Five fun gardening ideas for Easter

Easter 2020 is here! Due to COVID-19 we are indoors but keeping our spirits high and celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Easter is a special time for us Catholics as we reflect and renew the daily hope that we have victory over sin and evil. Even though this Easter holiday is very different because we are at home, you can use the time to get some family gardening activities done.

Here are five wonderful ideas to try this Easter but do not feel limited by these. You can also sow seeds. Try building a backyard hydroponic system, give grafting a try, catch up on some weed control, spruce up your landscaping or even try a DIY project such as building a birdhouse or making a windchime.

For further guidelines for any of these activities, I’m an email away! I wish all readers a Happy Easter season and I pray for good health, prosperity, longevity and peace for you and your loved ones.

Send questions to rayannaboodram@hotmail.com.

1. Plant colourful annuals

Annuals produce very beautiful flowers and will add life to your garden immediately. I can attest to having a positive change in mood when I see beautiful petunias whenever I am feeling gloomy. You can plant your annuals in pots, hanging baskets and garden beds to adorn your desired area. They also attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Some popular annuals are  marigold (Tagetes erecta), angelonia (Angelonia), vinca (Catharanthus roseus), begonia (Begonia), coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides), gazania (Gazania), impatiens (Impatiens), pentas (Pentas lanceolata) and my favourite, petunia (Petunia).

2. Start a container vegetable garden

The topic of food security is a conversation that everyone is having. If you were having your doubts before, there is no better time than NOW to start your own home garden. Container gardening is simply growing plants in any container. It is ideal for those with no or little garden space. Obtain a suitable container, create holes below for drainage, fill with a rich soil mix and plant your desired crop. The taller the plant grows, the bigger the container it will require. A full article on container gardening will be provided soon.

3. Trim and prune plants

Get your secateurs out and gardening gloves on! Trim all yellow or brown branches from your palms and trees and prune your shrubs to ensure they grow fuller.

4. Repot old plants

If the plant simply looks like it is too big for its pot, the roots are growing out of the drainage holes, water is sitting on the top and not being absorbed, the soil is dried out or looks like it is disintegrating, well, it’s about time that you repotted it.  You will need to choose a larger pot and fill it with potting mix, carefully remove the plant from its old pot, prune the root ball and untangle old roots and place the plant in its new pot. Water it generously and one week later apply a little fertiliser.

5. Plant a tree

Once you have the space, there is no better time to plant a seedling of your favourite fruit or ornamental tree. Use decorative rocks to create a circular pattern around the tree for added décor.