How Does Your Garden Grow?

Are you a plant parent or want to become one? I've recently become a plant parent again...after about 20 years! Not many people know that quite some time ago, plants were a part of my (almost) everyday life. As a kid, I would help my grandfathers take care of their vegetable gardens in the summer. I planted seeds, watered, and picked fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis, peas, and corn. When I went to college and later to work, I didn't have the time or the desire to putter around with potting soil.

Fast forward to the present--I guess you can say the gardening bug has finally bitten me once more. This time around, however, I'm focusing more on indoor plants to bring a bit of nature and calm into my home (or at least my living room). I have a variety of plants--spider, pothos, rubber fig, aloe, snake, and Christmas cactus--to add interest and for their easy, low-maintenance care. I planted them in terra cotta pots, because as much as I like the ceramic pots, they're not as porous as terra cotta (I want proper drainage without root rot). Furthermore, terra cotta is a warm, inviting color in the home.

With April being National Gardening Month, I thought I'd share some resources on plants that I've found particularly useful:

• Indoor Edible Garden by Zia Allaway (635 ALL)  Maybe your idea of indoor plants is to produce something edible? If so, see see how you can grow herbs, vegetables, and fruits in your home.
• Gardening in the Pacific Northwest by Paul Bonine and Amy Campion (535 BON)  Offers useful tips on outdoor gardening specific to Washington, Oregon, and southern British Columbia.
• Epic Gardening  Has everything, and I mean everything, for gardeners of all types and skills.
• OurHouseplants.com  For those who want to concentrate on caring for indoor plants. Offers plant profiles, guides, tips, and other useful information for both novice and expert gardeners.
• Washington State University  Provides free and useful information pertaining to gardening in Washington State, including soil, fruits, flowers, lawns, and more.
• Forcing, Etc. by Katherine Whiteside (635.9 WHI)  A good resource for those who prefer gardening houseplants and other plants indoors.

Of course, the library has more books and electronic resources than the ones I listed above. Which plants are your favorites? Have any good gardening tips? Share with us!

Good naturedly yours from the perch.