Fall Self-Care: Tending to Me & My Plants
This time of year always reminds me to slow down, check in, and give myself a little TLC. But self-care isn’t just for us, it’s for our plants, too! The same way we need rest, hydration, and nourishment to thrive, our plants need consistent love, attention, and, every now and then, a fresh start.
As the days get shorter and cooler, we bring our plants indoors to stay cozy. This is the perfect time to see who’s outgrown their space. Repotting doesn't just give your plant’s roots more room to stretch; it refreshes the living ecosystem that supports them. When my plants are happy, I’m happy. And honestly, who could ask for a better birthday wish than that?
A Home Within a Home: The Secret Life Beneath the Soil
Every pot in your home is more than just a container; it’s a miniature world teeming with life. Beneath the surface, billions of tiny creatures, bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, are hard at work in what we call the root zone.
Think of this area as an underground neighbourhood where your plant and these microbes are the best of friends. Your plant releases sugary treats (called "exudates") through its roots to feed the microbes. In return, the microbes act like tiny chefs, breaking down organic matter to create the essential nutrients your plant needs to grow big and strong, like nitrogen and potassium.
Over time, when your plant gets root-bound or the soil gets packed down, this delicate balance breaks down. Less air means fewer happy microbes and fewer available nutrients. Repotting revives this underground world, giving it the air, moisture, and space it needs to keep buzzing with life!
Giving Your Plants a Fresh Start
Just like we occasionally need a reset, our plants need one too. Here is your step-by-step guide to giving your plants a refresh with my Raw and Regenerative Peat-Free Living Potting Soil. Once moistened, its active microbes wake up and begin nourishing your plants from the inside out, no added fertilizer needed. They transform organic matter into a steady flow of nutrients, keeping your soil and plants in perfect balance.
Step 1: Hydration is Key
Mix your Peat-Free Potting Soil with water at a 1:1 ratio (equal parts soil and water) until it’s evenly moist but still fluffy, not soggy. This reactivates beneficial microbes that help your plant thrive.
Step 2: Pot Upgrade
Select a new pot 1–2 inches wider than the old one, with proper drainage holes. Roots grow best with good airflow and a gradual size upgrade.
Step 3: Uprooted
Gently slide the plant out of its old pot, supporting the base. Loosen the roots so they can spread outward freely in their new home.
Step 4: Root Removal
Trim away any damaged, dead, or tightly coiled roots. Healthy roots should look white or tan and feel firm; these are the lifelines of your plant.
Step 5: Create a Healthy Base
Add a layer of your rehydrated Raw & Regenerative Living Potting Soil to the bottom of the new pot. This gives your roots a soft, microbe-rich foundation to grow into.
Step 6: Moving In
Position your plant in the center, then fill around it with more soil. Lightly press to remove air pockets but don’t pack it too tightly, roots need room to breathe. Leave about 2 cm of space at the top for easy watering.
Step 7: Water and Settle In
Water slowly and deeply until it drains from the bottom. Let excess water escape, then keep your plant in bright, indirect light for a few days while it adjusts.
Grow Well, Feel Well
Repotting is more than a chore; it’s a reminder of how interconnected everything is. When we nurture our plants, we're nurturing a living network of soil, roots, and microbes that, in many ways, mirrors our own need for renewal.
This birthday month, I’m celebrating growth, mine and my plants. Here’s to fresh starts, healthy roots, and thriving ecosystems, both inside our pots and within ourselves.