Plant care guides

The basics

Five habits that matter for almost every plant.

Watering

• Check the soil before you water. Push a finger about an inch into the soil and water when it feels dry.
• Water deeply and less often rather than a little every day. This helps roots grow down.
• Water early morning or evening, and make sure pots and beds drain well. Standing water can rot roots.
• Newly planted plants need more regular watering until they establish.

Sunlight

• Check each plant's light need: full sun, partial shade or shade.
• Most flowering and fruiting plants do best with several hours of direct sun.
• Indoor plants usually prefer bright, indirect light. Keep them away from harsh afternoon sun through glass.
• If leaves turn pale and stretched, the plant may need more light. If they look scorched, it may be getting too much.

Soil and pots

• Use loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure.
• Pick pots with drainage holes and a size that suits the plant. Too large a pot can hold too much water.
• Refresh the top layer of soil in pots from time to time and repot when roots fill the container.

Planting a new plant

• Dig a hole wider than the root ball and about as deep.
• Remove the plant from its bag or pot gently and keep the root ball intact.
• Place it at the same level it was growing, fill with soil and press lightly.
• Water well right after planting. Give new plants some shade for the first few days if the weather is hot.

Feeding

• Compost or well-rotted manure suits most garden plants.
• If you use fertilizer, follow the pack instructions. More is not better and can burn roots.
• Feed during the active growing season rather than in extreme heat or cold.

Through the seasons

General guidance for the plains of North India. Needs vary by plant.

Summer

• Water more often and check pots daily in hot weather.
• Mulch around plants to keep the soil cooler and hold moisture.
• Shade young and tender plants from the harshest afternoon sun.

Monsoon

• Make sure beds and pots drain so roots do not sit in water.
• Watch for fungal spots and pests, which are more common in humid weather.
• This is a good time to plant many trees and shrubs, as the soil stays moist.

Winter

• Water less often as growth slows.
• Protect frost-tender plants with a cover or move pots to a sheltered spot.
• Prune dead growth and prepare for spring.

Common problems

• Yellow leaves often point to overwatering, poor drainage or low nutrients.
• Brown, crisp leaf tips can mean dry air, underwatering or too much sun.
• Check leaf undersides regularly for pests. Remove affected leaves and treat early.

These are general tips. The right care depends on the plant, the place and the weather. For a specific plant, call us and ask.