It’s a really good hobby to pick up in this quarantine period as it helps calm our mind and also keeps us occupied. No matter how big or small your space, you can start growing plants, flowers and other healthy green foliage now and throughout the summer months. The Covid-19 crisis shouldn’t keep you away from your garden. So this lock down is a great opportunity to take even better care of your plants. The government has stated that we are allowed to freely use our gardens during the lock down period, as long as it is your own and there’s no chance of coming into close contact with any members of the public. Gardening can be a great way to de-stress, and with the current uncertainty which we are all going through, an escape to the garden is exactly what we may need.
The benefits of gardening
You may have been putting off the odd job here and there until the bank holiday but seeing as self-isolating means we now have lots of time on our hands, it’s a nice way to spend time in a garden, on your balcony, or even gardening indoors.Plus, there are many benefits to gardening; scientists have found that spending two hours a week in nature is linked to better health and wellbeing. Gardening can be the perfect form of exercise to help release endorphins, primarily the hormone which helps people feels relaxed and content. In addition, being outside in direct sunlight is a fantastic way to help lift your mood for longer periods.
What can you plant now?
This is the perfect time to start a vegetable garden. The number of enquiries asking for tips to start gardening has increased after the lockdown .It may not be possible to source seeds due to the lockdown. But we can still grow many plants with things that we can find in our kitchen .Micro greens are rich in nutrition. Put a handful of mustard, fenugreek, ragi, groundnut or horse gram into the soil and add enough water before adding a thin layer of top soil. It will sprout in the next two days. Once they have their first set of leaves, it is ready to be harvested. Cut them at soil level with a pair of sharp scissors and this can be added to your sandwich, salad or soup.As for flowers, start curating your own little colorful garden.
Hunt through the fridge: lemon-grass stalks placed in a glass of water will grow roots and can be potted up; ginger root may also sprout if potted into houseplant compost and placed in a warm, bright place. Finally, check the fruit bowl for past-it lemons and oranges, citrus seeds will make beautiful houseplants when sown into compost and treated in the same way as the ginger.
Plan To Re-pot Your Plant
Re-potting plants usually involves moving them from one pot to another with new soil. This means that the new pot is larger, giving the plant more room to grow. Also, it goes without saying that the new soil will have more nutrients than the old soil. There are a lot of good reasons to re-pot your plants occasionally, but not more than once every 1-2 years. Check and see that your indoor plant is in a pot that’s big enough for it to thrive. Choosing the right pot for your plants is important, and just be sure to check that it has proper drainage.
TAKING GOOD CARE OF HOUSEPLANTS
You may recall from our 2020 Gardening Trends Blog a few months ago, that we forecasted that houseplants were going to be an increasing trend this year. With so many of us having houseplants around the house and patio areas, now is the perfect time to make sure we take good care of them. After all, we now currently have the time to do so. Make sure that they are regularly watered and receive the levels of sunlight they need. Relocate them around the house to areas where you know they’ll be more prosperous. Seeming as they help to make our homes feel much more homely, it is beneficial that we take good care of them – especially during a time where we have to stay home! If you are looking to add further plants to your home or garden, why not check out our newly added plant range on our online shop which enables you to purchase plants from the comfort of your living room!
TRIMMING & PRUNING
Haven’t started pruning your roses? No need to worry, why not do so now? For those shrubs that have finished their winter blooming, they can also be pruned now. Then there are also other plants and bushes and hedges around the garden that can be done too! Before you know it, your garden is going to start looking mesmerizing again, further encouraging you to want to do other jobs around the garden.
Gardening books and apps
If you’re looking for detailed advice that you can always go back to, we’d recommend Small Garden by garden designer John Brookes, which covers every aspect of cultivating a garden in a small space, with easy to follow descriptive diagrams and plenty of inspiration for things such as working on a grassy lawn, balcony, roof terrace or even just your windows.For the more practical-minded, Build a Better Vegetable Garden by Joyce Russell and Ben Russell is full of guides to turning a vegetable plot into a bountiful source of fresh produce in your back garden, all year round.
By Mehak Chaturvedi
Street Paradise 
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