If you'd like to reduce the time you spend watering container plants, consider polyacrylamide gel, a modern garden product that absorbs water and releases it slowly to plants' roots. The gel is sold in small packets or jars and resembles sand or sea-salt crystals when dry. Once it's absorbed water, it looks like gelatin. Add the gel to potting mix, following package instructions, when planting container gardens. You may also activate the gel in a solution of dilute liquid fertilizer so that it will slowly release nutrients to your plants along with moisture. Adding compost to your garden is a traditional and very effective way to increase the soil's ability to retain moisture. Some call compost the gardener's best friend because of the many beneficial effects this additive has on soil structure and the overall health of the garden. Organic material is sometimes acidic when composted, so you may need to condition your compost pile with lime occasionally to increase the pH. When you add lime, turn the pile with a pitchfork or spading fork. Compost may be used indoors too--for potting houseplants. At the bottom of the pile you'll find dark, fine organic material. If you'd like to use it as potting medium, it's wise to sterilize it first. To do so, place the compost on a baking sheet, and bake it at 160 to 180 degrees for 30 minutes. Unfortunately, the process can cause a strong odor that lingers in the kitchen. If you'd prefer to avoid the smell, use your outdoor gas grill as a sterilizer--at the same temperature and for the same length of time. Once you've sterilized the compost, let it cool, then mix it with polyacrylamide gel, if desired, and pot your plants.
RESOURCES :
For supplies from the Gardener's Supply Co.
Gardener's Supply Company
Burlington, VT 05401-2850
Fax: 800-551-6712 -or- 80
Email: info@gardeners.com
Website: www.gardeners.com
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