Expert tips to maximize your victory garden
Quarantine and social distancing have inspired renewed interest in gardening and home cooking. These two activities go hand-in-hand as people grow their own produce and herbs that can be plucked just steps from the kitchen where they can whip up tasty creations. In fact, this movement revived the concept of victory gardens, which help people become more self-reliant during challenging times.
What is a victory garden?
Victory gardens were common during World War I and II when people were encouraged to grow their own foods to supplement their household needs and open the food supply for the troops. People would grow fast-yield crops in virtually any open soil, whether that be on their properties or in community gardens.
Victory gardens are trending in summer 2020 because people want to positively utilize their space while spending time at home. In fact, more than half (55%) of American adults are gardening or caring for their lawn during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a survey of 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults by Wakefield Research for Miracle-Gro.
Growing a victory garden with your family is a wonderful way to bond, enjoy the fresh air, and lower your grocery bill. With the surge in cooking at home, many Americans are discovering the joy of using fresh items from their gardens. Two-thirds (67%) of adults are growing or plan to grow edible plants, including vegetables (52%), herbs (33%), and fruits (31%), according to the survey.
How to get the most out of your victory garden
ARDELLES GARDENProper care will help ensure a bountiful harvest from your victory garden. Miracle-Gro’s Sara Eff, a scientist in gardens at R&D, offers these helpful tips for getting the most out of some of the most popular garden plants:
Add supports: As garden plants grow, many need a little support. This helps keep leaves out of the dirt, prevents many diseases and strengthens against the elements. For example, pepper plants should be staked to help support the main stem. Tomatoes benefit from a cage to protect the fruit-bearing branches. Plants like peas, beans, and cucumbers love to climb a trellis, plus it makes it easier to pick them.
Nourish well: Like a multivitamin for your garden, you may consider supercharging your plants with Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules made from a mix of natural and organic ingredients. Specially formulated for growing tomatoes, vegetables, herbs, and fruits, you simply apply dry and water in to start feeding. This can help plants grow faster, stronger, and promotes higher yields than unfed plants.
Water wisely: Be aware of precipitation and how much Mother Nature is providing. Use a water gauge to help if needed. Gardens need about 1 inch of water per week, but you may need to supply more depending on heat and drought conditions. Keep in mind, deeper watering every few days is ideal rather than quick sprinkles, with the early morning hours best to avoid evaporation.
To pinch or not to pinch: Small unnecessary stems and leaves can be pruned or hand pinched to stimulate growth upward. For example, tomato suckers are small leaves off the main stem. Any below the lowest set of flowers can be removed or pinched off. Be sure to research proper trimming per plant variety as each one is unique. For example, when a basil plant blooms at the top, you pinch it off so that the leaves stay intact. However, you would never pinch tomato flowers because that’s what turns into fruit.
Second harvests: With a bit of smart planning, you can enjoy multiple harvests that provide fresh foods into fall. Early maturing crops like lettuce, radishes, and beets can be replanted mid to late summer and provide another round of produce. For second plantings, choose fast-maturing, disease-resistant varieties of plants. For example, some leafy greens, such as kale, prefer cooler weather and can even survive frosts.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to growing your own victory garden. For additional gardening tips and planting advice, visit www.miraclegro.com.
(BPT) – Sponsored by Miracle-Gro
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Read Time:3 Minute4 easy ideas to enhance your garden4 easy ideas to enhance your gardenGardening enthusiasm is surging thanks to our increased time at home — whether on a small-space patio or in a larger backyard. In fact, people spent 42% more time gardening in 2020 than the year before, according to Axiom Marketing’s 2021 Gardening Insight Survey, and it is estimated the pandemic contributed to creating nearly 20 million new “gardeners.” Many experts agree the trend toward nurturing flowers, plants, and vegetables will continue into 2021 and beyond. If you’re looking to test your new green thumb or bring this year’s garden to the next level, consider these top trends and simple ideas from the experts at Ball Horticultural Company:The year-round fresh and healthy gardenGardening can provide fresh access to produces that can help encourage healthy eating. You can feel confident knowing exactly where your food comes from and enjoy the satisfaction of growing it yourself. Plus, it doesn’t get fresher than picking something from your own garden just minutes before preparing a dish.You don’t need an expansive garden to enjoy the many benefits of fresh, healthy vegetables and herbs. In fact, you don’t need a garden at all! Check out Kitchen Minis from PanAmerican Seed® and enjoy a variety of peppers and tomatoes that can be grown inside on a sunny windowsill, countertop, or outside as patio tabletop plants. You can grow and harvest your own Kitchen Minis flavors most of the year.The multi-purpose flower and herb gardenDon’t be afraid to mix your flowers and herbs. Trending in 2021 is bundling your plants together to save space and make a multi-functional showcase. Start with a tiered fruit stand, line it with coco liner cut to fit inside each bowl space, and then add soil and plants of your choice. The handle and lightness of the stand make it easy to hang as a basket or decorate a patio or table for a beautiful and functional addition wherever you garden.Be sure to select plants that have a lot to offer in a compact space. For example, herbs from Burpee Plants are ideal for small gardens, so you can enjoy fresh flavors like mint, rosemary, and parsley at a moment’s notice. If you’d prefer a centerpiece or accent decor for entertaining, petunias from Wave® Petunias are low-maintenance and stunning, easily adding a punch of color to your container.The beautiful garden for a bold and colorful outdoor living spaceAs people spend more time enjoying the outdoors from the safety and comforts of home, they are taking a new look at their exterior spaces. Colorful blooms brighten the outdoors and elevate the mood, which is why flower gardening is flourishing. However, people want this outdoor beauty without extensive maintenance, so ease is essential when planning your flower garden.When it comes to pairing beauty and simplicity, Beacon® Impatiens are a great choice, especially for those whose outdoor spaces don’t get a lot of sun. Available in bright, bold colors, you can fill baskets, window boxes, patio containers, and shade landscapes with Beacon to add vivid, dramatic color to your spaces and have confidence in their performance. These impatiens are low-maintenance and have high resistance to Impatiens downy mildew, a disease that has caused plant loss in recent years.The fun family-friendly gardenHaving a family garden comes with many benefits. Whether it’s you and your partner at home or the entire family, gardening has proven to be a fun and safe hobby that people of all ages can do together. Enjoy spending quality time while breathing fresh air and learning important lessons from nature and the environment.Gather everyone’s input on a plan for your family garden and work together as a team to make it a success. One plant that’s particularly fun for families to include is Lavender Primavera from Darwin Perennials. The rich purple color is visually stunning, plus lavender attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, so you’re enhancing the natural world around you. Additionally, you’re sure to enjoy the relaxing scent wafting in the breeze, and you can harvest your lavender to use in DIY craft projects around the house or as gifts to loved ones.Start growing todayThe ability to explore interests like gardening and plant care is a silver lining to spending more time at home. Gardening is a healthy activity for anyone, and there are many resources — from your local gardening store to online blogs and videos — to help you be successful. 2021 is your chance to dig in and grow!Expert tips for victory garden.
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Read Time:3 MinutePlanting petunias and pansies brighten your spacePlanting petunias and pansies brighten your spaceGardening is the perfect way to revitalize your home, enhance your mood, and safely spend time outdoors with your family. Sun-loving Wave Petunias® and Cool Wave® Pansies are two great choices for adding high-impact, low-maintenance flowers throughout your favorite outdoor spaces, from large yards to balcony gardens. With a few creative ideas and easy suggestions, you’ll help your plants thrive so you can enjoy stunning colors month after month. Whether you’re a new or advanced gardener, use these tips for planting long-lasting Wave® and Cool Wave® in both traditional and unique ways:Enjoy flowers up, down, and all aroundPansies and petunias are two timeless plants that are available in an array of fun colors so you can add visual interest throughout your sunny outdoor spaces. Get creative by making your own flower-filled hanging baskets or create interesting designs and patterns in flower beds. You can even add vertical appeal to spaces by up-cycling a hanging shoe organizer, filling each pouch halfway with soil, and adding Wave Petunias®. With their dramatic spread, exceptionally long bloom time, and weather resistance, Wave Petunias® brightens up gardens, patios, and balconies with bold color — and they’re virtually care-free.Use heartier plants for early spring gardeningAs days grow longer and the weather becomes milder, you’re ready to dig into the dirt. However, since spring can be unpredictable, you want to make sure your flowers can handle the cooler temperatures. Not only do Cool Wave® Pansies withstand the cooler temperatures, but they’re also easy to grow and maintain, making them a great choice for beginner and seasoned gardeners alike. Available in many colors including raspberry, white and bicolor options, you can get creative with flowers as soon as the seasons change. Plant these in early spring and enjoy the cheery feel they add to any garden for months to come.Colorful fun beyond the gardenIn addition to beautifying your outdoor spaces, Cool Wave® Pansies are a simple way to enhance any DIY project. These elegant flowers make a stunning edible garnish for charcuterie boards, fruit platters, salads, or cocktails. Want to elevate ice cubes? Add colorful pansies to the tray before freezing. You can also press pansies to dry for use in arts and crafts, such as creating beautiful bookmarks, colorful cardstock, or a one-of-a-kind phone case.Brighten baskets with on-trend yellow bloomsA warm yellow color called “Illuminating” is a 2021 Pantone Color of the Year, a tone that conveys joy and hopefulness. Taking inspiration from this on-trend shade, you can add a dash of inspiration to your garden with Easy Wave® Yellow. These petunias add sunny bursts of color to flower baskets or window boxes. Additionally, these fast-growing plants bloom freely all season without much maintenance. You can enjoy these happy yellow flowers as the seasons turn because they tolerate both heat and cooler conditions well.Be bold in flower beds with mixed colorsWhen summer hits, you’ll want to enjoy bursts of rich color when you entertain outdoors. That’s why there’s no better option than the vivid hues in the Easy Wave® Beachcomber Mixture. Inspired by the colors of the coast, this petunia mix features pinks, purples, and blues that dazzle in any outdoor space but are particularly pleasing in flower beds. To enjoy the blooms as long as possible, occasionally cut back the spent petals to rejuvenate the plants for fresh, new growth.Gardening is a low-stress healthy hobby for people of all ages. It’s a wonderful escape when done solo or makes for great quality time spent together as a family. Use these ideas to guide you in your gardening activities and reap the benefits of long-lasting petunia and pansy blooms. For additional inspiration and friendly advice, visit http://www.wavegardening.com.Get your jazz on.Expert tips to maximize your victory garden.
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