KinderGarden Plants - Windowsill Gardening

Aftercare of your KinderGarden Plants

Only the strongest, proven varieties have been selected for the KinderGarden range. To ensure you get your best-ever display all you need to do is follow a few simple rules.

Protect: Protect plants from frosts and cold weather at all times. Do not place these tender plants outside until all danger of frost has passed. The ideal growing conditions are plenty of natural light and a temperature of 16-18°C. If this is not possible supply the best you can and turn your plants regularly to avoid them becoming stretched.

Remember: It is a good ideal to acclimatise your plants to outside conditions by placing them outside on warm spring days being sure to bring them in again before night fall.

Water: All plants will need watering but avoid over wet conditions. Water sufficiently to ensure the compost is thoroughly moist then do not water again until the surface of the compost has become dry. Take care when watering, particularly in the early stages, heavy-handed watering can cause root disturbance and damage the plant. As the plants mature it is advisable to water under the foliage canopy, if possible, in this way you will reduce the risk of marking or damaging foliage and flowers. A water retentive gel can be added to the compost mix this allows for a larger volume of water to be held in the basket or container, therefore reducing the frequency of watering.

Remember: In warm weather hanging baskets will require watering at least once a day.

Feed: This is often neglected and yet it is so easy and reaps such gain. There are several ways in which you can feed your plants and many products to select from the choice are yours. The two main types are:

Slow release fertiliser – added to the compost, either incorporating it into the compost or spreading on the surface. – Provides a released measure of feed throughout the summer.
Liquid Feed. Normally purchased as dry crystals these are dissolved in water and the feed is given as you water. This operation can be simply cared out with a watering can but an easier method is to attach a dilutor to your hosepipe this will ensure that a constant measured dose of feed is supplied automatically.

Note: A good quality compost will normally contain sufficient fertiliser for the first six weeks of growth.

Remember: Feeding your plants is the only way to ensure they perform to their full potential.

Maintain: Your display will be further enhanced if you take time to check your plants over occasionally. Should you spot any pests be sure to take action quickly using a proprietary treatment.

Remember: The removal of dead or fading flowers will promote continued flowering.