What are some common uses for young plants?

Young plants can be used for a variety of purposes. From adding color to the garden to bringing a bit of nature indoors, you can find many ways to enjoy your new additions.

When it comes to transplanting your plants, it’s important to make sure they have adequate growing space and water. You can do this by repotting them into larger containers, giving them a bit of protection from wind and sun, and watering them more frequently as they grow bigger.

Tomatoes

Young tomato plants are used in a number of different ways. They can be cultivated to produce fruit for slicing, juicing and drying, or used as a base for savory dishes or salads, as well as in the making of sauces and jams.

When you’re young plants out, it’s best to choose varieties with a high degree of resistance to pests and diseases. These will help you enjoy a long and healthy season.

To ensure a good crop, grow tomatoes in soil that is rich in organic matter and slightly acidic, with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8. It’s also important to provide plenty of moisture. Tomatoes are shallow-rooted, so a thin layer of aged compost around the base of each plant can help slow water loss from the soil.

You can also mulch around tomatoes to help retain soil moisture and control weeds, as well as improve the quality of the growing soil. A layer of two to three inches of leaves, straw or hay will work well.

Tomatoes grow best in full sun and well-drained soil, but they can tolerate partial shade. When a sunny spot isn’t available, place them in the shade of a trellis or fence. This will protect them from direct sunlight, which can damage the skin and reduce the yield of fruits.

In early spring, you can start tomatoes indoors, but this is only a temporary solution. It’s better to wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 55degF (13degC) and daytime temperatures consistently above 95degF (35degC), so they have a chance to develop strong root systems and resistance to disease and pests.

A well-lit window is ideal, but a growing light is better still, because it can be set just above the seedlings. A growth light will keep the temperature of the soil a little warmer, which is essential for establishing strong root systems and battling pests and diseases.

Once the tomato plants have grown to a good size, transplant them to their final home. You can either bury them up to the first pair of leaves, or use a dibber to help them through the holes, and lower them into their new positions gently.

Pansies

In the garden, young pansies are often used for edging, bedding, planters, window boxes and in strawberry jars. They are also useful as a cover crop for spring bulbs.

The best way to plant pansies is from seed. They can be sown in early spring indoors and transplanted outside after frost. The seeds should be thinly sown on the surface of moist seed starting mix; press gently into the soil.

If you’re starting from seed, a soil drench with fungicide can be applied to the seedlings to prevent bacterial diseases such as Crown Rot and Powdery Mildew. The soil drench should be applied to the entire area of the pansy plant where you plan to sow the seed.

It’s important to plant pansies in well-drained, rich soil. They do best in a spot that receives part to full sun. They also appreciate shade during the hottest part of the day.

When you purchase pansies from the garden center, look for healthy plants with a compact size and minimal leaf yellowing. Old, stretched-out plants aren’t worth buying because they won’t do as well once planted.

Most of the pansy varieties sold in the garden center are bred to be very resistant to disease and pests. However, there are some common problems that can affect pansies:

Aphids – Infestations of aphids will result in distorted and crowded leaves. Aphids feed by piercing plant tissue and sucking plant sap. They can also cause honeydew to form on the leaves and stems of pansies. The sooty mold fungus that grows on honeydew can be very damaging to pansies, especially in humid or wet weather.

Slugs & Snails – Infestations of slugs and snails will result in large, irregular holes in the flowers and leaves. These mollusks are attracted to moist areas such as mulch and flower pots. They will leave a slimy trail of mucus as they move throughout the garden, so they can be easily detected.

These pests are easy to control by using insecticidal soap sprays, such as malathion, when needed. They are less likely to cause harm during spring or fall when the weather is cooler.

Perennials

Perennials are a wonderful way to add color to the garden. They provide year-round interest and are easy to maintain once they’re established. They also require less water and fewer pest problems than annual flowers, so they’re a good choice for busy gardeners.

There are many different types of perennials, and each has its own unique growing requirements. For example, some perennials love bright sunlight while others do better in filtered shade. And some perennials need fast-draining soil while others prefer soil that stays moist but not wet.

Some plants can be cultivated from seeds, while others need cuttings or division to reproduce. Regardless of the method you choose, a well-thought out plan is crucial to maximizing the benefits of perennials.

If you’re planning to grow perennials for the first time, consider starting with transplants or mature plants that have been started indoors. This will allow you to reap the rewards of your new planting sooner.

You may also want to replant some perennials from tip cuttings or root cuttings. These are easier to propagate than seeds, and are generally taken during the spring or summer.

Another benefit of dividing and replanting perennials is that it allows you to introduce new colors to your landscape without disturbing existing growth. However, it’s important to note that overcrowded perennials will bloom poorly.

To ensure the best results, divide plants when they’re dormant or just before a new season of growth, and never replant all the divisions in the same area. If the area is too small to accommodate all the divisions, you can give some to friends or plant them elsewhere in your yard.

Alternatively, you can divide and replant the divisions in the fall so that the new plants will become established before cold weather sets in. This will save you a lot of work later on.

Some perennials can be planted anytime of year, but some are most successful if they are started indoors in the winter or early spring. This is especially true for those that are hardy in your zone.

Herbs

Long before doctors and hospitals were common, herbs were used to treat a wide variety of health issues. In fact, ancient civilizations leaned heavily on herbs for their medicinal and healing properties.

Some of the most common uses for herbs when they are young include adding fresh and dried leaves to salads, boosting the flavor of meat marinades, or garnishing savory dishes and refreshing drinks. Herbs are also a great way to add a little color and fragrance to any dish.

Herbs should be harvested when they are still young and tender. The younger the herb, the more aromatic and flavorful it will be.

The young leaves of basil are especially fragrant, which is why it is often added to savory dishes like pasta sauces and soups. It is also useful in desserts and can be made into a tasty tea.

Parsley is another herb that is often used when it is young. It is a popular herb in poultry and meat seasoning. Its crisp taste is a good choice for salads, vegetables and herb butters.

This is a hardy herb that will survive most weather conditions. It is a bit more delicate than its counterpart, Italian Parsley, but can add a delicious and fresh flavor to any dish.

Sage is a versatile herb that can be used in many different dishes, from sausages and stuffings to grilled pork chops. It has a strong, aromatic, “sage” flavor and goes well with other robust herbs such as garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme and savory.

Oregano is a short, shrubby herb with small, deep green leaves and a slightly soft, almost fuzzy texture. It has a very distinctive, bold flavor that is similar to thyme and has a faint mint-like undertone.

It is traditionally used to combat respiratory problems, and it has antimicrobial activities. It is also used in folk medicine to relieve menstrual cramps and to reduce inflammation in the skin.

Herbs can be stored bouquet-style when they are in bunches, or loosely wrapped in a damp paper towel, then sealed in a zip-top plastic bag. Some herbs will keep for up to a week this way.