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Tag Archive for: Berries

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

August 25, 2025/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Fruits & Vegetables, Summer Rayne Oakes, Vegetable Gardening

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.

*****

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

 

 

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Title-18.jpg 720 1280 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-08-25 15:45:322025-08-25 15:45:32VIDEO: Growing Veggies and Herbs 🍅🌿🥕 with Summer Rayne Oakes

Bird Friendly Gardening 🕊️🌸 | Growing Joy with Maria

August 13, 2025/in Blog, Flowers, Fruits & Vegetables, Growing Joy with Maria

Bird-Friendly Gardening with Jen McGuinness, Ep 239

Do you love watching hummingbirds, chickadees, or sparrows right outside your window? One of the key benefits of having a garden is the wildlife that comes to visit your beautiful blooms. Our friend Maria Failla of Growing Joy with Maria gardens specifically for her local birds, because they bring her so much joy, and this blog shares everything she’s learned about bird-friendly gardening.

This blog is inspired by Episode 239 of the Growing Joy with Plants Podcast, where Maria sits down with Jen McGuinness, author of Bird-Friendly Gardening, about how we can make our outdoor spaces safe and welcoming for birds.

Why Should We Help Birds in Our Gardens?

Birds can help pollinate plants and eat harmful insects, which can help keep our garden healthy. But they need our help. Since 1970, about 3 billion birds have disappeared in North America because of habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.

But there’s a way you can make a difference right in your backyard.

What Makes a Garden Bird-Friendly?

A lot of people are probably thinking that bird feeders are enough when they want to help birds, but a bird-friendly garden means using your whole garden to support them by offering them food, water, and shelter.

A bird-friendly garden includes:

  • Native plants that supply seeds, berries, or attract insects (Hummingbirds especially love nectar from flowers)
  • Fresh water sources for drinking and cleaning themselves (and if you have a budget, you can add a solar fountain or mister to your birdbath
  • Safe shelter from predators and bad weather
  • Places to build nests, like trees, grasses, or birdhouses (thick bushes, trees, and tall native grasses are great)

Native plants = natural food for birds in the garden

Add Native Plants to Your Garden

Select native plants when building a bird-friendly garden. You can check your USDA growing zone or use the Audubon Native Plant Finder by simply typing in your zip code to get local recommendations. Garden center employees are also a huge resource that you can ask questions to.

Here are some bird-friendly flowers:

  • Coneflowers and asters
  • Sunflowers
  • Blueberry bushes and crab apple trees
  • Oak trees (they attract insects that the birds eat)
  • Native grasses like Big Bluestem

Using a nutrient-rich soil like Espoma Organic Garden Soil helps these plants grow strong and healthy, which then supports more birds and insects.

add fresh clean water to your bird friendly garden

It’s important to maintain your bird feeders

Make sure to keep your bird feeders clean to stop the spread of diseases like House Finch Eye Disease. Utilize squirrel guards to keep them from stealing from your feathered friends. Different feeders attract different types of birds, so ideally, have a seed feeder and a hummingbird feeder to ensure all your local birds are well fed. 

Note: Maria and Jen love monitoring birds using electronic bird feeders with cameras in them, which use AI to identify the birds that come to visit.

add nesting materials for birds in your garden

Don’t forget nesting areas

To help birds build nests, try leaving out:

  • Twigs
  • Pet hair (like chicken feathers or alpaca furs)
  • Feathers
  • Native grasses

start your bird friendly garden today

Start Small

You don’t need a huge property to create a bird-friendly garden. If you have a small space, you can plant native flowers in containers or hanging baskets. A beautiful hanging basket of fuchsia will keep your hummingbirds happy all summer long!

To keep your plants blooming and productive, feed them during the growing season with a gentle organic fertilizer like Espoma Flower-tone or Berry-tone, depending on what you’re growing.

Birds Bring Joy

Watching birds fly, sing, and raise their babies reminds us that our gardens are part of a whole ecosystem where every creature matters. And when we help birds, we help the Earth. Bird care is ecosystem care.

*****

Learn more about Growing Joy with Maria:

🪴🌿 Website

🪴🌿 Facebook

🪴🌿 Instagram

🪴🌿 YouTube

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Flower-tone bag Espoma Organic Berry-tone.Espoma Organic Tree-toneEspoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag ImageEspoma Organic All-Purpose Garden Soil image

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bird-friendly-1.jpg 1080 1080 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-08-13 15:53:262025-08-13 15:55:45Bird Friendly Gardening 🕊️🌸 | Growing Joy with Maria

VIDEO: Planting Herbs and Berries in Containers 🌿🍓 with Summer Rayne Oakes

July 7, 2025/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Fruits & Vegetables, Summer Rayne Oakes

Watch as Summer Rayne Oakes plants herbs and berries in containers using Espoma Organic Potting Mix, Cactus Mix, Perlite, and Soil Acidifier.

No garden space? No worries! Summer shows us how to create a lush container garden filled with flavorful herbs and delicious berries right on your patio, balcony, or windowsill.

Summer highlights how easy it is to cultivate favorites like thyme, basil, oregano, cilantro, chives, strawberries, blueberries, and even dwarf huckleberries using containers. To ensure success, she recommends Espoma Organic products, including:

  • Espoma Organic Potting Mix: Provides balanced moisture and drainage, perfect for promoting healthy root growth.
  • Espoma Organic Perlite: Improves soil aeration and drainage to prevent root rot.
  • Espoma Organic Cactus Mix: Ideal for Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and lavender that prefer dry conditions.
  • Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier: Essential for acid-loving fruits like blueberries and huckleberries.

Container gardening not only maximizes your space but also creates visually appealing and edible arrangements.

Learn more about Summer Rayne Oakes here:

Website: homesteadbrooklyn.com

YouTube: @summerrayneoakes

Facebook: facebook.com/homesteadbrooklyn

Instagram: instagram.com/homesteadbrooklyn

Twitter (X): twitter.com/sroakes

 

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Cactus Mix Espoma Organic Potting MixEspoma Organic Soil Acidifier Bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

 

 

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Title-14.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-07-07 18:17:222025-07-08 11:37:32VIDEO: Planting Herbs and Berries in Containers 🌿🍓 with Summer Rayne Oakes

VIDEO: Planting Strawberry Raised Beds 🍓🌱 with Garden Answer

May 13, 2025/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Garden Answer

🌱 Join Laura from @gardenanswer as she gets her hands dirty setting up beautiful raised beds for her strawberry patch!

She fills her new beds with Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix, the perfect foundation for thriving plants. Then, she mixes in our organic starter fertilizer Bio-tone Starter Plus—our secret to strong, healthy root development from day one.

To finish, Laura tops it all off with Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost, adding rich nutrients and moisture-retaining goodness for strawberries that can’t help but flourish. 🍓✨

*****

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/@gardenanswer/featured

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image Espoma Raised Bed Mix bag Espoma Organic Land and Sea gourmet compost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2-2.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-05-13 13:05:022025-05-13 13:05:02VIDEO: Planting Strawberry Raised Beds 🍓🌱 with Garden Answer

VIDEO: Using Different Types of ORGANIC Fertilizers ??? with Wyse Guide

July 18, 2024/in Blog, Kaleb Wyse

Join Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide in this gardening guide as he prepares strawberry beds, plants onions, and fertilizes fruit trees using different types of organic fertilizer.

Strawberry Beds Preparation: Kaleb uses Espoma Organic Berry-tone to boost blooms and improve soil health. He also beds the strawberries with weed-free straw to protect the berries and reduce pest issues.

Planting Onions: Espoma Organic Garden-tone is applied to promote healthy green growth in the onion bed. Kaleb carefully selects long-day onion varieties for better growth and storage.

Fertilizing Fruit Trees: In his orchard, Kaleb uses Espoma Organic Tree-tone to support healthy growth and enhance fruit production. He also showcases the benefits of the open vase pruning method for better light and air circulation.

Enhance your garden’s health and productivity with Kaleb’s tips and the help of Espoma organic fertilizers. ?

*****

Learn more about Wyse Guide here:

? YouTube: www.youtube.com/@WyseGuide 

? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyseGuide/

? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WyseGuide/

? Website: https://www.wyseguide.com/

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Fertilize-your-Plants.png 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2024-07-18 17:35:422024-07-26 15:36:37VIDEO: Using Different Types of ORGANIC Fertilizers ??? with Wyse Guide

VIDEO: Planting Garlic, Harvesting Berries & Picking Dahlias with Garden Answer ???

November 11, 2023/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Garden Answer

Join Laura from Garden Answer as she shares her top tips on how to effectively plant garlic, harvest berries, and care for Dahlias.

Laura trusts Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus when planting her garlic to ensure they have the essential nutrients needed to be successful. Laura uses Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost to help improve her soil to help grow bigger more beautiful plants. 

 

 

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/gardenanswer 

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Garlic-thmb.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2023-11-11 12:28:512023-11-11 12:28:51VIDEO: Planting Garlic, Harvesting Berries & Picking Dahlias with Garden Answer ???

Harvesting Raspberries, Planting Shrubs and Feeding the Lawn ♥️ ??☀️// Garden Answer

September 28, 2023/in Blog, Garden Answer

Join Laura from Garden Answer as she takes you into the kitchen to show how she prepares raspberry jam from her seasonal harvest. Learn about her planting process as she shares how she planted her raspberry plants using Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus and feeds them with Espoma Organic Berry-tone and Holly-tone. Raspberries prefer a more acidic soil so in order to lower her soil pH, Laura amends the soil with Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier.

Venture out to the garden where Laura plants new shrubs, using Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to ensure her new plants get the essential nutrients for successful establishment in their new location.

Catch up with Aaron, Laura’s husband, as he guides you through fertilizing their grass areas. Check out the equipment he uses, and gain insights from his helpful tips and tricks. To keep their grass happy and healthy, Aaron uses Espoma Organic Lawn Foods.

 

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/gardenanswer 

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Laura-rasberries-plants-tones-2.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2023-09-28 14:03:242023-09-28 14:28:37Harvesting Raspberries, Planting Shrubs and Feeding the Lawn ♥️ ??☀️// Garden Answer

Kaleb Wyse’s Berry-licious No-Bake Cheesecake!

July 14, 2022/in Blog, Kaleb Wyse

Who doesn’t love fresh berries? Who doesn’t love cheesecake?

Put them together and you’ve got something magical! Take it from Kaleb Wyse, a fourth-generation Iowan gardener who loves creating recipes with his produce as much as he loves growing them. Watch the full video below for this easy, no-bake, triple berry cheesecake—then grab some Espoma Organic Berry-tone fertilizer and start prepping your own.

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/No-Bake-Triple-Berry-Cheesecake-6.jpg 1080 1920 espoma https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png espoma2022-07-14 16:34:522024-08-30 20:22:47Kaleb Wyse’s Berry-licious No-Bake Cheesecake!

Ripe for the Picking: Blackberry Harvesting Tips and Recipes

July 17, 2018/in Fruits & Vegetables

The blackberry is an iconic summer berry and right now they are ripe for the picking.

Blackberries, rich with exquisite flavors, are just as good on their own or baked into a pie. Picking blackberries is easy and a great summer activity to enjoy with family and friends. Not to mention, there are endless recipes and ways to enjoy blackberries.

These harvesting tips will ensure that you are berry successful in picking the best blackberries.

The Blackberry Harvest:

Blackberries start to ripen in July and August, but watch for early bloomers in late June. For the best flavors, it is important to pick ripe blackberries — the ones that are dark black in color and look quite plump. If the berry is a light purple or red or is quite firm, it may need a few more weeks to ripen. Not all berries will ripen at the same time so it is important to check before the birds get to them.

The picking part is easy! Most blackberries have thorns so be sure to use caution when reaching deep inside the bush for the perfect blackberry. For the healthiest blackberry bushes, use Espoma’s Holly-tone fertilizer.

When you get home, pour the blackberries on to a shallow pan to pick out any moldy or overly ripe blackberries. Blackberries keep in the fridge for about a week, but it is best to use them as soon as possible. The final step is to pick out your favorite recipe and enjoy the sweet taste of summer blackberries.

See our top recipe picks below!

 Favorite Blackberry Recipes:

Mini Blackberry Pies: Do you need desert ideas for your mid-summer party? Here is a recipe for mini blackberry pies. These delicious mini pies will be a party favorite!

Blackberry Jam: Try this delectable blackberry jam recipe and your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will never be the same! Not only will you not have to buy jam this summer, but store some away in a cool dry place and you will have homemade blackberry jam all winter.

Blackberry Sorbet: Cool off in the hot summer months with this sweet and savory blackberry sorbet. This recipe is easy to make and easy to store in the freezer for another day.

Blackberry Syrup: Blackberry syrup is a tasty substitute for maple syrup! Try the syrup on your favorite breakfast foods and a smile is guaranteed.

Ready to grow more berries? Learn how Garden Answer grows blueberries in containers!

 

See the Total Guide Here

Grow Healthy Berries Using:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/blackberries.jpg 667 1000 espoma https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png espoma2018-07-17 08:00:022022-04-12 14:09:31Ripe for the Picking: Blackberry Harvesting Tips and Recipes

5 Unusual Containers to Grow Strawberries

June 14, 2018/in Fruits & Vegetables

There are very few things better than a sweet, juicy strawberry from your garden. Summer and strawberries go hand in hand, so if you aren’t already growing them, get them in the ground now.

But not everyone has a spot in the garden for this berry, so sometimes you need to come up with interesting and unique ways to plant them.

Choose your favorite from our options below and head over to your local garden center to pick up supplies and some Espoma Organic Holly-tone. Your fresh strawberries won’t disappoint!

5 Unique Spots to Plant Strawberries:

Bird Bath

If you have a bird bath lying around that you no longer need, plant some strawberries in there! Add large rocks or broken terra cotta to the bottom to ensure proper drainage. Fill it the rest of the way with Espoma’s Organic Potting Soil Mix and plant your berries!

DIY Tower

Follow along with Laura from Garden Answer as she creates her own unique take on a strawberry tower. Need step-by-step written directions? Check it out here.

Gutter Planters

These planters, which hang on the side of the house, are perfect for anyone who needs a little space. Be sure they are fastened tightly before planting. Leave a little space between plants and the sides so they can have room to drape over the sides. Once planted, water them well with Espoma’s Grow! liquid plant food.

Pallet Planter

We’ve seen Laura from Garden Answer plant a whole vegetable garden in a pallet, but we think it would be a great place for an abundance of strawberries! Gently fill them with Espoma’s Organic Garden Soil to help them grow strong roots.

Flower Box Tower

This is another DIY-type planter. Stacking up flower boxes will help keep the planters off of the ground and away from any curious creatures that might want to eat your strawberries! Plant a few of them up and watch them grow.

*****

We recommend using Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus at the time of planting to help produce large root systems very quickly.  This will help ensure that new plantings get maximum water and nutrients from the soil to minimize transplant loss.

Looking to learn more about growing strawberries? Check out all we have to say about this delicious berry!

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/strawberry-plant-flowers.jpg 751 1000 espoma https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png espoma2018-06-14 17:00:082024-08-16 15:13:365 Unusual Containers to Grow Strawberries
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Tag Archive for: Berries

Berry-tone

July 13, 2023/in Espoma Organic Fertilizers Berry Guide
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2019_Berry-tone_no_Zip_8lb.png 669 384 espoma https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png espoma2023-07-13 15:55:322025-02-24 11:22:45Berry-tone
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  • Bird Friendly Gardening 🕊️🌸 | Growing Joy with Maria

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