Tag Archive for: transplanting

VIDEO: Planting Hydrangeas 🌸 with Wyse Guide

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When it comes to hydrangeas, every gardener dreams of full, colorful blooms that light up the landscape. Watch as Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide shares how he plants and transplants hydrangeas in his Iowa garden. He walks us through his process step by step—using Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to help roots establish, Espoma Organic Holly-tone to feed acid-loving plants, and how using Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier can create the perfect conditions for iconic blue blooms.

Here are six top tips and takeaways from Kaleb’s hydrangea planting project:

1. Choose the Right Variety for Your Climate

Not every hydrangea will thrive just because it’s rated for your USDA zone. Kaleb explains how some bigleaf hydrangeas struggled in his area, so he swapped them for hardier Seaside Serenade Cape Cod hydrangeas, better suited for his Zone 4 garden. Always match your plant choice to both your climate and the light conditions in your garden.

2. Protect Roots During Transplanting

Whether moving a shrub or planting a new one, Kaleb emphasizes the importance of keeping the root ball intact to reduce transplant shock. He carefully lifts and moves hydrangeas with as much surrounding soil as possible, ensuring minimal stress on the plant. 

3. Always Plant with a Good Organic Starter Fertilizer

Every hydrangea Kaleb plants gets a helping of Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus in the hole. Packed with beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae, Bio-tone encourages strong root development and helps plants adapt quickly to their new home. As Kaleb puts it, he treats transplants like brand-new plants—and Bio-tone gives them the best start possible.

4. Feed with Fertilizer for Acid-Loving Plants

Hydrangeas love soil on the acidic side. That’s why Kaleb sprinkles in Espoma Organic Holly-tone, a slow-release organic fertilizer crafted specifically for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, azaleas, and blueberries. Holly-tone not only provides balanced nutrition but also contains elemental sulfur to help gently acidify soil over time.

5. Adjust Soil pH 

If your soil isn’t naturally acidic, hydrangeas may need a little extra help. Kaleb mentions how his soil leans neutral, so he often turns to Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier. Made from natural sulfur, it safely lowers soil pH, creating the right conditions for healthier growth and, in the case of bigleaf hydrangeas, can even shift blooms from pink to blue.

6. Prioritize Drainage and Consistent Moisture

Hydrangeas thrive in soil that’s both well-draining and consistently moist. Kaleb demonstrates checking drainage by filling the planting hole with water. If it drains well, you’re set! He also reminds us that even established hydrangeas benefit from supplemental water during dry spells to keep blooms from wilting or scorching in summer heat.

You Can Do It!

Healthy soil, the right plant food, and a watchful eye on moisture make all the difference in hydrangea success. With Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, Holly-tone, and Soil Acidifier in your toolkit, you’ll be well on your way to lush, colorful hydrangea blooms—year after year.

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Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image Espoma Organic Holly-tone Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier Bag

 

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VIDEO: Late Summer Plantings ☀️🌿 with Wyse Guide

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Late summer might not seem like the ideal time to dig into new plantings, but our friend Kaleb Wyse of Wyse Guide thinks differently. In his latest video, Kaleb reminds us that gardening isn’t about rigid rules—it’s about understanding your plants, your soil, and the care you’re willing to give.

In this video, Kaleb is planting Calamint ‘Montrose White’ along a garden path and transplanting prairie dropseed grass. Kaleb always plants with Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to give his new plants the best chance to thrive. He calls Bio-tone his go-to “planting insurance” because it enriches the soil, encourages root growth, and helps plants settle in quickly.

6 Late-Summer Planting Tips from Kaleb

  1. Don’t fear the season. If a plant is sitting in a nursery pot, it will be happier in the ground than waiting on the sidelines. With care, late-summer planting can be successful.
  2. Choose the right variety. Kaleb swapped out a self-seeding Calamint for ‘Montrose White’, showing how selecting the right cultivar prevents future headaches.
  3. Use a good starter fertilizer. Kaleb never skips this step. He recommends using a high-quality organic starter fertilizer like Espoam Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus. It not only feeds the soil but also helps roots acclimate quickly—critical when planting mid-season.
  4. Loosen, don’t stress. When transplanting, gently loosen roots but avoid overly rough handling. The goal is to encourage healthy outward growth.
  5. Water wisely. Start with well-watered plants and give them a deep drink after planting. Consistent moisture is key during hot stretches.
  6. Think in groupings. Kaleb recommends planting in odd-number groupings (three, five, seven) for stronger visual impact and healthier stands of perennials.

A Season for Learning and Growing

Kaleb’s message is clear: gardening is as much about learning as it is about planting. By experimenting with timing and varieties—and by feeding the soil naturally with Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus—you can enjoy beautiful results well into the season.

Let’s get growing!

Learn More about Wyse Guide:

🪴 YouTube

🪴 Facebook

🪴 Instagram

🪴Website

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image

 

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VIDEO: Planting Raised Beds 🌿 with Wyse Guide

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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:

  1. Refresh raised beds each year with an organic soil mix like Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix

  2. Use Bio-tone Starter Plus when transplanting any type of plant

  3. Try soil blocking to reduce transplant shock

  4. Protect young plants with covers from critters and cold

  5. Take it slow—gardening is a learning process!

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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/

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus Bag Image Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix Bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIDEO: Transplanting Trees & Planting Lilac Bushes 🌳🪻with Garden Answer

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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!

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

 

 

 

VIDEO: Fall Garden Refresh with Wyse Guide

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Watch Kaleb Wyse from Wyse Guide tackle 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 Soil when repotting the agave plants to give his plants a fresh growing medium for the winter months.

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/

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus bagEspoma Organic Potting soil Mix Big bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIDEO: Planting Spring Tulips and Transplanting Boxwoods 🌿 with Wyse Guide

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Join Kaleb from  @WyseGuide  as he tackles his latest gardening project!

In this video, Kaleb shares his go-to technique for planting tulip bulbs using Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix to get them off to a great start. He also demonstrates how to spruce up a garden bed along his charming farmhouse by adding boxwood plants. Kaleb shares expert tips for successfully transplanting boxwoods using Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus and Plant-tone products to give them the nutrients they need to thrive.

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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May Gardening Checklist: 5 Essential To-Dos for a Thriving Garden

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May is one of the busiest and most exciting months in the garden. Flowers are blooming, veggies are sprouting, and summer crops are ready to go in. But to keep your garden thriving naturally, it’s important to use the right organic products to nurture your soil, plants, and harvest.

Here’s your Espoma-approved May checklist to prep your garden for a healthy, productive summer season.

Garden Clean up

1: Tidy Up Your Garden Space

Start fresh by clearing out weeds, dead plants, and old debris — this keeps pests and diseases in check and opens up space for new growth. As you tidy up, top off your beds with Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost to enrich the soil with nutrients and improve texture.

Once your garden is clean, you can apply a layer of mulch to help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature. This simple prep sets the stage for everything that comes next.

spring crops

2: Harvest Early Spring Crops

Your cool-weather crops like lettuce, spinach, radishes, and peas are likely ready to harvest. After picking, don’t leave that soil depleted! Replenish it by working in Espoma Organic Garden-tone or Plant-tone to restore nutrients before planting your summer vegetables.

For container gardens, refresh the mix with Espoma Organic Raised Bed Mix or Potting Mix so your new plants have a rich, organic base to grow in. Healthy soil = healthy crops.

People planning a project

3: Plan Your Garden Layout Thoughtfully

Before you rush to plant, take a little time to sketch out your garden plan. Group plants with similar needs together, and research what varieties perform best in your area. If you’re unsure, visit a local garden center and look for recommendations — and while you’re there, pick up organic fertilizers suited for what you’re planting (like Espoma Organic Tomato-tone for tomatoes, Berry-tone for berries, or Rose-tone for roses).

Planning ahead ensures you can match the right organic products to the right plants, maximizing growth and minimizing problems down the line.

planting with organic fertilizer

4: Get Planting — and Feed Organically

Once your area is frost-free, it’s time to plant! Whether you’re planting veggies, flowers, or herbs, give them the best start by enriching the planting hole with Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus. This starter fertilizer contains mycorrhizae, which help plants establish strong root systems and reduce transplant shock.

As the season goes on, continue feeding regularly with Espoma Organic Tone Fertilizers, depending on what you’re growing. These slow-release, organic fertilizers keep plants nourished naturally, without the risk of burning or chemical buildup.

planting

5: Transfer Indoor Seedlings Outdoors Carefully

If you started seeds indoors, harden them off gradually before moving them outside. Once ready, plant them in your garden or containers and mix Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus into the soil. This ensures young plants have access to the nutrients and beneficial microbes they need to get established and grow strong healthy roots.

For containers, fill pots with Espoma Organic Potting Mix, which provides excellent drainage and moisture retention while feeding plants with organic ingredients. Don’t forget to water thoroughly after transplanting to help roots settle in.

family in vegetable garden

🌸 Bonus Tip: Keep Feeding and Caring All Season Long

Throughout the summer, keep an eye on your plants. Feed every month or as needed with the appropriate Espoma Organic fertilizer for each plant type. Water deeply at the base, mulch to retain moisture, and enjoy the lush, organic garden you’ve worked so hard to create.

With the right products and a little care, you’ll be harvesting beautiful, homegrown food and flowers all summer long — the organic way!

Featured Products:

Espoma Organic Potting soil Mix Big bagEspoma Organic Land and SeaEspoma Raised Bed Mix bag  Espoma Organic Tomato-toneEspoma Organic Rose-tone bagEspoma Organic Plant-tone organic fertilizer

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