Whirlwind Week
Wow! Is it Sunday already?
What a whirl wind of a week! Thanks to so many of you for coming throughout this past week while Vanessa had flowers and plants available at her location.
We were especially pleased to assist Rosie Gibbons and the Effingham U of I Extension Office with their plant sale and push for “planting a row for the hungry.” For those of you who weren’t aware, the Effingham U of I Extension Office is partnering with Catholic Charties Food Pantry and challenging Effingham area gardeners to literally plant a row (or more than one!) of garden goodies to share with Catholic Charities Food Pantry this summer.
As I am sure you are aware, Catholic Charities is experiencing a tremendous surge in families needing food and other basic necessities. This is a great opportunity to help Effingham area families eat fresh produce with the other staple foods that Catholic Charities faithfully provides.
So while you are working in your garden this spring, take a minute and plant another tomato, cabbage or broccoli. Families in the Effingham area (and nonprofits) will thank you!
We enjoyed seeing everyone at the Mattoon Herb Festival. It was such a glorious day to be outside, soaking up the sun and talking plants. However, the wind was wild!
So tonight at the farm… we are watering, watering, watering. When plants have had that much wind (and sun), it can take a bit for them to recoup.
With this in mind, just a few tips about watering or soaking really. First, hanging baskets or any container plants should have a good soak at least once a week during the summer or even spring when the weather is as hot and windy as we have had recently, and if a plant looks weary, please feel free to soak it more than once a week. Some plants really need the extra moisture.
It’s easy to do. Find a water tight container bigger than your basket or container and add water. You can also add fertilizer at this point (this helps ferns especially). Then simply put the basket or container in the water and let the plant “soak” up the water from the roots. It will make a remarkable difference in the appearance and health of your plant.
But be careful when lifting the plant out of your larger container. It will be very heavy!
