Finding Your Green Thumb While Stuck At Home

Also: Remembering Andy Wong, MBTA Worker Who Died Of COVID-19 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [View in Browser]( | [Donate]( [WBUR] [WBUR]( The WBUR Weekender May 2, 2020 ☀️ Weekend Forecast: Warmer weather is coming and bringing [sunshine](. Temperatures will be in the high 60s to low 70s. Good morning, With milder temperatures and lots of sunshine on the way, it's a perfect time to develop a hobby that brings you outside and surrounds you with growth. If this sounds appealing, it's time to start a garden or become a plant parent. One major benefit: caring for plants can help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. This week, we talked to two plant experts – David Epstein, WBUR's meteorologist and horticulturist, and Jamie Metsch, co-owner of Salem's home decor and plant shop Oak and Moss – to get some advice for those of us looking to hone our green thumbs. What's a good starter plant? Metsch: Indoor tropical plants are great for beginners. Philodendron, spider plants and umbrella plants can provide some leeway for those who are just learning how to care for plants. Split-leaf philodendrons are a great option if you want something a little trendier. They’re the ones with Swiss cheese-like holes in the leaves. How much should I be watering? Epstein: The most common thing people do is kill their plants with kindness. Most plants would rather be a little more dry than wet. Over-watering will quickly kill tender seedlings. The theme here: less is more. Metsch: For indoor plants, a water mister is a game-changer. A lot of plants, in general, prefer to have their root system dry out through a dry cycle. The misters are great at giving these leaves the thirst-quenching spray they need and increase the humidity for them so they don’t crisp up while the dirt is going through its dry cycle. When can I plant a vegetable garden? Epstein: It's not too early to put out cool weather crops. You can either find these at a local garden center or start seeds directly in the ground. These would be things like carrots, lettuce, Asian greens, peas, onions, broccoli or anything else in the brassica family. These types of vegetables love the cool weather. If you're starting from seed be sure to keep the area evenly moist. To learn more about how to make your own indoor "jungalow," [read Metsch's suggestions here](. Looking to focus more on your outdoor garden or container plants? [Read more of Epstein's tips here](. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org This Week's Must Reads url['Not Just A Phone Call Away Anymore': Remembering Andy Wong, MBTA Worker Who Died Of COVID-19]( "When Andy told you he was there for whenever you needed him, he meant that," friend and former coworker Aimee DaLuz said. [Read more.]( Support the news [Senior Living Facilities Are Coronavirus Hotspots. Now, Families Wonder If They Should Bring Loved Ones Home]( Bill Passman, of Lexington, decided to remove his mother from an assisted living facility in Maryland after his father contracted the coronavirus and died. [Read more.]( [Researchers Built Various Models To Predict Pandemic Shifts. Right Now, They Show 'A Tremendous Amount Of Uncertainty']( Until more data become available, it's difficult for scientists to understand how policies might affect the outbreak's severity. [Read more.]( [Mass. Prisons And Jails Among Hardest Hit By Coronavirus In U.S.]( This is a snapshot in time amid a fast-moving pandemic, as the number of infected inmates, corrections officers and medical staff jumps by the day. As of Tuesday, WBUR found the coronavirus has infected nearly 15,000 inmates and corrections workers nationally and has killed more than 130. [Read more.]( [Drumming In The Woods When There's Nowhere Else To Go]( Since the coronavirus hit Boston, Sander Bryce hasn't been able to practice on his drum set where he usually does in Allston. So he turned to the great outdoors. [Read more.]( Time For A Break Have a (virtual) party: Need some inspiration? This Connecticut-based CEO held a [virtual beer pong event]( for employees that lasted an epic seven hours. Listen: The [second episode]( of Endless Thread's new series, "Madness" just dropped. For those who haven't listened yet, the five-part series is about CIA-funded mind-control experiments. Hooked yet? Tell me something good: Two stories out of Watertown and Waltham made me smile this week! One was about a [street sousaphonist]( the other about creatively using a [bucket truck](. Watch: "Torrey Pines." During a 2018 presentation at ArtsEmerson, this coming-of-age, stop-motion film fascinated audiences. Now it’s temporarily available to livestream through May 10. [Learn more here.]( What we’re thinking about: The "extraordinary" and hope. Two commentaries this week really highlighted this. The first was this essay from a [Mass Gen. ICU doctor]( about the blend of the "extraordinary with the everyday" in the COVID-19 ICU. Then there's [this commentary]( suggests we can spot new hope for our future, even while things are upturned and difficult. WBUR TOWN HALL | The Societal Costs Of COVID-19 The measures necessary to control the spread of COVID-19 will also have unprecedented consequences on our economy, health outcomes and social fabric. Job losses, school closures and the coming recession will exacerbate already existing social inequities. Public policies need to be implemented to protect the most vulnerable and prevent the consequences of future pandemics. WBUR reporter Callum Borchers will discuss with Boston University School of Public Health Dean Sandro Galea. This livestreamed event on Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. is free and open to the public, but [advance registration is requested.]( Want to submit questions before the event? Go to [slido.com]( and enter event code #WBURVTH4 to send them to us. Before you go: [This video]( was supposed to showcase Boston accents, but really it just put a well-deserved spotlight on iconic New England beverages. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📨 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news [WBUR]( [95289b97-66e8-43d4-a174-3bc3520a79a9.png]( [Instagram](  [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Want to change how you receive these emails? [Stop getting this newsletter by updating your preferences.]( I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](. Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? 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