A rainy week calls for an awesome indoor activity like this one! Remember: Anything that contains something is a potential planter. Watch as Laura from Garden Answer makes the most of her old tea tins using Espoma Organic Cactus Mix!
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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-28-at-12.51.51-PM.png8621706Stephanie Muczykhttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngStephanie Muczyk2020-08-28 13:02:002020-08-28 13:02:00Video: Making Tea Tin Arrangements with Garden Answer
It’s time for another installment of our Q&A series with the wonderful folks who make Espoma such a great place to work! Up next is David Mountford, our Senior Logistic Manager. We’re so proud to say he’s been with us for 32 years and still going strong! Read on to find out the details of his backyard oasis and the gardening product he can’t live without.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?
A: The collaboration between ownership, management, salesforce, and plant. Everyone across the board communicates very well and has created an awesome culture.
Q: How are you approaching things differently now either at home and with work as a result of COVID-19?
A: I find myself working longer and harder as my computer is always on and easier to access. There are times after dinner that I will just walk by my laptop and check my email. I try to stay in the same routine as if I was waking up to travel to work.
Q: What about your personal life? Any new hobbies and/or habits helping to pass the time?
A: I live in South Jersey with my wife and two daughters, and we spend a lot of time gardening as a family.
Q: Tell us about your personal garden, yard or plants.
A: We have an inground swimming pool and spend a lot of family time there. Our yard is small, but we have utilized a lot of evergreens to create privacy and integrated a lot of perennials to add color. It’s kind of like our vacation oasis.
Q: What is your top gardening tip?
A: Tend to your plants. Make it a habit to walk the property to monitor any issues before they overtake the plant.
Q: What’s one Espoma product you couldn’t live without?
A: I recommend Bio-tone Starter Plus when installing. Using Bio-tone is like an insurance policy for your plants, ensuring that they grow healthy for years. I also feed all my containers with Espoma Bloom throughout the summer.
Q: What made you want to work at Espoma?
A: My father was a salesman for Espoma for 15 years. I was working retail in the garden industry and it was tough. I only had one day off and worked 60+ hours a week. As I started a family, I felt there would be a lot I would miss with my kids. Then the logistics person retired and I knew the company well enough to know there would be stability.
We’re so lucky to have David on our team, and we hope to keep him around for many more years to come. One thing’s for sure — Espoma wouldn’t be the company that it is today without the hard work of people like him! Stick around to learn more about some of our other wonderful team members soon.
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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Family-cropped.jpg322600Stephanie Muczykhttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngStephanie Muczyk2020-08-25 15:13:512020-08-25 15:13:51Meet the Team: Q&A with David Mountford
Have you thought ahead to your fall harvest yet? August is prime time to plant delicious and nutritious vegetables that will come to life in the cooler months. And there’s nothing better than being able to spice up your home-cooked dishes using your very own garden — no need to run to the supermarket! Read on to find out which veggies you should be planting right now.
Lettuce
Did you know lettuce cannot be frozen, dried, pickled, or canned? That’s why you have to eat it fresh! Luckily, planting it right now means you’ll be able to enjoy it in just a few months. A fall harvest is ideal as lettuce’s sturdiness prevents any frost from destroying it. These leafy greens are a good source of vitamin C, calcium, iron, and copper — making it the perfect base for a healthy salad. Keep an eye out for the dark green leaves when harvesting as they’re even healthier than the light green ones.
Spinach
Spinach is well known for its low-calorie count and high levels of vitamin A, C, and iron — making it the perfect addition to that healthy salad. This veggie also gives you the highest turnover out of all the others. If collected in small quantities, you can keep harvesting them late until May! The best time to start planting them is now, at the tail end of summer.
Parsley
Ready for another healthy addition to that salad we’re working on? Parsley is a rich source of Vitamin K, C, and A, and minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron, and calcium. It’s no wonder this veggie has been used in dishes since ancient Rome! It’s also believed to have anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, and antifungal properties. Plant your parsley now to make sure you can reap all these benefits in the fall.
Carrots
If you’re planning on sowing some veggies that aren’t leafy greens, carrots should definitely be your first choice! As this vegetable grows into the fall season, the cool weather turns the starch to sugar, making them extra delicious. This sweet flavor makes them the perfect side or snack — sauteed, roasted, or even raw! Keep in mind that this plant does need a little extra care compared to some of the others on this list, so be sure to use vegetable food like Garden-tone to provide them with the energy they need to grow.
Beets
Last but not least, beets should definitely be on your August to-plant list. Did you know beets are edible from the tip of their green leaves to the bottom of their brown roots? They also help capture some hard-to-catch toxins and flush them out. These same antioxidants provide anti-inflammatory agents that provide a wide array of health benefits. Still not convinced? Since beet juice helps cleanse your liver, it’s thought that it can even help cure hangovers! If you want to make use of the entire plant and enjoy all these delicious benefits, make sure to sow the seeds now — about 8 weeks before the first frost.
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Just because summer is winding down, doesn’t mean it’s time to pack up your gardening supplies. August is the perfect time to plant some of your favorite vegetables! Cooking primarily with these veggies straight from your garden will give you some of the freshest and tastiest dishes. So get your family together, head outside, and get planting!
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/sophie-mikat-gCU9ucYYcSQ-unsplash-scaled.jpg17072560Stephanie Muczykhttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngStephanie Muczyk2020-08-12 15:50:192023-08-15 11:22:155 Veggies to Plant in August
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Planting-for-Fall.jpg12282318Stephanie Muczykhttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngStephanie Muczyk2020-08-11 13:52:062020-08-11 15:43:19Video: Planting for Fall
Fall crops already? That’s right! Join Garden Answer and get some great ideas for food crops in the upcoming season.
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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Thumbnail-6.jpg10801920Stephanie Muczykhttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngStephanie Muczyk2020-08-11 13:31:042020-08-11 15:44:10Video: Planting Fall Crops for Harvest with Garden Answer
When planting new trees, don’t forget to add a healthy combination of Espoma Organic Bio-tone and Iron-tone to help them establish fast. Watch the full video with Garden Answer!
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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-11-at-12.34.00-PM.png8821736Stephanie Muczykhttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngStephanie Muczyk2020-08-11 12:40:202020-08-11 12:40:22Video: Planting Maple Trees with Garden Answer!
Are your tomato plants growing out of control? Time to tie them up with Bloom and Grow Radio‘s Tying and Fertilizing Tomatoes video featuring Tomato-tone!
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-04-at-2.39.27-PM.png9101766Stephanie Muczykhttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngStephanie Muczyk2020-08-04 14:44:422022-04-12 08:18:19Video: Tying up & Fertilizing Tomatoes with Bloom and Grow Radio!
A little vitamin boost from Bio-tone Plus before amending your soil is key when planting up a fresh tomato path. More great tips from Bloom and Grow Radio in the full video!
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-04-at-2.15.04-PM.png390781Stephanie Muczykhttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngStephanie Muczyk2020-08-04 14:33:552022-04-12 08:19:01Video: Tomato Planting Tutorial with Bloom and Grow Radio
We’re thrilled to jump back into our Q&A series where we highlight the talented folks who are working hard behind the scene to make Espoma so great. Today we’re shining the spotlight on Dave Jackson, Vice President of National Accounts! We’ve been lucky enough to have him with us for just over three years now during which he’s continually impressed his colleagues and customers alike.
Let’s learn a bit more about Dave’s day-to-day life and his favorite Espoma products! Keep reading to find out his secret is for the ultimate curb appeal.
Q. What’s your favorite part of your job?
A. My favorite part of my job is presenting new products and merchandising ideas to customers and helping them grow their business.
Q. How has COVID-19 affected your day-to-day?
A. Interacting face-to-face with customers has been replaced with virtual meetings and digital presentations. I miss the customer interaction and store visits.
Q. What about your personal life? Any new hobbies and/or habits helping to pass the time?
A. It has been nice to spend more time with my kids who are taking classes from home. They can’t escape!
Q. What are you most looking forward to when the world gets back to normal?
A. I look forward to visiting my parents and family and getting to a few favorite restaurants.
Q. Tell us about your personal garden, yard, or plants.
A. I maintain my own lawn and landscaping, including a rock garden and a few containers on the patio.
Q. What is your top gardening tip?
A. Make sure you get your kids to help when it’s time to do the mulching!
Q. What’s one Espoma product you couldn’t live without?
A. I’m amazed by how well my flowers look soon after using Bloom! Liquid Plant Food. It’s quick and easy.
Q. What do you enjoy most about caring for your gardens?
A. I enjoy trying different containers of annuals, perennials, and herbs. I also enjoy watching one of my kids mow the backyard!
Q. What made you want to enter the gardening industry?
A. I started my career with a seed company and haven’t left the industry since. It’s a great group of people!
Q. What made you want to work at Espoma?
A. I’ve always admired Espoma’s great products and packaging and jumped at the opportunity to join the team.
As always, we’re proud to have such loyal, hard-working employees that keep our company running. Stay tuned to learn more about the great folks behind the brand at Espoma.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_7284-scaled-e1595605672343.jpg8101080Stephanie Muczykhttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngStephanie Muczyk2020-07-24 11:50:472020-07-24 12:00:47Meet the Team: Q&A with Dave Jackson
Here at Espoma, our products are only as great as the team behind them. That’s why we’re excited to begin our Q&A series where you’ll get to learn a bit more about the talented folks behind the brand. We want you to see for yourself just how our company is comprised of hard-working people who genuinely care about our customers and everything plant- and garden-related!
First up is our Southeast Territory Sales Manager, Bonnie Satterthwaite. Bonnie has been with us for 14 years! We’d love to tell you about all her and the amazing things she has done for Espoma over the years, but we figured it would be best to hear it straight from the source. So, we sat down with Bonnie and let her put it in her own words.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?
A: Developing relationships and often becoming friends with our customers. And, of course, the opportunity to visit all of the fabulous garden centers in my area.
Q: What about your personal life? Any new hobbies helping to pass the time?
A: I purchased a rowing machine, but have yet to leave the dock…
Q: Tell us about your personal garden, yard, or plants.
A: I truly love gardening, and I know that passion resonates with my dealers. I maintain a floral cutting garden, a white/night garden, over 150 hydrangeas, and a hydrangea graveyard.
Q: What is your top gardening tip?
A: Never think you are finally finished and get rid of non-performers!
Q: What’s one Espoma product you couldn’t live without?
A: Without hesitation, BioTone Starter Plus. I do not plant without it. I have seen what it does for plants and transplants. I have seen unsolicited “with and without” trials by garden centers who use the “trust and verify” model. It is an amazing product. I am proud to recommend all of the Espoma line, because of our dedication to quality, the environment, and the safety of children and pets.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of gardening?
A: My favorite aspect is certainly the seasonal outdoor garden beds — just tending the garden beds and the joy of watching things flourish. There comes, for me, great satisfaction from the hard work — and I find the whole process relaxing. I love a morning and late evening stroll around the garden.
Q: What made you want to enter the gardening industry?
A: I was a stay-at-home mom and my sister was a grower for a local garden center. She asked me to come and help her plant 10,000 geraniums during school hours. The owner of both the growing operation and garden center told me I talked too much to be in the greenhouse and asked if I would come to his garden shop during the busy season and talk to customers. And there you go….
Q: Tell us what made you want to work at Espoma and what makes it a special place to work?
A: I met Jeremy Brunner on a garden center bus tour and, unbeknownst to me, my Espoma adventure was about to start. I was very happy at my previous job, but Jeremy’s passion and vision for the growth of the Espoma company was something that was missing from my previous job. I wanted to be a part of something that I could see and feel was going to be spectacular. Espoma cares just as deeply for their work family as they do for their products. So, for me, there was just no question on where I wanted to continue my career.
We were so fortunate to have Bonnie join us when she did — and we hope to keep her around for as long as possible! At Espoma, we definitely pride ourselves on being able to congregate hard-working employees who genuinely enjoy the gardening industry the same way our loyal customers do. Thanks for all you do, Bonnie!