10 Time-Saving Tactics for a More Efficient Garden | Growing Joy with Maria

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Has your garden started to feel like a tedious task on your never-ending to-do list? Here are 10 ways to avoid garden burnout by making gardening more efficient and simple, so you can enjoy it without feeling weighed down.

This blog is inspired by Episode 266 of the Growing Joy with Plants Podcast, where Maria chats with CaliKim, YouTube gardening educator and author of The 10 Minute Gardener. Together, they share time-saving hacks to help you enjoy gardening again—without the stress.

Start Small, Stay Consistent

One of Kim’s foundational philosophies is to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable ones (3-, 5-, 8-, 10-, or 30-minute jobs), which is the basis of her book. The 10 Minute Gardener also organizes these by season (early, mid, late, dormant), so you can adapt them no matter where you garden.

Practical Time-Saving Tactics You Can Try Today

3 minute tasks

3-Minute Gardening Tasks

  • Fertilizer Fridays – Every Friday, while your tea kettle is boiling or you’re sipping coffee, take 3 minutes to fertilize your plants with an organic liquid fertilizer like Espoma Organic Indoor! Houseplant Food. You can also water them or pick off brown leaves.

  • Swift Growth Seed Sowing – Keep a small basket of seeds handy by your back door or in your pocket. During a quick break, pop a few pea seeds along a trellis or lettuce seeds into a container to keep succession planting going.

  • Three-Minute Tool Tidy – Clean and oil a few garden tools, like pruners, that may be getting rusty or sticky.

5-Minute Gardening Tasks

  • Tie-Up Tuesday (and Thursday!) – Dedicate a few minutes twice a week to trellis plants like cucumbers. Keep tie tape or twine in your pocket so you can do this quickly while walking through the garden.

  • Shade Cloth Oasis – Pre-clip shade cloth to trellises so you can dash out and cover plants when the sun is blazing.

  • End-of-Season Cleanups – Pull out dead plants and toss them into nearby trash bins or pop-up bins to keep your garden tidy.

8 & 10-minute tasks

8- & 10-Minute Gardening Tasks

  • Summer Salad Station – Plant a container with salad greens, a tomato or cucumber, and herbs for a quick, ready-to-harvest dinner garden.

  • Hustle & Bustle Garden Bed Prep – In spring, refresh your garden beds with soil amendments like Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost and worm castings.

30 min tasks

30-Minute Gardening Tasks

  • Compost Pile Refresh – Toss together kitchen scraps and yard waste to build your compost pile. Give it a splash of water, then walk away and let nature do the work.

  • Tree Branch Trellis – Gather a few sturdy sticks and lash them together to create a simple, rustic trellis for climbing plants.

Be Consistent and Keep Things Within Reach

The key is to keep everything handy and accessible. You don’t need complicated strategies to make gardening easier. Keep a basket of seeds by the door, stash pruners in multiple spots, and have tie tape at the ready. Making tools and supplies accessible ensures you stay consistent and efficient.

Listen to the Growing Joy with Plants Podcast

For more time-saving tips, listen to Episode 266 of the Growing Joy with Plants Podcast!

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Land and Sea Espoma Organic Indoor! liquid fertilizer

 

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VIDEO: Planting Trees and Perennials 🌳🌺 with Wyse Guide

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Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide shows us that with the right care, you can plant trees and perennials with confidence. In this video, Kaleb is adding an Afterburner black gum tree and fresh perennials to his backyard. To give his new plantings the strongest foundation, Kaleb uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus. This trusted starter fertilizer helps reduce transplant shock, stimulates strong root growth, and enriches the soil—so plants establish quickly and thrive for years to come.

Featured Tips from Kaleb’s Planting Process

  1. Plant year-round when conditions allow
    Don’t wait for the “perfect” season. If you have the time, energy, and right weather, get plants in the ground. They’ll be happier growing in your soil than sitting in containers at a nursery.
  2. Choose the site carefully
    Take time to visualize how a tree or plant will look from multiple angles of your yard and home. Think ahead about how it will grow into the landscape.
  3. Prepare the site well
    Dig a wide hole—wider than the root ball—to give roots room to spread into the native soil. Remove rocks and other large debris.
  4. Prep the roots before planting
    Inspect roots for tight circling, then gently loosen or scarify them to encourage outward growth. Be sure to expose the root flare so the tree can breathe properly.
  5. Always plant with a quality organic starter fertilizer
    Using a starter like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus helps reduce transplant shock and promotes strong, lasting roots. Unlike synthetic fertilizers, Bio-tone is gentle, organic, and builds long-term soil health.
  6. Water, stake, and mulch for success
    Give trees a deep initial watering—Kaleb used 10 gallons for his black gum—and continue watering consistently, especially in summer heat. Stake young trees for support and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Kaleb finished his project by planting Phantom Joe Pyeweed and Kerodonis Salvia, filling in garden beds with color and texture. His approach shows that planting is less about waiting for the “right” season and more about giving your plants what they need: thoughtful placement, healthy roots, good soil, and consistent care.

Ready to Plant?

For all your plantings, give your plants the best start with Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus. Build stronger roots, reduce transplant stress, and set your garden up for long-term success.

*****

Learn More about Wyse Guide:

🪴 YouTube

🪴 Facebook

🪴 Instagram

🪴Website

Featured Products:

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VIDEO: Growing Veggies and Herbs 🍅🌿🥕 with Summer Rayne Oakes

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Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes is back in her gazebo garden, where she refreshed her raised beds with Espoma Organic All-Purpose Garden Soil, giving her fruits, veggies, and herbs a nutrient-rich foundation.

From basil to beans, this garden is brimming with variety—and Summer shares her best lessons she learned along the way.

6 Quick Tips from Summer’s Garden

  1. Refresh your soil each season – Even healthy beds benefit from a fresh top-off of organic soil like Espoma Organic All Purpose Garden Soil to replenish nutrients and structure.

  2. Try companion planting – Marigolds tucked near tomatoes deter pests like hornworms and invite pollinators to the party.

  3. Prune and plant tomatoes deeply – Snip off lower leaves and bury stems a little deeper so they develop stronger root systems.

  4. Mix in perennial herbs and crops – Plants like sea kale, rhodiola, and schisandra return year after year, offering beauty and resilience.

  5. Stagger your sowing – Succession planting of quick crops like radishes, lettuce, and calendula ensures continuous harvests and blooms.

  6. Grow what you’ll actually use – Whether it’s sweet potatoes for soups or basil for summer salads, plant to fit your kitchen habits.

A Garden That Nourishes All Season

From tender greens to black goji berries, Summer Rayne shows how diverse plantings and thoughtful soil care can make a small space abundant. With Espoma Organic All-Purpose Garden Soil supporting strong roots and steady nutrition, her gazebo garden is set to thrive all season long.

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Learn more about Flock Finger Lakes here:

Website: flockfingerlakes.com

Instagram – @flockfingerlakes

YouTube –Flock Finger Lakes

X – @flockny

Facebook –Flock Finger Lakes

Featured Products:


Espoma Organic All-Purpose Garden Soil imageEspoma Raised Bed Mix bagEspoma Organic Land and SeaEspoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIDEO: Planting Perennials in Full Sun ☀️🌿🌸 with Garden Answer

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Laura from Garden Answer shows us how to plant five sun-loving perennials—even in the peak of summer heat. From elegant Siberian iris to bold salvia, she layers color and texture into her garden while reminding us that planting in hot weather can still be successful with the right care. To set her new perennials up for success, Laura uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, the ultimate “planting insurance” that boosts root growth and helps prevent transplant loss.

6 Quick Tips for Planting Perennials in Summer Heat

  1. Expect a little wilting – It’s normal for new plants to droop in full sun, but they’ll perk back up once the day cools.

  2. Water consistently – Keep soil evenly moist during establishment to reduce stress.

  3. Plant early or late – Beat the midday sun by working in the morning or evening.

  4. Amend your soil – Blend in organic compost like Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost or Espoma Organic All-Purpose Garden Soil for better drainage and nutrient retention.

  5. Feed at planting – Mix Bio-tone Starter Plus right into the hole to encourage strong root growth and long-term success.

  6. Mulch generously – A layer of organic mulch helps conserve water and keep roots cool.

Even on the hottest days, your garden can keep growing with the right prep and care. 🌱 Whether you’re adding in new perennials or refreshing containers, remember that feeding the soil naturally makes all the difference.

👉 Watch Laura’s full video for inspiration, then grab your favorite Espoma Organic products and let’s get growing!

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Learn more about Garden Answer here:

🪴 YouTube

🪴 Website

🪴 Facebook

🪴 Instagram

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag ImageEspoma Organic Land and SeaEspoma Organic All-Purpose Garden Soil image

 

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VIDEO: Planting A Shade Garden 🌿 with Wyse Guide

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Whether you’re working with dry shade or full sun, Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide proves that every pocket of your garden can thrive with the right planning—and a little help from Espoma Organic.

In his latest video, Kaleb brings us along as he refreshes his shade beds and layers in new perennials in full-sun areas, showing how he builds textured, healthy spaces across his Iowa homestead. He’s not just planting—he’s feeding the soil and supporting every root with care.

Kaleb’s shade garden is a great example of adapting to conditions. Not all shade is the same—some spots, often under large trees, are dry shade, where roots compete for moisture and soil drains quickly. Other shady areas, like low spots or places near downspouts, hold more water, creating wet shade. Kaleb’s property has dry shade under mature maple and crabapple trees, so he selects plants that can handle lower moisture while still brightening dim areas.

To get his new additions off to the best start, Kaleb relies on Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, his go-to for all new plantings. For hostas and other acid-loving favorites, Espoma Organic Holly-tone is also in his toolkit, enriching the soil with just the right nutrients for long-term success.

🌿 Kaleb’s Top Tips for Planting Success

1) Water Before You Plant
Always begin with a well-watered root ball so plants adjust quickly and absorb water efficiently post-planting.

2) Use a high-quality organic Starter Fertilizer
“It’s like planting insurance!” Kaleb says. He sprinkles Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus in every hole to encourage strong root development and minimize transplant shock.

3) Only Disturb Roots When Necessary
If roots aren’t bound tightly, skip scarification. Gentle handling helps reduce stress.

4) Embrace Compost—Even Last Year’s Leaves
Kaleb layers homemade compost—or a high-quality mix like Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost, a rich blend of natural ingredients enhanced with lobster and crab shells—right over last year’s fallen leaves. This creates a living mulch that enriches the soil naturally and builds long-term garden health.

5) Group Plants in Odd Numbers
Repeating clusters of five or seven create harmony and visual rhythm, especially in larger beds.

6) Prioritize Soil Coverage
From epimedium to hosta to Agastache, Kaleb aims for dense plantings that naturally suppress weeds and conserve moisture.

Ready to Grow Like Kaleb?

If Kaleb’s video inspires one thing, it’s that soil health is at the heart of every thriving garden. Whether your shade is dry or wet—or your planting area is in full sun—start with rich compost, thoughtful watering, and organic support from Espoma, and your plants will thank you season after season.

Let’s get growing—whether you’re filling a shady nook or bringing a sunlit border to life.

*****

Learn More about Wyse Guide:

🪴 YouTube

🪴 Facebook

🪴 Instagram

🪴Website

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag ImageEspoma Organic Holly-toneEspoma Organic Land and Sea

 

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VIDEO: Planting 🍅 Tomatoes, 🫑 Peppers & 🌿 Herbs with Wyse Guide

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Watch as Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide refreshes his raised beds and herb containers. He tops off his raised beds with Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix and mixes in Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost to improve soil structure and health. He plants heirloom tomatoes and peppers using Espoma Organic Tomato-tone and Bio-tone Starter Plus to give his new plants the nutrients they need to develop strong roots and big blooms.

Kaleb fills terracotta pots with Espoma Organic Potting Mix and mixes in Bio-tone Starter Plus to support healthy growth of basil, rosemary, thyme, and more.

Kaleb’s Top Plant Care Tips:

  • Refresh raised beds as needed—especially if the soil has settled or it’s time to replant—using high-quality organic soil like Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix and compost like Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost to improve soil structure, boost microbial activity, and maintain healthy growing conditions.
  • Feed tomato plants with a high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Tomato-tone, which provides calcium to help support proper fruit production.
  • Whether planting in the ground or containers, mix in an organic starter fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to encourage strong root growth and quick establishment.
  • Regularly harvest herbs to stimulate continuous growth.
  • Ensure containers receive consistent watering to prevent drying out.

*****

Learn More about Wyse Guide:

🪴 YouTube

🪴 Facebook

🪴 Instagram

🪴Website

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Potting soil Mix Big bagEspoma Raised Bed Mix bag Espoma Organic Land and Sea Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag ImageEspoma Organic Tomato-tone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIDEO: Tending to 🍇 Fruit, 🌽 Veggies & 🌸 Blooms with Garden Answer

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In midsummer, when the sun beats down and gardens are in full swing, our plants need us more than ever. That’s why Laura from Garden Answer spends the day fertilizing her container trees, row crops, raised beds, and flower beds.

Container Plants Need a Helping Hand

Unlike plants rooted in the ground, container-grown edibles and ornamentals depend entirely on us for nutrients and water. “They have nowhere to draw from,” Laura explains, as she tends to her grape trees and miniature peaches and nectarines. To keep these potted trees healthy and productive, she applies Espoma Organic Holly-tone as a midseason maintenance feeding.

Even though Holly-tone is crafted for acid-loving plants, it still offers a gentle, balanced boost—perfect for these fruiting favorites when Tree-tone isn’t on hand. “Honestly,” Laura laughs, “I use whatever tone I have in the back of the Gator,” and with Espoma, that flexibility works. Each Tone is crafted with premium organic ingredients and enhanced with Bio-tone® microbes for slow-release, soil-building nutrition.

Garden Beds, Grains, and Greens Get Garden-tone

Out in the raised beds and dirt garden, Laura gives her corn, potatoes, onions, and garlic a second round of nutrients with Espoma Organic Garden-tone. This midseason feeding ensures her crops stay vigorous as they push toward harvest, supporting everything from root growth to fruit development.

She skips feeding the crops she plans to harvest this week—like cabbage, broccoli, and lettuce—focusing her efforts on what’s still maturing. It’s a smart reminder: timing matters, and so does listening to your plants.

Starting New Flowers With Strong Roots

In a forgotten corner near a thirsty willow tree, Laura refreshes the space with drought-tolerant sedum and her favorite Super Bells. While she typically reaches for Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to reduce transplant shock and encourage strong root growth, this time she used Holly-tone, which she had on hand. It’s still a great choice, providing essential nutrients to help these new plantings settle in and thrive.

“It’s like planting insurance,” she says, echoing a sentiment we hear often from gardeners nationwide.

Why Feeding Organically Matters

Laura’s approach is simple but powerful: feed plants what they need, when they need it, and choose fertilizers that build soil health over time. Each Espoma Organic product she uses nourishes more than just the plant. With slow-release nutrients, enhanced microbial life, and no synthetic fillers, they improve the garden’s long-term vitality too.

💚 Pro Tip from Laura: “Fertilize container plants regularly—they rely on you for everything!”

*****

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

YouTube

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag ImageEspoma Organic Holly-toneEspoma Organic Garden-tone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIDEO: Agave Repot & Care Tips 🪴 with Summer Rayne Oakes

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Follow along with Summer Rayne Oakes as she repots and cares for agave plants and succulents, including cold-hardy varieties that can withstand Zone 5 conditions (–20°F). She highlights the importance of using high-quality organic soils and fertilizers—like those from Espoma Organic—to help these resilient plants thrive.

Key Planting and Repotting Tips for Agave:

  • Soil Mix: Summer recommends blending Espoma Organic Cactus Mix with Espoma Organic Perlite and Espoma Organic Bonsai Mix to create a gritty, well-draining soil that helps prevent root rot.
  • Container Choice: Choose terracotta or fluted-edge pots to promote airflow and support strong root development.
  • Watering: Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings to prevent overwatering.
  • Fertilizing: Summer prefers high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Cactus! Liquid Fertilizer for steady, healthy growth and vibrant plants.

Take a cue from Summer and give your agaves the best start with Espoma Organic.

*****

Learn more about Summer Rayne Oakes here:

Website: homesteadbrooklyn.com

YouTube: @summerrayneoakes

Facebook: facebook.com/homesteadbrooklyn

Instagram: instagram.com/homesteadbrooklyn

 

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Cactus Mix Espoma Organic Bonsai Mix

Espoma Organic Cactus - organic Liquid Fertilizer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIDEO: Planting Hydrangeas in containers 🪴🌸 and more with Garden Answer

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Spend a day with Laura from Garden Answer as she decorates her garden with a variety of flourishing colors! 🌸 She starts by prepping her front porch containers with Espoma Organic Potting Mix, the perfect base for Fairytrail Green Hydrangeas.

Later on, she adds plants to more containers throughout her garden and adds a pop of bright color with Bubblegum Petunias, applying Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, giving her new plants the nutrients needed to grow deeper roots and bigger blooms.

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

YouTube

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag ImageEspoma Organic Potting soil Mix Big bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIDEO: Hanging Baskets for Shade 🌿🌸 with Skye Hamilton

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Watch Skye Hamilton @hamiltonhousedesigns as she shares her go-to strategy for full, eye-catching hanging baskets in spaces with dappled or minimal sunlight. She adds a creative twist on the classic “thriller, filler, spiller” method—think filler, spiller, and longer spiller! Skye recommends using a strong, high-quality organic potting soil like Espoma Organic Moisture Mix to help retain moisture, as hanging pots can dry out quickly.

While Moisture Mix is Skye’s go-to for hanging baskets, Espoma Organic Potting Mix is also a fantastic option for all container planting. 

Skye’s top tips for successful shade baskets:

1) SKyle likes to use 16” baskets and adds a plastic liner (snip a drainage hole) to help retain moisture.

2) Choose shade-loving annuals—these plant types can thrive in shady conditions and often have smaller root systems, letting you plant more closely.

3) Aim for 5–7 plants per basket to create a full, cascading look.

4) Focus on “fillers, spillers, and longer spillers” to build depth and interest.

5) Let trailing plants cascade over the sides for that overflowing feel.

6) Water consistently and use soil that helps with moisture retention, like Espoma Organic Moisture Mix.

Bonus Tip:

When planting, Skye adds Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to provide the nutrients needed for strong root growth and big, beautiful blooms. 

*****

Learn More about Skye Hamilton:

🌹Website

🌹 Instagram

🌹 Facebook

🌹 YouTube

🌹 Pinterest

🌹 TikTok

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image Espoma Organic Potting Mix Espoma Organic Moisture Mix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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