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How soon can I take houseplants outdoors? When should I bring them in?
Houseplants are, typically, tropical plants we keep out of the cold in our homes. In the Maine, hardiness zones 4b to 5b, Memorial Day weekend can be a general date to target. At the end of the season, think about it at Labor Day and play it by the weather changes.
Fertilizers provide nutrients necessary for plant health and growth, such as nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
Nitrogen is needed for healthy green growth and regulation of other nutrients.
Phosphorus helps proper roots and seeds develop and resist disease.
Potassium is also important in root development and disease resistance.
Happy Memorial Day!
- To raise your soils pH apply a lime such as Dolomitic Lime or NutraLime.
- To lower your soils pH apply a sulfur additive such as Garden Sulfur or Aluminum Sulfate.
The pH scale runs from 0 to 14 with 0 begin very acidic and 14 begin very alkaline. The optimum or “neutral” pH range is between 6.5 and 7.0.
A key thing to remember is that the pH scale is logarithmic scale where a soil with a pH of 5 is 10 times more acidic than one with a pH of 6 and a 100 times more acidic than one with a pH of 7.
Some Watering Dos and Don’t
- Don't water at night - water can sit on the lawn and may cause disease.
- Don't water at midday - you'll lose the most water to evaporation at this time.
- Do water early in the morning - evaporation is minimized and the lawn utilizes the most water.
Plant Lots of Garlic: Garlic is an effective and natural bug repellent. Plant lots of it in your garden in among other vegetables to protect them from pests.
You could also make your own garlic spray by boiling a pint of water, throw in roughly chopped garlic cloves and steep until the water cools. Remove garlic bits then spray on plants frequently.
How soon can I take houseplants outdoors? When should I bring them in?
