If you follow me on Instagram you already know I love plants and all things green. Ever since I switched to all natural 3 years back, I’ve been making a conscious effort to live a green and sustainable lifestyle. I am far from my goal, but every step I take makes me closer to my goal.
A week back we visited a nursery that was closing permanently (they weren’t out of business but shifted their occupation to landscaping instead). So everything was on 75% off sale. It was like black Friday for plant shopping in July.
We spent the entire morning on the day the nursery was closing, buying plants. It was seriously the best day of the year. I have been to almost every nursery when I was in Cleveland to take pictures for the blog. I used to browse around, take mental notes on what plants to buy and which pots/baskets to put them in.
I was just waiting to move to Columbus and find a place with a backyard. So it was a dream come true to find everything I wanted at a deal breaker price and embrace my new plant shopping pastime. That being said, I also bought plants that I had no idea what they were called.
We ended up getting nearly 15 plants and 10 pots, which was around 4-5 dolly loads and 2 car trips 🙂
10 Tips on Plant Shopping & gardening for first-time buyers
Plant Shopping Tip #1:
Buy plants at your local Nursery as they have knowledgeable staff who can answer any gardening questions you have like what potting soil to use? how often to water? and suitable weather conditions, etc.
Plant Shopping Tip#2:
Buy plants that are suitable for your weather conditions. If you live in colder areas, opt for more houseplants as they don’t need sunlight and require very minimal maintenance.
Plant Shopping Tip#3:
Never ever miss a sale at your local nursery. Plants and pots esp. the bigger ones are very expensive in general so bingeing on a sale is totally worth it.
Plant Shopping Tip#4:
Always buy plants that come with instruction label showing the plant in bloom, how much sunlight the plant need, how often to water and expected growth size and spread of the plant. This will help in potting your plants.
Plant Shopping Tip#5:
Do a quick check on the plant to see if it is healthy. Avoid plants with wilted leaves and stem. Turn over the pot and check if a mass of roots is growing through the drainage holes. If yes, it means the plant has been in its pot too long. Re-pot such plants once you buy them.
Plant Shopping Tip#6:
Get saucers (preferably matching as they look good :)) for all the pots you are planning to put indoor so water doesn’t come on to the carpet or floor.
Plant Shopping Tip#7:
You can basically plant into anything just make sure you make a hole at the bottom for water drainage.
Plant Shopping Tip#8:
I always repot plants I buy to make sure they are growing in a healthy soil. I mix the potting mix I have with the soil the plant come with.
Plant Shopping Tip#9:
For large pots, fill the bottom with pot fillers or materials like pebbles, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, etc.
Plant Shopping Tip#10:
It is advised to plant within a day or 2 of bringing your plants home.
We spent the following Sunday evening potting all plants. It was so much fun with music and friends! I would love to relive that day again and again.
The next morning I woke up to this 🙂
My porch has become my favorite workplace now. I move my iMac over the weekends to work on my blog.
Lastly, I am super excited to finally add the Home category on my blog with this post. Stay tuned for more green home inspired posts. Also, let me know if you want me to write on anything particular in the comments below.
Shop This Plant Shopping Post
Outfit #1: Old Navy Jumpsuit (similar 1,2,3 ) | Sandals (also here; similar here) | Bag | Watch c/o Wood Grain Watches
Outfit #2: Sweatshirt c/o Lemotto | Boyfriend Jeans | Bralette (also like this)
