Photo of some of Jessica Timm’s houseplant collection
By Jessica Timm
TNCPNEWS
As soon as the days start to show any signs of spring, with longer days and warmer temperatures, I start thinking about how soon I can get my houseplants back outside. I make mental lists about how I should arrange my outside area and which plants need a new pot. Also, research or consider what DIY fertilizers you can use to help your plants out of their winter slump and quickly turn your backyard into a garden oasis.
Anytime there are roughly 3 days in a row of brilliant warm weather, I cannot stop thinking about bringing my houseplants out into the yard. Periodically, I will set up a table in a shaded area to bring a few plants out for a couple of hours a day. It isn’t a good idea to bring your plants out until the evening temperatures are 50 degrees or higher each night. This will prevent cold damage to your leafy loved ones.
Secondly, the reason I move them to a shaded area is so they do not get sunburned from their initial trips outdoors. If your plants become sunburned, there’s not much you can do. When temperatures do reach the range of leaving them outdoors all the time, I start mine out in an area under a shade cloth. This allows both cover from direct sunlight while allowing filtered light to reach their leaves. As they acclimate to their new environment, I push them outwards to gather more light if needed. It creates sort of a secret garden alcove in my yard to sit and enjoy my coffee or watch the kids play.
When plants spend the winter indoors, provide extra light for them during the cold months. Hold off on re-potting and fertilizing until the spring. A good rule to think of when re-potting your house plants is going up one pot size, which is generally 2 inches. Some plants like Sansevieria, commonly called snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, for example, tend to be root-bound so they may not even need re-potting as often as you might think. Separate the plants that need a new pot and take a photo. When you are out shopping and the display of this year’s cute pots catches your eye, you can shop accordingly.
When you are in the kitchen, save banana peels, coffee grounds, and egg shells to create DIY fertilizers. Simply put a banana peel in a gallon of water for a few days and water. You can also use wood ash from a fire pit. When spring re-potting make a soil mix that contains washed and finely ground eggs shells, coffee grounds, and a bit of the ash to help feed your plants. Reducing your kitchen waste and benefiting your plants all at the same time is satisfying.
As the days and nights become warmer, consider taking your houseplants out to enjoy the weather as much as you do, even if it’s something new for you. With some thoughtful placement and care, they will thrive and surely make you feel like a garden master!
Jessica Timm is an avid indoor/outdoor gardener and knows plenty about Michigan plants and Hardiness Zone 5. She is also the administrator of a private Lansing Plant group on Facebook which has over 1k local members. To contact her about this article or ask a question, email info@tncpnews.com.
