A little added information about myself. I am a bilateral hand amputee and this is a picture of me planting my first container using my prosthetics.

After yesterday’s Weed Appreciation Day post… you might be thinking: 👉 “Okay… I appreciate them… but I still don’t want them.” Totally fair. The good news? Container gardeners actually have a BIG advantage when it comes to weeds. Let’s make the most of it 👇 🪴 1. Start With Clean, Quality Soil (This is where most weed problems begin) If weeds are constantly popping up, your soil might be bringing them in. What to watch for: - Reusing old soil without refreshing it - Using garden soil (instead of potting mix) - Compost that wasn’t fully broken down What to do instead: ✔ Use a fresh, high-quality potting mix ✔ If reusing soil, mix in new potting mix + compost ✔ Remove any visible roots or plant debris before planting 👉 Think of this as setting the stage for a weed-free season 🌱 2. Mulch… Yes, Even in Containers A lot of gardeners skip this step in pots—but it makes a HUGE difference. Why it works: - Blocks light (weed seeds can’t sprout) - Keeps soil moisture steady - Reduces how often weeds show up Easy container mulch ideas: ✔ Straw or shredded leaves ✔ Small bark chips ✔ Coco coir ✔ Even a thin layer of compost 👉 Just 1 to 2 inches can dramatically cut down weeds ✋ 3. Pull Them Early (Tiny = Easy Win) Weeds are like uninvited guests… The longer they stay, the harder they are to remove 😬 Your new habit: ✔ Do a quick 30-second scan when you water ✔ Pull weeds while they’re small ✔ Get the root (especially taproots like dandelions) 👉 This one habit alone can prevent 90% of frustration later After yesterday’s Weed Appreciation Day post… you might be thinking: 👉 “Okay… I appreciate them… but I still don’t want them.” Totally fair. The good news? Container gardeners actually have a BIG advantage when it comes to weeds. Let’s make the most of it 👇 🪴 1. Start With Clean, Quality Soil (This is where most weed problems begin) If weeds are constantly popping up, your soil might be bringing them in. What to watch for: - Reusing old soil without refreshing it - Using garden soil (instead of potting mix) - Compost that wasn’t fully broken down

I had a question posed to me regarding Powdery Mildew from someone who consults with me. I do not grow African Violets, and I haven't for years because I focus my space on food and herbs, but I do contend with powdery mildew. After some research and drawing on my experience with rosemary, my best guess for an approach was a combination of isolation, mix potting soil 50/50 with sand or perlite, misting with baking soda, and very gently brushing the leaves with a soft tooth brush (recommended by an African Violet site). Do you have experience with powdery mildew on African Violets? How did you deal with it? Was it successful?

This is my first time taking care of an amaryllis that I received in December as a gift. It had a wax around it should I keep it indoors? I have no idea how to take care of it… I did remove the wax and plant it in dirt