Kids' Container Gardening: Year-Round Projects for Inside and Out

Kids' Container Gardening: Year-Round Projects for Inside and Out — page 7
whatplants need Find out about the plants you choose Find out what they like Then see to it that these needs are filled You wouldn’t send your little sister out into the cold without a coat or forget to feed the dog would you Plants tell you what they want in quiet ways They wilt or turn colors or the leaves curl up or shrivel You have to watch carefully If you do your plants will tell you how they feel Also if you’re planting two or more plants together make sure they like the same things A shade plant that needs a lot of water and one that needs dry soil and sun will never do well in the same container Get to know the plants you choose and plant them with their friends those who like the same conditions Roots need water and food just like people Some need more some need less Some can stand in water others need almost totally dry soil with an occasional dunk Plants will tell you if they are get ting enough not enough or too much water if you pay attention to them Pay attention Your plants depend on you They can’t run away The signs of too much and not enough water can look the same if you only look at the leaves If the leaves wilt or curl up check the soil Feel the soil every day or two Is it wet Is it dry Does the soil smell rotten If you need help finding out what is wrong ask a per son who works at a garden center You also have to be very careful when handling your plants Never hold a plant by the stem leaves or flowers Always hold it by the roots or by the pot A plant can be removed from the pot by tipping it on its side or slightly upside down and then knocking gently or pushing from the bottom and freeing it Then hold it by the roots when planting 2