Tag Archive for: Plant Food

Growing Joy with Maria – Episode 120 Blog: Raised Bed Gardening

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Raised bed gardening is quickly gaining popularity among homeowners who are keen on growing their vegetables and flowers. In this article, we will discuss raised bed gardening, its benefits, designing a garden plot, plant propagation, and other gardening techniques you may find useful.

This blog is inspired by Episode 120 of Growing Joy with Maria Podcast, where host Maria Failla interviewed Nicole Burke from Gardenary to get personalized garden coaching, enriched with insightful perspectives on self-care, nature connection, and life overall.

Benefits of Raised Beds

Raised beds offer several benefits, making them an excellent choice for urban gardening enthusiasts. Here are some great reasons why raised beds might be just what you need for your garden:

  • Improved Soil Quality: With raised beds, you get to choose the soil, which means it can drain well, have a great structure, and be full of nutrients. A high-quality soil mix like Espoma Raised Bed Mix makes a big difference in your plants’ growth and health.
  • Easier to Manage: Since they’re up off the ground, raised beds are kinder to your back and easier to keep moist and weed-free. Less bending means it’s a great option for anyone with mobility issues, and the contained space makes it easier to manage.
  • Bigger Harvests: You can fit more plants in a raised bed, which means more tasty veggies for you to share! With increased planting density, you can optimize your growing space for a bountiful harvest.
  • Fewer Pests and Weeds: Being elevated helps keep pests and weeds at bay, and controlling them in a compact space is easier. The height can deter some pests, and the smaller area makes it more manageable to control weeds.
  • Creative Design Opportunities: Raised beds let you unleash your inner garden designer, and there are loads of possibilities to create something beautiful and functional! They offer flexible design options and can be adapted to fit even the tightest of spaces.

Designing Your Raised Bed Garden

When you’re planning your raised bed garden, here are things that you should think about:

Deciding the Size (because size matters!)

The minimum recommended size for a raised bed is 4×4 or 2×8 feet. It’s important to have a wide enough bed that can accommodate a trellis in the center to support vining plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and squashes.

Choosing the Material

You can make raised beds from wood, bricks, or concrete blocks. Wood is popular because it’s cheap, easy to work with, and looks great in the garden! Consider using untreated wood to prevent chemicals from leaching into your soil.

Creating the Soil

Good-quality soil is a must for your raised bed! The right soil blend will support your plants’ growth and provide the necessary nutrients. Espoma Organic’s Raised Bed Mix is the perfect option. 

 

Choosing the Plants

Choose plants based on your overall garden plan, and consider their size, growth habits, and needs. Make sure to select varieties that will thrive in your climate and the specific conditions of your garden.

Gardening Techniques for Raised Beds

Plant with Purpose:

It’s crucial to plant mindfully to ensure a bountiful harvest. To get the most out of your garden, plant smart! Know the ins and outs of different plant families and their growth patterns, and be sure to plant them in the right season. Companion planting can also help plants grow better together.

Starting Plants from Seeds

Starting plants from seeds can be intimidating, but it’s cheaper than buying seedlings, and fun! Just use high-quality seeds, clean containers, and good potting soil, and you’ll be good to go. We recommend using Espoma’s Organic Seed Starter to ensure successful germination. Be patient and provide the right conditions for germination.

 

Growing Plants on a Trellis

Cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, and beans love growing on trellises, which can save space and look fantastic. Planting vining plants on opposite sides of the trellis can make your garden even more gorgeous. Trellises also improve airflow, which can help prevent diseases.

 

Pest Control

Planting marigolds and basil can help keep pests away from your tomatoes. Plus, keeping your garden tidy, not over-fertilizing, and using organic pest control methods can help keep your raised bed garden pest-free. To help your plants grow strong and healthy, consider using Espoma’s Garden Tone as a natural, organic fertilizer.

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Raised bed gardening is an excellent option for urban gardeners with limited space and mobility and can provide bountiful harvests with creative design options. Learning about the benefits, principles, and techniques of raised bed gardening can make your gardening more enjoyable and give you a chance to get back in touch with nature!

 

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

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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.

 

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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

 

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Video: Indoor Plant Care with Garden Answer!

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Hang out with Laura @Gardenanswer as she gives her plants some TLC and provides some essential indoor plant care tips!

Laura feeds her indoor plants with Indoor! Espoma Organic liquid plant food.

 

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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Video: 7 Indoor Succulents for Beginners with Garden Answer!

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Are you ready to bring succulents into your home but not sure where to start?  Laura from Garden Answer has you covered! In this video, she shares her top seven beginner-friendly indoor succulents and simple care tips to help them thrive. Laura recommends starting with a high-quality organic potting soil like Espoma Organic Cactus Mix and feeding with an organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Cactus! Liquid Plant Food.

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

Espoma Organic Cactus! - Organic liquid fertilizer - organic fertilizer Espoma Organic Cactus Mix - Organic potting soil

 

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Plant Care Is Self-Care: Nurture Yourself as You Nurture Your Plants

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Plant care - person watering a potted plant

Ever notice how a moment spent tending your plants feels like a mindful pause in a busy day? You’re not just watering—you’re nurturing calm, presence, and connection. We believe that caring for your green companions is one of the most natural forms of self-care. And just like you thrive on nourishing food, your plants thrive when you feed them regularly with Espoma Organic fertilizer —gentle, effective, and safe for people, pets, and the planet.

man working in an office filled with plants

The Science Behind the Serene

Sharper Mind + Better Mood
Studies show that being around plants can boost memory and attention by about 20%, while reducing background noise and enhancing productivity and creativity—especially in home or little work-from-home nooks.

Soil for the Soul
That earthy scent? It comes from microbes like Mycobacterium vaccae (lovingly nicknamed “outdoorphins”), and they don’t just feed your plants—they may help boost your mood and immunity, too.

Maria from Growing Joy with Maria with plants and organic potting soil and organic fertilizer from Espoma Organic Potting Mix and Bio-tone on her balcony

Self-Care That Doesn’t Feel Selfish

Pulling weeds, misting leaves, or simply observing new growth—these are gentle rituals that anchor us in the now. As one soothing tip from our brand partner, Maria Failla of Growing Joy with Maria, reminds us:

“Use watering or caring for them as an excuse to get up from your computer and take some ‘me-time’—because plant care is self-care.”

Pair that with feeding your plants Espoma Organic fertilizer, and you’re nourishing life in every sense.

Indoor Joy: Caring for Your Plants with a Gentle Boost

Your indoor plants do more than brighten a room—they improve your air, calm your mind, and remind you to slow down. To keep them thriving year-round, a little extra nourishment goes a long way.

That’s where Espoma Organic Indoor! liquid fertilizer comes in. This gentle, balanced formula is made from natural ingredients and feeds instantly, giving your leafy friends the nutrients they need for lush growth and vibrant color—even in the lower light of winter months.

Self-Care Tip: Pair your plant feeding with your own wellness ritual. Set a reminder every 2–4 weeks to water and feed your plants, then take a few minutes to enjoy a cup of tea nearby. Watch how your plants respond over time—you’ll notice deeper greens, healthier new leaves, and a little spark of joy in your day.

Norfolk-Island-Pine-in-a-white-pot

Festive Downtime: Holiday-Ready Green Retreats

During the busy holiday season, a mini Christmas cypress or Norfolk Island Pine—with its fresh sap-like scent—can be both a peaceful décor choice and a mindful project. Pot it up in our Espoma Organic Potting Mix, give it a slow sip of water, and feed it with an organic fertilizer like Indoor! for lasting joy. It’s a gift that grows for you, not just from you.

Fresh Ways to Deepen Plant-Based Self-Care

  1. Micro-Meditation Moments
    Set a daily two-minute ritual—touch the soil, check a leaf, breathe deeply. Call it a “plant-powered reset.”

  2. Mini Salad Gardens with Maria Failla
    Maria Failla of Growing Joy with Maria, makes self-care—and dinner—even simpler. She grows an entire salad (including herbs, lettuce, mini-tomatoes, and edible blooms) in a single container using Espoma Organic Potting Mix, Bio-tone Starter Plus, and Garden-tone organic fertilizer for steady nourishment. 

  3. Create a Kitchen Corner of Calm
    A small shelf of herbs like basil, lavender, or even mint provides an aromatic escape and practical joy when cooking. Watering and feeding them with organic fertilizer like Indoor! can become a lovely action in your daily rhythm.

  4. Mindful Mondays with Biophilia
    Start your week by simply sitting with your plants—observing new buds, leaf shapes, and subtle color shifts. This biophilic practice connects you to growth and groundedness.

woman watering indoor plants

Let Your Care Shine Through

Plant care is not just about pretty greenery—it’s caring for yourself, too. You pause, breathe, tune in, and the soil responds. Whether it’s a festive tree, a potted herb, or a tranquil succulent, your green space is your sanctuary. And with a little love, light, and organic fertilizer, your plants—and your spirit—can truly thrive.

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Here are some of our other blogs and videos we think you will enjoy.

Give Some Green for the Holidays

Parenting Advice for New Plant Parents

Poinsettia Care Guide from Garden Answer

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Indoor! Liquid Plant Food Image

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag ImageEspoma garden-tone

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Garden Answer’s Design Tips for a Romantic Cottage Garden

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English cottage gardens date back centuries. They were used to grow vegetables, herbs for healing, fruit trees, perhaps a beehive, and common flowers. The informal style went through a renaissance in the late 1800’s when they became somewhat more nostalgic than practical. 

The informal aesthetic of dense planting and natural materials is still en vogue today. In this video, Laura outlines 10 design principles to help you design a cottage garden. Before you start, make sure you have plenty of Espoma’s organic Bio-tone Starter Plus plant food to make sure your plants get the best possible start.

No Straight Lines

Cottage gardens are always informal and a touch whimsical. Avoid straight lines. Gently curving edging looks more natural and playful. If your site restricts you to a straight edge, let the plants spill over it to create an unrestrained look.

Large Groups of the Same Plant

White cottage gardens are more relaxed in their design, it is still best to use large sweeps of the same plant. Think of planting in groups of three, five or seven. That is far more restful to the eye than a jumble of onsies and twosies. 

Spacing Doesn’t Matter

This is one time you do not have to follow the advice on the plant tag. Cottage gardens are always densely planted and generally grow more densely packed with time. Annuals and biennials are often used in cottage gardens and will self-sow in the border. Biennials are plants that take two years to grow and flower from seed like the foxgloves shown. Another advantage to planting things close together is that there is less room for weeds to grow.

Color Harmony

It’s very important to pick a collection of plants that have harmonious colors. Without that the border would look chaotic. Garden Answer uses a collection of soft pinks and peaches with touches of blue and lavender. It needn’t always be soft colors, but they do need to be unified in some way.

Use Varied Heights and Textures

In any planting, it’s a good idea to think about texture, height and foliage color as major design elements. Nothing blooms all the time. Varied foliage forms and colors will create interest even when the flowers aren’t in bloom. Laura uses Heuchera specifically for the silvery foliage color.

Anchor Plants/Structural Elements

This is sometimes referred to as the “bones” of a garden. It’s a structural element that all of the other plants get woven around. In this case, it’s a beautiful shrub rose named Rose ‘The Lady Gardener’, a fragrant beauty with full, apricot blossoms. The rose is repeated three times. Repetition is soothing to the eye.  It’s possible to use evergreens for a slightly more formal feel, or whatever peaks your interest.

Fragrance

The first thing everyone does when they pick a flower is to hold it up to their nose. Cottage gardens are known for their fragrance. Try to select varieties that smell good at the garden center. Roses, lavender, sweet peas, and sweet alyssum are all good choices.

Not Perfectly Maintained

Along with relaxed design principles, comes relaxed maintenance. Planting tightly will discourage weeds. Annuals like poppies will self-seed and move around the border, just like the biennial foxgloves. Weeding everything that comes up might mean that you weed out these plants and inhibit their spontaneous movements.

The Look Will Change Over Time

This style of gardening is the exact opposite of a formal border filled with geometric shaped boxwood. By its very nature this is meant to be more random. People often sow cosmos, violas and other plants that have a tendency to move around. Let them surprise you. If you really don’t like where one popped up, it’s easy enough to remove.

Be Patient

Being patient is really what gardening is all about. A garden is never really finished. Enjoy the journey!

Garden Answers Plant List

Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ – catmint

Achillea – pink yarrow

Allium ‘Serendipity’ – ornamental onion

Rose ‘The Lady Gardener’

Heuchera Dolce ‘Spearmint’ – Coral Bells

Clematis ‘Brother Stephan’

Digitalis Foxy Hybrids –  foxglove

Lobularia ‘Blushing Princess’ – sweet alyssum

Here are more videos from Garden Answer we hope you will enjoy.

How to Plant Cottage-Style Flower Beds! 

Plant Your Window Boxes Like Garden Answer

Succulent Pot in a Pot – Quick Version

How to Re-pot Houseplants – Quick Cut

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5 Ways to Give Your Summer Garden a Boost

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There’s no better way to enjoy your garden than by encouraging it to grow bigger and better. Before your summer veggies and flowers peak, take your garden to the next-level by refueling it.

Knock-out these 5 essential tasks and your garden will thank you. You’ll extend your summer season and ensure that your lawn and garden are in tip-top shape.

 

5 Ways to Give Your Summer Garden a Boost

1. Hydrate. When it’s hot, dry and muggy, the best thing is a nice cold drink. Your plants need some H2O, too. The trick to keeping your garden hydrated during the hottest days is not to water more. It’s to water smarter. Water plants deeply in the morning so they have the entire day to soak it up.

Image courtesy of Garden Answer

2. Keep plants fed. Your summer veggies and flowers are hungry. Feed hanging baskets, container gardens and annuals with liquid Bloom! plant food every 2 to 4 weeks. Vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers are heavy feeders. Continue to feed every 2 weeks with organic fertilizers Tomato-tone or Garden-tone.

3. Prune and deadhead. Extend the life of perennials by deadheading flowers as soon as they are spent. This will encourage plants to keep blooming as long as weather permits. Your roses will thank you. Prune tomato suckers and shrubs now, for fuller plants later.

4. Mow lawns strategically. When mowing, keep the mower blades high (3” or higher) to encourage healthy roots. Cut grass in the evening to give it time to recover and keep yourself cool.

5. Plant more! There are many quickly maturing plants that will thrive in summer gardens and be ready for harvest in the fall. Try planting radishes, cucumbers, beans and more.

Sit back and relax! Take a good look at your hard work and dream about the rewards and bountiful harvests you’ll enjoy in the months to come.

If you’re looking to get a better tomato harvest this summer, be sure to check out our complete tomato guide!

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Grab Your Books for a Lesson in Gardening 101

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Back to Gardening School: A Fresh Start for Your Garden

Remember the excitement of a new school year? Fresh notebooks, a backpack ready for adventure, and the feeling that anything was possible. That same sense of renewal is waiting in the garden this season.

Whether you’re just starting out or brushing up on your skills, it’s the perfect time to get back to the basics. Sharpen those tools (and pencils) and let’s head to Gardening School.

Farmer Nick dumping Espoma Raised bed Mix into a raised garden bed

1. Build a Strong Foundation

Every successful garden begins with healthy soil. Start with a quick soil test to understand what nutrients your garden may be missing, then build from there. For raised beds, fill them with a rich blend of natural ingredients—like those in Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix—to create the perfect growing environment. Adding an organic compost such as Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost further improves soil structure, boosts moisture retention, and encourages healthy microbial activity. For container plantings, Espoma Organic All-Purpose Potting Mix provides the ideal balance of drainage and organic matter to keep roots thriving. And whenever new plants go in the ground, a starter fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus helps them establish quickly by supporting strong, resilient root growth. With the right foundation beneath the surface, the garden above will flourish.

old garden tools

2. Check Your Supplies

Just like gathering fresh notebooks and sharpened pencils, gardeners should review their tools. Replace cracked handles, rusty clippers, or wobbly rakes so nothing slows you down during the season. A little care and preparation now saves frustration later and makes gardening smoother and more enjoyable.

Farmer Nick planting a flowering plant

3. Redefine Your Garden’s Style

A new season is the perfect time to refresh the look of the garden. Whether the goal is calm and classic or bold and colorful, the right nutrition helps plants live up to their potential. Espoma Organic Plant-tone provides complete, balanced nutrition for a wide variety of plants, while Espoma Organic Holly-tone supports acid-loving favorites such as azaleas, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas. Feeding properly is the simplest way to bring a dream garden style to life.

little girl holding a carrot

4. Learn From Last Season

Every garden has its victories and its challenges. Take time to reflect on what thrived and what struggled, then plan for improvement. Espoma Organic Garden-tone is specially formulated for vegetables, helping ensure bigger, tastier harvests season after season. When planting new crops or ornamentals, Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus gives roots the boost they need to grow stronger and more resilient than before. Each new season builds on last year’s lessons with the right nutrition.

indoor plants

5. Don’t Forget Your Indoor Plants

While outdoor gardens take the spotlight, houseplants need care too. Feeding them regularly keeps leaves lush, colors vibrant, and growth steady all year long. Espoma’s Indoor! organic liquid fertilizer makes it easy to give houseplants the nutrition they need with every watering. When repotting, Espoma Organic Potting Mix provides the perfect organic base to keep indoor plants healthy and happy. A thriving indoor garden completes the picture of a gardener’s success.

Farmer Nick holding a shovel

6. Sharpen and Shine

Tools are the unsung heroes of every garden. Taking time to clean, sharpen, and maintain them ensures they last longer and work more effectively. Well-maintained tools make every gardening task easier, allowing more energy to be devoted to growing beautiful, thriving plants.

7. Grow Your Community

Gardening is even better when knowledge is shared. One of the most valuable tips to pass along is to start every planting with a quality organic starter fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to set roots up for success, and then feed with Espoma Organic Plant-tone throughout the season to keep growth steady and strong. These trusted essentials have been used by generations of gardeners, and passing them along helps the whole community grow stronger together.

Graduation Time!

Congratulations—you’ve completed your Back-to-Gardening School crash course! Toss those gardening gloves in the air, because the lessons learned here will lead to healthier plants, bigger harvests, and gardens worth celebrating.

At Espoma, teaching organic gardening practices has been a passion since 1929. With products that are safe for people, pets, and the planet, Espoma is here as a mentor and partner on every gardener’s journey. Class dismissed—now go grow with confidence!

Farmer Nick & PlantKids Course 

Looking for a fun way to introduce kids to gardening? Check out our brand partner Farmer Nick’s course, The Adventures of Farmer Nick and Plant! Designed for children ages 4 and up, this 10-episode series inspires a love of gardening and plant science through hands-on lessons. Sometimes silly, always fun, it’s a playful way to spark curiosity and delight both kids and adults alike.

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Flip, Fill and Feed with Espoma’s NEW Liquid Plant Foods

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Organically feeding your favorite plants just got way easier – and faster. Say farewell to messy measuring and that fishy smell of other organic, liquid fertilizers.

And say hello to Espoma’s new line of liquid plant foods. Learn more about our new collection below.

Hello, Healthy! Espoma’s New, Liquid Organic Plant Food

Here are a few reasons our new liquid plant line will become one of your favorite things.

  • Instant Nutrition. Espoma’s new liquid plant foods feed your plants instantly – and organically. With these, you can feed your plants faster than you send a text!
  • Scientifically Magnificent. Our new liquid fertilizers are scientifically proven to grow bigger, better plants with larger blooms. What gives them their mighty power? We’ve loaded them with kelp extracts, humic acids and beneficial microbes.
  • Less Mess. Ready, set, pop! The new Easy Dose cap on our liquid plant foods effortlessly measures each dose of fertilizer! No more messy bottles, measuring mistakes or spills.
  • Flip, Fill and Feed. All you do is pop the lid, hold the bottle upside down and voila! The perfect amount of liquid fertilizer drops into your watering can.
  • Cause for Safe Paws. Our new liquid fertilizers are 100 percent organic and safe to use around children and pets. Safe Paws approved!

espoma organic liquid plant food

Meet the New Liquid Plant Food Trio

Bigger, better plants are only a flip away!

  • Begin with Start! Flip open this starter plant food which helps plants get established fast while growing strong roots.
  • Go with Grow! Add this all-purpose, organic plant fertilizer to promote rapid root growth and encourage green foliage.
  • Boom with Bloom! Call in the super blossom booster which promotes and prolongs flowering while stimulating the growth of more blooms!

Try our new liquid organic plant foods with organic potting soil for super amazing results. Can’t wait to see what big beauties you grow!  

Thyme to Plant an Indoor Herb Garden

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Add a dash of delight to your daily routine while keeping winter blues at bay. Start an indoor herb garden today.

Each time you grab sprigs of fresh herbs, you’ll forget all about winter! At that moment, all you’ll think of are the fresh, invigorating flavors of summer.

Plus, starting an indoor herb garden is simple with these tips.

Grow Superb Herbs Indoors

Give savory and sweet herbs these five ingredients, and they’ll flourish inside! Use fresh, flavorful herbs in cocktails, teas and recipes all winter long.

 Ray of Sunshine. Place indoor herbs in the sunniest spot possible. They love natural light and need at least 4 hours of sun every day. Keep herbs warm by avoiding chilly windows.

  1. Heaps of Herbs. Not every herb thrives indoors. Plant these herbs that grow best inside: mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemongrass, chives and bay.
  2. Pile of Pots. Choose pots or upcycle containers with drainage holes on the bottom. Or place stones in the bottom of the pot before adding soil. For unique, DIY planter ideas, check out our Pinterest page.
  3. Settle in Soil. Plant herbs in Organic Potting Soil. Pick an organic potting soil that contains earthworm castings and Myco-tone® to ensure herbs grow strong roots.
  4. Feed and Repeat. Indoor! is an organic plant food that helps you grow bigger and better herbs. Continue fertilizing herbs once each month.

With your just-plucked herbs, cook up dishes that harness herbs’ intensity. Try a few of our favorite recipes that include herbs here. Bon appétit!

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