Chris Olsen from Botanica Gardens always has great advice on home and gardening projects.
First Segment: Winterizing Your House Plants
It seems just like yesterday that we all plant our outdoor containers with tropical plants such as ficus, bromelaids, certain palms, crotons, etc. With the cooler nights here, it is time to start thinking about winterizing your tropicals and getting them ready to make their move indoors. Before you bring in your special plants make sure to spray the entire plant with an all-purpose insecticide such as Triple Action Plus from Fertiliome. Then go ahead and apply a grandular systemic insecticide as well just in case a few insects survive the drenching from your liquid application. Let dry and then give a light pruning before you bring indoors. Make sure to give plenty of sunshine or indirect light but not to much. Always fertilize with a liquid fertilizer according to the directions on the label. You may have to spray one more time during the winter if you notice insects. Bring outside on a warmer day in the shade and then spray. Let dry and bring right in before the cold night set in.
Second Segment: Autumn Facelift for THV Weather Garden
Add color to your patio or porch as we did with the Garden Shack. Spend some money and buy lots of assorted pumpkins and gourds. Then just display them along with old Terra Cotta pots, a watering can or two, and other fall items. Don't forget to also fluff up your containers. Pumpkins and gourds intermixed along the rim of a container makes for an awesome autumn display.
Check out the videos for step-by-step instructions! And you can always visit Chris at Botanica Gardens, located at 1601 Rebsamen Park Road, for help on any gardening projects.