The Garden on the Window Sill

With not even half of the winter behind me I have no choice but to concentrate on the miniature garden on the window sill. Fortunately for me, the indoor plants are generous with their flowers. The African violets, the lovely ruffled cyclamens, the amaryllis, the dark begonia, even the Christmas cactus have started to bloom again.

There is not much control one has over how much the little window sill garden is going to thrive, it all revolves around the light levels, which tend to be stingy in winter, and the tolerance plants have to a conditioned environment that tends to make the air too dry.

Some things are in the caretaker’s control however. Water deeply and allow the soil to dry between waterings, perpetually moist soil is a breeding ground for mold and fungus. Don’t crowd the plants. Feed them regularly, but heed the instructions on the fertilizer container, too much of a good thing can burn their roots. Keep them neat and tidy, free of dead foliage and spent flowers. Give them as much of a head start as they can get indoors - a south facing window is perfect for winter, but will scorch their leaves when the heat of the summer sun gets trapped behind the glass. A bright place that doesn’t get too hot and has good air movement is ideal.

Keep them where they will not be bothered. Plants have evolved to grow undisturbed in the same location, they don’t like being moved around the house or constantly handled.