By: Skyler Johnson
There are many reasons to garden, but sometimes it can be so hard to keep your plants alive. They’ll often die before you can enjoy your harvest. Dr. Hauschka, a skincare brand, recently did a livestream with gardener Lilian Jackman, founder and owner of Wilder Hill Gardens, in Conway, Massachusetts. She gave the following advice:
Don’t Overwater
One of the easiest ways to kill plants is to overwater them. People tend to think that their herbs and vegetables need as much water as they can get but that’s not true. Plants, like other creatures, have a limit to how much water they need. Jackman recommended only watering when the ground is dry. That way, you know they’re getting the perfect amount of water they need without getting too much.
Bring Plants Inside for the Winter
It’s important to bring some plants inside for winter, as they will be able to stay alive in the proper conditions. She encourages people to keep plants in pots for easy transport during the winter. She also recommended getting full-spectrum UV bulbs, as they will help to give plants the light they need, and will also be visually appealing. As far as what plants should go inside, you have to know which environment they came from. She uses the example of rosemary: a Mediterranean plant. Because rosemary is Mediterranean, you should store it in an environment most similar to that environment – which for her, in Massachusetts, meant indoors.
Think Like a Plant
Plants will communicate a lot with you, if you can understand them. If you’re giving plants too much water, they will droop. Observing the “behavior” of your plants can go a long way in determining how successful your garden will be.
Add Diversity
Jackman recommends using three to four plants per pot – each of different sizes, styles, and characteristics. Different plants require different nutrients, and with more plant variety, more nutrients will be utilized. Also, variety makes your pot or planter more visually stimulating.
Enjoy the Fruit of your Labor
One thing Jackman really stressed was utilizing the plants in your diet. If you have vegetables, pick and enjoy them. If you have herbs, use them in your food. It’s important to appreciate every aspect of the gardening process, especially the end results.
