Starting veggie seedlings indoors is a great way to get a head start on the gardening season and relieve that “gardening itch” that many of us get in the winter. One of the most important things a seedling needs is the right amount of light. However, chances are your average house window isn’t bright enough and you’ll need to supplement the light with a grow light. But if you’ve shopped for grow lights recently, you may have been overwhelmed by all the different options....

It may be the middle of winter, but here at Planter we’re busy getting ready for the new growing season. We’re also very excited to announce a host of new features and improvements that we will be adding to the app in 2023! But first, I have some personal news… Starting this month I have transitioned to working on Planter full-time! When I originally released the app in 2017, I never imagined it would grow to be what it is today....

Are you starting a veggie garden in a subtropical or tropical climate? These regions offer a unique set of conditions for growing veggies, and it’s important to understand the differences between the two and choose the right plants for your area. Subtropical vs tropical 🌴 First, let’s define the key differences between subtropical and tropical climates. Subtropical regions have mild winters, and the temperature typically doesn’t go below freezing. On the other hand, tropical regions have warm temperatures year-round and usually high humidity....

Looking for the perfect holiday gifts for the gardeners in your life? Or maybe you’re looking for some neat gardening gear to put on your own wish list (no judgment…us too!) Whoever you’re shopping for, our 2022 Gardeners’ Gift Guide has something for every gardener! Seeding Square Translate your garden plan from Planter into your garden with the handy Seeding Square! This nifty square has color-coded holes to help you sow the seeds of your favorite plants following recommended per-square-foot spacings....

When the growing season draws to a close, it can be a bit dreary to think about not being able to garden for several months. Although outdoor growing might be on the downswing, that doesn’t mean you have to completely give up on gardening until next year. There are plenty of ways to keep the garden passion alive through the frosty weather! So don’t spend the winter months staring longingly at your garden through the window… Grab a cup of hot cocoa and read on for ideas to keep the growing going postseason!...

The gardener’s true bane: after months of hard work, your well-earned gains have to be used quickly at risk of spoiling. Why not spite winter and preserve your fruits and vegetables for the season? Canning is a wonderfully rewarding routine for the end of the season to continue to enjoy your produce past its time! If canning is already a skill well in your wheelhouse, here’s another Growing Guide listing a few alternative methods of using up your end-of-season produce!...

Don’t let shorter days and crisp fall weather deter you from getting out in the garden! There’s almost as much to be done in the garden in fall as there is in spring. While gardening in the fall might not have the ‘new and shiny’ feeling that gardening in spring does, every garden chore you manage to get done in the fall will help make your garden even more successful next year!...

One of my favorite things about summer is enjoying fresh salsa from the garden. It’s sweet, spicy, and best of all…fresh, so it tastes better than store-bought salsa and lasts longer in the fridge (if I don’t eat it first!). This year, I wanted to maximize my chances of successfully harvesting every major component to make fresh salsa, so I dedicated a good portion of my veggie plot as a “salsa garden”....

Early in the growing season, finding one ripe tomato or pepper feels like finding a precious gem. As the season carries on it can get to a point where it’s hard to keep up with everything your plants produce (…I’m looking at you, zucchini). But if you stop harvesting, your plants might stop producing or you could end up with veggies going bad right on the plant. As gardeners we sometimes need to get a bit resourceful to find ways to use up an extra-abundant harvest!...

Why Go Natural with your Colors? Have you ever tie-dyed with your family or friends? It’s a fun and creative activity, and many synthetic dye kits are available on the market! However, there are several good reasons to try dying with plants; put simply, natural dyes are more eco-friendly than those on the market. You reduce your ecological footprint every time you choose to reduce your packaging waste or avoid introducing chemicals to the water system; choosing homemade alternatives is a great way to do both!...