Peat moss has been getting a bad reputation lately, due to its environmental impact. But is it really that bad? Let’s explore this question, and you may learn that it’s not as simple as you thought. But first, what is peat and where does it come from? Peat Moss Peat is partially decomposed organic matter that forms in wetlands. It is made up of mosses, sedges (think tall grasses), and other plants that have died and accumulated over time....

Have you been curious about the technique of soil blocking? Wondering why you might want to try soil blocks instead of the usual seedling trays? Well then, you’ve come to the right place! Soil blocking is a seed-starting technique that can be a bit baffling for many gardeners who aren’t familiar with it. The beauty of this technique is that it’s a versatile option for gardeners who have troubles with seedling roots or simply want to cut down on their hobby’s waste....

Have you ever thought about turning your gardening hobby into more-than-a-hobby? Getting paid to garden might seem too-good-to-be-true, but there are plenty of gardening-related jobs out there! Whether you’re searching for a summer gig, finding your vocation, or looking to ditch a desk job, read on to learn how to cultivate a career in gardening! Be sure a gardening job is right for you: Before you embark on your gardening job hunt, it’s important to understand that gardening as a job can be very different from gardening in your own backyard....

Veggies come in all colors these days; purple carrots, orange tomatoes, and even yellow watermelon. But among the most prized (and hard to find) veggies are the rainbow varieties. Many of these are fairly new but they’re starting to show up at farmers markets and even some grocery stores. Here’s a collection of the rainbow varieties that we’ve found: Rainbow Hot Peppers Although they look colorful, you may not want to “taste the rainbow” with this particular variety....

If you’ve been busy starting seeds indoors, you might already be at the point where your seeds have germinated and are growing into tiny seedlings (if not, be sure to check out our Seed Starting series to get started!) But the conditions that seedlings need to grow and thrive are different from what they need to germinate. Knowing how to properly care for your seedlings is important to get them off to the best start possible!...

It can seem like a hassle to start seeds indoors- why bother if you can plant seeds directly in the garden? For some plants, starting seeds indoors is not just a nice-to-do, it’s a must-do! In this article we’ll cover the whys, whens, and hows of starting seeds indoors. Why Start Seeds Indoors? The main benefit of starting seeds indoors is extra time. Some plants take more time to reach maturity than you have in your growing season....

Are you starting your first veggie garden this year? Or are you an avid gardener that just doesn’t like to plan? No matter your experience level, it’s important to start the gardening season off right with a garden plan. Creating a garden plan will save you from having to find spots to cram in all your plants after a spontaneous trip to the garden center (not that we’ve ever done that…😅)...

Are you looking to restock your gardening equipment? Maybe you’re starting up new and looking for the tools for the job you’ve planned on Planter? Or perhaps, you’re looking for gifts for a loved one who gardens? Well look no further! There’s a large variety of tools that could go to good use in your planting space; it all just depends on what you need done! So… Let’s start first with the basics!...

While snow has been flying outside the Planter team has been hunkered down inside working on the latest Planter feature updates…and we are very excited to launch enhanced companion planting relationships in Planter! (Not familiar with companion planting in Planter? Check out this how-to article and our blog post on companion planting for more info.) Install the latest version of Planter to start using the enhanced companion planting features: Icons that show companion plant benefits and combative plant drawbacks at a glance...

Gardening is one of the oldest hobbies in the world, and it’s always been a very hands-on, low-tech pursuit. But with the advent of mobile technology, gardening apps have become a popular tool for green thumbs everywhere. Who would have thought that you could use a smartphone to help you grow plants and veggies? It may seem a bit strange, but these apps can actually make gardening easier and more fun....