VIDEO: How to Make Kokedama 🪴- Growing Joy with Maria
How did you get into plants and gardening?
I had just graduated from Tufts University back in 2014 and since I was going to be living at home rent-free, my mother wanted me to do something around the house. So, she suggested I start a garden.
Without knowing a THING about growing food, or plants in general, I agreed, and what started as a simple summertime hobby soon became an OBSESSION.
Each season the garden grew more robust. Sugar snap peas, sweet potatoes, and sunflowers burst forth from the earth like a jungle, and I took fierce pride in the life I was cultivating. My parents observed from afar (and with mild concern), but they too enjoyed the fruits of my labor. THEY were not plant people. They didn’t grow up gardening or even owning plants, yet their son was now rolling around in the dirt and reading seed catalogs in his free time.
I was very… very cool.
How did Farmer Nick start?
My mom had coined the name Farmer Nick during my time at home in White Plains, but the Instagram account didn’t start until I moved into NYC. Three years after planting my first garden, I moved to Manhattan to continue my corporate career in tech sales and it was a shock to the system. After spending a few weeks in my 600 sq ft concrete box of an apartment, I realized that there was a garden-size hole in my life. So I did the only thing that made sense and bought 100 houseplants.
From there I began sharing my growing journey on Instagram and started taking on small consulting clients to help them bring greenery into their homes. All of a sudden things started getting out of control, and between social media, Netflix opportunities, and plant clients, I decided to leave my corporate job to pursue Farmer Nick full-time in 2019.
What came first for you, plants or sustainability?
I honestly didn’t care about the environment before plants came into my life. I used a lot of single-use plastic and regrettably mocked the Meatless Monday kids in my college dining hall. Environmental issues were simply out of sight and out of mind, and had I continued living a plant-less life I probably would have remained the same.
Plants changed all of that, and I give them full credit for turning me into the electric car–driving, thrift-shopping, vegan-eating, kitchen-composting environmentalist I am today.
Although the transformation didn’t happen overnight, Mother Nature had planted a seed deep in my mind, and an important question began to germinate…
How could I care about the plants that I was growing, but not care about the earth that was home to these beautiful beings?
Plants were the stepping stones, the botanical bridge, that guided me to this more environmentally enlightened state, and if this could happen to me, then why couldn’t it happen to others?
It is my theory that if I can convince you to care about the small plant on your desk, you will start caring about the BIG plant we all live on. I’ve thought long and hard about my own transformation, and channeling my inner Master Yoda, I’ve created a path to environmentalism that I call the Four Es.
Experience (with nature), leads to Excitement (about nature)
Excitement (about nature), leads to Empathy (for nature)
Empathy (for nature), leads to Effort (to protect nature)
How have plants/gardening helped you? How do you hope that plants/gardening helps others?
Plants have changed my life in so many ways but the most significant impact has been on my mental health. I lived a very fast-paced lifestyle in NYC, and although I still have a ton of energy and travel the world doing various Farmer Nick projects, my plants always keep me grounded. They are inherently slow. They require patience and trust. And they won’t give me the instant gratification that I so often seek from social media algorithms. Being in the garden is my moment of meditation and I am so grateful for them.
When did you become vegan?
I went fully vegan at the end of 2019. I watched a few documentaries in 2017 on the environmental impact of eating meat, and I decided that if I was going to truly embody my environmental values, I should start implementing more plants. The transition to full veganism took a few years, but as I immersed myself in that world, I started to become motivated by animal rights and health benefits as well. Not everyone needs to go vegan to change the world, but eating more plants regularly is undoubtedly better for the planet.
What is a plant coach?
A plant coach is someone who empowers you with the wisdom and confidence you need to create your own green space. As a former college athlete and youth coach myself, I have experienced firsthand the impact a good coach can have on behavior change. They can’t do it for you, and each person responds differently to coaching, but the key is understanding that information alone is not the answer. I applied the same coaching practices to my clients in the plant world, and it has inspired amazing plant behaviors that continue to grow to this day.
Why did you start Farmer Nick Jr.?
Farmer Nick Jr is a new account I made to promote The Adventures of Farmer Nick and Plant; a ZERO COST course for kids to learn all about plants. I never had any plant or gardening role models growing up, which is why I believe it is so vital that children (especially young boys) learn the value of caring for the planet. This is why I wanted to build this course and I collaborated with an educational consultant to make sure my vision was built with defined educational standards. It is also a great excuse to dress up as a plant haha
Tell us about your favorite project you’ve done so far.
My favorite project has got to be a landscape I designed in West Hollywood. This family had almost no budget and allowed me to rip out turf grass in both the front and backyards and replace it with raised beds for veggies and drought-tolerant plants. We even planted a whole allee of fruit trees. An epic project and quite delicious too.
*****
Learn more about Farmer Nick – www.farmernick.com
Featured Products:
Join Laura from @gardenanswer as she ventures into the greenhouse and guides us through the repotting process of her young geraniums and a stunningly large Kumquat tree. Along the way, Laura shares valuable plant care advice.
For this task, Laura uses Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix for her geraniums and Cactus Mix for the Kumquat tree, ensuring an optimal growing environment for her plants. To nourish and promote the growth of her green friends, she mixes in Espoma Organic Flower-tone and Citrus-tone to provide the essential nutrients her plants need to flourish.
Featured products:
Succulents are controversial plants in the houseplant community. The trouble with succulents is that they’re often described as “impossible to kill.” This sets up unrealistic expectations—when the inevitable happens and they die, it only reinforces the idea that you’re a failure at plant parenting.
This blog is inspired by Episode 190 of the Growing Joy with Maria Podcast, where host Maria Failla interviewed succulent expert Andrea of Justsuccit.com to give you tips for growing happy, healthy succulents inside your home.
One very common misconception is that when a succulent starts stretching or etiolating, meaning growing leggy and elongated, that it’s happy and thriving. Actually, the opposite is true—stretching is a sign that the desperate succulent is searching for more sunlight!
So why do succulents die? There are three main reasons:
Caring for succulents isn’t extremely complicated, but you do need to get a few key things right.
Before watering, check the soil
When it comes to water, always check the soil moisture first by sticking your finger in the pot. Wait until the soil is completely dry and the plant looks thirsty before watering again. When you do water, give the plant a thorough, deep drink until water drains from the bottom. Then allow the plant to almost fully dry out before repeating.
Place your succulents in direct sunlight
Providing adequate sunlight is critical for succulents to maintain their compact shape and vivid colors. Varieties with more intense colors require more light. Outdoor full sun is ideal, but indoors, you’ll need a bright southern-facing window or grow lights.
Place your succulents in fast-draining soil
Succulents require a fast-draining medium like Espoma Organics Cactus Mix to prevent root rot, but you can create your own by amending regular potting soil with perlite, pumice, or bark. One thing—always use containers with drainage holes! Without drainage, you’re just asking for trouble.
Feeding your succulents
While succulents don’t need frequent feeding, giving them a nutritional boost during their growing season can be beneficial. Espoma Organic Cactus! provides essential proteins enhanced with kelp extracts, humic acids, and microbes in a balanced form suitable for indoor succulents.
Succulent Propagation
Propagating succulents is fun and helps them multiply. The easiest method for beginners is leaf propagation.
Carefully twist off fresh leaves with the base still attached. Let the end callus over in a dry spot, then look for baby plantlets or roots emerging as a sign of growth. Once the mother leaf shrivels up, plant the baby in your fast-draining soil and water a bit more frequently than mature plants.
Beginner Friendly vs Advanced Succulents
Some succulents are easier to care for than others. Beginner-friendly plants include:
More challenging “advanced” succulents include:
What have you learned? With some specialized care related to water, sunlight, and soil medium, you can absolutely grow succulents indoors. Understand their needs, make adjustments, and you’ll stop killing them in no time. Be mindful and patient—their adaptations can teach us important life lessons. Open your heart and let your succulents embrace you!
*****
Featured Products:
Brighten your holidays with the stunning Amaryllis! 🌺This festive plant is a holiday favorite, adding a splash of color to any indoor setting.
Follow along with Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide as he demonstrates how to plant and care for Amaryllis bulbs in containers. Kaleb provides his top tips to help you have amazing blooms over the holidays!
Kaleb uses Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix to plant his Amaryllis bulbs, providing them with a nutrient-rich environment for optimal growth. He emphasizes the importance of proper watering and temperature to foster vibrant blooms.
Featured Products:
Join Kaleb from Wyse Guide as he shows you how to plant shallots in his raised bed for a bountiful spring harvest. Following that, watch as he visits his mother’s garden to collect the last of this season’s crops including sweet potatoes!
In the video below, Kaleb enhances his raised garden bed using Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix, Chicken Manure, and Bulb-tone, creating optimal growing conditions for the shallots.
Learn more about Wyse Guide here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/WyseGuide
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyseGuide/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WyseGuide/
Website: https://www.wyseguide.com/
Featured products:
With its glossy leaves and signature holes, Monstera deliciosa (a.k.a. the Swiss Cheese plant), has become the latest Instagram celebrity. Named after the Latin word “monstrous,” these plants’ leaves can grow up to two feet wide! The Monstera is popular among plant parents looking to create an urban jungle in their homes, and despite appearances, aren’t that tricky to care for.
This blog is inspired by Episode 33 of Growing Joy with Maria Podcast, where host Maria Failla interviewed Scott Cain, owner of @tropicaloco on Instagram, to discuss how to keep your Monstera happy and healthy.
Caring for Your Monstera
Light
Monsteras thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Place your Monstera 1-3 feet away from an east-facing or west-facing window where it will receive bright, indirect light throughout the day. Avoid south-facing windows as they can provide harsh, direct sunlight that will scorch the leaves. If your Monstera sits in direct light, keep a close watch to make sure leaves do not burn.
Water
Monstera is a tropical plant that prefers evenly moist (but not soggy) soil. Allow 1-2 inches of the topsoil to dry out between waterings, checking with your finger to be sure there is no residual moisture. According to Scott, it’s better to under-water these plants than over-water them. For assistance in the perfect balance, use an organic potting soil like Espoma Organic Potting Mix to help retain moisture.
Fertilizer
During the growing season, use a diluted liquid fertilizer to help encourage new growth. Look for options made for tropical foliage plants, such as Espoma Organic Indoor Plant Food!
Cleaning
Over time, Monstera leaves can gather dust that blocks their ability to photosynthesize. Every 1-2 weeks, gently wipe both sides with a damp cloth or paper towel to remove dust. For an occasional, deeper clean, move the plant to a kitchen or bathroom for a gentle shower. Be sure it dries fully before returning to bright light to avoid sunburn.
Support
While not always needed, providing a moss pole or other support structure can help train your Monstera’s growth vertically. If aerial roots form, gently tuck them into the moss pole or back into the soil to ensure they do not lose nutrients. For the best moss pole, keep it slightly moist.
Fixing Common Monstera Problems
If your Monstera leaves start to change colors or droop, pinpoint the problem with this troubleshooting guide by Scott:
By observing your plant’s needs and making adjustments accordingly, you can get your Monstera back to its healthy, happy self. Patience and attentiveness are always key!
Different Types of Monstera Plants
There are around 50 species in the Monstera genus, though the types you’re most likely to find for sale include:
Monstera deliciosa: The classic swiss cheese plant, known for its big, heart-shaped leaves. In the wild, it can produce edible fruit.
Monstera adansonii: Also referred to as the swiss cheese vine, due to its smaller oval leaves and growth like a vine.
Monstera borsigiana: Sometimes confused with deliciosa, it has flexible leaves without the ruffled part where they attach to the stems.
Monstera obliqua: Very rare as houseplants. It has lacy leaves with lots of holes and thin leaf strands.
Monstera variegata: A Monstera variety with white variegation on the leaves. Variegated Monstera need more light than non-variegated Monstera.
Caring for your Monstera is simple as long as you stay aware of the right growing conditions. Their interesting shapes and detailed leaves make them gorgeous to plant parents and visitors alike.
*****
Featured Products:
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.facebook.com/gardenanswer
https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/
Featured Products:
Watch Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes use her expertise to select and plant a mix of bulbs that promise a cycle of blooms from spring to fall. She uses Espoma Organic Bulb-tone to provide her bulbs the nutrients they need to have big beautiful blooms.
Learn more about Flock Finger Lakes here:
Website: flockfingerlakes.com
Instagram – @flockfingerlakes
YouTube –Flock Finger Lakes
Twitter – @flockny
Facebook –Flock Finger Lakes
Featured products:
Follow along with Summer Rayne Oakes as she demonstrates how to craft a Moss Terrarium.
Summer uses Espoma Organic Orchid Mix, Cactus Mix, and Horticultural Charcoal to create the ideal planting medium for her terrarium.
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: