Signs of Plant Stress: Wilted Leaves, Dry Tips, and Pale Appearances

This summer I started a long-distance move and after an extended period away my greenhouse plants are crying - yes crying - for help. Wilted plants, dry leaf tips, pale leaves and poor appearance. The trouble, it turns out, is that my house sitters were overly cautious about watering and using the fertilizer I left out for them. Now that I am home, I am growing my plants back to perfection.

Late Summer Gardening Tips

It is late August and I am chatting with my daughter who lives in Northern Alberta, Canada. Her outside garden has never looked so good because of the heat and regular rains. But she is wishing she could get another month on either end of the growing season.

Truth be told, I can easily ignore a bit of soil spilled on the benches or an occasional unsterilized pot for seedlings. I don't always wear gloves, or fastidiously wash labels. I like the results in my greenhouse. My Sweet Peas bloom early, my tomatoes grow fat on the vine. A little mess, a few germs - my plants and I are no worse for the wear.