Checking soil moisture is a hands-on activity
Question: I’ve just created a little sanctuary in a corner of my living room. I enjoy nature and expect this will somewhat compensate for the drab gray skies. Is there a gadget to test wet/dry soil?
You'll find a variety of moisture meters for sale to help monitor soil moisture. I find sticking my finger into the soil works best for me. And you are right, that means dirty fingernails. But once you start recognizing the subtle changes in leaf color and weight of the container when plants need watering, you will need to do less finger poking into the soil.
Do continue to monitor soil moisture throughout the year. As the days lengthen, sunlight intensity and the heat and humidity in our homes changes with the seasons, and so will the frequency needed to water our plants.
Q: Can you recommend the best home remedy for controlling insects on plants?
I prefer to use researched and tested organic products as opposed to home remedies. Some home remedies can be harmful to the plant and our environment when not used for their original purpose. If you opt to use a home remedy, consider testing it on a leaf or two to minimize the risk of damage. Do the same every time you purchase a new container of the product. The product's formula may be adjusted to wash our dishes and clothes better and have a different or detrimental impact on the plants.
Check out Jeff Gillman's books “The Truth About Organic Gardening” and “The Truth about Garden Remedies.” He explores related research and does a bit of his own testing on various home remedies. He finds results that support some but not others. His books are an easy read application of science to gardening practices.
Q: I have a 20-year-old lilac that has not bloomed for years. I pruned it back halfway and fertilized but still no blooms. Do they just stop flowering when they get old?
A: Lilacs can be long lived. They flower best in full sun. Make sure the amount of sunlight the plant receives has not greatly decreased over time. Nearby trees or new structures can increase the shade and decrease flowering.
Make sure to do any needed tip pruning after the plants should have flowered. Heavy pruning can also encourage leaf and stem growth at the expense of flowers. Delay any additional pruning, if possible, for a year or two. Try renewal pruning if you need to reduce the size and encourage new growth at the base of the plant. Remove a few older, stouter stems to ground level during the dormant season. Repeat for several years and you will have a shorter plant with leaves from the ground up. The increase in airflow and sunlight reaching the center of the plant will also help increase the chance of flowering.
Email questions to melindamyers. com, or write P.O. Box 798, Mukwonago, WI 53149