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 inchesโmore 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 heatโ4-6 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 soilโwait 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 weatherโplant 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 soilโrocky 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 apartโthey spread! Water deeply 1-2 inches weekly, keeping leaves dry to prevent powdery mildew. Pollinate by hand if bees are scarceโuse a small brush to transfer pollen. Harvest at 6-8 inches for the best flavor.
Cucumber
Loves full sun (6-8 hours) and warm tempsโplant after the last frost. Use a trellis to save space and keep fruit clean; water 1 inch weekly at the base. Watch for cucumber beetlesโcover 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 moistโwater 1 inch weeklyโand mulch to retain moisture. Harvest outer leaves when 6-8 inches long; itโll 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 soilโoverwatering kills it, so let soil dry between sessions (every 1-2 weeks). Prune lightly after flowering to shape it; donโt cut into woody stems. Great for pots if your winters dip below 20ยฐFโbring it inside.
Basil
Needs warmth (above 50ยฐF) and 6 hours of sun daily. Water when topsoil feels dryโabout 1 inch weeklyโand 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 sunโwater sparingly (every 10-14 days) to avoid root rot. Trim back in spring to encourage bushy growth; itโs 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 soilโwater 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 soilโwater 1 inch weekly. Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed germination. Harvest outer stems first; itโll 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 soilโwater 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 directlyโit doesnโt transplant wellโand 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 moistโwater every 3-4 daysโand 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 soilโwater 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 aphidsโblast with water or use soap spray.
Marigold
Full sun (6 hours) and average soilโwater when top inch dries out (every 4-7 days). Deadhead spent blooms to keep flowers coming all season; theyโre pest-repellent, so plant near veggies. Easy for beginners; sow seeds directly after last frost.
Lavender
Needs full sun and dry, well-drained soilโwater sparingly (every 2 weeks) once established; overwatering rots roots. Prune after flowering to keep it compact; harvest buds for sachets. Loves heat but hates humidityโspace well for air flow.
Petunia
Grow in full sun (6 hours) with regular wateringโkeep 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 weeklyโmore for taller varieties. Stake tall plants to prevent tipping in wind; space 2 feet apart. Sow seeds after last frost; theyโll bloom in 80-120 days. Attracts birdsโcover heads with netting if saving seeds.
Daisy (Shasta Daisy)
Loves full sun (6 hours) and well-drained soilโwater 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 soilโwater 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 butterfliesโperfect for cutting gardens.
Cosmos
Grows best in full sun (6 hours) with poor to average soilโtoo much fertility reduces blooms. Water sparingly (every 7-10 days); theyโre drought-tolerant once established. Deadhead to prolong flowering, or let them self-seed for next year. Tall varieties may need staking in windy spots.