>> I had a vague dream, for years, which was sometimes oddly specific and vivid, of being able to garden after years away from it. I've managed to keep a pothos alive, but the poinsettia was overwatered and all its petals dropped. And leaves.<<
Watering issues kill a lot of houseplants. It helps to use a good potting soil with the right amount of drainage for the plant type. However, there is also moisture-balancing potting mix that buffers overwatering and underwatering, which is suitable for many plants that aren't at one extreme.
I also like to use self-watering pots or put a water tray under each pot. This allows giving the soil a good soak without leaving the roots sitting in water which many plants hate, or spilling water everywhere.
If you look up each houseplant's needs, then you can group similar ones together, which helps keep up with their care schedule. Start with tough plants that are hard to kill.
You might also try a terrarium. Many wild mosses are very easy to keep, and you can make a terrarium out of a reused jar. Look up "make a free terrarium" on YouTube for a relaxing view. :D The lid retains moisture with varying security depending how much you tighten it. Once you get the moisture level right, a terrarium can be a "set it and forget it" houseplant.
>>So I am eager for any gardening advice, because I think Saraphina's got more gardening SKILLS than I do.<<
Skills and techniques are things you can learn. Don't try to learn them all at once. Choose 1-2 skills per season to practice.
Browse some tools and supplies. You don't need all the things all at once. A few basics will get you started. It helps to understand your options so you can choose mindfully.
* Containers make it easier to grow many things. You can use potting soil that won't have weeds in it. Plastic containers are lightweight. Again, the self-watering kind will help. You may find cheap pots at thrift stores or yardsales. Then look for seeds for plants that say "bush" or "container" because there are lots made for this purpose.
* Grow plants that are hard to kill. Some herbs (e.g. mint) and vegetables (e.g. zucchini) grow extra well. Wildflowers native to your locale will require minimal attention as they are used to taking care of themselves.
* Grow edibles that require no prep, you can just pick them and eat them. Strawberries, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap or snow peas, most edible flowers like bergamot or borage, etc.
* Watch for genetically diverse plants that can reproduce themselves, adapt over time, and may be less fussy than modern hybrids. Look for heirloom, open-pollinated, antique, grex, landrace, etc. cultivars.
* Make friends with other gardeners. Spring is the main recruitment season for gardening clubs, so most will have flyers or workshops. Look at garden centers, libraries, community centers, etc. for announcements. Garden friends can share seeds or plants, exchange local advice, and make success easier.
What kinds of things would you like to grow? Vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers?
I've got Shithouse Marigold seeds that should grow almost anywhere. The zinnias from the food forest I'm not sure if they'll grow, I'm testing them this year. Cypress vine is pretty and a favorite of hummingbirds.
Re: Wait, planting out already?
Watering issues kill a lot of houseplants. It helps to use a good potting soil with the right amount of drainage for the plant type. However, there is also moisture-balancing potting mix that buffers overwatering and underwatering, which is suitable for many plants that aren't at one extreme.
I also like to use self-watering pots or put a water tray under each pot. This allows giving the soil a good soak without leaving the roots sitting in water which many plants hate, or spilling water everywhere.
If you look up each houseplant's needs, then you can group similar ones together, which helps keep up with their care schedule. Start with tough plants that are hard to kill.
No growing pains: the 20 houseplants that are hardest to kill
You might also try a terrarium. Many wild mosses are very easy to keep, and you can make a terrarium out of a reused jar. Look up "make a free terrarium" on YouTube for a relaxing view. :D The lid retains moisture with varying security depending how much you tighten it. Once you get the moisture level right, a terrarium can be a "set it and forget it" houseplant.
>>So I am eager for any gardening advice, because I think Saraphina's got more gardening SKILLS than I do.<<
Skills and techniques are things you can learn. Don't try to learn them all at once. Choose 1-2 skills per season to practice.
10 Innovative Gardening Techniques to Try in 2024
23 Practical Gardening Skills Every Gardener Should Have Handy
Gardening for Life: A Guide to Garden Adaptations for Gardeners of All Ages and Abilities
List of Gardening Techniques to Help New Gardeners
What Skills Do You Need for Effective Home Gardening?
Browse some tools and supplies. You don't need all the things all at once. A few basics will get you started. It helps to understand your options so you can choose mindfully.
12 Best Online Gardening Stores to Bookmark Now
12 Essential Garden Tools for the Beginner
40 Gardening Tools List With Pictures and Their Uses
The Best Soil Test Kits According to Our Tests
Organic Soil Amendments
Soil Additives and Amendments
Soils, Mulches & Planting Media / Gardening
General instructions:
Gardening 101~How to Start Growing Things Yourself
How to Start a Fruit Garden
How to Start an Herb Garden
How to start a small vegetable garden and make the most of it
How To Start A New Garden Successfully In Your Backyard
Kitchen Gardening 101: How to Grow Your Own Food
My Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Garden
Tips for success:
20 Essential Home Gardening Tips for a Thriving Garden
30 Best Gardening Tips of All Time
50 Tips, Hints, Tricks and Facts for Natural Gardening
Free Gardening Books Online:
Books about Gardening (sorted by popularity)
Free Gardening Books
Gardening Books for Beginners PDF
How to Grow Practically Everything
The Resilient Gardener Complete
Some personal advice:
* Containers make it easier to grow many things. You can use potting soil that won't have weeds in it. Plastic containers are lightweight. Again, the self-watering kind will help. You may find cheap pots at thrift stores or yardsales. Then look for seeds for plants that say "bush" or "container" because there are lots made for this purpose.
* Grow plants that are hard to kill. Some herbs (e.g. mint) and vegetables (e.g. zucchini) grow extra well. Wildflowers native to your locale will require minimal attention as they are used to taking care of themselves.
20 Impossible-to-Kill Outdoor Plants
23 Hard-to-Kill Plants for Busy or New Gardeners
32 Low-Maintenance Plants for Gardens and Landscaping
The Best Herbs to Grow at Home for Beginner Gardeners
No Green Thumb Required: Our 10 Hardiest Wildflowers
* Grow edibles that require no prep, you can just pick them and eat them. Strawberries, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap or snow peas, most edible flowers like bergamot or borage, etc.
* Watch for genetically diverse plants that can reproduce themselves, adapt over time, and may be less fussy than modern hybrids. Look for heirloom, open-pollinated, antique, grex, landrace, etc. cultivars.
* Seed saving can be fun and frugal.
* These are some of my favorite nurseries:
American Meadows (wildflowers)
Breck's (bulbs)
Buffalo Seed Company (landrace of herbs and vegetables, wildflowers)
Edible Landscaping (permaculture plants)
One Green World (permaculture plants)
OPN Seed (wildflowers and native grasses)
Pinetree Garden Seeds (vegetables, herbs, and flowers)
Prairie Moon (wildflowers and native grasses)
Select Seeds (vegetables, herbs, and flowers)
* Make friends with other gardeners. Spring is the main recruitment season for gardening clubs, so most will have flyers or workshops. Look at garden centers, libraries, community centers, etc. for announcements. Garden friends can share seeds or plants, exchange local advice, and make success easier.
What kinds of things would you like to grow? Vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers?
I've got Shithouse Marigold seeds that should grow almost anywhere. The zinnias from the food forest I'm not sure if they'll grow, I'm testing them this year. Cypress vine is pretty and a favorite of hummingbirds.