Did you plant a garden to help you keep busy at home this spring?
When our state began to close down to help flatten the COVID curve in March, garden centers and nurseries were FLOODED with customers wanting to purchase plants and gardening supplies.
People all across the country started gardening for a multitude of reasons: some wanted something to do with the kids, some wanted to finally start the garden they had always dreamed of, others wanted to grow their own food due to worries about future food supply chains, and some just wanted to plant simply because it was something they could at home to keep busy.
The incredible increase in demand this year has made it difficult for suppliers and retailers alike to keep seeds and starts on the shelf.
But, the increase in new gardener’s visiting our store has been exciting!
Well, where do I start?
Gardening was the perfect choice for many people during the stay at home orders because it not only requires a large amount of time, but it’s a great way to get outside. Don’t even get us started on all of the mental and physical health benefits that come with gardening!
But, the work in the garden isn’t done just because the prepping and planting rush is slowing down.
Developing a beautiful and thriving garden takes time and A LOT of trial and error. Each year, you’ll learn more and more about your garden and what works in your space.
To boost your chances of success and keep your garden happy and healthy, we recommend focusing in on a few key areas over the next few months:
1. Water your plants. We are getting into warmer weather (hopefully) and that means it’s time to start thinking about watering every day. We recommend watering in the early morning and giving all your plants a good soak at least once a week to help those roots and keep your plants growing. Plant roots reach out for water as they dry out so a deep watering will help support root growth.
But, if you know you won’t get up in time to water before work, don’t make mornings your normal watering time. If you choose to water in the evenings, water with enough time for the foliage to dry out before nightfall to help avoid mold and fungus diseases caused by moisture.
Â
2. Feed your plants. Taking the time to feed your plants will absolutely boost your results. You and your plants will both be happy! We strongly recommend the Espoma brand for any feeding needs you have.
We compared Espoma products to other large plant food brands in our store and the results showed there wasn’t even a contest. The Espoma fed plants grew larger, produced more, and lasted significantly longer than plants fed by other brands.
When feeding your plants, we recommend watering first and then waiting 30 minutes before applying a liquid feed.
3. Maintain your garden beds. Take time each day, just 10-15 minutes will do for most gardens, and walk out to the beds. Pull any new weeds you see, dead head any dying blooms, and pick any vegetables that are ripe. Are you noticing some plants growing too large and taking over the bed? Trim them back- it’s okay!
Taking the time to maintain your beds will not only help your garden thrive, but it will help it grow throughout the entire season.
4. Check for bugs. When you are out checking for dead blooms and weeds, take a look at your plants. Are there holes or pieces missing? Are their leaves turning a weird color? You might have a bug problem and we can help.
We carry a wide range of insect and slug repellents (including organic options) to help keep the bugs out of your garden. Have you ever heard of Neem oil? It’s a great organic option!
If you need help or just aren’t sure where to start, our garden center is open and our knowledgeable staff can help you get the information or products you need to help your new garden thrive!
