The Care & Feeding of New Plants

CHANCES ARE GOOD that with your seedlings and young plants now in the ground, you're itching for something more to do with your container garden. Enthusiasm can outstrip common sense when the weather turns nice for the first time in the year, and with a smaller-than-usual focal point for your energy (assuming your container garden isn't exceptionally large), young plants can actually suffer from a surfeit of care.

Be particularly cautious about that most loving of plant homicides: overfertilization. Remember, you've just planted these containers. You probably used new potting soil, practically every variety of which comes with its own time-release fertilizer. That initial supply won't be used up for months, I promise. In addition, that Osmacote (or other plant fertilizer) mixed with the potting soil has provided your plants with all the immediate nutrients they need. You may be tempted to add liquid MiracleGro to your watering can or sprinkle just a little more Osmacote under the mulch, but be strong. You'll just end up giving your plants chemical burns, not turning them into phytogenetic versions of the Incredible Hulk.

With cooler evening temperatures and the absence of summer's scorching sun, you won't even need to water as religiously now as you will starting in June. Once a day should be plenty for even the thirstiest of succulents. Be sure you're saving your watering for the evening or very early morning: droplets that make their way onto plant leaves in sunny weather act as tiny magnifying glasses for the sun, and watering in the daytime may leave you with multiple round, mysterious burn spots on plant leaves.

Leave your plants alone. Water them once a day, talk to them if you're so inclined, and try not to get out the ruler to see how much they've grown today.

If you're really itching to get it on in the garden- and with the weather so perfect right now, how can you resist?- I recommend the following useful distractions:

• Buy more plants and pots. Adding to your collection can only hedge your future garden bets, and it'll give you enough time with dirt under your nails to feel like you've really gardened. Try plants you wouldn't normally have chosen for these one-off plantings. They may surprise you by succeeding where all else fails.
  
• Decorate your garden area. Buy or build a comfortable seating area; raid Hancock's Fabrics for good floor- and throw-pillow fabrics, and get out your sewing machine; shop the sales at Target for a good outdoor rug or firepit (this last will extend the life of your container garden area into cool spring and fall weather to such an extent that it's practically indespensible for those who have the space for one).
  
• Head to the library for a stack of gardening books for your area.

Adding on to your garden is the most useful activity you can achieve now, besides admiring your handiwork. Some of your plants will not make it into the summer- some, indeed, are not designed to do so- and you'll be glad you have a few extra transplants ready to fill the gaps when the ineviatble occurs.