#garden tips

March 25 2025, Dana O'Driscoll, AODA

Excerpt:

In my first post in this series, I talked about the global collapse that is happening and what to do about it–and as hard as it is, the reasons to keep up the hope and the vision for a better future and paradigm.  As I shared in my first post, what we need to do now, as things are collapsing, is to lean into and create the world we want to create.  But how to do we actually get there? One step at a time, my friends.  In my first post, I outlined the situation as I see it and then shared some resources to help orient our minds and mentally prepare and cultivate mental resilience.   This post assumes that you’ve read the first post, and also, that you are feeling like you are in a place to take a few more steps.  And so today’s topic is: building a good library!

Read the full post on The Druid's Garden.

USDA Hardiness zone map:

Chill hour map:

Heat Zone map:

I'm making another post about these DIY seed strips because they are genius and I'm so thankful to my neighbor for teaching me about them!

All you need is:

Toilet paper

Flour

Water

Seeds

This is great for seeds I chronically over seeds and will eventually have to thin like carrots, lettuce, radishes, etc.

Get a little bowl and combine 1 Tablespoon flour with 1 Tablespoon water. You want it to be a paste like consistency and not too runny.

Get a length of toilet paper and put small dots of the wheatpaste in the spacing your seeds require a long one side of the toilet paper.

Place a seed or two on that dot all along the length

Fold the toilet paper over and the little seeds are "glued" into the paper in a way that water can dissolve and the seed can grow through.

Hang the lengths of toilet paper somewhere until it dries or it could seep through and stick to whatever is on the other side.

Follow the instructions on the seed packet as to when to plant and plant as normal, just in a strip.

Maidenhair ferns honestly have one of the prettiest textures of any indoor plant 🌿

The soft bright green leaves and thin dark stems make them look almost delicate compared to heavier foliage plants like monstera or philodendron. They give indoor spaces a calmer, softer and more natural feeling instantly.

The funny thing is almost everyone struggles with them at first.

One day the fern looks perfect, then suddenly parts of it start turning brown or crispy. That usually happens because maidenhair ferns react very quickly to dry air and inconsistent moisture.

They naturally prefer:

Bright indirect light

Higher humidity

Even moisture

Stable indoor temperatures

Protection from heaters and dry airflow

Dry indoor air is one of the biggest problems, especially in air-conditioned rooms. Their thin leaves lose moisture much faster than tougher indoor plants.

Another thing people overlook is depleted potting mix. Since maidenhair ferns grow entirely in containers indoors, nutrients gradually wash out over time. Weak growth and pale fronds can sometimes happen when the plant has not been fed for a long period.

That is why many indoor growers use an indoor plant fertiliser designed for leafy indoor plants rather than strong outdoor fertilisers.

Once the environment becomes more stable, maidenhair ferns are actually incredibly rewarding plants to grow. The fronds become fuller, softer and greener over time and create that relaxed indoor jungle aesthetic people love.