I love when I have the opportunity to work on a clients' landscape design. Partly because I love nature and incorporating as much of the surroundings as I can, but also because it's amazing to see how it all transforms month after month, year after year.
Seasons are a beautiful thing. There's nothing like seeing the outdoors come to life in the spring, show us its magnificent beauty in the summer, surprise us with blazing colors in the fall and then provide a pretty backdrop for the snow to settle on in the winter. Knowing that your plants are going to travel this journey through the year, and tending to their needs as each season arrives will extend the life of your landscape.
We had our first frost warning of the season the other night. Which caught me a little by surprise, but quickly made me consider what I need to tend to in my yard! I recently moved to a new home and with it came a garden I could only have dreamed of. I feel much of an obligation to care for the plants as the previous owner so lovingly did. Which means I've had to take a crash course in how to bring some of these beauties inside for the long, hard winter.
Of course, I am not an expert but these tips seem to be pretty consistent across all of my research. I do recommend talking to someone at your local garden center if this is the first time you've done this.
It's hard to say exactly when the best time to bring your plants indoor is, however, when temperatures remain pretty consistent between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, it's probably time. Also be aware of frost warnings in your area. You want to bring your plants into an environment that is not a drastic temperature change.
Keep in mind that your while outside, your plants enjoyed a full day of sunshine. You may need to find a bright spot in your home, or slowly adapt your plant to lower lighting. Your plants will tolerate the temperature of your home, but they will turn crispy and brown if there isn't enough moisture in the air. Consider placing them in a location where you could also run a humidifier, or mist them using a spray bottle. Cut your plants back slightly before you move them inside to control size and encourage new growth. Repeat in the fall.
They are called pests for a reason! You don't want to invite them in your house, do you? Check on and under the leaves for those little critters, and on the stems and the base of the plant. You can also soak a potted plant in a container of lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Any insects in the soil will rise to the surface. Depending on what you discover, you may want to re-pot your plant in a clean container with fresh soil to avoid any hitchhiking pests.
And some water! Once inside, your plants won't need as much water as they do outside. Think: less frequently, more thoroughly. You can always check by feeling the top inch of soil. If it's dry, it's time to water.
Of course, we've barely scratched the surface on maintaining houseplants. There's lots more to learn on my Pinterest board. Just click here to see!
Don't let your plants get stuck in the cold!
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.