My Rewards
Let’s talk about the story of the seasons. Seeing as gardening is a year-round endeavour, you have to make sure to plan out when the right time is to start planting. We wouldn’t want all that hard work and effort to just end up with a barren garden. How awful. When you do things right, you get rewarded with a lush, vibrant garden full of colours and textures - and this goes for indoor and outdoor spaces alike.
And it needs to be said. Even the most seasoned gardeners make mistakes. Gardening is a constant learning experience. We don’t suddenly reach a point in which we know all there is to know and just create green spaces at the snap of a finger. We’re all learning from one another all the time… And that’s a good thing!
Seasonal Gardening Tips and Must-Knows
Spring Has Sprung
Spring is our reward for braving the cold winter nights. It’s quite literally the time for new beginnings - that means it’s the best season to start planting. The seeds you sow now will also thrive in the next warmer season, which happens to be summer. But let’s not get too excited. Let’s talk spring.
Ever heard of a frost date? In spring, it’s ideal to know what the last frost date will be. This will indicate when you can start or even resume planting. These dates aren’t set in stone and are often just average estimates. How can you figure out your frost dates? A quick little online search will give you an answer. This varies per region and location, as you probably can guess.
Spring Thrivers:
- Marigolds
For year-round beauty, plant marigolds. They are hardy outdoor plants that will bloom until the winter freeze. These flowers come in many colors like yellow, orange, and even cream. Marigolds can be planted outdoors and even indoors. For the latter, just make sure to give them well-draining soil and put them where there’s sunlight.
- Pansies
Pansies are resilient plants that can be planted in early spring. If you’re trying to grow them from seeds, then you just have to be patient as that can be a little challenging. You can always grab them at your local nursery and then plant them in your garden.
- Herbs
Basil, mint, chives… These herbs can be grown in the spring, both inside and outside. Basil and chives prefer the sun while mint can happily sit in partially shaded areas. Though beautiful, the best part about planting these herbs is that they can be harvested for recipes.
Our Spring Pick: Hydrangea Flowers
Ready to bloom in spring or summer, hydrangeas are beautiful and colourful plants that will liven up any space.
Also Read - Top 5 Spring Indoor Plant Care Tips
One for the Summer
If you stay true to your watering habits, then summer will likely give you blooms! When it comes to summer, watering plays a bigger role. The heat will certainly dry out soil more quickly if you don’t pay attention. Now would also be the time to prepare some makeshift shade as some outdoor plants in direct sunlight might crisp up. We wouldn’t want that.
Opt to add mulch to your soil so that it maintains moisture. Bugs will most likely come aplenty so some deterrents might also be a good idea. Oh, and mind the heatwaves. As long as you pay close attention to the heat and the weather overall, then you should be a-okay.
Summer Thrivers:
- Sunflowers
Seeing as they need a lot of sun to grow, sunflowers make excellent summer additions. Though a fan of the heat, they’ll still require constant hydration. But the payoff is spectacular. You get big, beautiful blooms of yellow in your garden!
- Lavender
Calm your nerves by growing lavender in the summer. Bees love these bright plants. They deliver a wonderful pop of colour to any space they’re added to. Once they’ve established themselves in your garden, they’re also quite resistant to drought - this makes them a good summer grower!
- Chili Peppers
With the heat comes the heat! Peppers thrive in the summer and we wouldn’t be surprised if we found them growing in your garden. Again, make sure to water your plant religiously. The soil needs constant moisture and the plant itself needs up to 8 hours of sunlight a day.
Our Summer Pick: Money Tree
Indoor plants like money trees can be taken outside for the summer. Just don’t put them in direct sunlight and they should be pretty happy.
Fall at Your Feet
Temperatures start to drop this season - but not too much. Gardeners still have plenty of preparation to do! The name suggests that leaves will start to fall. Make sure to pick up fallen or dead leaves to prevent potential fungal growth. If you’ve planted any veggies, fertilizing them may be a good idea so that they grow before winter comes.
Fall Thrivers:
- Chrysanthemums
Colourful and beautiful, mums are popular fall plants to grow. As the days get shorter and nights longer, they’ll want to bloom and give your garden a glow-up. They don’t require too much sun and will be happy to get a half day’s worth of it.
- Roses
Speaking of preparation, roses make excellent garden projects during this season. The soil is more warm and workable, and you can expect your plants to bloom in early spring. Just make sure to keep their bases clean and trim as needed.
- Trees
Because the fall rain and cooler weather allow trees to establish their roots, you may want to consider planting a nice willow in your garden if at all interested. There are also fewer pests to deal with, so that’s a bonus. It may not seem like it, but the dormant season is ideal for tree growing.
Our Fall Pick: Olive Tree
Working off the information above, you may want to pick up a beautiful olive tree. It can reach about three meters in the wild!
Winter Wonderland
With winter, expectations should be managed. Care for what you already have and keep them happy. Be mindful of overwatering - this can greatly damage your plants given the cooler temps. Frost may also creep in, so covering your outdoor plants is a good precaution. To fight the freezing temperatures, you can also add a base layer of mulch. This protects your plants’ roots!
Yes, you can still plant shrubs like winterberry holly or even other herbs and flowers during winter. But winter is ideal for preparing for the seasons ahead and giving your green thumbs a little rest. Take care of what you already have and wait for spring!
Our Winter Pick: Plant Terrariums
We know we talked about OUTDOOR plants, but there’s little to do when you have no greenhouse or similar at your disposal. If you still want a little lush greenery, how about terrarium plants?
Check Out - Top 7 Winter Plants
Conclusion
You can put your green thumbs to good use all year round if you want to. When it comes to outdoor plants, you just have to plan things out better. If you’re reading this in other parts of the globe, make sure you read up on what plants are in season in your area because this can vary! Seasonal gardening is just a click away with Bloombox Club. We house many plants here and will send you those you fall in love with.
