Bonus! A comprehensive list of our favourites including everything from your all-time favourites to rare heirloom varieties.

Welcome to the vibrant world of tomatoes, where diverse flavours, colours, and sizes promise a culinary adventure and a rewarding gardening experience! From the smallest cherry types to the largest beefsteaks, tomatoes offer something for everyone. At Clearview Garden Shop, we’re passionate about these versatile fruits, and we’re here to guide you through the process of growing them here in Greater Vancouver.

Growing Tips:

Preparing Your Soil:

Tomatoes prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Amend your soil with compost or well-rotted manure to boost its fertility. Tomatoes prefer a slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 6.8. If your soil is too alkaline, you can amend it with sulphur to lower the pH.

Planting Your Seedlings:

When the risk of frost has passed, and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 10°C, it’s time to plant your tomatoes. Dig a hole deep enough to bury two-thirds of the plant, as new roots will form along the buried stem, providing a stronger support system. Space your plants 2-3 feet apart to allow for air circulation and growth.

How to Care for Tomatoes:

• Watering: Keep your tomato plants consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging the soil. Deep watering is better than frequent light watering as it encourages deep root growth.
• Sunlight: Tomatoes need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day.
• Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer to feed your plants throughout the growing season.
• Pruning: Remove the suckers that grow in the leaf axils for a better yield.

Harvesting, Using, and Enjoying Your Tomatoes:

Harvest your tomatoes when they are fully coloured and slightly firm to the touch. Enjoy them fresh in salads, cooked in sauces, or even sun-dried for a taste of summer all year round! Remember, tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and the antioxidant lycopene, making them a healthy addition to your diet.

Comprehensive List of Our Favourite Tomato Varieties:

Here at Clearview Garden Shop, we carry a wide range of tomato varieties. Each one has a unique taste, size, and growth habit, making it perfect for a specific use:

• La Roma III Red: A popular paste tomato, perfect for sauces and canning.
• Super Fantastic: Produces large, meaty, and flavourful tomatoes great for slicing.
• Tumbler: A trailing variety ideal for hanging baskets or containers.
• Little Bing: Small but packed with flavour, great for salads.
• Little Napoli: A compact plant perfect for container gardening, producing tasty small fruits.
• Little Sicily: Another compact variety, bearing sweet cherry-sized tomatoes.
• Bellatrix: A disease-resistant variety that produces an abundant yield of round, red tomatoes.
• Darkstar: Known for its dark-coloured fruits and rich, complex flavours.
• Baby Boomer: A cherry tomato variety that produces hundreds of fruits per plant.
• Steakhouse: As the name suggests, this one produces large, beefsteak-style tomatoes.
• Artemis: A classic variety that produces consistently round, juicy tomatoes.
• Black Krim: An heirloom variety known for its dark, almost purple fruits with a unique, rich flavour.
• Early Girl: True to its name, this variety matures early, producing medium-sized, round fruits.
• Fourth of July: Celebrate the summer with this variety that starts to bear ripe fruits around the 4th of July.
• Lemon Boy: A unique variety with vibrant, lemon-yellow fruits that have a mild, sweet flavour.
• Purple Zebra: A striking variety with deep purple fruits streaked with green, a true standout in any garden.
• Raspberry Drop: Produces sweet, raspberry-coloured cherry tomatoes.
• Sunset Torch: Known for its vibrant, sunset-hued fruits that add a pop of colour to your garden and your plate.
• Blushing Star: Produces large, pale fruits that blush pink when ripe, with a wonderfully sweet flavour.
• Laguna Red: A classic variety that produces large, juicy, red tomatoes perfect for sandwiches and salads.

Looking for tomatoes that are even more niche? Ask us about these varieties:

Tomato growing can be an immensely satisfying hobby. From the moment you plant your seedlings to the joy of harvesting your first ripe tomato, every step of the process brings its own reward. And the end result? Delicious, homegrown tomatoes that taste like summer in every bite.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we invite you to visit Clearview Garden Shop to explore our wide range of tomato plants. Our knowledgeable staff is always on hand to answer your questions and help you find the perfect varieties for your garden.

Here’s to a season of bountiful harvests and delicious, homegrown tomatoes!

Imagine a garden that delights your senses, boasting a vibrant array of colours, textures, and tastes. This vision can become a reality by blending both vegetables and annuals into your garden’s design. This dynamic duo not only creates a visually stunning outdoor space but also offers countless benefits, such as increased pollinator activity, heightened aesthetic appeal, and a sustainable source of fresh produce.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the exciting world of integrating veggies and annuals in your garden and share valuable tips for successfully growing them together.

Benefits of Growing Vegetables:

• Health and Nutritional Advantages: Growing your vegetables allows you to have fresh, organic produce right at your fingertips. Consuming homegrown veggies ensures you’re getting the maximum nutritional value, as they’re harvested at peak ripeness.
• Environmental Benefits: By growing your vegetables, you help reduce your carbon footprint, as you eliminate the need for transportation and packaging associated with store-bought produce.
• Economic Savings: Cultivating your vegetables can save you money, as the cost of seeds and supplies is often lower than purchasing produce at the grocery store.

Benefits of Growing Annuals:

• Visual Appeal and Color Variety: Annuals provide a burst of colour to your garden, creating an eye-catching and dynamic landscape. With a wide range of colours and textures, annuals can enhance the overall aesthetic of your garden.
• Pollinator Attraction: Many annuals are excellent at attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are essential for a healthy and productive garden.
• Easy Maintenance and Adaptability: Annuals are typically low-maintenance plants, making them a great choice for gardeners of all experience levels. They can also be easily replaced each season, allowing you to experiment with new plant varieties.

Tips for Combining Veggies and Annuals:

• Companion Planting Principles: When selecting vegetable and annual pairings, consider companion planting principles. These principles help identify plants that grow well together, benefiting each other by attracting beneficial insects, deterring pests, or improving soil health.
• Maximizing Space Utilization: When planning your garden, be mindful of space requirements for both veggies and annuals. Consider using vertical gardening techniques or interplanting smaller annuals among veggies to maximize available space.
• Choosing Complementary Plants: Select veggies and annuals with similar light, water, and soil requirements to ensure they thrive in the same environment.

Popular Vegetable and Annual Pairings:

• Tomatoes and Marigolds: Marigolds help repel pests like nematodes and whiteflies while adding a splash of colour to your tomato patch.
• Lettuce and Pansies: Pansies provide a burst of colour in the early spring and can be interplanted with lettuce to create a visually appealing edible garden.
• Carrots and Zinnias: Zinnias attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, which help control pests that attack carrots, while adding a pop of colour to your garden.
• Peppers and Petunias: Petunias can help deter various pepper pests, and their vibrant colours complement the pepper plants’ natural beauty.
• Cucumbers and Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cucumber beetles, and their bright flowers add visual interest to your cucumber patch.

Caring for Your Vegetable and Annual Garden:

• Watering and Fertilizing: Maintain consistent watering and fertilizing schedules to keep both veggies and annuals healthy and productive.
• Pest Management: Monitor your garden for pests and use organic pest control methods when necessary to protect both your vegetables and annuals.
• Harvesting and Deadheading: Regularly harvest your vegetables to encourage continuous production. At the same time, remove spent flowers from your annuals (a process called deadheading) to promote new blooms and extend their flowering period.

Unleash your garden’s full potential by thoughtfully combining veggies and annuals, creating a diverse, visually captivating, and bountiful oasis. By embracing companion planting principles, maximizing space utilization, and selecting complementary plants, you can curate a garden that is both eye-catching and productive. We encourage you to explore different plant pairings and discover the unique combinations that bring your garden to life.

For personalized advice, plant selections, and gardening supplies, visit us at Clearview Garden Shop. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are eager to help you create the garden of your dreams and provide expert guidance for a flourishing gardening experience.

Pollinators play a vital role in maintaining a healthy and thriving ecosystem. By incorporating pollinator-friendly plants into your garden, you not only create a visually appealing space but also contribute to the well-being of these essential creatures.

In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to 10 must-have pollinator plants, provide growing and care tips, and discuss the specific pollinators attracted to each plant and how it benefits them. Let’s get started!

• Lavender (Lavandula): Attracting bees and butterflies alike, lavender is an excellent choice for a pollinator-friendly garden. Its fragrant, purple flowers are not only visually appealing but also provide an abundant nectar source. Lavender prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Prune the plants in early spring or late fall to encourage bushy growth and maintain their shape.
• Coneflower (Echinacea): These beautiful, daisy-like flowers are a favourite of bees and butterflies. Coneflowers are drought-tolerant, making them a low-maintenance option for your garden. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Deadhead the spent flowers to prolong the blooming period and encourage more pollinators to visit.
• Bee Balm (Monarda): As the name suggests, bee balm is a favourite among bees, as well as hummingbirds and butterflies. These vibrant, tubular flowers come in a range of colors and require full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Keep the plants well-watered and divide them every few years to prevent overcrowding.
• Yarrow (Achillea): Yarrow’s flat, umbrella-shaped clusters of flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and ladybugs. This hardy perennial prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Yarrow is drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance option. Cut back the spent blooms to encourage a second round of flowering.
• Milkweed (Asclepias): Milkweed is a crucial plant for monarch butterflies, as it serves as their primary food source and breeding ground. This plant produces clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers, and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Avoid using pesticides, as they can be harmful to monarch caterpillars.
• Sunflower (Helianthus): Sunflowers are not only beautiful but also highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds. These easy-to-grow plants require full sun and well-draining soil. Be sure to choose varieties with pollen, as some are bred to not have any. Taller varieties may need staking to support their growth. Leave the seed heads in place after the flowers fade to provide food for birds in the fall and winter.
• Butterfly Bush (Buddleja): True to its name, the butterfly bush is a magnet for butterflies, as well as bees and hummingbirds. This fast-growing shrub produces long, cone-shaped clusters of fragrant flowers in various colors, including purple, pink, and white. Butterfly bushes prefer full sun and well-draining soil. Prune them back in late winter or early spring to encourage healthy, bushy growth and abundant blooms.
• Goldenrod (Solidago): Goldenrod’s bright yellow flowers are highly attractive to bees and butterflies. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Goldenrod is also drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance option for your garden. Cut back spent blooms to encourage bushy growth and prevent self-seeding (unless you want self-seeding!).
• Aster (Asteraceae): Asters provide a valuable late-season food source for bees and butterflies. These perennials prefer full sun to part shade and well-draining soil. Pinch back the stems in early summer to encourage bushy growth and more flowers.
• Salvia (Salvia spp.): Salvia, also known as sage, attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These plants produce spikes of tubular flowers in various colours, depending on the species. Salvia prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering and keep the plants looking tidy.

By incorporating these 10 pollinator-friendly plants into your garden, you’ll create a haven for essential pollinators while also adding beauty and variety to your outdoor space. Each plant has specific care requirements, but generally, they all prefer well-draining soil and varying degrees of sun exposure.

Remember to avoid using pesticides, as they can harm pollinators. With a little care and consideration, your garden will soon be buzzing with life, supporting the essential work of these amazing creatures.

Ready to get started with your pollinator garden? Come visit us soon and we’ll help you get started with everything you need.

Do you want to make the most of blueberry season?

Welcome to Clearview Garden Shop’s guide to extending your blueberry harvest season.

Situated in Langley, BC, our team of experts is dedicated to providing valuable advice on growing four unique types of blueberries, ensuring a fruitful and continuous harvest all season long. By incorporating early, mid, and late-season varieties in your garden, you can savour these delicious and nutritious berries throughout the summer. In this post, we will discuss general facts and care tips for growing blueberries, examine their nutritional benefits, and offer a few appetizing recipe suggestions. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

General Facts and Care for Growing Blueberries:

Blueberries are a popular fruit to grow in the Pacific Northwest because they thrive in our acidic, well-drained soil. They require full sun, so be sure to choose a spot in your garden that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. It’s also crucial to maintain soil acidity, with a pH of 4.5-5.5 being optimal for blueberry growth. Regularly test and amend your soil as needed to maintain the proper pH.

When planting your blueberry bushes, space them about 1.2-1.5 meters apart to ensure proper air circulation and growth. Make sure to water consistently, especially during the first few years while the plants establish themselves. Prune annually to promote growth and a healthy harvest.

Nutritional Information:

Blueberries are more than just a sweet treat; they’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and fibre. Plus, their high levels of antioxidants help fight inflammation and protect against various diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

Four Types of Blueberries for an Extended Harvest:

• Duke (Early Season): Duke is an early-season variety, producing large, firm, and sweet berries. This variety is known for its excellent fruit quality, vigorous growth, and high yield. Duke also boasts beautiful white spring blossoms and vibrant red autumn foliage, adding visual appeal to your garden.
• Blue Crop (Mid-Season): Blue Crop is a popular mid-season variety, offering abundant, medium-sized berries with a sweet, tangy flavour. These bushes are hardy, adaptable, and resistant to drought, making them a fantastic choice for a low-maintenance blueberry patch.
• Chandler (Mid-Late Season): Chandler is renowned for producing the largest blueberries, reaching up to the size of a nickel. This variety ripens over an extended period, allowing you to enjoy its sweet, juicy berries for several weeks. Due to its large fruit size and high yield, Chandler is an excellent choice for both fresh eating and freezing.
• Elliot (Late Season): Elliot is a late-season blueberry variety known for its very high yield and exceptional flavour. The berries are firm, medium-sized, and packed with a slightly tart taste that balances out their sweetness. Elliot’s late-season ripening extends the blueberry harvest into late summer and early autumn.

Delicious Blueberry Recipe Suggestions:

With a full season of blueberries at your disposal, the culinary possibilities are endless! Here are a few of our favourite recipes to make with your homegrown blueberries:

• Classic Blueberry Pancakes
• Blueberry Lemon Scones
• Fresh Blueberry Pie
• Blueberry Smoothies
• Blueberry Jam

Growing a variety of blueberries in your garden not only provides delicious fruit all season long but also adds beauty to your outdoor space. With Duke, Blue Crop, Chandler, and Elliot blueberry bushes, you can enjoy the health benefits and delightful flavours of homegrown blueberries from early summer through fall.

Ready to start your blueberry garden? Visit us at Clearview Garden Shop in Langley, BC, for expert guidance and to browse our selection of blueberry plants. With these four distinct varieties, you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful harvest of blueberries all season long.

When it comes to selecting trees for your garden, there are countless options to choose from. At Clearview Garden Shop, we are proud to offer a wide range of flowering trees and specialty evergreens, each with its own unique characteristics and beauty.

In our newly expanded tree area, we have a number of stunning specimens that we are excited to feature, including the following:

Whether you’re looking for a statement tree to anchor your garden or a subtle accent to complement your existing landscape, we have something for everyone in our newly expanded tree area.

All of our trees are carefully selected for their beauty, hardiness, and adaptability to local growing conditions, ensuring that they will thrive and bring joy and beauty to your garden for years to come.

At Clearview Garden Shop, we are passionate about gardening and helping our customers create beautiful outdoor spaces that they can enjoy all year round.

Visit us today and let our expert staff help you select the perfect trees.

From butterflies and bees to a variety of birds, wildlife does wonders for our yards and our wellbeing.

Showing special care to the wildlife that graces our yard is an excellent way to appreciate and observe all that they do while helping keep them safe even during the harshest of weather.

Birdfeeding is a popular form of interacting with wildlife, but in order to ensure that you are doing your part in making a positive contribution to the birds in your backyard, consider the 5 following tips.

1. Select the right feeder

   As you’re shopping for bird feeders, you may notice that they range by type. If you want to attract different types of birds in your yard, feel free to play around with feeders whether they be trays or mounted feeders. Most of all, it’s important that the feeder you choose is easy enough for you to clean and maintain as this can ensure safekeeping in the long run.

2. Choose a location with a suitable amount of coverage

   A bird feeder placed in an area where there is coverage not only keeps birds safe from predators, it also encourages birds to stay close to your home. If you are looking to attract birds to your home, consider placing your bird feeder or nest box where there is natural shelter in your yard like in trees, shrubs, or hedge rows if your garden allows.

3. Clean your feeder

   Cleanliness is key when it comes to safely feeding backyard birds. This can prevent the accumulation and spread of disease amongst birds.

   When it’s time to clean your feeder, be sure to discard any old food. Carefully wash your feeder with soap and water as well as with a strong cleaning solution. Once your feeder has dried, you can refill with fresh food.

   To encourage an easier cleaning process each time, an easy-to-clean bird feeder can make a world of a difference.

4. Provide right food

   Bird food is another area that may be difficult to determine for some. After all, there are a variety of different mixes available, and the kind of food birds eat depend on their species.

   A rule of thumb is to always choose the best quality food and mix to encourage good health and attract more birds.

   Reduce or get rid of the fillers that birds won’t eat, and avoid mixes with ingredients like dried rice, lentils and split peas.

5. Buy your bird feeders from a place you can trust

   Not all bird feeders will be the right choice for your backyard or the birds you are trying to attract. A bird feeder should be durable, easy-to-clean and easy to fill with food.

   If you’re looking for a good bird feeder that has all of those qualities plus more, look no further than our very own Clearview Garden Shop. When you visit us in store you’ll have options to choose from and our team can provide more clarity, help and guidance.

Creating a bird-friendly environment in your backyard doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, when done the right way it can be fulfilling and help you connect even further with nature.

Few things are more rewarding for farmers and gardeners in British Columbia than gazing out over a springtime flower garden or a late summer or fall crop bed full of ripe produce ready to be harvested. However, if your garden is underwhelming this year, the answer might be buzzing just out of your reach: bees.

In addition to being skilled honey producers, bees are essential for pollinating almost all flowers and fruits we enjoy. Their absence may keep your garden from producing its most abundant crops. Here are a few reasons to keep inviting bees into your garden and around your plants if you want to maximize your garden’s growth potential, as well as some tips on maintaining your grow area as welcoming to bees as possible.

What’s So Important About Bees?

The plants we grow (or that grow in the wild) are necessary for the existence of wild pollinators like bees, and in turn, the bees are necessary to the plants. Bees receive vital nutrients from the plants in the form of pollen and nectar, and they also disseminate the pollen that plants require to reproduce. The area’s biodiversity suffers if this natural cycle is disrupted from either end.

Buzz pollination is a technique used by bumble bees to release pollen from flowers by vibrating the blossom while they are holding it. Many different types of wildflowers, as well as plants like peppers and tomatoes, depending on bumble bees and their buzz pollination. Bee pollination of plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs benefits plant life and wildlife. Animals, birds, and other insects find shelter and food among the plants. Healthy flora also improves the condition of the soil, the air, and even the water we consume. Bees are essential to the continued life of this interconnected ecosystem.

Many of the reasons contributing to the bee population decline are caused by humans. Numerous studies have found that the widespread use of pesticides on crops has significantly contributed to their reduction, and chemicals still threaten bee survival. Inadequate nutrition and a rise in pests and infections are different causes of the drop. Because of human extermination efforts, bees no longer have access to protected areas or a wide array of plants to feed on as they formerly did. Pesticides not only cause bee deaths but also cause bees to lose their homes and safe havens.

Fortunately, the backyard gardener can positively influence things and contribute to the bees’ survival. Bees require a habitat that draws them in and then promotes pollination, which the typical gardener can quickly provide by making a bee-friendly garden.

Tips For Building a Bee-Friendly Garden

Luckily building a bee-friendly garden often doesn’t mean changing all of your plans or disrupting the natural flow of your garden!

• Grow Native – Plant various flowers that bloom at different times of the year to entice bees and other pollinators to your lawn. Replace non-native flowering plant species with their native equivalents for a simple exchange because native plants are more pollinator-friendly and thrive in the area. If you’re unsure of the native plants that will thrive in your area, consult a nearby garden center or a landscaping expert to help you construct a bee paradise. Avoid larger chain stores since they frequently use pesticides and other chemical treatments on their plants to extend their lives, which can be harmful to honeybees and other pollinators’ health.
• Steer Clear Of Pesticides – Speaking of pesticides and chemical treatments, our best answer is not to use them, period. Pesticides and herbicides also kill bees, the microorganisms that support plant life, and other creatures, in addition to undesirable plants and pests. Chemical fertilizers, often synthetic fertilizers, rob your soil of vital nutrients, make the soil acidic, and leach into the groundwater, all of which impact the pollen quality bees require to survive.
• Consider Your Soil – Because some bees require access to soil for nesting, it is crucial to provide bees with high-quality garden soil. Bees won’t remain in the garden if there aren’t suitable nesting places. Decide on a soil type with the proper nutrients and qualities to draw bees while selecting soil for your garden.
• Embrace the Natural – Weeds aren’t always a negative thing to have in your garden, despite what many of us have been told. Some weeds are as attractive to bees as other plant varieties, if not more so! You should leave a few bee-friendly weeds in your gardens, such as dandelions, milkweed, and clover.
• Add In Some Water – Because bees require water much like humans do, offering them a nearby water source will entice them to stay in your garden longer and pollinate your plants. This is your chance to finally add the stunning water feature to your yard that you have always desired. To entice bees to land for a drink, keep the water levels low, stay away from fountains and pumps that move quickly, and add some floating, flowering plants and other sceneries.

If you’re looking for a fun and easy way, even easier than the other tips we’ve mentioned, why not consider bringing mason bees into your garden with the help of Clear View Garden Shop? Mason Bees are good pollinators because they have a lot of body hair that collects pollen and carry all of their pollen from blossom to blossom, rather than cleaning themselves after each flower. Even better, since they are solitary bees without a colony or queen to guard, Mason Bees are less likely to sting. We sell both Mason Bees and homes for them every spring, so be on the lookout!

This article should have given you a better understanding of the value of bee-friendly gardens and what you can do to make your garden a little more enticing to our buzzing companions. Even though it might not seem like building a bee-friendly garden will have much impact, every little bit counts. So invest in high-quality soil, and a variety of flowers, and the next time you encounter a bee, say “thank you” for all they do.

If you’re looking for an excellent way to grow vegetables, container gardening is a great place to start. This technique can come in handy for those who are looking to do something special with a small gardening space.

Whether this be a small garden area, a patio, balcony or driveway for you, here’s a guide to successful vegetable container gardening.

What is vegetable container gardening?

Vegetable container gardening is the practice of growing your vegetables in containers or pots. Almost any vegetable can be grown in a container, and it can give you a sense of joy and control over what you choose to produce.

With vegetable container gardening, you may find harvest, maintenance and clean up to be a lot simpler compared to growing vegetables in a much larger garden plot. Most of all, it allows you to make use of all of the space you have available, no matter where you choose to grow your veggies.

Best vegetables to grow in containers

The first question you may be wondering is, “What are the best vegetables to grow in containers?” Below are vegetables that do well in container gardens.

Peas

Peas are an excellent vegetable to grow in containers as they are fast-growing, and can yield a bountiful harvest with very little effort. Peas can take about 60 to 70 days to mature from seeds.

Lettuce

Similar to peas, lettuce is a great vegetable to grow in containers if you’re a beginner as they are also fast-growing. It is recommended to grow lettuce in larger containers as they can accommodate their mature size.

Carrots

Whether in a container or not, carrots thrive in well-drained soil. If you’re unable to provide loose soil in a garden plot, a container with plenty of drainage holes and premixed soil can come in handy.

Beets

Beets grow well in containers that are suitable in size and depth. When growing beets in containers, be sure that the container is at least 10 inches deep at the very least so that their roots have room to grow and stretch.

Cabbage

Growing this fibre-rich vegetable in containers is relatively easy. A container that is 10-12 inches deep is suitable for cabbages, as well as one that has adequate drainage. Note that if you do decide to grow more than one cabbage in one container, you are likely to expect smaller heads.

Kale

Kale is one of the easiest garden greens to grow. It’s both a cool weather and frosty-hard crop that can last well into the winter season. In containers, they require rich, well-draining soil and thrive best in a sunny location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.

Spinach

Spinach can be grown from sowing seeds or regrown from roots. A wide-mouthed container or pot that is about 6-8 inches deep works best for spinach. After sowing the seeds, spinach should germinate within 5-14 days.

Vegetable container gardening tips

Now that you have a list of vegetables that are suitable for container gardens, here are some tips to keep in mind as you begin to plant and harvest your own.

Support your taller climbing vegetables

Vegetables differ in terms of their needs and their size. For vegetables that are on the taller end or are climbing vegetables, be sure to support them with the space they need to grow with trellises, stakes or twine.

Many of these forms of support can easily be DIY’d on your own. Doing this will avoid damaging the plant or their roots.

Choose a proper sized container

When growing your vegetables in a container garden, or any plant for that matter, ensuring that they are the right size is key so that you don’t disrupt their roots or growth. When you support your vegetables with the right container, the better they will grow.

If you’re unsure of what size to choose for the vegetable you are growing, a rule of thumb to follow is that most vegetables will need at least 12 inches of soil to grow while larger vegetables will require more space.

Water as early and deeply possible

Container vegetables should be watered early in the day. This will allow your vegetables to have enough moisture to get through midday hours when the temperature and sun are more harsh.

This will also ensure that by nighttime, the leaves of your vegetables are dry which could prevent the spread of disease.

Use soils formulated for containers

Healthy soil is key to growing healthy vegetables in container gardens. Contrary to popular belief, it’s best to refrain from using garden soil for your container vegetables.

Instead, use soiless potting mix that is formulated for container use. This soil will create a quick-draining, lightweight environment for your vegetables and will prevent disease or pests.

Place pots in an area that get full sun

In order to maximize your harvest to the fullest potential, place your pots in an area that gets full sun. Greens like lettuce and spinach can do well with less sunlight, whereas fruiting plants require a bit more sun throughout the day.

Additionally, wherever you place your pots, be sure that they’re in a place that you can easily access to water them as well.

If you’re looking to grow more vegetables, but are worried about the limited space that you may have, you can’t go wrong with a container garden!

Have you ever thought about enhancing your landscape with an outdoor water feature? If so, we can certainly understand why! Water is one landscaping component that significantly improves a landscape design’s overall appeal and utility and has many benefits beyond the obvious.

Outdoor water features help homeowners create more natural living spaces by adding sound, texture, and movement to landscape designs. They can transform your yard from a plain, uninteresting patch of grass into a lush, peaceful haven, completely altering how it looks and feels. The following are the main advantages that a water feature will offer:

Advantages of Having a Water Feature

• Reduce the amount of noise pollution in the area. While the sounds of falling water can help you feel less stressed, installing a water feature in your yard can also block out the familiar neighborhood sounds like passing cars and chatter from next-door neighbors. Homeowners can benefit from a more peaceful and private environment that encourages relaxation by blocking these disturbances.
• Attractive to local wildlife – A water fountain can draw a lot of chirping birds, butterflies, animals, and plants around it even if you are not making any efforts. If you live in the city, it can be a nice little getaway from the stress and activity of daily city living while offering a ‘haven’ to the local animals. Your mind will become more at ease as you observe bees, birds, and butterflies playing, sipping, and bathing in the water. This will help you feel more connected to nature.
• Boosts curb appeal – For prospective homeowners, well-maintained landscape water features provide charm and aesthetic intrigue, adding one more bonus for their purchase. A fountain, tiny brook, or even a bubbling ceramic pot might add value to your home if you want to sell it.
• Flexible beauty – There are numerous sizes available for water features, so no area is too big or tiny. Small fountains can be nestled into nooks in cramped locations to provide the desired sound and look without taking over the yard. Larger spaces can be divided into one or several entertaining sections by waterfalls or cascading streams.
• Draws the attention of family and visitors – We all find water alluring, whether we’re little kids or kids at heart. A water feature is something that everyone can enjoy, so your family will unavoidably gather around it. A pond is an excellent place for kids to learn and unplug from technology. You will undoubtedly be the buzz of the neighborhood if you host events near the water feature!

Kinds Of Water Features You Can Add To Your Garden

One of the best things about water features is just how varied and customizable they are! No matter what size of a garden you have or what kind of water feature you wish to add you can find something to fit!

And if you want to enhance the look of your water feature even more? We’ve got you covered! Spice up the water with beautiful flowers, bushes, and anything else you need to make your backyard a true oasis. Visit our website or check out our blog for more backyard tips!

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or not, you’re likely familiar with orchids and their illustrious blooms. They are a popular houseplant and fortunately can be started anytime for indoor growth.

Some may think orchids to be difficult plants to care for and maintain indoors due to their requirements, but orchid care is relatively easy. As with any plant, it’s best to familiarize yourself with their ideal conditions and how they best like to be cared for.

The many varieties of orchids

Orchids come in over 25,000 varieties, where only a few are suitable for indoor housplants. Of those varieties, there are also quite a few that are considered cold-hardy plants. Below are a few that orchids are suitable for zone 8:

Lady Slipper Orchids

Lady Slipper orchids (Cypripedium spp.) are native across North America and Europe. They get their name due to the flower resembling a lady’s slipper as it is closed tightly and has a small opening in the front.

Blooms of Lady Slipper orchids range from white and yellow to deeper shades like purple and pink. It is recommended that if you want to plant this plant outside, you grow your seedlings indoors for at least two seasons.

Lady’s Tresses Orchids

Lady’s Tresses orchids are known for their small, braid-like flowers. They are fragrant and are suitable for growing zones USDA 3-9.

They best thrive in well-watered soil and can even sustain several inches of water as they are aquatic plants.

Calanthe Orchids

Calanthe orchids are easy-to-grow orchids that exist in over 100 species. These orchids are great for growing indoors and don’t require bright sunlight which is suitable for those who don’t get enough light in their indoor space.

These orchids also thrive in rich soil whether you choose to plant them indoors or in the ground.

How to care for orchids

Caring for your orchids is straightforward for gardeners of all levels to follow:

Opt for bright, indirect sunlight

Orchids need bright light to thrive, but it’s important to note that direct light may be too harsh for your plants and can even burn them.

It’s best to opt for bright, indirect sunlight, especially when planted indoors, preferably from a south or east-facing window.

Stick to fast-draining soil

The right mix of soil is key to helping your orchids thrive. Orchids do not grow in potting soil or potitng mix. Instead, it is best to stick to an orchid growing soil that is fast-draining.

This can be purchased at a garden shop near you, or you can even create your own. If you decide to create your own mix, some materials that are best to use include bark, perlite, and peat.

Keep them well-watered

Careful watering is key to keeping your orchids happy and healthy. If your pot feels light or the soil feels dry, this indicates that your orchids are in need of watering.

In the warmer months, it’s best to water them twice a week, and in the cooler months, you can cut back to once a week.

Sustain humidity levels around 40%-70%

When caring for your orchids indoors, they do best in temperatures ranging between 50 and 90 degrees fahrenheit. Preferred humidity levels are around 40%-70%.

It is best to avoid placing your orchids in areas where there is dry air or direct heat as they can damage the plant’s delicate flowers.

Use orchid-specific fertilizier

When purchasing orchids, they’ll often come labeled with instructions that indicate the best fertilizer for the orchid that you choose.

If you’re ever curious about the best orchid-specific fertilizer to use for your plant, your local garden shop like us here at Clearview can help!

When you’re unsure of what plant to choose, you can never go wrong with orchids. With this plant, there’s no need to be intimidated as they are not only easy to maintain and grow, but they are beautiful to look at!