Blog Archives

How to care for a Shamrock Plant (Oxalis spp.)

3/14/2025

With proper care, shamrock plants will reward you with vibrant foliage and charming blooms year after year

Shamrock plants, known for their clover-like leaves and delicate flowers, are easy to grow and can thrive indoors or outdoors with proper care.

Light

Prefers bright, indirect light (near a sunny window but away from direct afternoon sun).
Can tolerate some direct sun but avoid harsh midday exposure.

Watering

Keep the soil lightly moist, but allow the top inch to dry out between waterings.
Avoid overwatering, as shamrocks have delicate, tuberous roots that can rot.

Temperature & Humidity

Thrives in temperatures between 60–75°F (16–24°C).
Avoid extreme heat and cold drafts.
Prefers moderate humidity but adapts to normal indoor conditions.

Soil & Potting

Use a well-draining potting mix, such as one designed for houseplants.
Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.

Dormancy Period

Shamrock plants go dormant for a few weeks (leaves die back).
Reduce watering and stop fertilizing during dormancy.
Resume regular care when new growth appears.

Fertilizing

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring & summer).
Avoid over-fertilizing, as shamrocks don’t need heavy feeding.

Propagation

Easily propagated by dividing tuberous roots when repotting.

It's time to clean your bluebird boxes

3/13/2025

We are entering into bluebird season - when those stalwart blue-feathered friends begin reappearing in our landscapes looking for mates and homes in which to raise their fledglings.

One easy thing you can do to help the population thrive is to clean out your bird boxes each Spring (early to mid-March). Here's how:

Ensure that the entrance hole size is not enlarged or blocked
Repair or replace cracked or rotten wood
Check to make sure that the nest box resists water intrusion
Clean the interior after each brood has fledged to reduce parasites. A paint scraper or car window scraper handily remove dried droppings stuck to the walls of the box.

Not all sources agree that cleaning out the boxes is needed, but if you are so inclined here are a few recommendations for how to do so in a manner safe for the birds:

Remove old nesting material and scrub the house with a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water and remember to rinse well to eliminate any residual smell. Dry the house thoroughly, with the door open, in the sun.
Use an unscented mild dish soap and warm water solution to keep mold from getting in and spreading, dry thoroughly in the sun.
Some people prefer to use white vinegar instead of bleach. Use a light spray of cleaning vinegar (not more than 6% concentration) to kill any parasites and bugs that have taken up residence, rinse with water, and dry thoroughly.

A car window scraper or paint scraper is handy for cleaning out last year's nest mess on sidewalls, inside top and inside bottom of box.

When to divide Shasta Daisies

3/7/2025

Shasta daisies should be divided every 2-3 years to maintain their health and vigor.

The best time to divide Shasta daisies is in early spring, just as new growth begins to emerge, or in early fall after they have finished blooming.

Dividing them in early spring allows the plants to establish new roots before the growing season, while dividing in early fall gives them time to settle in before winter.

To divide Shasta daisies, dig up the clump carefully, ensuring you get as many roots as possible. Use a sharp knife or garden space and gently separate it into smaller sections, making sure each division has healthy roots and shoots.

Immediately replant the divisions at the same depth as the original clump in well-drainig soil, water thoroughly and keep soil moist until new growth appears.

Where we live, it's always a good idea to add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and protect the roots from hard frosts and freezes.

Dividing Shasta Daisies helps prevent overcrowding, promotes abundant blooms, and keeps them looking their best year after year.

How to divide 45 favorite perennials

3/5/2025

As soon as you can work in the soil is the time to divide perennials, ensuring healthier growth and better blooms.

Dividing perennials is a best practice in the garden because it allows the plants to continue to grow and thrive.

Dividing improves the health of the foliage and can increase the number of blooms, and it keeps the plants more disease resistant and extends their overall growing life.

Signs that a perennial needs dividing:

Decreased Blooming – If a perennial produces fewer or smaller flowers than usual, it may be overcrowded and in need of division.
Dead or Hollow Center – When the middle of the plant looks bare or dies out and growth is only on the edges, it’s a sign the plant is too dense.
Overcrowding & Weak Growth – If the plant spreads too much or nearby plants are being overtaken, it’s time to divide.
Floppy or Leggy Stems – Weak, stretched-out stems that flop over often indicate the plant is struggling for nutrients and space.
Slower Growth & Decline in Health – If the plant isn’t as lush or vigorous as in previous years, its roots may be competing for nutrients.
Rootbound Conditions – If roots become tightly packed in the soil or circle around in a pot, the plant needs more room to grow.
Water Stress – If the plant dries out quickly despite regular watering, overcrowded roots may be preventing water absorption.

Thanks go to GardenGate Magazine for this handy chart that tells us when and how to divide the most popular perennials. This one's a keeper!

Get the Chart here.

Perennials that don't like being divided include Peonies, Baptisia, Monkshood, Bleeding Heart, and Butterfly Weed.