If you’re looking to transplant hydrangeas like a pro, Skye Hamilton has you covered. In this informative short video, Skye walks us through a method that’s both plant-friendly and results-driven.
When to Transplant?
Skye recommends making the move in late winter to early spring, a period when hydrangeas are dormant. This timing reduces stress and sets the stage for robust root development.
Soil Prep and Planting
She doesn’t just dig a hole—she prepares it like a home. Skye amends the soil with Espoma Organic Land & Sea Compost, creating a nutrient-rich environment. She also incorporates a high quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-Tone Starter Plus to boost root growth and reduce transplant shock.
Final Touches
Once planted, a deep watering helps the soil settle around the roots. Skye’s method ensures your hydrangea gets the best possible start in its new spot.
With her approach, you’re not just moving a plant—you’re setting it up to thrive.
Balcony gardening is a rewarding but sometimes tricky endeavor, especially for beginners. In this video tutorial, Maria shares six common mistakes that she and many others have made while gardening in containers on balconies. She also highlights how Espoma Organic products can help prevent these pitfalls and ensure healthy, thriving plants.
1: Choosing the Wrong Plant Varieties
Many beginners choose plants that are too large for container growth. Maria advises selecting micro, dwarf, or patio-specific varieties like ‘Patio Baby’ eggplant or ‘Tidy Treats’ cherry tomatoes. These are bred to be compact and manageable, ideal for small balcony spaces.
2: Using the Wrong Potting Mix
Standard garden soil is not suitable for containers as it can be too dense and poorly aerated. Maria recommends using Espoma Organic Potting Mix, which includes perlite and wood bark for proper aeration. This ensures that roots receive enough air and water, crucial for healthy plant growth.
 3: Inconsistent Watering
Balcony plants need regular watering, and failing to plan can lead to wilted or dead plants. Maria suggests using self-watering planters or multiple watering cans to maintain consistency. This strategy, along with early morning watering, ensures plants get the hydration they need.
4: Not Fertilizing Regularly
Container soil loses nutrients quickly. Maria uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, an organic starter fertilizer at the time of planting to minimize transplant shock and boost initial growth. Throughout the season, she fertilizes monthly with Espoma’s specialized granular or liquid fertilizers such as Garden-tone, Flower-tone,Grow, or Tomato! liquid plant food.
5: Forgetting Plant Tags
Keeping track of which plant varieties perform best is essential. Maria emphasizes saving plant tags or using aesthetically pleasing labels. This simple step helps replicate success in future seasons.
6: Misunderstanding Light Exposure
Light availability is often overestimated. Balcony gardeners must consider shadows from buildings, railings, and trees. Maria advises using a compass to determine the direction of exposure and observing the balcony throughout the day to identify sunlight duration. Southern-facing balconies get the most sun, while northern ones are more limited.
Maria’s guidance is a blend of heartfelt experience and practical advice. By using Espoma Organic products and being mindful of these six common mistakes, balcony gardeners can transform small spaces into a gardening paradise. With the right organic soil, fertilizer, and planning, even a modest balcony can yield joy and an abundance of plants.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GJWM_6-Container-Gardeing-Mistakes_Thumbnail-.jpg7201280Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2025-04-10 11:47:272025-04-10 11:56:58VIDEO: 6 Container Gardening MISTAKES | Growing Joy with Maria
Join Summer Rayne Oakes from  Flock Finger Lakes as she guides you through the process of planting lilies in the garden.
In this tutorial, Summer demonstrates the proper techniques for planting these exquisite flowers and shares invaluable plant care tips to help you ensure your plants thrive.
Summer uses Espoma Organic Bulb-tone to feed her lily bulbs, providing them with the essential nutrients they need to bloom.
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Planting-Lilies-in-Garden-IMG_6014-1-scaled.jpeg17072560Matt Dauphinaishttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngMatt Dauphinais2024-04-23 13:00:002024-04-23 13:00:00VIDEO: How to Plant LILIES in the Garden ??? || Flock Finger Lakes
There’s no better way to enjoy your garden than by encouraging it to grow bigger and better. Before your summer veggies and flowers peak, take your garden to the next-level by refueling it.
Knock-out these 5 essential tasks and your garden will thank you. You’ll extend your summer season and ensure that your lawn and garden are in tip-top shape.
5 Ways to Give Your Summer Garden a Boost
1. Hydrate. When it’s hot, dry and muggy, the best thing is a nice cold drink. Your plants need some H2O, too. The trick to keeping your garden hydrated during the hottest days is not to water more. It’s to water smarter. Water plants deeply in the morning so they have the entire day to soak it up.
Image courtesy of Garden Answer
2. Keep plants fed. Your summer veggies and flowers are hungry. Feed hanging baskets, container gardens and annuals with liquid Bloom! plant food every 2 to 4 weeks. Vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers are heavy feeders. Continue to feed every 2 weeks with organic fertilizers Tomato-tone or Garden-tone.
3. Prune and deadhead. Extend the life of perennials by deadheading flowers as soon as they are spent. This will encourage plants to keep blooming as long as weather permits. Your roses will thank you. Prune tomato suckers and shrubs now, for fuller plants later.
4. Mow lawns strategically. When mowing, keep the mower blades high (3” or higher) to encourage healthy roots. Cut grass in the evening to give it time to recover and keep yourself cool.
5. Plant more! There are many quickly maturing plants that will thrive in summer gardens and be ready for harvest in the fall. Try planting radishes, cucumbers, beans and more.
Sit back and relax! Take a good look at your hard work and dream about the rewards and bountiful harvests you’ll enjoy in the months to come.
If you’re looking to get a better tomato harvest this summer, be sure to check out our complete tomato guide!
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/June-1A.jpg4441200espomahttps://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.pngespoma2017-07-13 17:24:472024-07-23 15:37:025 Ways to Give Your Summer Garden a Boost
