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Chill Factor, Succulents

Looking for succulents that go below freezing? You’re in the right place!

Did you know certain succulents can take the cold? A list below is 5 succulents, which are hardy to zone 3,4, or 5. There are different zones to prompt you on when is the best time to plant flowers and is used to determine where certain plant/flower species are most likely to thrive.

Pacific Blue Ice Sempervivum: This cold hardy succulent has an icy-blue rosette with leaves that turn pink to purple when stressed. This succulent is monocarpic, meaning it will die after blooming. Watch for pink flowers in the summer. Pacific Blue Ice’ has typical watering needs for a succulent. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

‘Pacific Blue Ice’ is cold hardy to -20°F (-28.9°C), and will survive the winter under snow.

Angelina Sedum:The fleshy, gray-green leaves can grow to be three quarters of an inch long. In cooler climates, the needle-like foliage color transitions to shades of yellow and red in the autumn months.At bloom time Angelina sedum displays showy, star-shaped yellow flowers in summer from June through August.Sedum rupestre grows best in full sun, but it can tolerate a bit of light shade. The plant is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8 and requires the soak and dry method as well.

Cape Blanco Sedum: silvery leaves make this a great choice for use as a groundcover, pathway accent, in rock gardens, or in mixed succulent containers. Clusters of tiny yellow flowers contrast nicely with the foliage, which takes on an attractive purplish tinge in cool weather. Thrives in the Pacific Northwest. Foliage is edible. It needs Full sun, Partial sun and water regularly – weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers.

Unicorn Sedum:It takes on shades of tawny yellow to pink and purple through the seasons. It is a large, open rosette and produces heaps of offsets on long, bubblegum pink stolons in spring. It is an easy grower that forms a solid clump and turns lilac in the winter cold.will thrive with weekly watering and afternoon shade if temperatures exceed 80F. They are incredibly frost hardy and will happily thrive through winter under a blanket of snow. Protect from heavy rains and standing water to prevent rot.

Red carpet Sedum:is valued for its dense, ground-hugging carpet of red foliage that turns a deeper shade of red throughout fall and winter. Clusters of tiny pink blooms decorate the plant for up to a month in early summer.Tolerates poor soil, heat, and drought. Does best in light, well-drained soil. Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings.

You will be able to find these succulents at your local garden shop or online Mountain Crest Gardens
You can also follow our blog about starting succulents https://the-dirty-hoe.com/2021/03/16/how-to-grow-succulents-from-a-cutting

Plants that are trending for 2022

Indoor plants have been a big part of our lives in lockdown and our communities have benefited from the therapeutic benefits of keeping a little patio garden. Homes have adapted with many rooms filled with several plants. Plants not only bring life and beauty but the act of caring for them is rewarding and an act of mindfulness. We see more and more people are experiencing the joy of living with greenery and it appears to be a trend that is here to stay.

The newest trends to watch for this year are flowering plants, edible plants and indoor trees will be the favourites. Distinct planters will become a major trend with indoor plants.. We might see plenty of rich tones and colours with planters. Comforting colours like terracotta, greens and browns will become staples to our home decor. Cute animal planters will still be popular this year, which you can find over 30 different style aniamls at Printhousedesign1 on etsy along with tillandsia air plant to accompany the planter.

Variegated plants will be celebrated for their distinctive look in 2022 with Pothos or English ivy which have leaves that look like a work of art. Sporting the prettiest of flowers, stunning orchids will need plenty of bright light to bloom and be the spotlight in any room. Ferns are a beautiful and relatively easy plant to grow and maintain and are fantastic for shady and low-light areas, which can be perfect in an apartment or office environment. The banana plant, with their large green leaves, these luscious plants will add a touch of the tropics to your decor. They grow quite tall, choose a dwarf variety for indoors unless you have soaring ceilings and want to create a jungle theme room.

Whatever trend takes your fancy, why not embrace the fresh start of the new year to bring some fresh new leafy greens into your home.

Can gardening be therapeutic?

Gardening improves physical health and produces nutritious homegrown goodies, but its therapeutic benefits extend beyond that. From relaxation and stress relief to formal therapist-directed programs, mental and emotional wellbeing get welcome boosts along the garden path.

Like outdoor garden settings, viewing green plants in indoor living spaces can perk up your spirits and your sense of wellbeing. But the benefits of caring for a living plant, even a single houseplant, transcend green views.Outdoor gardening and plant care exposes people to sunshine and high amounts of vitamin D, a synthesizer of serotonin. Serotonin is the chemical in brains that induces happiness. In addition, Gardening can act as a gentle reminder to us that we are not the centre of the universe. Self-absorption can contribute to depression, and focusing on the great outdoors – even in the pared-down form of a patio – can encourage us to be less insular.

Rituals can help us work through difficult emotions, including grief, and gardening is a form of ritual involving both the giving of life and acknowledgment of its end; it’s symbolic of regeneration. It’s no coincidence we create gardens of remembrance and mark the scattered ashes and graves of our loved ones with roses, shrubs, and trees; by doing so we’re acknowledging that from dust we all come and to dust we return.

You don’t need a garden the size of a meadow to enjoy horticulture; you don’t even need a large patio. Just one hanging basket or few pots along a window ledge can lift the spirits whenever you look at them, and if you’re strapped for cash, why not recycle an old container like a colander or ice-cream carton? So, if you would like to start a little bit of happiness with plants. Try Nasturtium or sweet peas to plant in a container or, if you can find a patch of earth which gets sunshine, try sowing sunflowers or wildflowers. Either way this spring, start thinking of a way to bring a little happiness with plants. You can find flower seeds at our etsy shop: http://www.printhousedesign.com

Lucky Plants for 2022

It’s a new year, a fresh start, and there is no better way to celebrate it than with some beautiful plants/ flowers. They are pleasant to watch and can purify the air in your home. More than that, there are some plants that are considered lucky. Below is a list of a few plants that could bring a little luck to your space.

Lucky Bamboo: In Chinese, the plant is called fugui zhu – “fugui” for “wealth and rank”, and “zhu” for “bamboo”. The plant can thrive in many conditions, either in soil or in water. It’s perfect for people who do not possess green fingers.
Golden Pothos: the most popular houseplant, According to Feng Shui, the plant can bring wealth and prosperity to your home. It can purify the air and absorb radiation.
Orchid: potted orchid plants are said to bring luck in relationships. Pink orchids can bring harmonious relationships. White orchids can fill the household with peace, and the purple ones are considered to be the most auspicious.
Rubber plants: rubber plants have rounded leaves that are known to symbolize abundance, happiness, and wealth. Rubber plants are also said to remove toxins and negative energy from the air, Oweh adds. The recipe for keeping a rubber plant flourishing? Bright, indirect sunlight, well-draining soil, and a good watering every week or two.
Jade plant: these plants are associated with money and good fortune due to their small, coin-shaped leaves. Jade plants are succulents that store water in their plump leaves, so they don’t need to be watered often, she adds. “These plants love indirect, bright light and for the pot to dry out well before the next watering.

So if you want to try a little luck this year, try one of these plants in your space.

Winter Gardening

It is possible—with the proper arrangements and precautions—to plant and grow a handful of vegetables during the colder season.

What to Plant in a Winter Garden

Spinach. I love growing spinach in my winter garden because it is great for slipping in smoothies for those much-needed vitamins in the winter. …
Kale. Kale is another favorite food of mine to grow in a winter garden. …
Parsley. I love parsley. …
Asian Greens. …
Arugula. …
Carrots. …

Winter vegetables to grow outdoors

Getting these vegetables to a reasonable size before the first frost means you can harvest them as long as they remain accessible. You can also overwinter some varieties for that late winter or early spring harvest.

Beets

Plant beets 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected frost. Harvest as baby greens or leave in the ground to mature into delicious, vitamin-rich roots. In most locations, beets can stay in the ground all winter if mulched when very cold weather hits.

Garlic

One of the easiest crops to grow, garlic generally goes into the ground in mid to late fall and gets harvested in midsummer. Plant with lots of compost, and add mulch for protection from weeds and weather.

Kale

Kale is one of the easiest plants to grow and cold weather only sweetens its flavor. For a winter harvest, plant a generous amount in slightly alkaline soil in early to mid August. Kale will usually survive freezing temperatures, but you can protect the leaves from heavy snowfall if you want to prevent breakage.

Spinach

While difficult to grow in the heat of summer, spinach thrives in cool weather and will continue to grow new leaves even with lower light. It is also hardy enough to grow without cover until mid-October in many locations, so you can plant it later in the season (August to September), allow it to grow outside, and then cover it before the first frosts.

More winter gardening tips

Once you have chosen your crops, there are some other considerations that can help improve your chances for success during cold, wet weather.

Start seeds in trays
If you live in the northern states or Canada, winter gardening often requires careful timing to make the best use of your planting window. Starting seeds in trays can give your seedlings a jump on the season. When a bed becomes vacant in your garden, transplanting a healthy seedling into the ground saves you a few weeks growing time.Grow in raised garden beds
In some parts of the continent, wet weather can inhibit plant growth just as much as cold temperatures. Raised beds lift your garden soil above the soggy ground and help ensure the best drainage possible. They also warm more quickly come springtime.Protect against wind

We’ve talked about frost and snow, but wind can often damage plants during the winter. Creating a windbreak, planting in a sheltered area, or using polytunnels or row covers for wind can give your plants added protection.
Despite colder temperatures and shorter days, winter provides a gardening opportunity suitable for many hardy vegetables. Consult your local seed companies for varieties suitable for your area and get planting!