Gardening Breaks for the Homebound
Introduction
Working from home can easily lead to long hours spent indoors, glued to your computer. But it’s essential to take regular breaks to stay healthy and productive. And what better way to do that than with a little bit of gardening?
Whether you have a few minutes to spare or a longer lunch break, there are plenty of quick and easy gardening activities you can do to get some fresh air, boost your mood, and keep your plants thriving.
Buy Plants Online
If you don’t have time to visit a garden center, you can easily order plants online and have them delivered to your door. This is a great way to find a wide variety of plants, including those that are hard to find locally.
Start Growing Potatoes
Potatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow at home, and they’re perfect for beginners. To get a head start, you can chit your potatoes before planting them. This simply means placing them in a warm, bright place for a few weeks to encourage sprouting.
Water Newly Delivered Plants
If you’ve had plants delivered, be sure to unpack them and water them as soon as possible. This will help them recover from the stress of shipping and get them off to a good start in your garden.
Get an Orchid to Flower Again
If your orchid has finished flowering, don’t despair! You can encourage it to bloom again by cutting the stem back to just above a visible joint. If the stem has turned brown, remove it at the base.
Feed Garden Birds
Not only is it fun to watch birds, but they can also help control pests in your garden. So, take a few minutes to hang up a bird feeder and put out a shallow dish of water.
Sow a Pot of Vegetable Seeds
Even if you only have a small balcony or windowsill, you can still grow vegetables at home. Sowing a pot of seeds is a quick and easy way to get started. Carrots, tomatoes, and salad leaves are all good choices for container gardening.
Grow Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are beautiful, fragrant flowers that are easy to grow from seed. Simply fill a pot with compost and sow the seeds about half an inch deep. Keep the compost moist and soon you’ll have seedlings that you can plant out in the garden.
Dust Houseplants
Dusting the leaves of your houseplants may seem like a chore, but it’s actually important for their health. Dust can block sunlight and prevent plants from photosynthesizing effectively. So, take a few minutes to wipe down your plants with a damp cloth.
Divide a Pot of Supermarket Herbs
Herbs are a great way to add flavor to your cooking. If you buy herbs from the supermarket, you can easily divide them into several plants to get more bang for your buck. Simply slide the herb out of its pot and gently tease the rootball apart with your fingers.
More Quick Gardening Jobs
Here are a few more quick gardening jobs that you can do during your work breaks:
- Check tree ties to make sure they haven’t come loose or become too tight.
- Deadhead roses and bedding plants to encourage more flowers.
- Cut back old fern leaves to make way for new growth.
- Feed ericaceous shrubs, such as camellias and rhododendrons.
- Plant strawberries in a pot.
- Put up a bug box to attract beneficial insects.
- Check roses for aphids and other pests.
Conclusion
Taking regular gardening breaks while working from home is a great way to stay healthy, productive, and connected to nature. So, next time you need a break from your computer, step outside and enjoy some time in your garden.
