Hummingbird at a flower

Plan a Hummingbird Garden

None of the birds in my garden give me as much joy and entertainment as hummingbirds. Watching them zip around from flower to flower is fun, and the occasional low fly-by lets me get an up-close look. Hummingbirds are native to North and South America. In fact, they are only found in the America’s. You will not find them anywhere else, which seems like a shame to me that the whole world doesn’t get to enjoy these bejeweled birds....

Woman holding a plant grown in a sunken garden bed.

Keeping Cool: Planning Shade for your Garden

All plants, bar a few specific exceptions, rely on sunlight for growth. Photosynthesis is when the chlorophyll in plants (the green pigment in leaves, stems, etc.) uses carbon dioxide from the air and water in the soil to produce sugars, which the plants use to grow. But, just as you can get sunburned from too much exposure to the giant ball of gas in the sky, so can plants. Days with a high UV index and extended periods without clouds or rain can stress plants, causing sunscald, leaf burn, and dehydration....

Paper seed packets with some seeds spilling out on a white background

How to Store Seeds

After you’ve stocked up on seeds for the growing season and started most of your plants, often you’ll end up with several partial packets of seeds left over. How should you store leftover seeds so they last as long as possible? And how long do seeds last, anyways? Many of us gardeners like to hoard seeds in our seed collection for years, but without proper storage techniques the shelf life of those seeds dramatically decreases....

Woman holding a plant grown in a sunken garden bed.

Digging Down: Creating a Sunken Garden

Staying Hydrated Water is essential for plant growth. Too little water (or too much), and your plants won’t make it. In hot, arid climates, sunken beds are a preventative measure against warmer weather (catch the rhyme there?). By sinking the bed below ground level, you take advantage of naturally cooler soil, improved moisture retention, and better wind protection. Sunken beds can be a game-changer for gardeners in dry regions, making it easier to keep plants thriving with less water....

A raised wooden garden bed filled with veggies with hoops over the top

Tips for Growing in the Southwestern US Desert

Thriving Where It’s Hot Gardening in the Southwest desert comes with unique challenges, but also the opportunity for near year-round gardening. With the right strategies, you can grow a thriving, productive garden, whatever the weather. By selecting heat-tolerant plants, optimizing shade and soil conditions, and managing water efficiently, you can harvest bumper crops of veg year after year. When to Start The vibrant bloom of wildflowers marks the arrival of spring in the Southwest, the warm, sunny season in between the nippy winter and the scorching summer....

A new raised garden bed in a sunny clearing in a wooded area

Our 2025 Garden Plans!

We are getting geared up for the 2025 gardening season! The first step before we can get growing though is to plan out our gardens in Planter. Read on to see what our Planter team members are up to this year, and how we’ve used Planter to bring our garden plans to life. We hope you’ll find some creative ideas to implement in your own plans! If you haven’t already seen (or heard) it, check out our latest podcast episode where Peter, Milan, and Erin chat about our garden plans and what we’re doing differently in 2025:...

Someone holding a ripe peach against some peach tree leaves

How to Stop Peach Leaf Curl

Peach trees, known for their delicious and juicy fruit, are a lovely addition to any home orchard. Peaches are great for every gardener because they come in various sizes. Dwarf peach trees’ size ranges from 8 to 10 feet tall (about 2.5 to 3 meters), and semi-dwarf trees will grow 12 to 15 feet tall (about 3.5 to 4.5 meters). Both dwarf and semi-dwarf can be grown in containers, meaning you can have sweet summer peaches off your patio!...

Soil Amendments for Vegetable Gardens in the Southeastern US

Improving Garden Soil Naturally Welcome, fellow gardeners! If you’re in the Southeastern United States and eager to grow a thriving vegetable garden, you’re in the right place. Today, we’ll delve into the world of soil amendments – the secret ingredients to transform your garden from good to great. Why are soil amendments crucial, especially in the Southeast? Our region often presents challenges like heavy clay soil, high acidity, and nutrient deficiencies....

A greenhouse with a light dusting of snow

Winter Garden Chores

January is a time for new resolutions, fresh beginnings, and a chance to decompress after a busy holiday season. It’s also time for some winter garden chores. Depending on where you live, you might look out to your garden and think it feels like so many months until gardening season arrives. But really, there’s always some gardening to be done. If you knock out a few of these chores now, you’ll thank yourself when spring comes, which will come much sooner than it seems....

A collage of the 10 plant picks with the text "10 Cold-hardy Veggies to Plant Now in the Southeast"

10 Cold-Hardy Veggies to Plant Now in the Southeastern US

Think you need to wait until spring to start your garden? Think again! Here in the Southeastern US, our mild winters give us the opportunity to grow delicious, fresh vegetables all year round. And let’s be honest, there’s something extra satisfying about harvesting your own food when there’s a chill in the air. So, grab your gardening gloves and let’s get planting! Why Cold-Hardy Veggies? Cold-hardy vegetables are a special group of plants that can handle chilly temperatures and even a touch of frost....