Islamabad : For the choicest of Spring blooming, now is the time for planting saplings in the current weeks of December. The saplings planted now would give colourful blooms in early spring in March and April. So those who have frenzy green hands, pick up all your gardening tools and plant seedlings and saplings of the choicest of flowers for spring.
Dozens of flowering plants are available in the nurseries of the twin cities showcasing the adult plant picture on saplings. Many nurseries have catalogues from which one can select the flowers that would eventually bloom in spring.
Jawad, one the nursery owner on main Islamabad Expressway while speaking to ‘The News’ said that December is the time when the market is flooded with new plants that would bloom in early spring. Most of the people clear off their flower beds of the old worn out plants and prepare the soil for new plants. Fertilizer and the soil should be strong enough to give strength to the growing flowers. Water and sun also plays an important part in the nurturing. We have a huge variety of flowering plants in our nursery and we constantly grow different saplings according to the coming season. To create flower beds, one needs many plants to give a spectacular look of the garden in the spring. Those who have limited space keep flowering pots on their terraces or make pots’ vertical stands that give a beautiful look to the surroundings.
One of the gardeners while speaking to this scribe said that buying saplings is not a difficult but maintaining and nurturing it till spring reason is a big responsibility. Preparation of appropriate soil, mixing of fertilizers, exposure to sunlight and then watering it regularly are important factors for full potential growth of the plants. December and January are tough months for tender saplings because of the fog and frost factors. One has to save them from these at night and too much watering can spoil the saplings. Most plants grow well in Sunlight but a few can grow in shade too.
The plants that can be planted now are Alyssum and Mesembryanthemum that are not tall but are used for flower carpet beds. Primula, Antirrhinum, Aster, Begonia, Carnation, Cineraria, Cosmos, Dahlia, Dianthus (Sweet William), Godetia, Gazania, Helichrysum (Strawflower), Hollyhock, Larkspur, Linaria, Mimulus, Nemesia, Pansy, Ranunculus, Nasturtium, Calendula, Phlox, Salvia, Petunia, Brachyscome, Verbena, Kale, Lisianthus and Bellis are available in good nurseries. NPK, DAP and Urea are must for a nourishing soil.
These components play an important role in giving strength and nurturing the plant to its best yield. Along with these factors draining of water in pots also play an important role in the growth of the plants. There is nothing more satisfying than to see the first flower blooming over the plant when you’ve taken care of it for so many months,” he said.
There are many gardening forums in the country which are very active with their members on social media. They not only hold monthly workshops on gardening but also organize competitions among the members to develop interest in gardening. These gardening platforms, forums and societies make sure that people continue to take interest in gardening as it the most satisfying hobby for every age bracket.