Dirt, Data & Dated Photos 🪴
How I test things, and how much to trust each post
Hi, friend! 👋 I’m not a botanist, and I won’t pretend to be one. I’m just someone who keeps houseplants, tries things, and writes down what happens. Here’s how I do it, so you know how much weight to give each post. 💧
What I actually do 🌼
- 🏡 I test on my own plants at home. My light, my water, my windowsills. Your home is different, so your results may vary!
- 📚 I start with reading. Before I try something, I read what growers, nurseries, and university extension sites or plant care books say, so I’m not just guessing.
- 1️⃣ I change one thing at a time whenever I can. If I change the pot, the soil, and the light all at once, I can’t learn a thing!
- 📸 I keep notes and dated photos. That’s why you’ll see dates on my updates.
- ⏳ I wait. Most plants are slow, and good things take time to grow. I’d rather tell you “it’s been 3 months” than shout “it worked!” after 3 days.
How sure am I? The confidence tags 
Every post has a little tag near the top, so you can see at a glance how much I know.
| Tag | What it means |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Just started | I’ve only tried this recently, so treat it as a first impression. I’ll update the post! |
| 🌿 Tested for [3] months | I’ve watched it for a while, on at least one plant. |
| 🌳 Tested for 6+ months | I’ve seen it hold up through different seasons. |
| 📖 Researched, not tested | I read about it but haven’t tried it yet. I’ll always say so clearly. |
What my results can’t tell you 🙈
- One plant is one data point, not a study.
- I can’t promise your plant will respond the same way.
- I’m not a plant doctor! If a plant is badly struggling, a local nursery or plant expert can look at it in person. 🩺
Spotted something that doesn’t match your experience? 💌
Please tell me! I learn so much from readers. Find me on the Contact page.