Your Mom Wants a Patio Garden This Year. What Should You Start First?
Your mom is expressing interest in a patio garden this year. It’s a great way to get her outside in the sun and fresh air, but you don’t know where to start. Use these tips for timing.
Home Care Services in Philadelphia PA: Mom Wants a Garden
Seedlings Must Be Started Early
Crops that require more time before harvesting need to be started early. February and March are usually the time to start this. You want them to have around eight weeks of growth before it’s time to plant them outside in raised beds or plant pots.
Tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, and many winter squashes are best started inside. Make your own starter pots with newspaper or purchase compostable peat pots that will breakdown in the soil and add nutrients.
You may find mold forms on the surface of the seedling’s soil. If that happens, reduce the amount of water you’re giving them. A floor fan gently blowing over the plants for a few hours a day will also help keep the mold away. Neem oil or a 10 to 1 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide sprayed lightly on the seedlings also helps.
Set Up Patio Planters
Outside, build or construct the raised beds prior to the start of planting season. In the north, planting season usually starts after Memorial Day. Southern states can plant earlier. You’re waiting for the risk of frost to pass.
Fill the planters with some crushed stone at the bottom for drainage. Add a mix of potting soil and peat moss and water it thoroughly. If you’re worried about insects, you could put a thin layer of cedar mulch over the top as a repellent.
Arrange a Watering System
If your mom is not able to lift a watering can or bend down to reach a hose, set up a system where she can water with ease. A hose stand with a built-in spigot makes it easy to reach.
Have a wand attachment set up to help her water plants without using too strong a spray. A soaker hose laid out on the soil is also useful if she has arthritis and can’t hold the trigger on a spray wand.
Is someone going to be around to tell your mom when she needs to take a break? She may lose track of time. She needs to take breaks and get sunscreen on. She also needs to remember to drink water frequently on warmer days. Elder care aides offer reminders as one of the services that are available.
Caregivers can also help your mom carry in the vegetables that are ready to harvest. Once they’re inside, caregivers can prepare them for meals and snacks. An elder care agency can answer your questions about these services and their costs.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care Services in Philadelphia, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care.
Call today: (484) 206-4544
Ibrahim recently completed a Professional Certificate in Management; He is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administrations (MBA) at a prestigious university in the UK.
With their passion for helping others and a strong background in customer services and clinical care, Ibrahim and his wife started assisting individuals in their homes.
Since started and operating Suma Home Care in 2010 in the basement of their home, Suma Home Care has provided professionals who work endlessly in providing clients with the highest quality of care, while enabling clients to maintain dignity, comfort and safety in their homes.
Suma Home Care, serves four counties in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Ibrahim is firmly connected to his local community and is always looking for ways to give back whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Ibrahim enjoys spending time with his wife and children, travelling and enjoys sports.
Mariama Suma-Keita BSN RN
Born in Sierra Leone west Africa, relocated to America in 1999 from a civil war and settled since in the U.S.A as a Naturalized citizen Graduated from National school of nursing with an associate , and completed BSN in Nursing from Immaculata University graduated with Honor roll Alpha Lambda sigma, After escaping the war served as a refugee nurse in Gambia and Guinea to other displaced refugees before coming to America.
In the states started in Homecare then then transition into hospital, worked in Jefferson hospital as a Registered nurse on Tele and general medsurg floor, also worked in Einstein hospital as an oncology transplant nurse , I realized that I enjoy working with patients so much and believe in quality and compassionate care one at a time dealing with an holistic approach in caring for patients and family in a familiar environment called home , I see the impact and progress when they’re home , it makes them feel relax and progress fast with recovering at home. As a nurse and entrepreneur I understand that dedication to meeting people and families needs is a priority, and able to foster relationships with family and patients that is professional and friendly to help them stay and settled home as a desire.
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