Home & Garden
How To Jumpstart Your Garden This Summer
More time at home means more time to check items off your summer to-do list — and next up on our list is gardening. Here are some tips.
While we're all trying to stay healthy and safe at home amidst the new coronavirus pandemic, many are finding themselves with extra time on their hands. And if you're looking for an activity that might add a little color and brightness to your day, gardening might just be the perfect pick.
Not only is gardening a soothing hobby, it's also a great way to get some fresh air and bring the whole family together. And this season, we've gathered some tips and essential gardening supplies to help you get started.
So whether you need a little inspiration on which plants to add to your garden or how to keep your soil extra healthy, here are some useful tips to help you jumpstart a thriving garden this summer.
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1. Pick Your Plants
There are so many different options when it comes to picking your petals, seeds and bulbs. Make sure to do your research and learn what plants will thrive in your garden depending on the seasons, climate and hardiness zones. Plan out your garden with these blooming picks, and many more.
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Package of 80,000 Wildflower Seeds, $12.46
Create a colorful garden of wildflowers with these seeds that offer a lavish selection of 23 annual and perennial wildflowers. They'll attract hummingbirds, bumblebees, ladybugs and other beneficial pollinators all summer long. They're also super easy to plant and fast-growing.
Nature's Blossom Exotic Vegetables Growing Kit, $24.95
If you’re looking to plant some delicious, out-of-the box veggies, this exotic vegetable growing kit by Nature’s Blossom is your best bet. The kit includes seeds for purple carrots, black corn, yellow cucumbers and Romanesco broccoli. It also features four seed starting soil pellets, four biodegradable growing pots and four plant labels so you can monitor your progress.
Perfect Plants Limelight Hydrangea Live Plant, $55.99
This limelight hydrangea plant is known for its cone-like clusters of light green flowers and their lovely aroma. They can be grown in a vast majority of the United States and have a tolerance to heat and mild drought. Blooming in early to mid-summer and lasting through the fall, they will add a unique color to your landscape with the ever-changing foliage and flower hues.
Costa Farms Snake Plant, $32.49
If you're just starting out on your gardening journey, a low-impact house plant is a fun and easy way to begin. This snake plant by Costa Farms only requires water once a week and ships planted and fully-grown in an 8.75-inch black growers pot.
Bonnie Plants 4P5090 Rosemary Live Edible Aromatic Herb Plant, $24.99
There's nothing like adding some fresh, homegrown rosemary to your cooking. And these tiny plants with strong aromas and flavorful leaves will help you eat what you grow. These herbs, perfect for Italian and Mediterranean cooking, are a staple for any kitchen garden or landscape.
2. Prep Your Soil
Starting with great soil is essential to a healthy garden. But there's also ways to keep your soil growing and thriving — such as using supplies and high quality nutrition like fertilizer and plant food.
FoxFarm Ocean Forest Soil Bag, $19.50
Indoor gardens need love too — that’s why we recommend this soil from FoxFarm for all of your potting needs. It’s made with a premium blend of earthworm castings, bat guano, and sea-going fish and crab meal that encourages strong branching and a sturdy, healthy growth habit.
Jobe’s Organics 9026 Fertilizer, $16.93
From tomato and vegetable to annuals and perennials, there a Jobe's Organics fertilizer for every type of plant. The fast acting fertilizer creates an abundant harvest, while also helping your garden resist disease, insects, drought and other unfavorable conditions within a growing season.
Nourish above and below the soil by using this Miracle-Gro plant food for roses and blooms. The natural ingredients and nutrients help your plants grow strong and vibrant, promoting more blooms and spectacular colors. It also comes in all-purpose, fruits and vegetables and more.
3. Make Your Beds
Keep your garden safe, secure and easily accessible with raised beds, planters and pots that will ensure a gorgeous garden and give your plants the nourishment and care they need throughout the seasons. Check out the variety of options.
Vertical Garden Freestanding Elevated Planter, $179.99
For a unique, space-saving way to get gardening, you can’t go wrong with this vertical garden planter. The six-foot tall planter features four planter beds with 10 linear feet of gardening space. It also touts an optional cascading watering system which prevents stagnant water in the plant beds.
Perfect for those who struggle to bend down or don't want to lean over while gardening, this raised garden bed is super easy to move around and also allows you to move your plants into sun and shade. Plus, it will help prevent weeds and pests from interfering with plant growth. It also comes with a built-in storage shelf for your favorite garden accessories.
Keter Urban Bloomer Raised Self Watering Garden Bed, $89.99
An urban setting doesn’t mean you can’t get into gardening. This easy-to-assemble raised planter bed is a great way to start a balcony garden or try your hand at growing some herbs. It features an easy-to-read water gauge that indicates when plants need additional moisture and a built-in watering system that includes a reservoir to prevent root decay and over-watering.
Greenes Fence Cedar Raised Garden Kit, $69.99
Create a bountiful garden the simple way with the help of this raised garden kit that will secure your garden. Add soil and plants or seeds, and begin growing the garden of your dreams.
LA JOLIE MUSE Flower Pot, $39.99
These flower pots will add a touch of style, to your garden, front porch, patio or even indoors. Built to withstand intense sun and harsh winter temperatures, the pots are an ideal way to enjoy your favorite plants and flowers, while creating a healthy living environment for them.
4. Create A Workstation
If you're serious about your gardening efforts, you'll need a dedication workstation to keep and organize all your essentials and accessories. And we've found the perfect options.
Yaheetech Outdoor Garden Potting Bench Table, $209.99
This sturdy structure is made of 100 percent fir wood and is known for its natural resistance to rot and pests. The large tabletop covered with galvanized metal sheet provides the perfect place to gather, display and organize gardening essentials, or just offer a crafty work space. It also comes with a drawer under the tabletop, a slatted shelf and the roomy cabinet to satisfy your various storage needs.
Best Choice Products Wood Garden Potting Bench, $149.99
Give yourself some extra room to garden with this outdoor potting bench. It features ample storage for all your gardening tools, hanging hooks for bags and gloves and a dry sink for convenient soil mixing and plant potting.
5. Stock Up On Gardening Tools
From shovels and trowels to watering cans and gardening labels, we've gathered all the accessories to make creating your garden a total breeze.
Fiskars Softouch Micro-Tip Pruning Snip, $11.19
A good set of pruning shears is a must-have item in your gardening arsenal. This model by industry leader Fiskars features precision blades that cut all the way to the tip for clean, healthy cuts in tight spaces, and a proprietary Easy Action spring that earned it the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Commendation.
Vremi 9 Piece Garden Tools Set, $54.99
This set of gardening tools is a total-must have, and will make gardening easy and convenient. The kit includes a trowel shovel, rake hoe, weeder, spade, cultivator, pruning shears, watering spray bottle, and a pair of protective gloves — all held in a multi-compartment gardening tote.
This affordable, easy-to-pour indoor watering can is great for no-nonsense plant watering. It’s made using high-grade, impact-resistant plastic and features an innovative, curved handle and long-stem spout which allows you to water plants in hard to reach places with pinpoint accuracy.
Gardening can involve a good amount of moving around and kneeling, which is why picking up one of these knee-saving pads by InSassy is a great way to ensure that your joints are protected in the long term. And while it’s perfect for gardening, you can also use it for yoga and household chores.
Gardman 8330 Galvanized Watering Can, $55.90
This highly-functioning watering can combines a steel body with copper accents on both handles. Its construction is long-lasting and resistant to rust, while its striking design will help shower your seedlings effectively.
6. Dress The Part
Since you're most likely going to get down and dirty while gardening, you'll need to dress for the occasion. And from gloves and boots to hats that will protect you from the sun, you'll love these styles that will make you look like the true gardener you are.
This unique straw hat is not only super cute and stylish, it will also protect you from the sun while you're outside gardening. The open top design offers great ventilation and also allows you to wear your hair tied up while wearing the hat.
Crocs Women's Jaunt Shorty Boot, $21.82 - $58.12
These short rain boots are also great for gardening. The light shoes will stay dry, and will be easy to clean stuck-on dirt and soil. Plus, they have plenty of cushion and are comfortable.
Protect your hands from thorns, pricks and dirt with these sturdy and comfortable gardening gloves. They're long enough to protect your arms, and will allow you relax and stay safe in your garden.
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