Andrea’s Path to Plants

Time to Pot Up, Buttercup!

Your garden-centre finds have been hardened off appropriately and now it’s time to give them their dream summer home.

Here’s how to pot like a pro:

🪴 Pick your dirt: Go for high-quality potting mix, not garden bed soil. Look for a blend with peat, perlite, and compost for drainage & nutrients. I’m a fan of Pro-mix (read the labels) and it’s cheaper at Canadian Tire than it is at the garden centres (no offense to them!).

🪴Before you fill the pot, check and make sure it has drainage holes. Then stick a small pebble/rock over them. Water can still drain out, but you won’t lose as much of your expensive dirt when it does. 😉 This time old trick was provided by my mother-in-law. Thanks Cheryl!

🪴Try not to pull the plant out of its provided plastic container by its stem or leaves – loosen the dirt in the pot by rolling it on its side if you can, or loosening the edges with your spade. Once you’ve got it out, if there’s lots of roots at the bottom and it’s pretty hard-packed, feel free to loosen those roots, too. Don’t be afraid if some of them break. We want to give them a chance to spread out and down, and “breath” a little!

🪴Unless you’re a tomato or potato plant, don’t go higher with the soil level on the stem than originally planted.

If you’re wanting to do some fancy bigger pots:

🌱 Follow the classic Rule of 3: Thriller, Filler, Spiller

Thriller: a tall star (like dracaena, fountain grass or even bright geraniums)

Filler: a mid-height bloomer (petunias or those geraniums)

Spiller: a cascading plant that flows over the pot edge (sweet potato vine, alyssum, calibrachoa, or even ivy)

Have fun with it! There’s no set rules.

Aftercare:

💧Water consistently: daily in hot weather, but always check the soil first.

🌼 Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 1–2 weeks (or slow-release pellets if you’re forgetful. I never did well with the “sticks” myself, tho). I like the Organic Evolve liquid brand – doesn’t smell too great, but it works: just remember to read the instructions and dilute accordingly. Yes, you can over fertilize and kill your little green babies.

🍃 Deadhead blooms = more flowers. I can provide more info on this later.

Happy potting! 🧤🌼

(And yes, it is normal to talk to them and name them while you do it. They love your CO2.)

For more info on dirt for your garden beds
👉🏻 http://bit.ly/4ji8DS6