Whether you’re a pro in the garden or just beginning, “do-it-again” outdoor projects come along every season – which may make you revisit your gardening approach. Let’s go through the five most common gardening questions, so your hard work can pay off this summer.

 
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1. When Should I Plant My Flowers and Vegetables?

Grumpy Gardener Steve Bender, from Southern Living Magazine, suggests doing an online search that includes: “last frost date” + your zip code. If the last frost date has passed in your area, you’re good to plant your warm-weather annuals and summer vegetables!

  
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2. Do I Need to Trim My Shrubs? And How Much?

Trimming your shrubs will encourage growth for the new season. The Grumpy Gardener also adds that if you’re not seeing growth at the top of your plant, scratch the stem until you find a fresh green color. Trim it down to that green color. If you cannot find the green from the top to the bottom of the stem, it’s dead.

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3. Can I Use Leftover Seeds from Last Year?

Yes! Most vegetable and flower seeds can be used for a couple of years, depending on how you store them. You can place them in an airtight container (like a mason jar or zip-closure bag), label and date it, and keep them in a cold, dark area. A refrigerator is a great place to store them; the perfect temperature is between 40 and 65 degrees. If you didn’t do this last year, it’s okay! You’ll be able to do this for next year.

 
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4. What Do the Numbers on Fertilizer Bags Mean?

As you begin your garden journey for the season, you’ll need to spruce up your soil to meet the needs of your specific plant(s). But what do the numbers mean? The three numbers on the bag are the N-P-K ratio: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, which are common nutrients that many plants need to grow. Over time, plants deplete the soil of these nutrients, so adding fertilizer helps regenerate the soil. Before heading to the store, research the specific N-P-K ratio of fertilizer needed for your plant.

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5. Should I Plant in the Ground or in a Raised Garden Bed?

It all depends on your project, but there are many benefits to planting your garden in a raised garden bed:

• Raised beds advance the planting season since they warm more quickly in the spring.
• They allow you to tailor the soil to your specific needs.
• They reduce weeds when used with landscape fabric as a bottom lining.
• Roots have an easier time growing because the soil does not get compacted by foot traffic.
• They tend to drain better.

We wish everyone luck during the new gardening season! Have a question that we didn’t answer? Or, have some tricks and tips for our new gardeners? Let us know by commenting below or sending us a message on Instagram or Facebook!