Make sure to bundle up Friday and Saturday evening for these low temps in the 50s!!! Burrrrr. For the week of November 16th to the 22nd, the current forecast around Venice and Port Charlotte calls for afternoon temperatures mostly near 80 degrees and overnight lows in the 60s, with some breezy days and chances for showers around the middle and later part of the week. In other words, perfectly normal Florida holiday weather: you can start decorating for Christmas and still need the air conditioning on the ride home. Forecasts can change, of course, so keep an eye on the rain before planning your outdoor projects.
Meanwhile, our deliveries are bringing a little more holiday spirit to the garden centers. Poinsettias, Christmas cactuses, and other fun seasonal arrivals are making their way in, bringing fresh pops of color and easy gift ideas as we head toward Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you’re not quite ready to pull every decoration out of the garage, a few colorful plants are a pretty painless place to start. No ladder, extension cords, or argument over which lights worked when you put them away last year.
Poinsettias are one of the easiest ways to make a room feel festive. Add one to a bright entryway or use a few to dress up the house before company arrives. They also make a thoughtful gift for the person hosting Thanksgiving, especially if your assigned contribution to dinner is “just bring yourself,” which usually means they remember what happened the last time you cooked. Give poinsettias good light, water when the soil surface feels dry, and let excess water drain away. Don’t leave them sitting in water inside a decorative cover or saucer; with proper care, their color can last well beyond the holidays.
Christmas cactuses are another seasonal favorite, with colorful blooms and a size that makes them easy to tuck into a bright spot at home or give as a gift. Despite the name, this isn’t a cactus you should park in the hottest sun and forget about. Bright, indirect light and watering when the top inch of soil feels dry will suit it much better. Good drainage matters here, too, and keeping it away from drafts and sudden changes in conditions can help prevent buds from dropping.
Stop by MRT in South Venice, North Venice, or Port Charlotte to see what’s arriving and pick out a little seasonal color for yourself or someone else. Our team members can help you choose something that fits the spot you have in mind. Whether you’re fully decorating for Christmas or firmly insisting that the turkey deserves its turn first, there’s always room for one more plant. Plus, we remembered to order metallic speed covers this year and we even have them in multiple colors!