Neighbours talking over the garden gate has long been a tradition. They share gardening tips, complain about the weather and pests yet are ever eager to discuss their gardens. That is what I had in mind when creating this blog. So stop by my garden gate to find out the latest happenings in my garden.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
"All my life through, the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child." ~ Madame Marie Curie"

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Bringing in Potted Plants

When frost threatens the garden, bringing in potted plants and tender plants is an ideal way to keep plants for the next spring.  There are a couple of problems with bring in plants with the main one introducing insects indoors.  I kid you not, I brought in an asparagus fern that hid a spider almost the size of a quarter!  Other common insects in potted plants are ants, earwings and pill bugs.  Outdoor potted plants can also introduce plant diseases that may spread throughout other houseplants.  There are a few ways to avoid these problems.

  • tap the pot several times before and after moving which will knock off some insects especially earwings and pill bugs
  • brush the pot well to make sure there are no spider nests
  • check the plant itself for any spiders, caterpillars or other insects
  • spray plants with Safer's soap or a homemade soap solution
  • isolate plants from other house plants to ensure insects and/or disease do not spread

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Posted by Garden Gnome at 2:28 PM
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