Plants – City Insight Magazine https://thecityinsightmag.com Insight into the industries that make up city living Thu, 11 Jul 2024 14:01:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://thecityinsightmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/mainfinallogo_larger-100x100.png Plants – City Insight Magazine https://thecityinsightmag.com 32 32 Summer plants that will Jump-Start your Garden https://thecityinsightmag.com/summer-plants-that-will-jump-start-your-garden/ Fri, 12 Jul 2024 13:30:00 +0000 https://thecityinsightmag.com/?p=19022 The summer season brings new plants to help jump-start your garden and make it the best blooming paradise it can be.

Dahlias– These beautiful flowers can be planted during the summer and love lots of sun. They are easy to care for in warm weather and give your garden a pop of color. They take up to 12-16 weeks of planting and will stay until the first frost.

Helenium– This plant otherwise known as sneezeweed is a perennial that lives for more than two years. With special preparations, they are used for colds, headaches, and treatment for intestinal worms. These flowers are useful and will grow in your garden for a long time.

Love In a Mist – This plant is a good pollinator for bees and is good for treating high temperatures, menstruation, and catarrhal infections. The plant is an annual flower that can reseed itself and bloom in many other seasons besides summer.

Cornflowers – A common wildflower that helps attract pollinators, deter pests, and brighten up the area with color. They are good companions for other flowers and plants, and is an herb that can treat fever, constipation, water retention, and chest congestion. Cornflowers are easy to go and are a good first-time plant for beginner gardeners.

Sunflowers – Sunflowers are stable for the summer, and many know of their uses without being knowledgeable in gardening. The seeds are great to eat, and you can also make oil from the seeds as well. Sunflowers also have uses in the medicinal field for colds and coughs. They are easy to grow and are drought-tolerant, providing a lot of sunshine just like its namesake.

Catmint – The Catmint plant is an easy plant to start with and has beautiful purple flowers and can spread quickly. It has a long season of bloom, so the plant will be around for a long time without needing too much care. If you have cats, this plant gives them a nice high and is enjoyed by many felines while also keeping away insects and other animals.

Thyme – This herb is rich in vitamins A and C and is used in many dishes for cooking and is easy to grow. Growing your herbs helps you save a little from buying them in the stores, not to mention fresh produce is always welcomed in any meal. Thyme also has medicinal uses and is good for skincare and fighting acne.

Oregano – Another good herb for cooking, oregano also has many health benefits that need a list of their own. Having this plant around will help you come up with many uses for it. It is easy to grow and is tolerant of droughts; it’s a tough plant that grows fast, so be sure to provide it with the right care.

Mint – Mint is a popular herb known for its refreshing taste and uses in cooking and teas. It’s a fast grower and can help with your mental health along with boosting your immune system. It has many benefits and can be a useful plant to have for your household. Mint is a perennial plant that comes back during the summer. Be careful because it grows fast, and it’s best to make sure it is planted by companion plants, but other than that, it is easy to grow.

It is always important to do your research before undertaking a garden. These plants are all different and have different needs and soil. There are many resources to use when finding out how to care for specific plants, and there are always newcomers joining in to get their green thumbs. With the weather getting warm, now is the best time to get your hands dirty and plant something new.

]]> Signs It’s Time to Repot or Trim https://thecityinsightmag.com/signs-its-time-to-repot-or-trim/ Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000 https://thecityinsightmag.com/?p=17941 Each of your household plants grow at their own speed. Snake plants grow slow and steady, while your ivy may need to be repotted each spring. Learning the language of your household plants includes understanding when to repot. So, welcome to springtime and take note of your plant’s language; it may be time to upgrade their space. 

Five Signs it’s Time to Repot:

  1. Root-bound
  2. Roots coming out of the bottom or top
  3. Yellow leaves
  4. Loss of leaves
  5. Stagnation of growth

The growth of your household plants continues based on the nutrients available, and repotting your plant gives your green some new and fitting nutrients. In varying times your plant will outgrow their containers, so depending on the plant, you may need to repot each spring or every 2 to 5 years. The plant’s roots are likely to be the first to indicate a need for more nutrients. This could be shown in roots extending past the bottom of the pot, or the roots may take the shape of your container, making the plant “root-bound”.

A root-bound plant is identified by the roots encircling the top or bottom of your pot, showing the roots need more room to grow. Additionally, the plant could be asking for a larger living space, if its roots are coming out of the bottom of the pot. The best way to check, each spring get your hands a little dirty and gently investigate the interior of your pot. 

The roots aren’t the only source the plant may use to show its needs. The leaves of a plant turning yellow can indicate overwatering or a lack of nutrients, or maybe both. If the leaves of your plant are dying off frequently, or the plant isn’t growing any new leaves (or stems dependent on the plant) the plant could be craving more nutrients. The leaves or flowers can’t grow if the plant is overcrowding its living space. The combination of yellowing, or loss of leaves and over-grown roots are strong indicators it’s time to move. 

What’s Next?

  1. Repot and Re-soil
  2. Trim and Refresh

There are two options this spring if your plant has outgrown its space. First, you can repot and continue the growth of your household plant, verifying with a safe source the type of soil or fertilizer your plant needs moving forward. In contrast, if you’re happy with the size, there is still work to be done so plants can live in your ideal sized pot. Learning the language of your household plants includes understanding when to repot. If the goal is to grow, change its size. If you want to maintain, trim and refresh. The best time to repot is Spring, so before the season is over make sure you’re doing what’s best for your potted plants.

Fast Facts in Repotting

  1. Your Ivy plants need to be repotted every 1 to 3 years
  2. The household snake plants need to be repotted every 3 to 10 years
  3. Succulents need a repot every two years
  4. Spring is the best time to repot (or trim)
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