Watch Laura from Garden Answer as she plants a reblooming lilac (Syringa x), a perfect focal-point shrub that offers multi-season interest with more than one flush of fragrant blooms.
For every planting, Laura recommends Espoma Organic Bio‑tone Starter Plus—a high-quality organic starter fertilizer that:
Promotes strong root development
Improves transplant success
Delivers long-lasting, soil-enriching microbes and Mycorrhizae
Lilacs are wonderfully adaptable, tolerating a range of soil pH levels, but they thrive in well-draining soil and full sun. With the right planting approach and a high-quality organic starter fertilizer like Bio-Tone Starter Plus, you’re set up for lots of beautiful blooms.
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.
Join Summer Rayne Oakes as she repots her beautiful Euphorbia plants to prepare them for the summer outdoors. While Euphorbias and cacti may look similar with their spines and upright growth, they belong to entirely different plant families. Euphorbias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family and exude a white, often toxic latex sap. Cacti, part of the Cactaceae family, do not produce this sap and typically have areoles (small, cushion-like structures) from which spines, flowers, and new growth emerge—something Euphorbias lack. Often mistaken for cacti, Euphorbias are succulents native to Africa and require specific care.
Repotting:
Summer creates a well-draining soil mix using Espoma Organic Cactus Mix combined with Espoma Organic Perlite (70% Cactus Mix, 30% Perlite) to ensure excellent aeration and drainage, reducing the risk of root rot. To nourish the plants through the growing season, she applies Espoma Organic Cactus! Liquid Fertilizer every 4–6 weeks.
As a final touch, she tops off the containers with Espoma Organic Bonsai Mix, which helps protect the soil surface, reduces moisture loss, and adds a clean, finished look to each pot.
Summer also explains a common condition called “corking,” a natural process where the stems of Euphorbias become woody at the base due to aging, which is not a sign of disease.
Summer’s Euphorbia Care Tips:
Wear gloves when repotting to avoid skin and eye irritation.
Inspect roots and prune away dead or damaged areas.
Water thoroughly, then allow the top 1–2 inches of soil to dry out.
Fertilize regularly during the growing season, pausing in winter.
With Summer’s guidance and Espoma’s organic products, your Euphorbias will thrive outdoors this summer!
There’s something hopeful about planting a new tree—especially when you know you’ve set it up to thrive. In this video, Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide walks us through planting a stunning Northwind Maple and shares the steps he takes to ensure long-term success. His secret? Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, the must-have planting partner for strong root development and vigorous growth.
The Tree Planting Process: Kaleb carefully prepares the site by loosening soil and checking for good drainage. After removing the tree from its container and scarifying the roots (to prevent circling), he sprinkles Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus into the planting hole. The blend of mycorrhizae, beneficial microbes, and organic nutrients helps reduce transplant shock and promotes deeper, stronger root growth.
Kaleb’s 6 Tree Planting Tips:
Site before you plant: Walk around and view the tree from different perspectives.
Check the root flare: Make sure the base of the trunk sits at or just above soil level.
Loosen compacted roots: Lightly score or cut rootbound roots to encourage outward growth.
Amend your soil: Always plant with a high-quality organic starter fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to help promote strong establishment.
Always plant above grade: Kaleb recommends planting slightly high since the soil will settle.
Water deeply after planting: Soak the tree well to eliminate air pockets and promote strong establishment.
Bonus tip: Kaleb recommends following up with a maintenance feeding later in the season using an organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Tree-tone, specifically formulated to provide trees with the essential nutrients needed to grow strong, healthy roots.
Kaleb finishes the project by installing a beautiful fountain nearby—bringing structure, color, and sound to his garden space. The result is a calming, cohesive area that’s rooted in good planning and organic care.
Ready to plant your own tree? Don’t forget the Bio-tone Starter Plus! It’s Kaleb’s go-to for everything from perennials to maples—and the results speak for themselves.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Planting-a-New-Tree.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-06-11 16:57:532025-06-11 16:57:53VIDEO: Planting a NEW Tree 🌳 🍁 with Wyse Guide!
Watch Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes dig into one of the summer’s easiest and most rewarding perennials—daylilies! She plants standout varieties like the ‘Jersey Spider’ and shares helpful tips for getting them established in both containers and garden beds.
To give her plants the best start, Summer uses Espoma Organic Potting Mix, a rich, organic, well-draining blend that includes mycorrhizae to support deep root growth. Then she feeds with Espoma Organic Flower-tone, our organic slow-release fertilizer formulated to promote strong stems and lasting blooms.
Laura from Garden Answer teams up with her mom to spruce up her parents’ garden by planting David Austin Evelyn Roses. Laura amends her soil with her favorite organic starter fertilizer, Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, and Espoma Organic Land & Sea Compost.
Laura also spends some time weeding and repotting plants into the garden beds. The hearty soil combo of Bio-tone Starter Plus and Land & Sea Compost will help ensure all the roots stay strong and healthy blooms are forthcoming.
Follow along as Laura from Garden Answerplants some ranunculus and potatoes! 🥔🌱
To save time and money, Laura is using leftover potatoes from last year’s crop and planting the entire spud directly on the ground. Plus, planting with a high-quality organic starter fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus and top-dressing with a nutrient-rich organic compost like Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost, she’s creating the perfect environment for a stronger, more delicious yield.
Laura recommends following up with some organic fertilizer in her routine garden maintenance. She will feed her potato plants with Espoma Organic Garden-tone and her Ranunculus with Espoma Organic Flower-tone, providing each plant type with the specific fertilizer specially formulated to produce happy healthy plants.
Spring is stirring in the Finger Lakes, and Summer Rayne Oakes of Flock Finger Lakes is already deep into her garden chores. In this video, she takes us on an early-season walk through her ever-evolving landscape highlighting emerging bulbs, sharing design plans, and laying the groundwork for a bountiful, sustainable year ahead.
Summer uses organic products for all her gardening projects—including our trusted Tone line of organic fertilizers, premium Potting Mixes, and organic Liquid Fertilizers—to create healthy, thriving spaces across her property. When planting new bulbs like daffodils and tulips, she relies on Espoma Organic Bulb-tone to set them up for success. And whenever she plants something new, Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus is her go-to to support strong root development from day one.
For all her new garden beds, Summer builds nutrient-rich soil from the ground up with Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix, Land & Sea Gourmet Compost, and our premium Potting Mix—ensuring each planting area is full of organic matter, supports microbial life, and has optimum moisture-holding capacity.
From rewilding meadows and restoring forest edges to designing pollinator patches and building a 60-foot sustainable chicken coop, Summer’s garden isn’t just beautiful—it’s intentional. Her approach reflects a great mission: to nourish plants, support biodiversity, and build a healthier planet from the soil up. 🌱
Watch the full garden walk to get inspired for your own spring garden reset!
Watch Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide as he gets to work prepping and planting his raised beds for spring. His go-to formula? Healthy soil and smart planting techniques.
Kaleb starts by refreshing his beds with Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix, a rich, fluffy blend made specifically for raised garden beds. It’s well-draining, holds adequate moisture, and helps create the ideal environment for Kaleb’s spring vegetables.
To give his New plants a strong start, Kaleb uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, sprinkling it into the planting holes. This organic fertilizer promotes strong root growth and helps plants establish quickly.
Kaleb’s Top Spring Planting Tips:
Refresh raised beds each year with an organic soil mix like Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix
Watch Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide takes us through his springtime ritual of pruning and fertilizing fruit trees on his Iowa farm.Kaleb emphasizes the importance of proper pruning to encourage healthy growth and feeding with a high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Tree-tone.
🌿 Why Espoma Organic Tree-tone?
Kaleb trusts Espoma Organic Tree-tone for its all-natural, slow-release formula that provides essential nutrients to the entire tree—roots, trunk, and canopy.Its exclusive Bio-tone microbes enhance nutrient absorption, promoting robust growth and fruit production.
✂️ Kaleb’s Top Tree Pruning Tips
Timing is Key: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
Shape Matters: Aim for an open center to allow sunlight and air circulation.
Clean Cuts: Use sharp tools to make precise cuts, reducing the risk of disease.
By combining these pruning techniques with the nourishment from Espoma Organic Tree-tone, Kaleb ensures his fruit trees are healthy and productive throughout the growing season.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Pasted-Graphic.jpeg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-05-14 13:01:072025-05-19 13:36:07VIDEO: Prune & Feed Trees Like a Pro with Wyse Guide 🌳
