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Tag Archive for: shade garden

VIDEO: Planting A Shade Garden 🌿 with Wyse Guide

August 13, 2025/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Gardening, Kaleb Wyse

Whether you’re working with dry shade or full sun, Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide proves that every pocket of your garden can thrive with the right planning—and a little help from Espoma Organic.

In his latest video, Kaleb brings us along as he refreshes his shade beds and layers in new perennials in full-sun areas, showing how he builds textured, healthy spaces across his Iowa homestead. He’s not just planting—he’s feeding the soil and supporting every root with care.

Kaleb’s shade garden is a great example of adapting to conditions. Not all shade is the same—some spots, often under large trees, are dry shade, where roots compete for moisture and soil drains quickly. Other shady areas, like low spots or places near downspouts, hold more water, creating wet shade. Kaleb’s property has dry shade under mature maple and crabapple trees, so he selects plants that can handle lower moisture while still brightening dim areas.

To get his new additions off to the best start, Kaleb relies on Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, his go-to for all new plantings. For hostas and other acid-loving favorites, Espoma Organic Holly-tone is also in his toolkit, enriching the soil with just the right nutrients for long-term success.

🌿 Kaleb’s Top Tips for Planting Success

1) Water Before You Plant
Always begin with a well-watered root ball so plants adjust quickly and absorb water efficiently post-planting.

2) Use a high-quality organic Starter Fertilizer
“It’s like planting insurance!” Kaleb says. He sprinkles Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus in every hole to encourage strong root development and minimize transplant shock.

3) Only Disturb Roots When Necessary
If roots aren’t bound tightly, skip scarification. Gentle handling helps reduce stress.

4) Embrace Compost—Even Last Year’s Leaves
Kaleb layers homemade compost—or a high-quality mix like Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost, a rich blend of natural ingredients enhanced with lobster and crab shells—right over last year’s fallen leaves. This creates a living mulch that enriches the soil naturally and builds long-term garden health.

5) Group Plants in Odd Numbers
Repeating clusters of five or seven create harmony and visual rhythm, especially in larger beds.

6) Prioritize Soil Coverage
From epimedium to hosta to Agastache, Kaleb aims for dense plantings that naturally suppress weeds and conserve moisture.

Ready to Grow Like Kaleb?

If Kaleb’s video inspires one thing, it’s that soil health is at the heart of every thriving garden. Whether your shade is dry or wet—or your planting area is in full sun—start with rich compost, thoughtful watering, and organic support from Espoma, and your plants will thank you season after season.

Let’s get growing—whether you’re filling a shady nook or bringing a sunlit border to life.

*****

Learn More about Wyse Guide:

🪴 YouTube

🪴 Facebook

🪴 Instagram

🪴Website

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Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag ImageEspoma Organic Holly-toneEspoma Organic Land and Sea

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Shade-Garden.jpg 720 1280 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2025-08-13 12:03:002025-08-14 18:07:24VIDEO: Planting A Shade Garden 🌿 with Wyse Guide

VIDEO: Planting Shade Loving Perennials with Wyse Guide!

July 26, 2024/in Blog, Kaleb Wyse, Summer Gardening

Join Kaleb Wyse from @WyseGuide as he shares top tips for planting shade-loving perennials. Learn how to tackle dry shade areas, prepare soil, and choose the right plants like Hostas and Japanese Forest Grass. Kaleb uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to provide essential nutrients for blooming and growth. He also revitalizes outdoor containers using Espoma Organic Potting Soil and Plant-tone fertilizer.

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/

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Title.png 720 1280 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2024-07-26 15:19:212024-07-26 15:19:21VIDEO: Planting Shade Loving Perennials with Wyse Guide!

VIDEO: Planting a SHADE GARDEN with Colorful Annuals ??? || Garden Answer

July 18, 2024/in Blog, Garden Answer

 

Do you have shady spots in your garden that you don’t know how to utilize? Watch as Laura from Garden Answer demonstrates how to plant annuals in shaded areas to create vibrant, lush spaces. Whether under a tree or by your house, these tips and plant combinations will help you make the most of those low-light areas.

The Perfect Plant Mix for Shady Areas

Laura’s Plant selection:

  • Sedona Sunset Colorblaze Coleus: Adds a warm autumn touch, blending beautifully with pinks.
  • Tropical Shades Impatiens: Though labeled orange, they turned out a stunning coral pink.
  • Non-Stop Joy Mocha White Begonia: With tuberous blooms and beautiful foliage.
  • Queen Tut Grass: A compact centerpiece with a fireworks texture.
  • Patricia Ivy: Perfect for containers, though tricky in-ground planting.

When planting, Laura trusts Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix and Bio-tone Starter Plus to provide her plants with the best possible growing medium and nutrients for successful establishment and growth.

Location 1: The Front Yard

Laura started with a small area in front of Limelight Hydrangeas. The plan was to layer Sedona Sunset Coleus for a vibrant splash of color, followed by Impatiens in the front. She also rejuvenated a nearby container with Queen Tut and Begonias, creating a clean and beautiful display.

Location 2: Under the Golden Rain Tree

This spot receives morning and late afternoon sun. Laura chose Colorblaze Coleus, part-shade to shade Impatiens, and Maverick White Geraniums for the sunnier areas. The result was a cohesive look that harmonized with the surroundings.

Location 3: The Maple Tree Area

This shady spot near the kitchen entrance required a cleanup first. Laura then planted El Brighto Coleus, White Begonias, and Wire Vine. The combination not only filled the space but added layers of color and texture, creating a container-like effect.

Final Thoughts:

Planting in shady areas can be challenging, but with the right plants and arrangements, you can transform these spaces into lush, colorful parts of your garden. Keep an eye on the light levels and choose versatile plants that thrive in varying conditions. Happy planting!

*****

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/

 

Featured Products:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Buy

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/thumbnail-2-2.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2024-07-18 12:39:292024-07-24 14:07:22VIDEO: Planting a SHADE GARDEN with Colorful Annuals ??? || Garden Answer

VIDEO: Catch up with Summer Rayne Oakes’ Shade Garden

September 10, 2022/in Blog, Gardening, Gardening Projects

Wow! Look how much the shade garden bed at Flock Finger Lakes has grown. With the help of Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus and our Organic Cow Manure Compost Blend, your garden can thrive season after season too. 

 

Learn more about Summer Rayne Oakes here:

Website: homesteadbrooklyn.com

Instagram – @homesteadbrooklyn

YouTube – Summer Rayne Oakes

Twitter – @sroakes

Facebook – Summer Rayne Oakes

 

 

Featured Products:

 

 

Where to Buy

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Shade-Garden-May-IMG_2376-1-scaled.jpeg 1707 2560 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2022-09-10 09:33:042022-09-22 10:27:28VIDEO: Catch up with Summer Rayne Oakes’ Shade Garden

Five Vegetables to Plant in the Shade

May 30, 2017/in Vegetable Gardening

Summer gardens filled with fresh fruits and lots of veggies are worth the work. And while gardeners with shady areas may be envious, they can still have plenty of success on their own vegetables.

After, the secret to good crops is really in the soil.

A shady space that gets as little as two hours of direct sunlight a day is still a prime location for a veggie garden filled with root or leafy vegetables. Plus, you’ll have a longer growing period for cool-season crops.

Read on for five vegetables that don’t need to full sun.

 

5 Vegetables that Grow in Shade:

  1. Beets

Easy to grow in almost any space, beets are a shade gardener’s best friend. Beets can be used for both their roots and their greens. Sow seeds directly in the ground in early spring for the best flavor.

  1. Bok Choy

This cold-weather vegetable can withstand cooler temps and shade. Use in soups, salads and stir-fries. Sow seeds directly in ground in both the fall and spring for two harvests.

  1. Kale

Cold-hardy and resilient, kale will grow for months until the weather gets too hot. This plant can be added to stir-fry, salads, omelets and smoothies for a healthy addition. Plant kale about two months before your first frost.

  1. Turnips

Eat turnips raw or cook and serve in soups, stir-fries or mashes. These plants thrive in cool temperatures and shade. Scatter turnip seeds in your garden two to four weeks before the last frost in spring or from late August to October.

  1. Garlic

Requiring almost no space, garlic is simple to grow. Break off cloves from a whole bulb and plant in the ground. To harvest big and flavorful bulbs next summer, plant garlic in the fall. Allow garlic to cure after harvesting in an airy, shady spot for two weeks.

Want to get kids involved in vegetable gardening? Learn more about kid-friendly gardening.

https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Beets.jpg 976 1280 espoma https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png espoma2017-05-30 16:31:032019-05-07 10:02:02Five Vegetables to Plant in the Shade
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  • VIDEO: Planting Perennials in Full Sun ☀️🌿🌸 with Garden Answer
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