Question: There are little black gnats flying around my house, and I’ve tracked them back to my houseplants. How can I control these annoying creatures, and are they harming my plants?

Answer: The little black insects are most likely fungus gnats. They breed in overly damp soil, where both the larvae and adults feed on abundant soil fungi. If the population of gnats is very high, the larvae may run out of fungus to eat and turn to your plants’ rootlets for food, but this rarely causes plants distress. To rid yourself of these pests, allow the soil surface to dry out a little between waterings. Most houseplants do better when the soil is not overly wet, so this should not hurt them. To break the breeding cycle and eliminate the pests you can also spread a thin layer of sand or gravel over top of the potting soil — this works well if you have plants that do actually require a constantly wet soil. This layer will dry out very quickly (faster than the potting mix) and the gnats will have no place to breed. Each generation lives only a short while so once the surface moisture stops they should disappear in a few weeks. There are also commercial products containing a special strain of the biological control Bt that help control this pest.

Common name of this plant is ‘variegated horseradish’. It needs the full sun and for its soil, it likes rich soil, not too dry.
Horseradish is a hardy perennial herb. Spreading with determination every year if left to its own devices, this herb reaches a height of one metre. The roots can grow to a meter in length. The leaves are large and long, almost paddle-shaped, growing 30-50cm. In the spring, heads of pretty, small white flowers with a sweet honey scent develop. Seed pods however rarely ripen in our climate. In cold parts of the country, flowers often fail to develop.
This very striking plant does not like to be disturbed. This great kitchen condiment gets a striking face-lift. White variegated foliage is a very nice contrast to the usual green. Roots can be used as a spicy condiment like the all green version. The 18-in long, wavy, crepe paper like leaves develop striking patterns of cream splashed on dark green– but not right away. It may take two or three years for it to become completely variegated, and then only if it’s left undisturbed. If you move it, you’ll have to start your wait all over again.
All of the plant, especially the roots, contain strong-smelling volatile mustard oils and is popular in sauces and is said to aid digestion; this helps especially if eaten with rich foods, such as roast beef and oily fish which are difficult to digest.
Not only can this plant spread, its roots grow to at least 60cm. A mature plant may have to be divided or removed with an axe or saw; so care and consideration is needed when adding this herb to the garden. It may be advisable to plant in an old dustbin, with holes in the bottom, to retain the spread of the roots. Sink the bin into the ground and apply well-rotted manure or compost around the plant in the spring. It doesn’t not spread aggressively, but instead, forms polite clumps gradually growing to 3 ft. across. Once the variegation does get going, the splotches and speckles are most pronounced in early spring.

First you need a bucket or a deep planting pot (A bucket is good because it has a handle). Then drill a couple of holes in the bottom for drainage, Now for potatoes you fill the 1st 4 or 5 inches with compost and then plant a couple of the eyes of the potatoe. Now when the green stems get to about 6 inches tall add more compost until just the tops are showing. Allow them to continue to sprout up and as they get taller repeat the back filling until you are at the top then just let them do their thing. water as needed. Now you can grow just about anything in a bucket. As far as cool weather crops go I would suggest only filling the bucket 5/8 full that way if the temps plunge unexpectently then all ya gotta do is cover the top. Now for those veggies that need to keep their toes warm you can use a grow mat and put the buckets on the Mat.

Keeping Houseplants Healthy in Winter

Keeping your houseplants healthy during winter months may seem difficult. Light from windows is reduced, days are shorter and humidity may be lower due to heating. But by making a few changes, you can help keep your houseplants healthy.

Keeping things light
In winter, your plants receive sunlight for less time and in less intensity. Houseplants native to rainforests that are used to lower light will be fine with that, but most plants need more light. Try to move your plants near a brighter window (S/SW exposure) to get them more sunlight.
If you have no brighter windows (due to shade trees or apartment living), you might want to consider the purchase of plant lamps that are designed to provide the full spectrum light your plants need. They can be mounted under shelves over plants or on specially-designed plant stands. Leave them on about eight hours a day, and they’ll give your plants the light they need.
You can also use cool fluorescent bulbs as close as 6 inches from the top of plants.

Temperature
Most plants do not do well when subjected to rapid fluctuations in temperature. Keep them away from hot air sources and cold drafts alike. Run ceiling fans on low if the house is closed up. Fans break up stagnant air; that’s healthier for both you and your plants.

Humidity
Some symptoms of low humidity are brown leaf tips and wilting. Low humidity makes your plants work harder to get moisture from the air and soil, as well as keep what they have inside.
One way to give your plants some extra humidity is to mist them two or three times a day. The water will evaporate off the leaves and provide a cloud of higher humidity around the plant. For a less labor-intensive method, put a layer of pebbles in the bottom of a tray and fill the tray with just enough water to cover the bottom of the tray (below the top of the pebbles). Place potted plants in the tray.

Other
Fertilizing should be done less often for most plants in winter.
Give your plants a good washing. Dirt, dust, grease, and other particles can settle on leaves. Dirty leaves can’t absorb as much sunlight as clean ones. Gently wipe clean the leaves with a soft sponge or cloth dipped in plain water. Sturdier plants can even be given a quick shower in the bathroom with tepid water.