I just received 2 bags of Miracle Grow peat moss Either I joined that testing for plants or someone was very generous. it came from Memphis

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬 𝐒𝐨 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 (𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥) If you read yesterday’s post about winter roots, this one will feel very familiar. February is where well-intentioned gardeners accidentally get into trouble, not because they’re careless, but because they’re attentive. And sometimes… attentive looks like too much water. 💧 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐲 By now, roots are starting to wake up, but they’re still moving slowly. That means: * Plants absorb water at a crawl * Soil stays wet much longer * Cooler temps reduce evaporation * Low light slows growth above the soil So even if you’re watering less than summer, it can still be too much. 🌱 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧 Overwatering doesn’t always look dramatic at first. Watch for: * Leaves turning yellow before wilting * Soil that stays damp for days * A musty or sour soil smell * Drooping that doesn’t improve after watering When roots can’t breathe, the plant struggles, even if the leaves look thirsty. 🚫 𝐖𝐡𝐲 “𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞” 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 That little splash “just to be safe” adds up fast in winter. Roots need oxygen as much as moisture. Constantly wet soil fills air pockets and that’s when rot starts. In February, less frequent but deeper watering is safer than small, frequent sips. 🌿 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰 Try this simple winter-friendly approach: * Check soil below the surface (1–2 inches down) * Water only when it’s dry at that depth * Empty saucers—never let pots sit in water * Let plants dry slightly more than you think Your plant would rather wait a day… than drown. 🌼 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 If winter roots are cautious, your watering should be too. Holding back now sets the stage for healthier growth when spring truly arrives 🌱

I got this sweet little planter the opening is around 3.5 inches. What plant would make cute "hair"?