Green Thumb Garden Tips

Tomato Growing Secrets

Plant tomatoes deep, burying about two-thirds of the stem to encourage strong root development. Rotate your tomato crops each year to prevent soil-borne diseases. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Prune suckers (the shoots that grow between the main stem and branches) to direct energy into fruit production. Use mulch to maintain soil moisture and temperature.

Companion Planting

Some vegetables grow better when planted near certain companions. Try these combinations:

• Tomatoes with basil (improves flavor) and marigolds (deters pests)
• Carrots with onions (onions deter carrot flies)
• Cucumbers with radishes (radishes deter cucumber beetles)
• Beans with corn (corn provides support for beans)

Continuous Bloom

Plan your flower garden for continuous color throughout the growing season by selecting plants with staggered bloom times. Include:

• Early Spring: Crocus, daffodils, tulips
• Late Spring: Peonies, iris, allium
• Summer: Daylilies, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans
• Fall: Asters, sedum, goldenrod

Attracting Pollinators

Create a pollinator-friendly garden with these plants that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds:

• Bee balm (Monarda)
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias)
• Coneflowers (Echinacea)
• Lavender
• Salvia
• Zinnias

Provide a water source like a shallow dish with stones for landing spots, and avoid using pesticides that harm beneficial insects.

Starting an Herb Garden

Most herbs prefer well-drained soil and at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Good beginner herbs include:

• Basil: Plant after danger of frost, pinch back to encourage bushiness
• Mint: Grow in containers to prevent spreading
• Rosemary: Prefers drier conditions, can be overwintered indoors
• Thyme: Drought-tolerant, great for ground cover
• Parsley: Biennial, grows best in cooler weather

Harvesting and Preserving Herbs

Harvest herbs in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun is too hot. For best flavor:

• Pick leaves before flowering (except chamomile)
• Use fresh when possible
• Dry by hanging small bunches upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area
• Freeze chopped herbs in ice cube trays with water or oil
• Make herb-infused vinegars or oils

Must-Have Tools for Every Gardener

These basic tools will handle most gardening tasks:

• Hand trowel: For planting, transplanting, and weeding
• Pruners: Bypass type for clean cuts on stems and small branches
• Garden fork: For turning soil and compost
• Hoe: For weeding and cultivating soil
• Watering can or hose: With adjustable nozzle
• Gloves: Protect hands from thorns and dirt

Clean and sharpen tools regularly to keep them in good condition.

Spring Garden Preparation

Get your garden ready for the growing season:

• Test your soil and amend as needed
• Clean up winter debris and remove weeds
• Divide perennials before new growth gets too tall
• Start seeds indoors for warm-season crops
• Prune summer-flowering shrubs before buds swell
• Apply mulch after soil has warmed

Fall Garden Tasks

Prepare your garden for winter and next spring:

• Plant spring-flowering bulbs
• Clean up plant debris to reduce disease
• Add compost to garden beds
• Protect tender plants with mulch
• Plant cover crops in vegetable gardens
• Drain and store hoses
• Clean and oil tools before storing