Those wishing to grow indoor herbs, a sill sanctuary filled with flowers or a simple resting place for healthy, veggie sustenance can bank on this craft-idea to bring joy to their homes or that of loved ones (should you wish to gift it).
Here's what you need: a drill machine, a store-bought or home-made window box with drainage provided, drainage tray, sand-paper, compost and soil (or mixture bought from a nursery), favorite seasonal flowers, acrylic white and colored paints, overcoat of clear gloss to hold in the colors, a 2 inch paint brush and turpentine.
Method: Rub the sand-paper over the outside of the window box to smoothen out the rough edges; in smooth strokes, apply the base coat of white paint, wait for it to dry fully before applying a second coat.
When completely dry, paint in colored designs you like hearts, leaves, lattice and stripes are some popular choices and wait for the colors to dry before going ahead with the overcoat of clear gloss. Let dry in sunlight overnight.
Fix the painted window box to your chosen spot by the window after machine-drilling holes into it, placing drainage tray and inch-thick layer of pebbles at the bottom, then before covering these with compost and soil mix and sprinkling the plant seeds.
Lavender and Geranium grow well in small areas as do chives, mint and sage.
Whatever plants you choose, take care to water them regularly and treat them with adequate fertilizers (even slow release ones are available, so do find out about these) to keep from withering.
If opting for different varieties of plants, sow the tallest at the back, bushy ones in the middle and trailing kinds towards the front of the window box to give it an aesthetic look that's peachy keen for the outsiders looking in.
(Yeah, you're sure to have plenty of those too with such a great garden idea decorating your home!)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Household Plants And Pests
Household plants are used to add beauty to the indoor environment. The term household plants does not mean that the plants have to be in a home, they cold be used to decorate a hotel, lobby or an office as well. A lot of care needs to be taken of these plants and prevent pests from infecting the plants.
Plants are usually infected with pests when they are put outdoors for sunlight or they may come infected with mites, insects or their eggs.
Many pests are easy to get rid of with non-chemical means, however, if you are having a problem with your household plants being attached by pests you could get an insecticide spray that is quite easy to use and rids the plant of the pests in a couple of days.
It is always better to prevent infection rather than let it happen and then look for a cure. It is always better to inspect plants before you purchase them.
Even after you examine the plants it is possible for you to get a plant with a disease or pest infestation. So when you get a plant to the house or office, keep it isolated for a couple of weeks to observe any infection. This will prevent the pest from infecting the other plants as well.
To prevent pests from infecting your plants it is best to insect them periodically and spray the plants with fresh clean water regularly. Never use a feather duster to clean the plants; this is a sure way of transferring insects to the plant.
Spray your plants at least once every two months.
Plants are usually infected with pests when they are put outdoors for sunlight or they may come infected with mites, insects or their eggs.
Many pests are easy to get rid of with non-chemical means, however, if you are having a problem with your household plants being attached by pests you could get an insecticide spray that is quite easy to use and rids the plant of the pests in a couple of days.
It is always better to prevent infection rather than let it happen and then look for a cure. It is always better to inspect plants before you purchase them.
Even after you examine the plants it is possible for you to get a plant with a disease or pest infestation. So when you get a plant to the house or office, keep it isolated for a couple of weeks to observe any infection. This will prevent the pest from infecting the other plants as well.
To prevent pests from infecting your plants it is best to insect them periodically and spray the plants with fresh clean water regularly. Never use a feather duster to clean the plants; this is a sure way of transferring insects to the plant.
Spray your plants at least once every two months.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A Few Tips For The Indoor Gardener
While all plants are quite apt to prosper indoors, they do need more or less the same conditions to grow as outdoor plants do. These conditions are a good supply of fresh air, proper sunlight, water and nutrients such as plant food commonly known as "fertilizer".
We will include here a few tips that are sure to make your indoor plants grow healthier and add beauty to your surroundings.
Ever notice how plants will face the source of sunlight? This is because the sun is the main source of their nutrition. Plant leaves change water and nutrition from the soil to food through a process called "photosynthesis".
A couple of hours of sunlight is a must for your indoor plants. If you do not have a place where you can have adequate sunlight, and cannot move the plants you should consider purchasing a couple of indoor gardening lights.
Ordinary lights will not do. Indoor gardening lights provide enough of ultraviolet light to nourish the plants.
Provide adequate water to your plants. Your indoor plants need "room temperature" water to survive. Do not over water the plants, most plants die due to a lack of water or a surplus of it than they do of any other reason.
Follow a rule of thumb, like you test a cake you should pierce a knitting needle into a plant container. If the needle goes in with ease the soil is just the right dampness, if not increase the quantity of water a bit.
Fertilizers are also important, once a fortnight add a scoop of indoor plant fertilizer to your plant pot. Used tealeaves are also a very good supply of nutrition to your plant.
Follow these simple tricks and you will see your indoor garden prospering very soon.
We will include here a few tips that are sure to make your indoor plants grow healthier and add beauty to your surroundings.
Ever notice how plants will face the source of sunlight? This is because the sun is the main source of their nutrition. Plant leaves change water and nutrition from the soil to food through a process called "photosynthesis".
A couple of hours of sunlight is a must for your indoor plants. If you do not have a place where you can have adequate sunlight, and cannot move the plants you should consider purchasing a couple of indoor gardening lights.
Ordinary lights will not do. Indoor gardening lights provide enough of ultraviolet light to nourish the plants.
Provide adequate water to your plants. Your indoor plants need "room temperature" water to survive. Do not over water the plants, most plants die due to a lack of water or a surplus of it than they do of any other reason.
Follow a rule of thumb, like you test a cake you should pierce a knitting needle into a plant container. If the needle goes in with ease the soil is just the right dampness, if not increase the quantity of water a bit.
Fertilizers are also important, once a fortnight add a scoop of indoor plant fertilizer to your plant pot. Used tealeaves are also a very good supply of nutrition to your plant.
Follow these simple tricks and you will see your indoor garden prospering very soon.
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