Houseplants in January

Since there is very little gardening to be done outdoors in January, it's a great time to focus on houseplants. Consider the five main factors that affect the culture of houseplants: light, temperature, soil, water and humidity. The short days and low light at this time of year make it very important to maximize the effect of available light on houseplants. For plants with large leaves, use a wet, soft cloth to remove dust and dirt that might interfere with light absorption. To clean other plants, spray the leaves with water over a sink. Proper watering and humidity are necessary for vigorous and healthy houseplants. A warm home will cause the soil to dry quickly. Some plants wilt when they are dry; others drop their leaves. Use a water meter or stick your finger in the soil as far as possible. If it feels dry, it needs water. Only water when needed. When in doubt, wait. Excessive watering will cause crown rot. Heated homes are fine for cacti and succulents, but other houseplants will benefit from an occasional misting or being placed on a tray of stones and water to increase humidity. For most of the year, houseplants will need a standard fertilizer for indoor plants, used according to directions on the label. However, during the winter period of short days and very little growth, no fertilizer is needed. To avoid pests, remove faded flowers and leaves as soon as possible. Use only scrupulously clean pots and sterilized soil. Check upper and under foliage for signs of pests or disease. If discovered, treat immediately with a forceful stream of tap water or use horticultural soap according to the label. Isolate new houseplants for at least two weeks to avoid infecting other plants in the home.

There's a new crop of gardening catalogs

There's a new crop of gardening catalogs by Newsday Given that January is National Mailorder Gardening Month, it comes as no big surprise that catalogs have begun trickling in. I'm expecting I'll have a nice collection covering my dining room table by the end of the month. Burpee's new catalog is sporting a beautiful tomato-themed cover, with delicious-looking fruits of yellow, red, orange and white gracing its first page. New Burpee exclusives include the Razzle Dazzle Hybrid Tomato, described as having a silky smooth texture, balanced flavor and shiny, deep raspberry color on tomatoes up to 12 ounces each. Fruit is promised in 75 days. Tangerine Mama Hybrid Tomato (68 days) is being touted as the first yellow paste tomato that keeps its hue when cooked. The Italian Ice Tomato (65 days) are 1 to 1 1/2 inches small, like cream-colored cherry tomatoes. The Boxwood Basil is as ornamental as it is functional, mounding tightly in bushy plants with small leaves that resemble boxwood plants. It's being recommended for use in pesto. In one of my favorite catalogs, The Cook's Garden, I was intrigued by a new colorful butterhead lettuce called Yugoslavian Red. Heads grow a foot across and boast green and red marbled leaves. Bean Parisian promises haricot verts with "a more complex flavor than typical green beans." And if you have the space -- which I don't -- you might want to try Pumpkin Galeux d'Eysines, a tasty pink French heirloom that looks like it's covered in warts or spider webs, or Corn Quickie, a sugar-enhanced corn that matures in 68 days. If you're tired of blowing $5 on a thimble-size glass of wheat grass juice at the health food store, why not try growing your own? The new red winter wheat from Thompson & Morgan resists mold and is being touted for its reliable germination and vigor. At Seeds of Change, which sells only 100 percent certified organic seeds, new introductions include Quinoa Brightest Brilliant, which packs quite a protein punch. The grain plant also is gorgeous to look at, with rich burgundy, orange, yellow, white and pink flower head spikes. And Artichoke Imperial Star has been bred to produce artichokes in the first season, if exposed to three weeks of below-50-degree temperatures.

Dried Flowers

A lot of people are familiar with the pine Christmas wreaths that So many folks like to put on their doors nowadays. Few people realize, however, the variety of different wreaths that you can make. Basically, anything from a plants can be used in a decorative wreath. You don't need to use Pine boughs. You can use vegetables, fruits, fresh flowers, herbs, and spices. Most of these, of course, have their drawbacks. Fresh flower wreaths will wilt and wither, and almost any style will eventually start to fall apart, dropping its of decaying plant matter on your porch in a most untidy display. That is why I am such a big fan of the dried flower wreath. The great thing about dried flower wreaths Is that they will not decay. If the flowers and twigs that you use have been properly dried, they will last for a long time. The whole thing will have a certain delicate, ethereal beauty to it, yet a timeless quality as well. Year after year, your dried flowers will give up the same beautiful, slightly melancholy appearance. That isn't to say that there aren't any disadvantages to a dried flower wreath. First of all, they are very delicate. If you have one on your door, it is likely to shed petals every time the door is forcefully opened or closed. It can be susceptible to changes in weather, and will not do very well in any kind of rain shower. Still, as an indoor wreath it is one of your best choices. Dried flower wreaths are surprisingly easy to make. By pressing flowers in a large book for a few months and gathering Willow branches or something else malleable in the fall, you can prepare to make your dried flower wreath well ahead of time. Preparation is everything. If you have the right supplies, weaving the stems and sticks together is simple. And a few ribbons, some string, and a bow if you wish, and you have your dried flower wreath! Of course, artificial wreaths are also a great solution nowadays. Although it can be very satisfying to Make your own, an artificial one has some advantages. They are realistic enough to be virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, and they are much tougher. They come in a variety of different colors and appearances, so you can get one that incorporates plants that do not grow in your area. This means that you can choose you dried flower wreath based on appearance as opposed to availability.

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Garden Stores

There are many different types of garden stores from the ones that specialize in certain aspects of gardening to the small corner garden store to the large nationwide chains. Whatever you are looking for in terms of gardening there is store to fill your needs. Many garden stores are more of the nursery variety as they sell plants, flowers, trees, and soils. If you are looking to add these things to your garden then this is the place to go. If you do not have the best green thumb and want to plant something in which the process of growth has already begun then this type of garden store is the variety for you. The garden stores of this type also generally sell different kinds of mulch and soils which can enhance any garden. In the larger nationwide chains of garden stores there is not as much live already grown garden additions but they do have everything, and more, when it comes to home gardening such as tools, seeds, pest killer, and plant food. This is a great place for someone who wants to start their project with the planting of flower or vegetable seeds. If you are looking to manicure your garden or for general upkeep these are the types of garden stores that you’ll want to go to. An advantage to the larger stores, besides the large quantity of gardening items, are generally they have some employees which are specialists in gardening and any questions posed to them will probably be answered. Along the lines of the large nationwide garden stores there are also large nationwide home improvement centers which have a garden section in them in which to fill your needs. Many times these stores also have a better selection of tools as well. They will not be a specialized garden store but they will carry gardening equipment. The smaller variety local garden stores do not carry as much merchandise as the larger stores but the workers will generally be more knowledgeable and have more time to cater to your individual gardening needs. A good way to pick out a gardening store that is reputable is go to the source and talk to any gardener. What garden stores do they go to purchase their products? By talking to a professional about where they purchase their supplies you can get a good idea which garden store has a solid reputation as the professionals generally use the best products on the market. Garden stores can come in many varieties you just need to find the one that fits your personal gardening needs whether it is buying a packet of seeds, a hoe, or one-hundred pounds of choice gardening soil.