Must-Have Fall Gardening Tools

Across the country, gardens are starting to slowly wind down as gardeners shift their work from summer planting to fall pruning and picking. Most tomato plants are still going strong and will continue to do so until the first frost. Additionally, winter veggies are nearly ready and butternut and acorn squashes will soon be in season alongside pumpkins. Flowers gardens and landscaping beds are showing off mums, which will return every season if cut back and cared for.

Fall gardening is a time of both preparation and of harvest. Here are the tools you’ll need to keep your garden going strong throughout the fall as well as those that will help you prepare your beds for the winter months and the upcoming spring.

6 Gardening Tools to Invest in This Fall

Sharp Pruning Shears

Fall is the time to deadhead and cut back plants to increase blossoms for the cooler months as well as in the springtime. Keep your garden shears handy any time you step into the garden, so you can tackle unproductive stems right away. Dead branches can be mulched or composted, unless they are diseased in which case they should be burned or discarded. Be sure your shears are in good shape and have a working safety lock for storage.

Wheelbarrow

If you’ve got a bumper crop of winter squash or tomatoes that just don’t quit, you’ll need a wheelbarrow to harvest and transport your harvest. Additionally, fall is a great time to add mulch to dried out garden beds or infuse your soil with rich fertilizers and compost. Every gardener needs a quality wheelbarrow so look for one that is ergonomic, with a pneumatic (inflatable) front wheel to ensure a smoother carry.

Set of Rakes

Fall gardening often feels like and endless cycle of leaf removal, but don’t look at those autumn leaves as pests, they can be gold for your garden. Dead leaves can add needed nutrients back into your garden soil, so consider composting them or mulching them into your vegetable garden. Not all rakes were created for the same purpose, you’ll want a clog-free leaf rake to gather leaves and twigs and a metal bow rake for removing rocks and leveling out mulch and dirt.

Axe

An essential part of fall gardening is cutting dead branches from trees to ensure they don’t cause damage with the ice and high winds of winter. As you do so, set aside large branches and chop it up into firewood. You’ll want to cure your firewood for a few months under the protection of a tarp to ensure even burning without pops and sparks. Keep your axe sharp and safely stored when not in use.

Bulb Planter

Springtime gardens are made in the fall, so now is the time to get your bulbs in the ground. Tulips, alium, daffodils, hyacinth, and other popular spring blossoms need to be planted in the fall in order to bloom in early spring. A bulb planter can make this easier, allowing you easily dig holes to the correct depth. Be sure to plant your bulbs pointy side up and add in some quality compost to enrich the soil.

Garden Gloves

Fall gardening is a therapeutic but messy business; a good pair of gardening gloves can not only keep your hands clean but protect them from thorns and sharp debris. The sturdiest gloves are made of sturdy leather to keep your hands clean and protected.

What fall gardening tools do you swear by? Share them with us in the comments section below!

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Photo by John Bogna on Unsplash

Best Perennials for the Season

A beautiful garden has a collection of many different types of plants. They all contribute in various manners to ensure that the garden remains beautiful and appealing. For perennials, there are different reasons why they are a must have in a garden. First, they are hardy and low-maintenance plants. They also come back season after season, even when you do not replant, giving your garden resilience and consistency. Thinking of the best perennials to plant for the season? We will look at some really great plants that will offer maximum benefits. Here are seven of our favorite perennials.

7 Perennials to Plant in Your Garden

Astilbe

Astilbe is one of the easiest plants to grow, and its presence in your garden will be properly rewarded. It is one of the longest flowering plants, offering months of graceful colours in your garden. The blooms of astilbe can be white, purple, apricot, red, deep pink, or lavender. The foliage may be a bronze or purple. 

Catmint – “Walker’s Low”

This is another hardy plant that will add so much to your garden. It has a remarkably relaxed and trouble-free growth habit. It can bloom from late spring to mid-autumn, blessing your garden with rich purple-blue spikes. 

Coneflower – “White Swan” and “Magnus”

Coneflowers are some the most wonderful perennials that can bloom for months, even when the conditions are hot and dry. From early summer into mid-autumn, these amazing coneflowers bloom. Magnus is a purple-flowering coneflower, while White Swan has white petals and orange-copper cones. 

Coreopsis – “Full Moon”

This is another flower that can really tolerate drought. The Full Moon boast of large, soft yellow flowers that can grow up to 3 inches. Its flowering season stretches from early summer to early autumn.

Geranium – “Rozanne

This is one of the hardiest garden plants. Once it is properly propagated and established, maintenance is almost not required as it can survive some of the harshest weather conditions. It also brings beauty to the garden, blooming from early summer until the first frost with violet-blue flowers that are generally 2 inches wide.

Purple Flame Grass

You should definitely consider purple flame grass to add form and texture to your garden all summer long. It is a maiden grass that can grow up to 4 feet tall.

Yarrow

Yarrow is among the longest flowering perennials that beautifies the garden. It does better with full sun and well-drained soil, blooming in the summer and producing flat-top flowers that stay for 6 to 8 weeks.

Which ornamental perennials will you plant this season? When you have the right ones in place, they will save you money, time and energy. Enjoy your beautiful garden!

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Photo by Lisa Olson on Unsplash

20 Veggies to Grow in Spring

Are you ready to make your springtime garden work for YOU? Now that planting season is finally here, it’s time to get outside and plant all the amazing veggies that you’ll enjoy this season. After all, the best home gardens are the ones that look beautiful and feed your family!

Lucky for you if you’re reading this right now – April and May are the best months to plant veggies so you can enjoy them all summer long. The climate is starting to warm, your soil is starting to moisten and the sun is starting to shine more regularly. There couldn’t be a better time to plant than RIGHT NOW and we’ve got a list of all the amazing veggies you can start with. Read on for our favorite veggies to grow in spring.

Veggies to Plant in April

1. Beans

Whether you go with a bush or a pole, beans are the perfect crop to plant in April, now that the soil and air are starting to warm up. Experts say to plant different varieties continuously over 7–10 days so you have consistent crops. And with names like Contender, Kentucky Wonder and Topcrop, you won’t have any trouble finding your favorites.

2. Tomatoes

Ah, the blessed tomato. It’s one of the most popular home garden veggies … even though some may call it a fruit as well. With different varieties (Roma, Heirloom, Brandywine and Sweetie, just to name a few), tomatoes are fun to grow and even more fun to eat straight off the vine.

3. Carrots

You’ll love eating these colorful root vegetables all summer if you get your carrot crop planted in April and start early.

4. Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts take up considerably more space than peppers, but if you have the room, they are well worth it. And being one of the hardiest veggies, you can plant brussels as early in April as you want – they actually survive freezing temps even better than hot ones.

5. Lettuce

Early spring is the perfect time to plant lettuce – the cooler air and wetter climate will make it taste particularly crisp and fresh. It may take a little patience and protection (especially in the earlier weeks), but with hundreds of lettuce varieties to choose from in your garden, it will definitely be worth it.

6. Onions

Onions are a bit trickier to plant, but only because you have to make sure you select the right variety for your climate zone. Once you figure that out though, your onions will thrive.

7. Peppers

Peppers are a great option for small gardens, as they don’t take up much space and can be planted close together – that actually helps them produce more. From jalapeno to banana to chili peppers, plant a bunch of different varieties and you’ll be all set for the whole summer.

8. Peas

Peas are the perfect spring veggie because they like cooler temps more than warmer temps. Whether you want green peas or those crispy sugar snaps, plant your peas in April and reap the rewards in May.

9. Beets

Like brussels, beets are best planted in the cooler temps of April. After seven or eight weeks, you’ll have deliciously plump and juicy beets to make every salad pop.

10. Spinach

Spinach is the backbone of any good salad and definitely one you want in your spring garden. Plant your first spinach crop in the cooler weather of April and keep planting it all season. It grows fast, but you’ll probably be eating it fast too!

Veggies to Plant in May

11. Cabbage

Cabbage is super easy to grow in a home garden, mostly because it’s hardy just like it’s younger brother, the brussel. Pick your favorite variety and make sure to keep your soil well watered and fertilized to maximize your cabbage’s growing potential.

12. Cucumbers

You can plant your cucumbers as a bush or a vine, either way, they’ll grow fast and be delicious. We prefer the taste of vine cucumbers, but they do need a bit more space so make sure you have it for them.

 

13. Kale

Kale is another great spring veggie to plant if you want quick results. Kale seeds can be planted in May and harvested as sweeter baby greens or full-grown leaves, which have some spice. Grow it quick and then use it for everything from salads to smoothies!

14. Asparagus

We love asparagus, and not just because it tastes amazing. These small, crisp green stalks are perennials, which means you can plant them once and reap the harvest every year.

15. Radishes

Another fast-growing veggie, radishes can be grown and harvested in as little as four weeks. Mix these red and pink beauties with your favorite greens for a colorful, healthy and tasty summertime side dish.

16. Okra

A quintessential Southern veggie, okra is a great crop to plant in your spring garden. They thrive in warm weather, taste great right off the stalk, and even produce beautiful flowers when they bloom.

17. Eggplant

Eggplants should be reserved for larger gardens, but if you have the space, these dark purple veggies are a great choice to plant in spring. They’ll be ripe just in time for grilling.

18. Corn

Want a quick reward for your planting efforts? Start with corn. These bright yellow ears grow quickly and taste delicious right off the stalk.

19. Summer squash

Pumpkins may be best in fall, but they’re not the only squash around. In fact, summer squashes like zucchini, yellow and (our favorite!) tromboncino squash are amazing spring and summer veggies to throw on the grill as a kebab or next to your burgers.

20. Herbs

While you’re planting all these amazing spring veggies, make sure to plant the herbs that will season them and give them even more taste too. Dill, rosemary, basil, oregano and cilantro can all be planted (or grown in your windowsill garden) in the spring.

The Best Part of Spring Veggies: Eating!

Of course, the best part of every spring garden is the harvesting and the eating. Let us know in the comments below what veggies you plan to plant and what recipes you use to enjoy them!

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Photo by Anda Ambrosini on Unsplash