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 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!
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.
Who says you need acres of land to grow fresh veggies? Maria, from Growing Joy with Maria, proves you can cultivate an entire salad—including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, and even edible flowers—all in a single pot! Her compact, balcony-friendly approach uses Espoma Organic products to ensure vibrant growth and delicious harvests.
Maria’s Top Tips & Espoma Essentials:
1) Use Quality Soil: Maria fills her container with an organic potting soil mix like Espoma Organic Potting Mix, creating a loose, nutrient-rich environment perfect for thriving plants.
2) Kickstart Healthy Roots: She incorporates an organic starter fertilizer like our Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus directly into the soil to enhance root growth and minimize transplant shock, thanks to a rich blend of natural and organic ingredients plus it’s enhanced with beneficial microbes, humates, and mycorrhizae.
3) Continuous Feeding: Maria ensures her plants have steady nutrition throughout the growing season by using Espoma Organic Garden-tonethe ultimate organic fertilizer formulated for feeding all your favorite herbs and vegetables!
4) Companion Planting: Adding edible flowers like violas, snapdragons, and sweet alyssum attracts beneficial pollinators, ensuring a beautiful and productive container.
5) Choose the Right Container: A large, self-watering pot with a trellis allows her microdwarf veggies to flourish vertically, maximizing space.
Try Maria’s easy, organic method to transform your balcony into a lush, productive garden space with Espoma Organic!
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Thumbnail-1.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-05-16 16:21:462025-06-05 16:43:25VIDEO: How to 🌱 Grow a Whole Salad 🥗 in One Pot! 🪴 | Growing Joy with Maria
Balcony gardening is a rewarding but sometimes tricky endeavor, especially for beginners. In this video tutorial, Maria shares six common mistakes that she and many others have made while gardening in containers on balconies. She also highlights how Espoma Organic products can help prevent these pitfalls and ensure healthy, thriving plants.
1: Choosing the Wrong Plant Varieties
Many beginners choose plants that are too large for container growth. Maria advises selecting micro, dwarf, or patio-specific varieties like ‘Patio Baby’ eggplant or ‘Tidy Treats’ cherry tomatoes. These are bred to be compact and manageable, ideal for small balcony spaces.
2: Using the Wrong Potting Mix
Standard garden soil is not suitable for containers as it can be too dense and poorly aerated. Maria recommends using Espoma Organic Potting Mix, which includes perlite and wood bark for proper aeration. This ensures that roots receive enough air and water, crucial for healthy plant growth.
3: Inconsistent Watering
Balcony plants need regular watering, and failing to plan can lead to wilted or dead plants. Maria suggests using self-watering planters or multiple watering cans to maintain consistency. This strategy, along with early morning watering, ensures plants get the hydration they need.
4: Not Fertilizing Regularly
Container soil loses nutrients quickly. Maria uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, an organic starter fertilizer at the time of planting to minimize transplant shock and boost initial growth. Throughout the season, she fertilizes monthly with Espoma’s specialized granular or liquid fertilizers such as Garden-tone, Flower-tone,Grow, or Tomato! liquid plant food.
5: Forgetting Plant Tags
Keeping track of which plant varieties perform best is essential. Maria emphasizes saving plant tags or using aesthetically pleasing labels. This simple step helps replicate success in future seasons.
6: Misunderstanding Light Exposure
Light availability is often overestimated. Balcony gardeners must consider shadows from buildings, railings, and trees. Maria advises using a compass to determine the direction of exposure and observing the balcony throughout the day to identify sunlight duration. Southern-facing balconies get the most sun, while northern ones are more limited.
Maria’s guidance is a blend of heartfelt experience and practical advice. By using Espoma Organic products and being mindful of these six common mistakes, balcony gardeners can transform small spaces into a gardening paradise. With the right organic soil, fertilizer, and planning, even a modest balcony can yield joy and an abundance of plants.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GJWM_6-Container-Gardeing-Mistakes_Thumbnail-.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-04-10 11:47:272025-04-10 11:56:58VIDEO: 6 Container Gardening MISTAKES | Growing Joy with Maria
Watch Laura from Garden Answer as she takes on another exciting gardening project—relocating trees and planting new lilac bushes in her garden.
Laura shares the reasoning behind moving the trees and walks you through the process of planting lilacs, offering helpful plant care tips along the way. She also emphasizes the importance of using a high-quality organic fertilizer, like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, to give plants the nutrients they need for strong, healthy root growth during establishment and recommends using Espoma Organic Plant-tone for follow-up feedings.
Join Laura for practical advice and inspiration to transform your garden!
Watch Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guidetackle some fall gardening projects at his mom’s house. In this video, Kaleb transplants boxwoods that aren’t doing well and repots agave plants from outdoor containers that need to be brought indoors for the winter. When transplanting the boxwoods, Kaleb recommends using a high-quality organic starter fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to ensure strong root growth. He also uses Espoma Organic Potting Soilwhen repotting the agave plants to give his plants a fresh growing medium for the winter months.
Join Laura from Garden Answer as she plants 500 Boxwoods in her new formal garden, transforming her space with lush greenery and a classic, structured look.
During planting, Laura recommends using a high-quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus. This essential step ensures her Boxwoods have the nutrients they need to establish quickly and thrive in their new home. Follow along to see her process and learn tips for planting success in your own garden!
Join Laura from Garden Answer as she shows how to plant a stunning fall container filled with a mix of annuals and hydrangeas. Along the way, she shares practical gardening tips while sprucing up a flowerbed and harvesting potatoes from her vegetable garden.
Join Laura from Garden Answer as she demonstrates how to plant cottage-style flower beds at her mom’s house.
While planting, Laura uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to ensure her new plants receive the nutrients they need for successful establishment in their new home.
