Plant Care Routine

Home Composting & Plant Care

Once your plants are growing well, you'll notice they need little touches of care here and there. Think of it as grooming — trimming hair, fixing posture, or giving more space to grow. In gardening, this comes in three main practices: pruning, staking, and repotting.

✂️ 1. Pruning (Trimming for Healthy Growth)

Pruning means cutting off extra, dried, or unhealthy parts of the plant. It may sound scary, but it actually helps the plant grow better — just like we cut split ends in our hair.

Why prune?

  • Removes dead/diseased leaves that attract pests.
  • Allows more sunlight and air to reach the plant.
  • Encourages new, healthy shoots and flowers.

How to prune:

  • Use clean scissors or pruning shears (not your hands — tearing can hurt the plant).
  • Cut yellow, dry, or infected leaves close to the stem.
  • Trim off small, weak side shoots if they crowd the plant (especially for tomatoes and chilies).
  • Never cut more than 25–30% of the plant at once.

👉 Tip:

Always prune in the morning or evening, never in harsh sunlight.

🌱 2. Staking (Giving Support)

Some plants grow tall or bear heavy fruits that make them bend or even break. Staking means giving support with sticks, wires, or strings.

Plants that need staking: Tomato, chili, beans, cucumbers, climbers (like money plant, bitter gourd).

How to stake:

  • Place a bamboo stick or wooden pole firmly in the soil next to the plant.
  • Tie the plant gently to the stick using soft cloth, thread, or rope. Don't tie too tightly — leave some space for growth.
  • As the plant grows taller, keep adding support higher up.

👉 Tip:

For climbers, use a trellis (net or frame) and let them climb naturally.

🪴 3. Repotting (Shifting to a Bigger Home)

Sometimes a plant outgrows its pot. Its roots get crowded and it stops growing. This is when you need to repot — move the plant to a larger container or into the ground.

Signs your plant needs repotting:

  • Roots coming out from the drainage holes.
  • Plant looks stunted even with water and compost.
  • Soil dries very quickly after watering.

How to repot:

  • Choose a new pot 2–3 inches bigger than the old one.
  • Fill it with fresh potting mix (soil + compost + sand).
  • Gently remove the plant from the old pot, keeping as much soil around roots as possible.
  • Place it in the new pot, fill the sides with soil, and press lightly.
  • Water immediately after repotting to help it settle.

👉 Tip:

Best time to repot is evening or cloudy days, so the plant does't get stressed in harsh sun.

🌿 Why These Routines Matter

Here's why these practices are important:

  • Pruning: Better airflow + more flowers/vegetables.
  • Staking: Protects plant from bending/breaking.
  • Repotting: Gives fresh energy and space to grow.

Regular care makes your plants look fresh, prevents disease, and increases harvest.

✍️ Practical Exercise for You

Try this simple activity:

  • Choose one growing plant (like tomato or chili).
  • Prune 2–3 yellow leaves carefully.
  • Add a stick beside it and tie it loosely for support.
  • If the plant is too big for its pot, plan to shift it into a larger pot within a week.
  • Notice after a few days — the plant will look happier, stronger, and fresher.