The sun finally came out today. WooHoo! and this morning I think everybody emerged from their homes and headed to the garden center; me included. What a mob scene! While I'm waiting in line, I can't help but look at what everyone else has picked out.
This guy behind me had a half a flat of impatiens in the little six pack cells. These things had to be 12 inches tall and the roots were hanging out of the little holes in the bottom. There were almost no leaves on them except at the top. Now all together with each straggly plant holding up the next one, they looked nice. When he gets them home and pops them out of their six packs to plant, they're going to look awful. And they probably will for quite a while. I noticed several other people in line with root bound, stressed out plants too. One guy was so happy that the six pack of tomatoes he had already had flowers on them!
I'm so tempted to have a little chat and explain how bigger is not always better, and buying healthy small plants works out better in the long run than going for the tallest ones on the table. Better value for all the money! Who could complain about that? People really hate unsolicited advice though, so I keep my mouth shut. Sigh.
Well, back to the garden. It's supposed to rain again this evening.
This guy behind me had a half a flat of impatiens in the little six pack cells. These things had to be 12 inches tall and the roots were hanging out of the little holes in the bottom. There were almost no leaves on them except at the top. Now all together with each straggly plant holding up the next one, they looked nice. When he gets them home and pops them out of their six packs to plant, they're going to look awful. And they probably will for quite a while. I noticed several other people in line with root bound, stressed out plants too. One guy was so happy that the six pack of tomatoes he had already had flowers on them!
I'm so tempted to have a little chat and explain how bigger is not always better, and buying healthy small plants works out better in the long run than going for the tallest ones on the table. Better value for all the money! Who could complain about that? People really hate unsolicited advice though, so I keep my mouth shut. Sigh.
Well, back to the garden. It's supposed to rain again this evening.
poor guy but he'll learn the hard way 
