Pro Care Tips for Your Garden

Everything you need to grow healthy, happy plants.

Veggie Garden Tips

Tomato

Water deeply 2x a week, aiming for 1-2 inchesโ€”more in hot weather. Plant in full sun (6-8 hours daily) and use stakes or cages to support heavy fruit. Pinch suckers (small shoots between branches) to boost yield. Watch for pests like hornworms; hand-pick or use neem oil if needed.

Lettuce

Grow in partial shade to prevent bolting (going to seed) in heatโ€”4-6 hours of sun is plenty. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy; water lightly every other day. Harvest outer leaves early for a continuous crop. Protect from slugs with crushed eggshells or copper tape around beds.

Bell Pepper

Needs full sun (6-8 hours) and warm soilโ€”wait until night temps stay above 55ยฐF to plant. Stake or cage plants to support heavy peppers. Water 1 inch weekly, avoiding leaves to prevent rot. Fertilize with a balanced mix (like 10-10-10) monthly for bigger yields.

Spinach

Thrives in cool weatherโ€”plant in spring or fall when temps are 40-75ยฐF. Give it 4-6 hours of sun and rich, moist soil; water every few days. Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart for healthy growth. Harvest young leaves often to keep plants producing.

Carrot

Sow seeds in loose, sandy soilโ€”rocky soil makes roots fork. Needs full sun (6 hours) and consistent moisture; water 1 inch weekly to avoid cracking. Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart for straight roots. Harvest when tops are ยฝ inch wide, usually 60-80 days after planting.

Zucchini

Plant in full sun (6-8 hours) with well-drained soil; space plants 3 feet apartโ€”they spread! Water deeply 1-2 inches weekly, keeping leaves dry to prevent powdery mildew. Pollinate by hand if bees are scarceโ€”use a small brush to transfer pollen. Harvest at 6-8 inches for the best flavor.

Cucumber

Loves full sun (6-8 hours) and warm tempsโ€”plant after the last frost. Use a trellis to save space and keep fruit clean; water 1 inch weekly at the base. Watch for cucumber beetlesโ€”cover young plants with row covers until flowering. Pick when 6-8 inches long to avoid bitterness.

Kale

Grows best in cool weather (50-75ยฐF) with 4-6 hours of sun. Keep soil moistโ€”water 1 inch weeklyโ€”and mulch to retain moisture. Harvest outer leaves when 6-8 inches long; itโ€™ll keep producing for months. Protect from aphids with a strong water spray or insecticidal soap.

Herb Garden Tips

Rosemary

Loves full sun (6-8 hours) and well-drained, sandy soilโ€”overwatering kills it, so let soil dry between sessions (every 1-2 weeks). Prune lightly after flowering to shape it; donโ€™t cut into woody stems. Great for pots if your winters dip below 20ยฐFโ€”bring it inside.

Basil

Needs warmth (above 50ยฐF) and 6 hours of sun daily. Water when topsoil feels dryโ€”about 1 inch weeklyโ€”and pinch off flower buds to keep leaves coming. Plant near tomatoes to repel pests naturally. Harvest often; leaves taste best before flowering.

Thyme

Prefers dry, lean soil and full sunโ€”water sparingly (every 10-14 days) to avoid root rot. Trim back in spring to encourage bushy growth; itโ€™s tough and drought-tolerant once established. Perfect for edging or rock gardens; divide every 3-4 years.

Oregano

Give it a sunny spot (6 hours) and well-drained soilโ€”water only when dry (every 1-2 weeks). Cut back after flowering for a second flush of leaves; flavor peaks just before blooms. Spreads fast, so contain it in pots or raised beds if needed.

Parsley

Grows well in partial shade (4-6 hours of sun) with rich, moist soilโ€”water 1 inch weekly. Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed germination. Harvest outer stems first; itโ€™ll regrow for up to two years. Protect from parsley worms by hand-picking or using row covers.

Mint

Thrives in partial shade (4-6 hours) with moist soilโ€”water every few days. Plant in pots to control its spreading roots; it can take over! Pinch back tips to encourage bushy growth; harvest before flowering for the best flavor. Refresh soil every 2-3 years to keep it vigorous.

Dill

Needs full sun (6-8 hours) and well-drained soil; water 1 inch weekly. Sow seeds directlyโ€”it doesnโ€™t transplant wellโ€”and thin to 12 inches apart. Harvest leaves just before flowering for peak flavor; let some plants go to seed for next year. Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs.

Cilantro

Prefers cool weather (50-85ยฐF) and 4-6 hours of sun; bolts in heat. Keep soil moistโ€”water every 3-4 daysโ€”and sow seeds every few weeks for a continuous harvest. Pinch back to delay bolting; harvest leaves when 6 inches tall. Grows well in pots for easy moving.

Flower Garden Tips

Rose

Plant in full sun (6-8 hours) with rich, well-drained soilโ€”water deeply 1-2 times weekly (1 inch), avoiding leaves to prevent mildew. Prune in early spring to remove dead wood and shape; fertilize monthly with rose food (like 5-10-5). Watch for aphidsโ€”blast with water or use soap spray.

Marigold

Full sun (6 hours) and average soilโ€”water when top inch dries out (every 4-7 days). Deadhead spent blooms to keep flowers coming all season; theyโ€™re pest-repellent, so plant near veggies. Easy for beginners; sow seeds directly after last frost.

Lavender

Needs full sun and dry, well-drained soilโ€”water sparingly (every 2 weeks) once established; overwatering rots roots. Prune after flowering to keep it compact; harvest buds for sachets. Loves heat but hates humidityโ€”space well for air flow.

Petunia

Grow in full sun (6 hours) with regular wateringโ€”keep soil moist but not soggy (1 inch weekly). Pinch back leggy stems and deadhead weekly for more blooms. Feed every 2 weeks with liquid fertilizer (like 10-10-10) for vibrant color; great in pots or hanging baskets.

Sunflower

Plant in full sun (6-8 hours) with well-drained soil; water 1 inch weeklyโ€”more for taller varieties. Stake tall plants to prevent tipping in wind; space 2 feet apart. Sow seeds after last frost; theyโ€™ll bloom in 80-120 days. Attracts birdsโ€”cover heads with netting if saving seeds.

Daisy (Shasta Daisy)

Loves full sun (6 hours) and well-drained soilโ€”water 1 inch weekly, less once established. Deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming into late summer. Divide clumps every 2-3 years to keep plants healthy. Watch for leaf spot; improve air circulation to prevent it.

Zinnia

Thrives in full sun (6-8 hours) with average soilโ€”water at the base (1 inch weekly) to avoid powdery mildew. Pinch young plants at 12 inches to encourage branching and more blooms. Sow seeds directly after frost; they bloom in 60-70 days. Attracts butterfliesโ€”perfect for cutting gardens.

Cosmos

Grows best in full sun (6 hours) with poor to average soilโ€”too much fertility reduces blooms. Water sparingly (every 7-10 days); theyโ€™re drought-tolerant once established. Deadhead to prolong flowering, or let them self-seed for next year. Tall varieties may need staking in windy spots.