GARDENING

College-bound this fall? You no longer have to leave your love of gardening in back of. Granted, some dorm rooms aren't even as big as the family garden plot. But that does not mean you can't garden in your room at college. All it requires is a little thoughts.... and an agreeable flatmate!

The most evident choice for greening the space is with houseplants although you will need to be selective. The growing conditions seen in most dormitory rooms--low light, high temperature ranges, poor humidity--are not best suited to all plants. Several plants that you may want to try include peperomia, sansevieria, philodendron, grape ivy, variegated pothos grape vine, and mother-in-law's tongue. Or perhaps how about among the many cultivars of Uk ivy? This trailing vegetable likes low light and makes a great hanging flower.

If you are taking plants from home, make certain to shade them from direct sun in the car as the light through glass can burn off the foliage. Turning on mid-air conditioner won't do the trick. They have to be shaded.

If your studies or school activities can keep you too busy to look after houseplants, a terrarium--an arrangement of plants in a closed glass container--may be the answer. When they do need enough light, too much sun rays may fog the textbox or cook the plant life, so they're simply perfect for dorms. Too little light make cause plants to "stretch. " The solution is that will put a light over the container, including the type used over fishtanks.
Select a container with a huge enough opening that you can reach in to place and look after the plants. (Fish tanks make great terrariums. ) Wash the pot thoroughly, then line the bottom with small, pea-sized gravel or very rough sand to provide good drainage. Cover with a layer of horticultural grilling with charcoal.

Next, put in a thin coating of soil mix, using either a commercial soil soil or a mix of one part garden loam, one part rough sand, and one part dampened peat moss. Intended for woodland gardens, you may want to add more peat moss.

Determine what you would like to grow, keeping in brain that it's best to group plants with similar soil, light, and wetness requirements. Tropical or sub-tropical houseplants do well under conditions an excellent source of humidity and close planting. Try creeping figs, parlor palms, ivies, and aluminum plants. Peperomias are okay, if it's not too wet.

Local wood land plants such as mosses, small ferns, partridgeberries, and lichens also make an attractive terrarium. Don't collect these plants from woodlands; instead, buy them from growers. If you want to use desert vegetation, such as cacti and other succulents, use a sandy soil mix and keep the terrarium very, very dry.

Add small glass figurines for decor. Use small pieces of driftwood to support rising plants. Water sparingly--a vegetable mister works well--and only when the surface looks dry.
For something a lttle bit different, plant an under the sea garden in an old five- or ten-gallon aquarium tank. Look at your local pet store or garden center for aquatic plants--the same ones you would use if you experienced a tank packed with seafood. You may be astonished at the variety of plants available in several colors and textures.

When you have the space, a windowsill vegetation is another way to meet your green thumb. Many herbs, including a squeeze of lemon juice balm, mint, chives, dill, marjoram, oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, will do quite well, providing they get a daily dosage of sunshine--at least five hours of light, if not more. Choose savoury herbs for the wonderful scents they will add to your room.

The best guess is to buy plants at a local nursery or nursery. Or perhaps take cuttings from your home garden prior to leaving for school. Many herbs aren't fussy about their containers. Just about anything from flowerpots to coffee cans will work so long as you can put gaps in the bottom for drainage.

Make use of a quality potting garden soil. Fertilize a few times a month, and water only if the soil surface is dry to the touch.

If you don't think you'll have time to care for living plant life, or are concerned with their survival over long college or university breaks, then why not decorate your room with dried flowers. You can buy or make dried flower wreaths and arrangements. "Paintings" of bouquets pressed under glass make nice wall decorations. Only use your imagination! There are many ways to add trees to your living space, no matter how small.