Robin’s Nest Monthly Gardening Tips

Robin’s Nest Floral & Garden Center – 9399 Ocean Gateway (route 50 Westbound between Easton Truck Center & Sharp Energy), Easton, MD 21601 (410) 822-8700 www.robinsnestfloral.com

Ken-Do Attitude Article ~ May 2023

Easy Come, Easy Grow

It’s hard to believe May is already here, and summer is creeping up on us. It’s time to plant
outdoors! And it’s about time to start watering more, and moving around houseplants. We’re
here to help you navigate the heated transition into warmer weather, no matter what type of
plants you enjoy.

In the Garden
Once temperatures really warm up, weeds and invasive plants can quickly multiply, so it’s
important to stay ahead of them as much as you can. The longer weeds are allowed to grow
and spread, the more nutrients they’re taking from your flowers and vegetables.
When readying to plant, I recommend keeping Espoma’s organic Bio-Tone on hand. What’s
Bio-Tone? It’s an awesome fertilizer consisting of vital plant nutrients, bacteria, and fungi
(micorrhizae). It helps immensely in minimizing transplant loss, helping young plants establish
strong root systems, encouraging nutrient intake, and preventing disease. Additionally, it aids in
soil aeration and water retention. Add the Bio-Tone to the bottom of your newly dug holes before
planting. Make sure the roots of your plant are coming in direct contact with the Bio-Tone. Now
your plants are set up for success this gardening season!

Don’t forget, you have the power to make your garden your grocery store. What’s better than
going out to your garden to harvest what you need for your next meal? Consider planting
vegetables and herbs! If you’re worried you don’t have enough space, you can absolutely grow
veggies and herbs in containers. Some vegetables that can be planted right now include lettuce,
tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, and much more.

In addition to veggies and herbs, right now is the prime time to plant summer bulbs. Dahlias,
cannas, calla lilies, and elephant ears are great examples of summer bulbs that can really add
some “wow” to your yard this summer.

If you have any perennial or annual vines, or top heavy varieties of plants such as peonies,
don’t forget to set up trellises or supports to make sure they have something to grow with or
against.

When it comes to pruning, plants that are coming down from their peak season will likely need
it. Pruning prevents plants from wasting energy on producing seed or from sending energy to
parts of the plant that are already on their way out. Pansies, primroses, azaleas, roses, and
spring bulbs can be deadheaded after they’re done blooming. Boxwoods can be thinned out to
promote more air circulation and sunlight to the interior.

Whether you love planting in the garden, keeping houseplants, or both, you should definitely
consider decorating outdoors with some hanging baskets. They add gorgeous pops of color to
any porch or entryway.

If you’re looking for Bio-Tone, other specific tones such as Garden-Tone, or any other Espoma
products, we have a wide selection of them to choose from in our Barn here at Robin’s Nest!
Planting veggies, herbs, outdoor flowers, hanging baskets, and plant supports are all available
in our Barn (while supplies last). And if you’re in need of any new garden tools, you know where
to find them.

In the House

It’s about time to start thinking about moving your houseplants around, and even moving some
outside. As temperatures are warming up, the sun will be stronger and shine longer. Some
houseplants may need to be moved further away from windows to avoid scalding or sunburn.
However, be careful not to place plants in immediate proximity to air conditioners as the cold air
will likely shock your plants – and we definitely don’t want that.

Consider opening windows in the morning or evening – when it’s not quite as hot – to provide
some natural air circulation for them. In nature, the plants would receive air circulation from wind
in their normal environments. It’s important to attempt to recreate those conditions every so
often if you want to see your houseplants thrive.

If you’re thinking about moving some of your plants outside, only do so once temperatures are
averaging at least 60 degrees every night. Again, to avoid scalding or sunburn, consider placing
them in a spot where they can receive bright, indirect light. Most houseplants are tropical
dwellers of rainforests and jungles, meaning they grow under the cover of large trees. So, if you
were to place them in bright, direct sunlight, you run the risk of scalding them. More desert
dwelling plants like succulents are much bigger fans of direct sun.

Heat also means that water will evaporate quicker, so you’ll likely need to water more often than
you have been throughout the winter and spring. Consider getting a moisture meter or gauge so
that it’s easier to understand when your plants need watering. Remember, only water when the
top inch of soil is dry. Try not to wait until your plant is shriveling to water.

An easy way to tell if your plant needs water is by simply picking up the pot! When you learn the
weight difference and feeling of when a pot is dry versus when it’s been watered, it will make it
much easier to know when to water. And do not water with cold water. I know it’s tempting to
feel like your plants might want to cool off, but I promise if you water with ice cold water it will
shock the plants.

Are your plants pushing new growth? You should think about fertilizing them. This will
encourage stronger, more robust growth. We recommend Espoma’s organic Indoor – simply
add ½ cap of indoor plant food liquid per quart of water and water your plants. Thoroughly
drench the soil of the plant. For the best results repeat every 2-4 weeks throughout the growing
season.

Moisture meters and Indoor plant fertilizer can be found in our Barn and Greenhouse.

Don’t forget Robin’s Nest is the perfect place to get a Mother’s Day gift! Whether its plants,
decor, gardening supplies, cards, or flower arrangements – we’ve got you covered. If you’re
unsure of what to get her, Robin’s Nest gift cards are a fantastic option. Happy May, happy
Mother’s Day, and happy gardening!

Listen for Ken’s tips on the air Tuesdays & Thursdays (7:20am on 94.3 WINX-FM & 7:40am on 96.7 WCEI). Ken can be reached at Robin’s Nest at 410-822-8700.