As Karen as this sounds, gardening has been proven to elevate your mood and disburden your mind. I could go on and on about how therapeutic the process can be but you’ll only truly understand when you stick your hands in the coolness of the soil, amidst the gentleness of petals, along the bristles of all that green.
Poetic, I know. But when one speaks of gardening, one cannot help but dip into its romantics; the process is unapologetically scintillating and so arousing. Arousing, not in the titillating way you’re thinking but in a very magical, purposeful way. Our ancestors figured out so many things the longer they spent with nature and I truly believe that this, if nothing else, is magic.
Okay, I feel like you’re on board (yay)! Just because I used the word magical so unabashedly doesn’t mean that plants are god-like and will survive your lack of skill; to kill a plant is almost as easy as building a PB&J. But I owe it to you to let you in on the magical secrets after having enticed you so; tread intentionally (and happily, always):
- Soil.
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This one’s simple: plants basically manoeuvre the expanse of the planet by way of their roots. Don’t be fooled by how little horizontal space they occupy because they usually have expanding root systems that seem to pay no heed to lack of invitation. So, make sure the soil they’re in is well-drained and not too rigid so as to prevent rooting
- Water
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Again, simple: all you need to do is stick your finger in the pot. If the soil seems wet and gloopy, your plant doesn’t need water. If it’s dry, go crazy (not too crazy though). The old habit of daily watering is unfounded and honestly such a waste of time.
- Sunlight
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Let your plant talk to you. If they aren’t getting enough light, they begin to lose their overall zeal and you’ll notice this happening. This is an assumption that I’m making, yes, but if you don’t fall in the category of people who routinely look at their plants, consider this to be your call to action.
- Fertilize
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Keep it classy: don’t overdo it. If you wish to compost, even better! Your garden and kitchen will provide you with all that you need.
- Speak
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Your plants, like you, love a good old pamper. Try one or two hello’s, warm up to a “sweetheart”, maybe even an “I love you”, but no pressure. Talking to plants is, and I cannot stress enough, underrated but critical. Your plants can hear you, see you, even remember you. Use this to your advantage and get your plants to love you the most :)