight to protect the leaves from burning.
2. Use natural pesticides:
It might come as a surprise to many of us that we have a natural remedy straight out of our kitchens to protect our plants. These are not just natural but also free of harmful chemicals that often pollute our environment. Neem oil, salt spray, onion and garlic spray, and chrysanthemum flowers are inexpensive and organic ways of using natural pesticides to protect our plants against insects. You can check out Lazy Gardener’s natural plant fertilizers.
3. Keep the plants indoor:
Especially during winters, you should try and bring that warm-weather plant inside. When this isn’t an option due to space constraints, plants can be moved inside the garage or some space where they’ll be exposed to temperatures at least 10 degrees warmer than they would be outside.
It is essential to determine where potted plants should be placed based on their light requirements; those that require the maximum light should be placed near east and west-facing windows, while those that do not require as much light should be placed near north and south-facing windows. But be careful not to put your plants too close to the windows as the cold air can affect them if they come into contact with a pane.
4. Adequate watering:
More than often, we water our plants either too much or too little irrespective of the weather. However, watering is an art that can help make our plants withstand scorching heat and even freezing cold. Well-watered soil in summers can help plants maintain their water levels through the soil.
Similarly, it’s a good idea to water your plants thoroughly if you’re expecting a cold night but not a hard freeze. Wet soil retains heat better than dry soil. However, for plants that resist excess watering like succulents, this must be avoided.
The best quality and longevity of our plants, fruits, and vegetables require proper garden maintenance. With very few exceptions, nearly all plants need a few hours of direct sunlight, regular water, pruning, etc. Still, different plant types require varying levels of care and protection in various weather conditions.
Plant Protection Tips for Varying Weather Conditions
-
Protecting from Frost:
Unexpected freezes can destroy landscapes and gardens. They can leave a gardener wondering how to protect plants from freezing and the best method for covering and keeping plants from dying. For doing this, there are several options. In frost, gardeners can install a heat source with a covering frame to keep the plants warm through the nights. It must be ensured that these sources are not put too close to the plants, damaging the plant itself. Gardeners can also cover the plants using old blankets, tarp, etc or keep the soil thoroughly wet to trap heat, unlike the dry soil.
-
Protecting from Winter:
Plants are sensitive beings. Changes in the weather affect how the plants respond to the conditions. It is always better to bring highly sensitive plants intolerant to cold winds inside the house in winters. This will give them comparatively warmer surroundings and protect them against the harsh winter winds during the day or night. Insulating the plant is another option wherein gardeners can provide mulch or hay. This protects the roots by holding heat and moisture.
-
Protecting from heavy rains:
Monsoon is the optimum season to plant. By providing both low temperature and humidity, it gives the roots a chance to flourish. However, during this time of year, we must also take extra care of our plants. There are various things to keep an eye on, from watering to fertilizing. Overwatering during this time may damage the roots. Similarly, stagnant water in the absence of proper drainage holes can also cause root rotting. Heavy rains can often damage newly planted saplings, so they must be kept properly to save them from uprooting.