Tag Archive for: Planting

Once a Lawn, Now a Beautiful Garden! ???|| Flock Finger Lakes

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Join Summer Rayne Oakes of @FlockFingerLakes on a tour of what was once a boring lawn and is now a beautiful garden. This garden boasts a variety of sections filled with everything from herbs and flowering plants for pollinators to shrubbery and trees. Summer delves into the details of each plant type, explaining its benefits to both her space and the local ecosystem.

During her garden renovation, Summer filled her raised garden beds with Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix, ensuring a rich growing medium for her new plants. While planting, she also used Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to give her plants the essential nutrients they needed for successful establishment.

 

Learn more about Flock Finger Lakes here:

Website: flockfingerlakes.com

Instagram – @flockfingerlakes

YouTube –Flock Finger Lakes

Twitter – @flockny

Facebook –Flock Finger Lakes

 

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VIDEO: Grow Healthy Tomatoes with Wyse Guide! ??

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Are your tomatoes starting to bloom? Kaleb from Wyse Guide has some bountiful tips to ensure your tomato plants stay happy and healthy! Watch as he uses Espoma Organic Tomato! Liquid Fertilizer to help his tomato plants grow more blooms.

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/

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Planting Coleus With Garden Answer!?☀️?

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Check out Laura @GardenAnswer‘s latest grand planting project!

Watch Laura plant multiple varieties of Coleus plants, infusing her landscape with deep vibrant colors. Laura shares her top planting tips when laying out and caring for multiple varieties.

To ensure the success of her new Coleus plants, Laura relies on the assistance of Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus. Bio-tone provides the ideal nutrients needed for her plants to flourish in their new environment.

 

 

Coleus, known for its vibrant and colorful foliage, is a delightful and easy-to-care-for plant that can bring a splash of color to your outdoor containers or garden beds.

Here’s a brief guide to help you nurture your Coleus and keep it thriving:

  1. Planting:
  • Location: Choose a sheltered spot that protects the plant from strong winds, as Coleus stems are delicate and can break easily.
  • Soil: Ensure well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging and promote healthy root growth.
  • Initial Watering: Water the plant thoroughly after planting.
  1. Growing:
  • Watering: Avoid overwatering, as Coleus is susceptible to rot. Water only when the top inch of soil becomes dry.
  • Pruning: Regularly pinch back growing shoots on young plants to encourage bushier growth and more vibrant foliage.
  • Fertilizing: In mid-summer, apply a liquid fertilizer like Espoma Organic Grow! to containers and Espoma Organic Plant-tone to garden beds to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth.
  • Trimming Flower Spikes: In late summer, cut off any flower spikes that appear. This helps extend the plant’s lifespan and encourages the growth of new colorful leaves.
  1. Variety Consideration:
  • Coleus comes in various leaf colors, including green, yellow, pink, red, purple, and maroon. Be sure to check with your garden nursery on the specific variety you have, as some modern types can tolerate sun, while others prefer shade.

With minimal effort and attention to these care tips, you can enjoy the beauty of your Coleus plant as it enhances your outdoor space with its vibrant hues and attractive foliage. Happy gardening!

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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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Growing Joy with Maria Podcast Episode 30 Blog: Orchid Care Basics

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Orchids have long captivated plant parents with their beautiful flowers and unique growth habits. Despite what others commonly think, taking care of them is not as difficult as their reputation implies. With the right knowledge and approach, you can bring the beauty of orchids right into your home.

This blog is inspired by Episode 30 of Growing Joy with Maria Podcast, where host Maria Failla talks about orchid care with Chris Satch, the NYC Plant Doctor and educator for the New York Botanical Garden.

What is an Orchid?

Botanically, orchids are plants that have a unified column, which is a unique reproductive structure that unites the orchid family. They can adapt to different environments, but most of them do love the tropics—which is why you can find them on every continent except Antarctica.

Orchid Care Basics

Let’s get into the basics of taking care of them:

  • Light requirements: Orchids love bright, indirect light. Placing them near an east or west-facing window where they receive filtered sunlight is ideal.

 

  • Temperature & humidity: Orchids thrive in moderate temperatures, so it’s ideal to maintain them within the range of 60°F to 80°F during the day, with slightly cooler temperatures at night. They also love higher humidity levels!

 

  • Watering: Orchids have different moisture requirements, depending on the species and growing conditions. As a general rule, water your orchids when the soil is almost dry but not completely dried out.

 

  • Potting mix: Avoid planting orchids in regular potting soil. They need a well-draining mix that mimics their natural environment. Sphagnum moss, orchid bark mix, or a combination of the two are typically used to provide moisture control for orchid roots. Use Espoma Organics Orchid Mix, which is a blend of organic materials that ensures proper drainage while retaining essential moisture.

 

Common Orchid Types

  • Phalaenopsis: A popular choice for beginners, with elegant and long-lasting flowers.

Pink Orchid

  • Cattleya: If you’re a collector, you’ll love these orchids. They have vibrant and fragrant blooms but prefer brighter light and slightly cooler temperatures.

Pink and orange Cattleya flower, orchidaceae family

  • Vanda: Known for their striking, colorful flowers and aerial root growth. They like high humidity and bright, indirect light.

Pink, red and yellow flowers

  • Encyclia: These charming, unique flower forms are known for their toughness and ability to adapt to different conditions. 

 

 

Fertilizer: To Use or Not to Use?

Fertilizing orchids during their active growth periods is beneficial for the beautiful blooms associated with them. A balanced orchid fertilizer like Espoma Organic Orchid! A bloom booster that will do wonders—just make sure not to overdo it! Too much can build up salts and harm the roots.

Myth Busting: Ice Cubes & Level of Difficulty

Myth 1: Ice Cubes are Good for Orchids 

Myth! Putting ice cubes on the soil can actually harm your orchid. It’s best to water them thoroughly and let any excess water drain out of the pot. You want to avoid letting the roots sit in standing water.

Myth 2: Orchids are Difficult to Care For

Partially a myth. Here’s the truth: some can be tricky, but most of the orchids you’ll find in stores are specifically selected to be tough and adaptable to indoor conditions. In fact, orchids are often described as plants that like “benign neglect.” You can leave them alone for a while, and they’ll still thrive!

Troubleshooting Orchid Problems

Q: Why is my orchid not blooming?

A: If your orchid isn’t blooming, it might need more light or consistent temperatures. 

Q: Why are my orchid leaves turning yellow?

A: If the leaves are turning yellow, you could be overwatering or underwatering. And if you notice mushy or black roots, that might indicate root rot, which can be caused by too much water or poor drainage.

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It takes patience, attention, and a willingness to learn to take care of orchids. But it’s totally worth it! Add these plants to your collection, and enjoy their stunning flowers and captivating growth patterns for years to come. 

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Growing Joy with Maria Blog: Windowsill Gardening 101

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Are you interested in starting your own windowsill herb garden but have no outdoor space? In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know to create a thriving herb garden right on your windowsill.

This blog is inspired by Episode 22 of Growing Joy with Maria Podcast, where host Maria Failla interviewed Marianne Garceau, the Associate Director of the Garden Shop at the New York Botanical Garden, to share her expertise on best practices for setting up and maintaining a windowsill herb garden.

 

How to Grow Herbs Indoors

Choosing the Right Window

The most important thing to consider when starting a windowsill herb garden is finding a window that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. A southeast or southwest-facing window would be perfect for this.

If you don’t have a sunny window, you can always use artificial lighting (grow lights) to grow your herbs. This is a wonderful option for year-round growth.

Finding the Right Container

In order to grow successful herbs, you’ll need to choose the right container size. A 6-inch pot is recommended, but you’ll need to make sure your windowsill is wide enough to accommodate it. Check to see if your pot has a hole in the bottom to allow water to drain out; this is important since herbs don’t like “wet feet,” meaning they don’t like excess water sitting at the bottom of the pot.

Potting Mix

Optimal potting mix is crucial for your herb garden’s success. It’s best to use Espoma Organic Potting Mix to grow healthy herbs, as garden soil is too heavy for indoor planting. Its all-natural, organic composition promotes excellent drainage, ensuring your herbs won’t sit in excess water.

Caring for Your Herbs

Once you set your herbs up for success with high-quality potting mix and pots with drainage, it’s time to nurture them as they grow. Water them thoroughly, but not frequently. Avoid overwatering by allowing the top centimeter of the soil to dry out. The remaining soil should stay relatively moist without drying out fully.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is essential to achieving a bountiful harvest of herbs throughout the season. When you prune a plant, it triggers growth hormones that allow the plant to grow bushier and more full in shape. Make sure to only prune up to a third of the plant at one time. When snipping, cut right above the leaves to encourage new growth.

Harvesting Herbs

Herbs are best when fresh, so cut them right before you’re ready to use them, and apply the guidelines stated above. Never harvest more than one-third of the plant at a time.

Common Mistakes

The biggest mistake people make when caring for indoor herbs is overwatering or not allowing enough sunlight to reach the plants. Overwatering can lead to fungus gnats and yellow leaves, while lack of sunlight can cause the plant to stop growing or get leggy.

Recommended Herbs

An ideal choice for budding indoor gardeners is Mint. You can enjoy the delightful taste and scent of peppermint, spearmint, orange mint, pineapple mint, and even mojito mint. Mint is a fast grower and can be used in cocktails, salad dressings, and so many other recipes.

Newbie growers might also find joy in nurturing basil, the queen of the herb garden. As long as it has the light it needs, basil can flourish on a windowsill, and the scent is incredible!

Oregano is another great herb to grow indoors and can even serve as a cute trailing houseplant, adding a touch of green and dimension to your living space.

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Starting a windowsill herb garden is both an easy and enjoyable activity. Before long, your windowsills could become tiny farms, rich with nutritious greenery, personality, and—most importantly—future caprese salads! With sunlight, appropriate pots, regular maintenance, and the helpful addition of Espoma products, you’ll be harvesting fresh herbs in no time.

 

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VIDEO: The Perfect Flower Pot for Grandma || Wyse Guide ??

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There’s nothing better than the gift of greenery, and Kaleb of @Wyse Guide knows his grandma deserves the best! That’s why he uses Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix and Plant-tone to give these container plants a strong head-start to last for seasons to come. Follow along for all his tips and tricks for a beautiful addition to any home.

Bonus tip: We also recommend using Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus at the time of planting to help produce large root systems very quickly.  This will help ensure that new plantings get maximum water and nutrients from the soil to minimize transplant loss.

 

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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/

 

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VIDEO: Planting an Epic Rose Garden ??? // Garden Answer

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Watch as Laura @GardenAnswer plants an EPIC rose ? garden. Laura plants rows of 87 different color varieties to create a beautifully dynamic cut flower garden.

Laura uses our Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starte Plus when planting her new rose plants to give them the nutrients they need to establish a strong root system in their new environment. Laura uses Espoma Organic Land and Sea Gourmet Compost to topdress the topsoil layer after planting to give her soil an added boost of nutrients.

We recommend feeding your established roses with our Espoma Organic Rose-tone. Use Rose-tone to provide the nutrients that are essential for those big beautiful blooms.

 

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: Flowerbed Cleanup ? ? || Wyse Guide!

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Follow along with Kaleb Wyse’s @WyseGuide flowerbed cleanup! Watch as he preps his beds and offers some composting tips and tricks. Once the beds are beautified, he uses Espoma Organic Evergreen-tone, Plant-tone, and Tree-tone to fertilize his Skyline Spruce and other evergreen trees. 

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/

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Growing Joy with Maria – Episode 91 Blog: 10 Tips For Beginning Gardeners And Edible Landscapers

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Edible landscaping is a fun way to add beauty and flavor to your garden. You can enjoy the beauty of plants and gorgeous curb appeal, while also harvesting delicious fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It can add flavor, nutrition, and beauty to your garden, and provide food for your family. Here are 10 tips to get started.

This blog is inspired by Episode 91 of Growing Joy with Maria Podcast, where host Maria Failla interviewed her mom, lovingly referred to as “Mama Failla” to share her top 10 tips for Edible Landscaping and Gardening.

Start Small

Take the time to familiarize yourself with your land and start with a small section or specific edible plants that you love to eat. This approach allows you to learn and adapt as you go. Maria and her Mom suggest starting with herbs, as they are easy to grow and provide a variety of flavors and colors. Basil is their favorite!

Understand your light and water

Keep an eye on your garden’s light and water needs. During the warmer months, track the sunlight patterns in your garden to ensure adequate exposure. For convenient watering, plan your garden near a hose or irrigation system. If you’re hand-watering, make sure your garden is a manageable size and within your ability to water effectively. When planting, you can use Espoma Organic Bio-Tone Starter Plus to promote strong root development. This will enhance water absorption for your plants.

Understand your soil 

Know your soil by getting a local soil test. Then get it ready for planting season by adding a healthy dose of compost and organic matter. Compost is like a multivitamin for your soil, providing essential nutrients and improving soil health. Choose soil and compost that you can transport easily such as Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost.

Check out this fun compost bag hack, Maria’s plant friend Melody taught her. 

Pick what you can do, what you want to do, and what you can afford to do

Choose plants that suit your taste, capabilities, and wallet. Divide and reuse perennials to keep costs down and select plants that grow joy. Consider a blend of annuals and perennials for season-long blooms, and boost the soil with Espoma Organic Bulb-Tone when planting bulbs like daffodils and tulips.

Get family and friends involved 

Turn gardening into a bonding experience by involving your loved ones in composting and gardening tasks. Assign different garden tasks to family members and share cuttings and plants with neighbors. Teach children in your neighborhood about how plants grow.

Get your gardener involved 

If you’re a novice or unsure about your soil, bring in a gardener to give you a hand. They can help pick the right plants and assist with composting and waste disposal. Espoma Organic Garden Lime can adjust your soil’s pH, creating the perfect environment for your plants under the guidance of your gardener.

Plan your seasons 

Strategize your garden layout with the seasons in mind. Plant bulbs in the fall for a burst of springtime flowers and add annuals for a summer color party. Plan for winter too with sturdy plants like cabbage and nourish your plants throughout the year with Espoma Organic Plant-tone and Garden-tone.

Start with annual color

Brighten up your garden with vibrant annuals like impatiens, begonias, and coleus. Play with textures for extra visual appeal, unless you’re aiming for a specific plant variety. Improve the growth and vitality of your flowers with Espoma Organic Flower-Tone, a premium flower food that promotes abundant blooms and vibrant colors.

Choose a time to devote to your garden

Gardening loves regular care, so it’s important to set aside specific time to tend to your garden. Three times a week should do the trick, preferably in the cooler mornings. Regular maintenance, like weeding,  keeps your garden looking tidy. Use Espoma Organic Weed Preventer to naturally control weeds and create a barrier that saves you time and effort.

Mama Failla’s rules for protecting yourself in the garden

Enjoy gardening but remember to stay safe. Dress in closed-toed shoes, long pants tucked into socks, and a long-sleeved shirt with cuffs that cover your hands. Double-glove to keep your hands clean. Top it off with a hat and sunglasses to protect your skin from the sun, and consider a visor to shield the back of your neck.

By following these tips and putting in the necessary time and effort, your edible landscape will flourish, providing you with a source of joy, beauty, and fresh, homegrown produce. Enjoy your gardening journey and reap the rewards of your efforts!

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VIDEO: Fill Raised Beds for Cheap || Epic Gardening

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Filling raised beds with the perfect soil can get pretty expensive. Kevin Espiritu from @Epicgardening is here to help you do it for cheap using Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix and a variation of the hugelkultur method

While filling raised beds can be expensive, there is a way to fill a garden bed on the cheap. Make use of any existing organic matter on your property (sticks, logs, brush, grass clippings, unfinished compost, etc.) to fill the bottom half of your bed, then fill the remainder with a high-quality soil mix like Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix.

This method is particularly useful when growing in TALL (18″+) beds, as you don’t need the perfect soil mix all the way down. Over time, the fill material will break down and become food for bacteria, fungi, and other soil life and turn into high-quality soil for your garden over the years.

As always we recommend planting with Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus and feeding your established raised beds with Espoma Organic Plant-tone or Garden-tone.

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