HELOISE: Tips help container plants thrive

Dear Readers: Looking for some helpful ABCs to help your container plants thrive? Watering is by far the most important part of keeping container plants healthy and happy. So:

Make sure pots have drainage holes in the bottom. If the water can’t drain out, the roots will rot.

Don’t place pots directly on a patio or porch surface. Instead, raise them up a few inches so the water can drain out. You can use flat pieces of bricks or wood.

If you use a saucer under pots, don’t let water stand in it. Check back after about an hour, and if there is still water in the saucer, remove it.

Remember, some potted plants can dry out fast, especially ones in clay; smaller pots will need to be watered every day.

How can you tell if your plant needs water? Stick your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water. Be sure to give the plant a good, thorough soaking to encourage healthy root growth.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I got a good hint from my mother for how to cover my youngster’s broken arm to bathe. We had been using a plastic trash bag to keep the cast dry, but for a small child, it was too much plastic. My mom suggested a plastic bag that covers the newspaper on rainy days. Our paper comes in it every day, so it is always available. The newspaper bag is the perfect size for her little arm. Add tape, and off to the tub she goes!

Ann in California

Dear Heloise: When traveling for long weekends or four- or five-day trips, instead of packing jars of day and night face creams, I transfer each into contact-lens holders — day cream in right side, night in left. Doing this, you can put them in your carry-on for plane travel, and you don’t have the heavy, full containers to lug around.

Lynnette in Washington

These little containers are wonderful to reuse for so many things!

Heloise

Dear Heloise: For anyone who lives alone and maybe would be doing something like climbing a ladder, etc., always keep your cell phone in your pocket, just in case.

A Reader, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I replace my pillows every year. I find a comfortable, firm pillow at my local big-box store for under $15, and I usually get a few. My old pillows make comfy beds for my dogs.

I donate others to the animal shelter. Not a bad investment for one year’s return of good sleep!

A Reader, via fax

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate