Monthly Archives: January 2022

Can Gardening Help With Mental Health?

Mental Health, a topic that is generally avoided, but gradually becoming one that people are more open about. So, let’s think about mental health and whether gardening can help us.

If you struggle with any form of mental health, you will likely notice that it can become a challenge to head outside. This is where gardening can come into play. When you put your mind into the gardening mode, you will find that it becomes easier for you to get outside. By doing this, you are taking your mind away from whatever is bothering you, as well as giving you some much needed fresh air and vitamin D.

Gardening will have a huge impact on your mental health. It will help to boost your mood and help you to feel calmer bust by getting outside with nature. So yes, gardening can help with your mental health, and it should be something that is considered.

Amaryllis Bulbs

Amaryllis bulbs are a favourite in the gardening world. A bulb that is super easy to grow, as well as one that will continue to re-bloom following years. But what do you need to do to care for your amaryllis bulbs during planting, growing and deadheading?

Planting Amaryllis Bulbs

More often than not, amaryllis bulbs will be planted into a pot. This is the best option for your bulb as it allows you to choose if you want it indoors or outdoors, as well as allowing you to give your bulbs the best growing condition.

When you are planting your bulbs, you want to ensure you are planting them into a good potting soil mix. This soil will give your amaryllis bulbs the right nutrients to promote their growth. When planting, ensure you are planting the bulb pointed end facing upright, this is where your plant will sprout from but remember you need approximately 1/3 of the bulb above the soil. Tightly pack your bulb with soil and you are ready to go.

Caring For Amaryllis Bulbs

Once your bulbs have been planted correctly, it is time to care for them. You will need to be patient, on average it will take amaryllis bulbs 6-8 weeks to bloom, some can take up to 10weeks! But, the care you give them needs to be maintained.

Amaryllis bulbs are no different to any other plant. They require water and sunlight. That being said, caring for your bulbs will be easy. Place them in an area with direct sunlight and water them regularly. This should be maintained until your plant begins to wilt.

You may wish to install wooden stakes to act as a support for your growing bulbs.

Bloom Life of Amaryllis Bulbs

The time we have all been waiting for, 6-8 weeks after planting your amaryllis bulbs they have started blooming.

The life of blooming amaryllis can vary from person to person. Most commonly people leave their amaryllis in the pot they were planted in until they wilt away.

But, as an alternative, amaryllis is an amazing plant to be used as cut flowers. Sometimes you can find that using these bulbs as a cut plant will allow them to last up to 2 weeks longer! So, why not cut some of your bulbs and have a beautiful amaryllis centrepiece.

The End of Amaryllis Bulbs

Like every plant, there will, unfortunately, be an end of your amaryllis bulbs. There will become a time where your amaryllis bulbs wilt away.

When their heads being to drop, it is time to cut them back. Ideally, you want to cut the flower stalk back to within 1 inch of the top of your bulb. You will then need to continue watering your bulbs and feeding them with plant fertiliser. Doing this successfully means you should see your amaryllis bulbs bloom again the following year. Whilst their first life may have ended, you can look forward to them blooming again the next year.