🌱 Bringing nature into your space

Plus, helping kids process scary news

View this email online Becky Harlan/NPR Hey, y’all, If your home is anything like mine, the end of March signals one thing: Garden planning. As I write this, outside my window, tiny pink blooms are bursting across my azalea bush. My houseplants are pushing out new leaves, craning toward the returning spring light. And the container garden on my patio is… sitting there, bleak and empty, begging for attention. Whether you’re a brand new plant parent or a master gardener, now is an excellent time to prepare your plants for summer — indoors and out. For your houseplants, start by seeing who might need some TLC right now. Winter can be hard on them, too. A few factors to look out for: 🌵 Repotting: Do any plants need a new container? See if any roots are peeking out of drainage holes. If so, your plant could be rootbound, meaning the roots are outgrowing the container. This usually isn’t a problem unless the roots are severely overgrown — like if there’s more root than soil in the pot (like our poor friend in this photo). Even if it’s not time to size up, your plant might benefit from adding fresh soil. 💧 Watering: If you cut back on watering over the winter, you’ll want to resume a more regular schedule now. But don’t overdo it: Overwatering is one of the most common ways people kill plants. To know if your plant is ready for a drink, stick your finger into the soil and feel if it’s still moist. If the top two inches of soil are dry, it’s typically a good time to water. You can also buy a moisture meter. 🐛 Pests: Make sure no pests have taken hold over the winter — like cottony white mealybugs, or tiny spider mites that leave fine webbing under the leaves. If you do notice any pests, isolate that plant from the others. Rinse it off in the shower or with a hose outside. You can then treat the plant by spraying it with a diluted mix of water and either basic, unscented dish soap or neem oil. For more tips on keeping your houseplants happier, check out our full story. If you have specific questions we didn’t address, the U.S. Botanic Garden has a super helpful plant hotline online. It’s also available over the phone at 202-226-4785.   And remember: No one is born with a green thumb. Behind every gardener is an undisclosed number of dead plants that we’re just not gonna talk about right now.   ⬇️ Keep scrolling for more tips from Life Kit. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Becky Harlan/NPR If outdoor gardening is more your speed, we have an episode for that, too! For me, writing out a plan in a Google doc helps. I start with my area’s last frost date, the plants I want, and when they need to be planted. Start by creating a vision based on your space. Are you working in a yard? On a windowsill? A fire escape? How much sunlight does it have? Before you get your heart set on any plants, check your USDA hardiness zone and make sure they’ll survive outside in your climate. (Moment of silence for the passionflower I put on my patio last fall.) Decide if you’ll be starting with seeds or seedlings. If you’re newer to gardening or plan to use fussier plants, seedlings are probably easier. Do you have any containers or raised beds? There are many options out there — including DIY projects with helpful walkthroughs, for those of us cursed with the “I bet I could build that myself” gene. Just about anything can be a container for your plant: wooden wine boxes, milk crates, dresser drawers — so long as you drill holes in the bottom and don't let any paint touch the soil. When things feel relentless or overwhelming, it’s nice to have our plants as a living reminder of persistence. That no matter the conditions, something will always grow. It might just need a little time or help. Happy planting! Danielle Nett (she/her) — engagement editor, NPR   Access Sponsor-Free Episodes Want to support our show? Try a subscription to Life Kit+ and get all the tips and tricks you love sponsor-free! Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit.  Learn More More tips from Life Kit on enjoying nature Becky Harlan/NPR 🌿 There's no right way to connect with nature. Find what works for you. No matter how you access nature, a growing body of research shows that it comes with enormous emotional and cognitive benefits for us humans. Whether you're gearing up for a backpacking trip or doing a virtual aquarium tour, here are five small steps to get closer to nature. 💐 Potted plants aren’t your thing? Try arranging your own flowers. This guide will walk you through how to pick out flowers from the store, prep the stems, and make a beautiful, custom bouquet for any occasion. Give it a try! 🕊 The birds are returning for spring. Consider lending them a hand. Across North America, we've seen a staggering loss of native birds. Preserving their habitat by choosing native plants for your garden — and skipping the harsh pesticides — is a great way to make a difference. We have six other tips to inspire you. 🍂 Composting is easier than you think. And it's a great way to keep decomposing food out of landfills, which can contribute to climate change. This guide walks you through how to turn your food waste into beautiful earthy compost in five simple steps. 🌸 We want to hear your advice! Do you have tips for living more sustainably while also saving money? Maybe you mend your own clothes, or participate in buy-nothing groups online. Email your response to lifekit@npr.org with subject line “Sustainable” by Friday, April 14, and include your full name and location. We may feature your response in a story on NPR.org or in an upcoming episode. News of mass shootings and other tragedies can be scary, especially for kids. Attacks like the one in Nashville on Monday can be incomprehensible for adults — let alone children. We asked child development experts what you can say to help kids process the news in an age-appropriate way. Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Life Kit emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy