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If you’ve spent any amount of time on Martha Stewart’s Instagram accounts, you know how dedicated she is to her many (and honestly, spectacular) gardens. Needless to say, as a home gardener myself, it was quite a thrill to talk about plants with her and ask for specific advice.
Martha gave me some important guidance for taking care of my indoor houseplants. She also convinced me to try my hand at keeping an orchid, and I loved her no-nonsense tip for adding a greenhouse to my garden. Read on for all of Martha’s tips, and check out some of our picks for setting yourself up for successful gardening this spring.
Martha and I bonded over backyard greenhouses
I get serious garden envy when looking at Martha’s Instagram posts. While the orchards and flower beds are beautiful, this vegetable greenhouse really makes me swoon.
Knowing that she has so much space in her greenhouses, it made me wonder about her houseplants. Mine stay in one place all year…does Martha do the same with hers?
“Nothing stays very long in my house,” she answered. “I’m lucky that I have greenhouses. Most plants really do need a certain amount of illumination. I’m lucky because I can take plants in and out.”
I wish I had the space for a giant structure, but until I do, I wanted Martha’s opinion on those affordable mini greenhouses have gotten so popular. I loved her refreshing answer: “Anything goes as long as they are protective of your plants,” she said.
Then, much to my delight, she mentioned the exact Costco greenhouse that I’ve been coveting for a while now, saying, “Costco has a fabulous little greenhouse. You can put it up in your yard, put a heater in there, and you have a greenhouse where you can really grow beautiful plants. Andy Morris, one of my producers, got one of these and she has so much fun with it.”
Of course, that Costco greenhouse is sold out, but you can replicate the setup that she describes with similar ones from Amazon. I found some smaller greenhouses too if you’re limited on outdoor space.
MCombo Wooden Cold Frame Greenhouse
Miracle-Gro 4-Tier Mini Greenhouse
Now 24% Off
Sylviera 6×4-Foot Metal Greenhouse
Miracle-Gro 6×4-Foot Walk-In Greenhouse
Now 17% Off
Ohuhu Portable Mini GreenhouseMartha told me what I’m doing wrong with my houseplants…
My biggest takeaway from our conversation addresses a gardening mistake I’ve made many times: Thinking that keeping plants indoors, protected from the harsh winter elements, with the usual light and watering, is good enough. But Martha was quick to remind me of the importance of feeding plants and watering them properly.
“Many people in my office bring me pictures of their particular problems. I’m like the plant doctor,” she said, laughing. “And they’re pretty much easily solved if they follow the basic rules of knowing how much water, how much food. My little saying is: You ate today. What about your plants?”
When it comes to her own plants, Martha says she uses Miracle-Gro’s organic plant foods. After all, she is officially its Chief Gardening Officer (or a “huge dirt nerd,” as she says in the funny commercials). I’m going to follow her lead, and pay more attention to feeding, using an all-purpose plant food as well as one that’s formulated for specific plants, like my ever-expanding collection of succulents.
Miracle-Gro Organic Plant Food 
Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food
Miracle-Gro Liquid Indoor Plant Food Martha has orchids that are decades old
I’ve tried, but haven’t had good luck growing orchids. In fact, I’m embarrassed by how many I’ve lost. Martha, on the other hand, has mastered how to care for this flower that has a reputation for being delicate.
Her simple rule: “I take real good care of them in the greenhouse, and they produce every single year. I have a lot of orchids, and when they bloom, I bring them in. When they stop blooming, I take them outside. Many of my orchids are 20, 30 years old. It’s a joy. They’re valuable plants that are expensive, but you can keep them going.”
One plant… 30 years?! It blows my mind, but now I’m inspired to give orchids another chance. Here’s where to start. Beyond the plant itself, I’ll be sure to get some orchid food and maybe a tabletop greenhouse so I can follow Martha’s instructions to the letter. Wish me luck!
Mini Tabletop Greenhouse Nursery
Miracle-Gro Orchid Potting Mix
Miracle-Gro Orchid Plant Food MistRelated Stories
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