A Weekend In Serenbe, Georgia

Serenbe is a small “New Urban” community about 45 minutes south of Atlanta in a rural town called Chattahoochee Hills. It’s sort of a mix of an upscale-feeling suburban development and an eco-conscious resort in the countryside. We recently took a 3-night trip with our kids and had a great time exploring, eating, and spending time in nature!

Continue reading A Weekend In Serenbe, Georgia at Young House Love.

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How to Repot Rosemary and Blue Ginger Using Organic Soils 🌿 | Summer Rayne Oakes

 Learn how to repot Rosemary and Blue Ginger plants with Summer Rayne Oakes, using organic soils and fertilizer from Espoma.

In this easy-to-follow guide, Summer creates a customized soil blend ideal for Rosemary—a Mediterranean herb sensitive to moisture—by mixing Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix, Espoma Organic Cactus Mix, and Perlite for excellent drainage. She then tops the soil with Espoma Organic Bonsai Mix to provide a protective layer that helps retain moisture and prevents rapid drying.

Additionally, Summer shares essential tips on repotting Weeping Blue Ginger using Espoma Organic Cactus Mix, perfect for plants that prefer higher humidity and ample root space.

For optimal plant health, fertilize your container plants regularly with Espoma Organic Grow! Liquid Plant Food.

 

Learn more about Summer Rayne Oakes here:

Website: homesteadbrooklyn.com

YouTube: @summerrayneoakes

Facebook: facebook.com/homesteadbrooklyn

Instagram: instagram.com/homesteadbrooklyn

Twitter (X): twitter.com/sroakes

 

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Choosing the Best Organic Fertilizer for Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are a garden favorite, prized for their large, showy blooms and lush foliage. However, different types of hydrangeas have slightly different needs, and choosing the right organic fertilizer is key to helping them thrive. Whether you’re growing bigleaf, panicle, oakleaf, smooth, mountain, or climbing hydrangeas, this guide will help you select the best fertilizer for your plants to promote healthy growth and abundant flowers.

Top Six Types of Hydrangeas Commonly Grown in America. 

Before choosing an organic fertilizer, it’s important to know which type of hydrangea you’re growing:

• Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) – Known for their large, colorful blooms that change based on soil pH (blue in acidic soil, pink in alkaline soil).

• Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) – Produces cone-shaped white flowers that mature into pink and can thrive in full sun.

• Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) – Recognizable by its oak-shaped leaves and white blooms that turn pinkish-purple in fall.

• Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) – Features large, round white or greenish blooms, such as the popular ‘Annabelle’ variety.

• Mountain Hydrangea (Hydrangea serrata) – Similar to bigleaf hydrangeas but more compact and cold-hardy, with blooms that also change color based on soil pH.

• Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris) – A vining variety that climbs walls and trellises, producing lacy white flowers.

Best Organic Fertilizers for Hydrangeas

Espoma Organic Holly-tone (4-3-4) – Best for Bigleaf, Oakleaf & Mountain Hydrangeas

An organic fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, such as Holly-tone, is the best choice for hydrangeas that thrive in lower pH soil, including bigleaf hydrangeas, oakleaf hydrangeas, and mountain hydrangeas. This slow-release, all-natural fertilizer enhances soil conditions with beneficial microbes and supports strong root development and overall plant health. If your hydrangeas are young, struggling, or need a nutrient boost, Holly-tone is an excellent option.

Espoma Organic Flower-tone (3-4-5) – Best for Maximizing Blooms

For gardeners who want to maximize flower production across all hydrangea varieties, Flower-tone is the ideal choice. With a higher phosphorus content, this fertilizer encourages larger and more vibrant blooms. The added potassium strengthens plants, improving their resilience to environmental stress. If your primary goal is stunning, long-lasting floral displays, Flower-tone is your best bet.

Espoma Organic Plant-tone (5-3-3) – Best for General Growth

A balanced, all-purpose organic fertilizer like Plant-tone provides nutrients for overall plant health. While it’s not specifically formulated for hydrangeas, it can be used if you’re looking for a simple, well-rounded option. However, if flower production is your priority, Flower-tone will yield better results.

Which Espoma Fertilizer Is Best for Your Hydrangeas?

• Bigleaf, Oakleaf & Mountain Hydrangeas: Thrive with Holly-tone to maintain the right soil acidity and overall plant health.
• Panicle & Smooth Hydrangeas: Benefit most from Flower-tone to encourage larger, more colorful flowers.
• Climbing Hydrangeas: Can use Flower-tone for enhanced blooming and Plant-tone for overall vigor.
• General Maintenance: Plant-tone works as a broad-spectrum fertilizer but is not specifically bloom-focused.

Pro Tips for Fertilizing Hydrangeas:

• Test Your Soil First: Conduct a soil test before fertilizing to determine pH levels and nutrient needs. This will help you choose the most effective organic fertilizer.
• Fertilizing Schedule Matters: Feed your hydrangeas in early spring as new growth emerges and again in mid-summer for a second boost.
• Avoid Late-Season Fertilizing: Refrain from fertilizing in late summer or early fall, as this can promote tender new growth that may not harden off before winter, leaving your plants vulnerable to frost damage.
• Consider Soil Amendments: If your soil is too alkaline, adding Espoma Soil Acidifier can help maintain the right pH for blue hydrangea flowers.
• Use a Starter Fertilizer when planting: When planting, we recommend applying a high-quality organic starter fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus to help give your new plants the nutrients needed for successful establishment and root development.

Where to Buy Espoma Products:

Looking to purchase the right organic fertilizer for your hydrangeas? Find Espoma products at your nearest garden center or online retailer by visiting the Espoma Where to Buy page.

By selecting the right Espoma fertilizer and following best practices, your hydrangeas will thrive, rewarding you with breathtaking beauty season after season. Happy gardening!

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VIDEO: Starting Radishes & Onions from Seed 🌱 + Planting String of Watermelon Succulents 🍉 with Garden Answer

Spring is the perfect time to get seeds started and give houseplants a refresh! In this video, Laura from Garden Answer walks through planting onions and radishes from seed using her go-to Espoma Organic Seed Starter Mix and Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix—trusted for their high-quality ingredients.

But the gardening fun doesn’t stop there! Laura also repots String of Watermelon Succulents using Espoma Organic Cactus Mix, sharing expert plant care tips to keep these unique trailing plants thriving.

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/@gardenanswer/featured

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

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VIDEO: Seed Starting Tips with Farmer Nick 🌱

Starting seeds is an essential part of gardening. It’s a great way to get a head start on the next season and ensure there are always fresh plants ready to replace spent ones—a method known as succession planting. Follow along with Farmer Nick as he shares his top tips to set seeds up for success!

1) Start with High-Quality Organic Potting Soil

The foundation of strong seedlings begins with the right soil. While seeds can germinate in regular potting or garden soil, a high-quality organic seed starting mix—like Espoma Organic Seed Starter—is specifically designed to be lightweight, allowing roots to spread easily while providing essential nutrients to support those first delicate sprouts.

Pro Tip: Always moisten the soil before planting. This keeps seeds in place, provides immediate hydration, and helps ensure an even pack in seed trays.

2) Provide Warmth for Germination

Once the seeds are planted, maintaining the right temperature is key. A heat mat can speed up germination by keeping the soil warm, but it also dries out the mix quickly, so it’s important to keep the soil consistently moist but not overly saturated. A misting bottle is a great tool for gentle hydration.

Pro Tip: Using a smart outlet to control the heat mat allows for easy scheduling. Nick typically runs his mat for about 8 hours overnight, when temperatures drop. Once most of the seedlings have sprouted, he removes them from the heat mat.

3) Light is Essential for Growth

While light isn’t necessary for germination, it becomes crucial once seeds sprout. A grow light helps seedlings develop strong, sturdy stems rather than becoming weak and leggy.

Pro Tip: Always plant a few more seeds than needed. Not every seed will germinate, and extra plants can be thinned out or shared with fellow gardeners.

4) Don’t Forget to Label!

It may sound simple, but labeling seeds is a step many gardeners—Nick included—tend to overlook. Without labels, it’s easy to mix up cucumbers and zucchinis, leading to a fun (but avoidable) guessing game when the plants mature.

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By following these seed-starting tips, gardeners can set themselves up for a successful season, ensuring healthy seedlings that are ready to thrive in the garden.

For the best results, start with a high-quality organic seed-starting mix like Espoma Organic Seed Starting Mix. When it’s time to repot your new plants, switch to Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix for optimal growth. And don’t forget to feed your plants with a high-quality organic liquid fertilizer like Espoma Organic Indoor! to keep them strong and thriving!

 

Learn More about Farmer Nick here: 

Website: Farmer Nick.com 

Instagram: @farmernick

Facebook: @FarmerNick

TikTok: @farmer_nick

YouTube: @FarmerNickJr

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How To Propagate Succulents

Succulents are some of the easiest houseplants to propagate because there are several ways to do it. Today we’ll show how one succulent can be turned into many (even a dozen or more!). So whether you’re looking to grow your own collection or gift some plants to friends, this is a fun and easy process to try!

Continue reading How To Propagate Succulents at Young House Love.

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VIDEO: 7 Tips For Growing Herbs From Seed 🌿🌱with Garden Answer!

Follow along with Laura from @gardenanswer as she walks you through a step-by-step guide on planting herbs from seed. Laura recommends using a high-quality organic potting soil mix, like our Espoma Organic Seed Starter Mix, to create the ideal environment for seed germination.

1) Choose your herbs! – Everyone has their food preferences. choose the herbs that you want to grow and eat!

2) Growing Location – Choose a location that provides adequate sunlight. Most herbs require at least 6-8 hours of full sunlight for germination.

3) Gather supplies:

• Herb seeds.
• I.D. tags or labels.
• writing utensil.
• planting containers or pots.
• Humidity dome.
• High-quality organic potting soil mix like Espoma Organic Seed Starter Mix.
• Water mister.

4) Gather Information– Understanding how to care for the seeds you’ve chosen is key to successful growth. Most seed packets include planting and care instructions on the back to guide you in properly planting and nurturing your herbs.

5) Prep Your Soil – It’s important to use a high-quality seed-starting mix like Espoma Organic Seed Starter. These mixes are lighter than traditional potting soils, promoting better root development for young plants. Adding water to the soil will help provide adequate moisture for germination and will help with the soil structure by preventing settling in your container. 

6) Make Your Plant I.D. Tags – Labeling your pots before planting helps keep everything organized, ensuring you know exactly what to plant in each pot and preventing any mix-ups.

7) Plant your seeds! – plant at least 2-3 seeds per container you should always Refer to your seed packets for proper planting instructions.

Bonus Tip! – Skip the watering can! Laura recommends using a spray bottle or mister to gently water your seeds without disturbing them.

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Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/gardenanswer

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

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Where to Buy

 

The post VIDEO: 7 Tips For Growing Herbs From Seed with Garden Answer! first appeared on Espoma Organic.

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