HOW does your indoor garden grow?
During lockdown, sales of indoor plants rose fivefold, according to some online retailers. But if you’re not naturally green fingered, are you wasting your money?
I spoke to Kate Turner, gardening guru at Miracle-Gro (lovethegarden.com) for tips that will save your plants — and your cash.
DO YOUR RESEARCH: Kate says: “The most important thing is to research the house plant you have. Each type requires different watering, feeding patterns and amounts of daily sunlight.”
DON’T SPLASH OUT: A common problem is overwatering — you shouldn’t water unless the top one inch of soil is dry. If the leaves wilt and turn soft, you’ve overwatered. After watering, drain the plant before putting it back in its pot. Leaving a plant sitting in water is the worst killer.
DO PRUNE TO PERFECTION: Remove dying leaves — if they are brown beyond saving, cut them off at the bottom of the stem. The plant’s energy will be used to feed and grow the healthy leaves.
DON’T FORGET TO SET THE DATE: Pop reminders in your phone so you know when they need watering! From spring onwards, fertilise plants to help them flourish but read the pack instructions on how much you should use.
DO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLANT: Hardy annuals are low maintenance, cheap and bring a burst of colour to your home. Calendula (pot marigold), Eschscholzia (Californian poppy), Godetia Linaria (toadflax), Lobularia (sweet alyssum), Nemophila and Nigella (love-in-a-mist) are great for a window box.
DON’T CROWD THEM: Shop-bought herbs are often overcrowded in their pots, and die. Split up the overcrowded plants and repot into larger containers with fresh compost, and water them regularly.
NEED MORE HELP? Book a free appointment between March 29-April 1 with Kate at Miracle-Gro’s online plant clinic. Head to eventbrite.co.uk and search “plant clinic” now.
- PRICES correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Deal of day
KIDS will love the new McCain Minions potatoes. They are now available at Tesco, yours for £1.79 a bag (454g).
Cheap treat
FOX’S White Chocolate Rounds are down from £1.50 a pack to £1 at Asda. They’re lovely – hide them so you don’t have to share!
SAVE: 50p
