Tag Archive for: Hanging Baskets

Bird Friendly Gardening 🕊️🌸 | Growing Joy with Maria

/in , , ,

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

VIDEO: Hanging Baskets for Shade 🌿🌸 with Skye Hamilton

/in , , ,

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

 

VIDEO: Porch-Perfect Ferns: 🌿 Planting Hanging Baskets with Wyse Guide

/in , , ,

There’s nothing quite like a porch full of lush, thriving greenery to welcome in the warmer months—and no one brings that vision to life quite like Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide. In his latest video, Kaleb shares how he transforms his sunny front porch into a shaded retreat using one of our favorite combinations: Boston ferns, Kimberly Queen ferns, and a trusted mix of Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix and Holly-tone.

Ferns Chosen with Purpose

Kaleb’s front porch faces south, which means intense sunlight, reflected heat, and the occasional gusty breeze. Instead of fighting nature, Kaleb leans into it—selecting Kimberly Queen ferns for their upright habit and sun tolerance, while reserving traditional Boston ferns for shadier spots near the house.

His secret to keeping these ferns happy? It starts with the soil.

Kaleb’s Planting Tips:

Kaleb chooses our Espoma Organic Potting Mix because it offers the perfect balance of drainage and moisture retention—critical for ferns, which love even moisture but hate soggy roots. This mix includes:

  • Perlite for improved aeration

  • Organic compost for slow-release nutrition

  • Natural, eco-safe ingredients—no synthetic fillers or plastic beads here

As Kaleb puts it: “It holds on to the moisture needed but also drains really well.”

He also adds a light sprinkle of Espoma Organic Holly-tone, our acidic plant food typically used for hydrangeas and evergreens. Since ferns thrive in slightly acidic conditions, Holly-tone gives them an extra boost without overstimulating growth—perfect for those who prefer a light-touch fertilizing routine.

🌱 Pro tip from Kaleb: Gently loosen or score the roots of pot-bound ferns before planting. It encourages them to branch into the fresh potting mix and establish faster.

Build Your Own Porch Sanctuary

Looking to create your own front porch oasis? Let Kaleb’s video be your inspiration. And when you’re ready to pot up your ferns, reach for the products trusted by generations of gardeners.

*****

🌷YouTube

🌷 Facebook

🌷 Instagram

🌷 Website

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Potting Mix Bag Espoma Organic Holly-tone Organic Fertilizer for all acid loving plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

VIDEO: How to use ROW COVERS + Planting HANGING POTS ??? with Wyse Guide

/in ,

Catch up with Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide as he demonstrates how to use row covers to protect plants from insects. Kaleb walks us through the installation process and explains the benefits of using these covers.

Additionally, Kaleb shares his expert tips for planting hanging baskets. He uses Espoma Organic Potting Soil to ensure the best-growing medium for his new plants. Kaleb mixes in Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to give the plants a healthy start, providing the essential nutrients for their success.

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/

Featured Products:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

 

VIDEO: Planting Hanging Pots with Mom?? || Wyse Guide

/in , ,

Want a Mother’s Day gift that keeps on giving? Consider planting for Mom or anyone special in your life. Or maybe you just like to decorate with hanging plants? Watch Kaleb from @WyseGuide demonstrate how to properly plant your own hanging potted plants.

Kaleb uses Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix and adds some extra nutrients to the soil with Espoma Organic Plant-tone.

 

*****

Want some other ideas for Mom? Check out these other ideas:

Grow A Garden Spa for Mother’s Day

DIY Mother’s Day Planter with Garden Answer

Mother’s Day Container Garden

 

Featured Products:

Where to Buy

 

Prepare the Perfect Hanging Baskets

/in , ,

Summer is here, but it’s not too late to put together the hanging basket of your dreams! If you’ve ever struggled to create a hanging basket that lasts all season long, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for five tips to achieve the perfect hanging basket that will make all your neighbors jealous.

1. Choosing the Right Basket

While this may seem like simply a stylistic choice, choosing the right size and type of basket is crucial to your hanging basket’s success. Your basket should be at least 14’’ to 16” so that your plants’ roots aren’t taking up all of the space in the pot by early summer.

It’s also important to consider the look you want to achieve. If you want to keep it simple, regular hanging pots will do the trick. If you’re feeling a bit more advanced, and want to aspire towards a “flower globe” look with plants pouring out of the basket from all directions, try a wire basket with a fiber liner.

2. Picking the Perfect Flowers

Here’s where you can really get creative! You can make a statement by committing to a single color, or you can mix it up by choosing a variety of colors and textures. It really depends on whether you want your hanging basket to be a subtle addition to your yard, or if you want it to be bolder, immediately drawing the eye. If you need some inspiration, check out Laura from Garden Answer’s 2022 arrangements.

It’s also important to consider whether your basket will hang in the sun or shade, and what type of weather conditions the plants will be exposed to. Choose blooms that will grow well where you choose to hang your basket so that it lasts all the way through the end of the summer.

3. Watering

Consistency is key! Be sure to regularly water your plants at the same time each day, as irregular watering may add unneeded stress to your basket. Since hanging baskets aren’t rooted in the soil, they are dried out much more easily by the sun and wind, and a regular watering routine is especially important.

It’s also helpful to get in the habit of watering your plants early in the morning. The water will be less likely to evaporate and your plants will be well-equipped to handle the afternoon heat.

4. Choosing the Appropriate Soil and Fertilizer

It’s important to choose a high-quality potting mix to keep your blooms bright and beautiful all summer long. Try some of our organic potting soils, like our Moisture Mix, or Potting Mix, which are both perfect for use on all container plants.

Remember, to make your baskets last long, it’s important to make sure the plants aren’t outgrown by early summer. Apply fertilizer slowly and steadily, rather than in heavy doses. Liquid fertilizers are a great way to achieve this. Check out our organic Flower-tone, which can be mixed with water and used every 2 to 4 weeks to feed your hanging plants the microbes they need to thrive.

5. Perfect Pruning

If there are dying blooms in your basket, it’s time to cut them off! Not only do they distract from the beauty of your healthy blooms, but they also use up vital resources in your soil. This is as simple as pinching where the flower meets the stem. Regularly removing dead bulbs ensures that the nutrients in your soil are going towards creating new blooms to keep your hanging plant flourishing.

With these tips, you’re sure to have a beautiful hanging basket that will last you through the summer. Happy planting!

 

Where to Buy

Espoma. A Family Tradition Since 1929.

Espoma Organic logo