In his recent project, Nick repaired his planting trug and got it ready for a fresh season of growth using organic fertilizer.

Here are his top takeaways:

• Even if your soil still looks good, always amend it before planting — Nick uses Espoma Organic Garden-tone to recharge the soil and get it ready for seedlings.

•  Some fresh organic compost like Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost can also help boost the soil’s nutrient content.

• Nick recommends mixing in an organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Garden-tone with rich organic compost like Espoma Organic Land & Sea Gourmet Compost at least once a month during the growing season to keep plants fed and thriving.

• Many gardeners forget that plants need regular feeding — consistent fertilizing leads to healthier plants and bigger yields.

• Espoma offers specialized “Tone” fertilizers (like Tomato-tone, Rose-tone, and Plant-tone) so you can meet the unique needs of different plants.

Ready to help your garden thrive? Take a page from Nick’s playbook and feed your plants throughout the season!

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Kaleb’s secret to successful transplanting? Mixing Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus directly into the planting hole. This organic blend is more than just a fertilizer; it’s enriched with beneficial microbes and mycorrhizae that help roots establish faster, resist transplant shock, and thrive long-term.

Why Choose Bio-tone Starter Plus?

• Enhanced Root Development: The inclusion of both endo and ecto mycorrhizae expands the root system, allowing plants to absorb more water and nutrients.

• Beneficial Microbes: These microbes break down nutrients in the soil, making them more accessible to plants, leading to healthier growth.

• Organic and Safe: Made from natural ingredients without sludges or fillers, it’s safe for people, pets, and the planet.

• Versatile Use: Ideal for all plantings, including flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs.

By incorporating Bio-tone Starter Plus into his planting routine, Kaleb ensures his magnolias have a strong foundation for vibrant blooms and resilience.

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The post VIDEO: Transplanting Magnolias 🪴🌺 with Wyse Guide first appeared on Espoma Organic.]]> https://www.espoma.com/espoma-videos/2025-video-how-to-care-for-roses-%f0%9f%8c%b9-hydrangeas-%f0%9f%8c%b8-with-garden-answer/ Fri, 02 May 2025 19:42:05 +0000 https://www.espoma.com/?p=37977 Laura from Garden Answer Preps Her Garden for Blooming Success! Spring is in full bloom, and Laura from Garden Answer […]

Learn how to create your hummingbird garden using Espoma Organic soil and fertilizer. With the right organic products, you can support pollinators and grow a garden that’s good for your heart — and the planet.

Spring is here, and Maria from Growing Joy with Maria is transforming her balcony into an organic hummingbird and pollinator paradise! In her latest video, Maria shares how she builds a vibrant, eco-friendly garden packed with flowers designed to attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies — all using organic fertilizer and organic soil to give her plants the healthiest start.

To create strong, thriving plants, Maria relies on Espoma Organic Potting Mix and Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus. These trusted organic products help her container garden hold moisture, support root development, and produce long-lasting blooms, making them irresistible to local pollinators.

Maria’s setup is renter-friendly and easy to replicate. She fills colorful grow bags and planters with organic soil, adding trumpet-shaped flowers like fuchsia, bee balm, salvia, and petunias — all favorites of hummingbirds. She even shares DIY tips for making hummingbird feeders and reflects on how using organic fertilizers helps protect pollinators and nurture the environment.

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Why Holly-tone? Because it’s an organic fertilizer specially formulated for acid-loving plants like hydrangeas. Its slow-release formula ensures steady nutrient availability, promoting vibrant, plentiful blooms rather than just leafy growth.

Here’s Skye’s quick guide for successful hydrangea fertilizing:

1. Fertilize twice a year: once in mid to late spring and again in mid-summer.
2. Your first application should occur after leaves emerge but before blooms appear.
3. Apply the second round no later than July to avoid disrupting bloom cycles.
4. Missed spring fertilizing? Early summer application still benefits your plants.
5. Apply fertilizer during mild weather or in the evening shade to prevent root burn.
6. Distribute fertilizer along the drip line of your hydrangeas and gently work it into the soil surface.
7. Always water thoroughly after fertilizing to ensure nutrients reach the roots effectively.

With Espoma Organic Holly-tone, your hydrangeas receive exactly what they need, resulting in lush blooms and healthier plants overall. Go organic, bloom better!

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When to Transplant?

Skye recommends making the move in late winter to early spring, a period when hydrangeas are dormant. This timing reduces stress and sets the stage for robust root development.

Soil Prep and Planting

She doesn’t just dig a hole—she prepares it like a home. Skye amends the soil with Espoma Organic Land & Sea Compost, creating a nutrient-rich environment. She also incorporates a high quality organic fertilizer like Espoma Organic Bio-Tone Starter Plus to boost root growth and reduce transplant shock.

Final Touches

Once planted, a deep watering helps the soil settle around the roots. Skye’s method ensures your hydrangea gets the best possible start in its new spot.

With her approach, you’re not just moving a plant—you’re setting it up to thrive.

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Meet Skye Hamilton: The Hydrangea Queen with a Designer’s Eye and a Gardener’s Heart

It’s no secret that Holly-tone has been one of our most beloved products for generations. Introduced in the 1940s, it was the first fertilizer created specifically for acid-loving plants—and it’s been a go-to for gardeners ever since, helping hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, and evergreens thrive. With hydrangeas continuing to be one of the most sought-after blooms in gardens everywhere, it feels only natural that the Hydrangea Queen herself, Skye Hamilton, not only uses Holly-tone but proudly recommends it. We find ourselves inspired by Skye’s passion, authenticity, and eye for beauty in the garden and are thrilled that we can share more about her with you.

Before being known as the Hydrangea Queen, Skye spent 18 years as a professional interior designer. Her belief? That your outdoor spaces should be just as beautiful and personal as your indoor ones. “I’ve always loved the idea of a storybook life,” she shares. “So many of my favorite books revolve around beautiful homes and gardens—and I wanted to create that in real life. That love of beauty and intention shows up everywhere in Skye’s world. Whether she’s hosting a backyard BBQ or a birthday party, she’s curating an atmosphere that’s warm, inviting, and totally magical. “Tending to my yard and garden is not only self-care—it’s how I care for others.”

How She Became the “Hydrangea Queen”

Skye’s love for hydrangeas began with a vision. While renovating her old farmhouse in the Pacific Northwest, she knew it needed a hydrangea hedge. “I didn’t know the first thing about them, but I made it my mission to learn,” she says. Then, during the pandemic, she joined several Facebook gardening groups and found that she enjoyed answering questions and sharing her newfound knowledge and experience with others. Then came the Instagram reel that changed everything. Skye posted a reel about hydrangeas to her design account—just for fun—and it took off. “It was so much more fun talking plants than working with clients and contractors. It just felt like a no-brainer to shift to gardening content creation.” And if you’re wondering about her brand name, Hamilton House Design, that’s a holdover from her design business. “I just never changed it,” she laughs.

Her Garden Favorites & Best Advice

While hydrangeas are front and center in her garden, when asked if they’re her favorite plant, she admits they are tied for first place. “I love hydrangeas so much, but roses are right up there too,” she admits. We asked her to share the most common misconception about hydrangeas. “Hydrangeas aren’t one-size-fits-all. There are six main types, each with different growing needs. When people say they can’t grow hydrangeas, I always ask which kind they tried. There’s a variety for almost every climate—you just need to find the right one for your garden.” Skye’s approach to gardening is refreshingly honest. Some of the best advice she’s ever received: If you aren’t killing plants, you probably aren’t doing it right. “Gardening is often best learned through trial and error and moving things around.” And the tip she loves to share with others: “Know thyself.” She encourages new gardeners to be realistic about their time, energy, and interest. “If you love flowers but don’t have a lot of time, go with easier, low-maintenance varieties. You’ll thank me later.”

Skye, Beyond the Garden

Skye describes herself as “kind of a weirdo”—in the most charming way. “Ask any of my family or friends,” she says with a laugh. “I don’t take myself too seriously. I love kitchen dance parties with my husband and kids. I love throwing elaborate dinner parties, but most days I’m in sweats or a bathrobe, drinking coffee in bed while binging Bravo.” Raised by a mom from Virginia and a dad from Idaho, Skye blends the classic charm of the East Coast with the laid-back vibes of the Pacific Northwest. Her life, like her garden, is full of beautiful contrasts.

Why Community Matters

Skye’s found something special in the gardening community. “In my day-to-day life, none of my friends or family garden,” she says. “So, finding this community online has been amazing. I’ve learned so much from other gardeners all over the world—and you’re never done learning. I’ve formed real friendships and found support in this community.” But while she loves the community, she’s also honest about what can be frustrating. “Sometimes there isn’t enough transparency. People only want to showcase the highlight reels with the perfect blooms, and not the dead plants or weeds. That can be really discouraging for beginners,” she explains. “A green thumb isn’t something you’re born with. It’s just hard work, education, and lots of trial and error.”

We love Skye’s goal of not only educating others but also shining a light on the real side of gardening—the trial and error, the messy moments, and the magic in between. Her honest, joyful approach is exactly what we believe gardening is all about, and we’re so excited to share more from Skye and her garden in the seasons ahead.

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She kicks things off by sowing stock flower seeds saved from last year. Using Espoma Organic Seed Starter Mix and Potting Soil, she creates the perfect environment for strong germination and healthy growth. To support her young seedlings, Laura turns to Espoma Organic Grow!—a liquid organic fertilizer packed with essential nutrients that help plants thrive naturally.

Next, Laura adds lasting color and structure to her landscape by planting three Sgt. Pepper Dogwood shrubs. Known for their vibrant red twigs and variegated foliage, these shrubs are given the best start with Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, a mycorrhizae-enhanced organic fertilizer designed to promote deep roots and long-term plant health.

Finally, she refreshes her hellebores by trimming back old foliage and feeding them with Espoma Organic Holly-tone. This slow-release organic fertilizer is ideal for acid-loving plants and ensures strong, beautiful spring blooms.

From seed starting to shrub planting, Laura shows just how easy it is to grow a healthy, thriving garden with the help of Espoma Organic. If you’re looking to boost your garden naturally this season, reach for the organic fertilizers trusted by gardeners for over 95 years.

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1: Choosing the Wrong Plant Varieties

Many beginners choose plants that are too large for container growth. Maria advises selecting micro, dwarf, or patio-specific varieties like ‘Patio Baby’ eggplant or ‘Tidy Treats’ cherry tomatoes. These are bred to be compact and manageable, ideal for small balcony spaces.

2: Using the Wrong Potting Mix

Standard garden soil is not suitable for containers as it can be too dense and poorly aerated. Maria recommends using Espoma Organic Potting Mix, which includes perlite and wood bark for proper aeration. This ensures that roots receive enough air and water, crucial for healthy plant growth.

 3: Inconsistent Watering

Balcony plants need regular watering, and failing to plan can lead to wilted or dead plants. Maria suggests using self-watering planters or multiple watering cans to maintain consistency. This strategy, along with early morning watering, ensures plants get the hydration they need.

4: Not Fertilizing Regularly

Container soil loses nutrients quickly. Maria uses Espoma Organic Bio-tone Starter Plus, an organic starter fertilizer at the time of planting to minimize transplant shock and boost initial growth. Throughout the season, she fertilizes monthly with Espoma’s specialized granular or liquid fertilizers such as Garden-tone, Flower-tone, Grow, or Tomato! liquid plant food.

5: Forgetting Plant Tags

Keeping track of which plant varieties perform best is essential. Maria emphasizes saving plant tags or using aesthetically pleasing labels. This simple step helps replicate success in future seasons.

6: Misunderstanding Light Exposure

Light availability is often overestimated. Balcony gardeners must consider shadows from buildings, railings, and trees. Maria advises using a compass to determine the direction of exposure and observing the balcony throughout the day to identify sunlight duration. Southern-facing balconies get the most sun, while northern ones are more limited.

Maria’s guidance is a blend of heartfelt experience and practical advice. By using Espoma Organic products and being mindful of these six common mistakes, balcony gardeners can transform small spaces into a gardening paradise. With the right organic soil, fertilizer, and planning, even a modest balcony can yield joy and an abundance of plants.

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