THE BLOG: let's talk gardening

Houseplants make a beautiful addition to any indoor or outdoor space during spring and summer. During warm weather, let your houseplants vacation outside to get a big growth boost and to add color and dimension to your outdoor space.

Here are some tips on transitioning your houseplants outside:

• Place your plants in a shaded outdoor area when the threat of frost has passed (approximately April 15 for the Hampton Roads area). The transition will be easiest when the daytime outdoor temperatures are about the same as the normal temperature inside your house.
• Avoid putting houseplants in direct afternoon sunlight at first. Some plants can take full sun, but after living inside under filtered light they need to be acclimated.
• Potted plants will dry out quicker in the sun and outdoor air. Water plants more frequently, unless they are getting plenty of rain. When it's hot and dry, they may need to be watered every day even if they are in the shade.
• Fertilize the plants in the early part of the summer for more vigorous growth. We recommend McDonald Green Leaf. Be sure to repot plants if they appear root bound or are getting too large for the original containers. Prune as needed.

{ Happy Gardening! Posted by McDonald Garden Center, April 11, 2011 }