Hello More Than Gardeners,
Winter is still here, and it keeps bringing snow! Heavy snow can weigh down branches, causing them to break, and block sunlight and air, which can stunt growth. A quick shake helps prevent damage and ensures your plants can continue thriving through the cold.
Take some time to peek at any buds that might be coming up too early due to the temperature oscillating and help protect them by covering them with mulch or burlap.Â
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If you're thinking about starting a food garden this year, now is the time to act! Make sure to buy your seeds soon, as supplies can be already running low. Planting season is just around the corner, so secure your seeds early to ensure you’re ready to grow your own fresh ORGANIC food when the time comes. Don’t miss out on this wonderful experience
Sowing the Seeds of Organic Living: A Guide to Indoor Seed Starting
Organic gardening is more than just a method of growing plants—it's a way of life that emphasizes sustainability, health, and a deep connection to nature. When you cultivate an organic garden, you're not only nurturing food for your body but also growing medicinal herbs and other useful plants that support your well-being. This week, we’re focusing on one of the most essential steps in organic gardening: starting seeds indoors.
1. Why Choose Organic Gardening?
Grow Your Own Food and Medicine
Organic gardening offers the freedom to produce nutritious, chemical-free food and herbs right from your backyard. By choosing organic methods, you ensure that your produce is free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, leading to healthier meals and a reduced environmental footprint.
Empowerment Through Self-Sufficiency
Starting your garden with organic seeds and natural cultivation techniques gives you complete control over what goes into your food and medicine. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of the plant life cycle and empowers you to take charge of your health and the health of the planet.
2. The Importance of Seeds in Organic Gardening
Seeds are the foundation of every garden. Choosing the right seeds and starting them indoors can set you up for success throughout the growing season. Indoor seed starting allows you to:
Extend the Growing Season:Â Begin the growth process early and transplant robust seedlings once outdoor conditions are favorable.
Control Growth Conditions:Â Provide your seeds with optimal warmth, moisture, and light, ensuring stronger, healthier plants.
Experiment with Varieties:Â Try out unique and heirloom varieties that might not be readily available as established plants in your local market.
3. Getting Started with Indoor Seed Starting
Preparing Your Space
Set up a dedicated seed-starting area in your home. This could be a sunny windowsill, a small greenhouse, or a space equipped with grow lights. The key is to ensure that your seedlings receive consistent warmth and adequate light.
Essential Tools and Materials
Seed Trays or Containers:Â Choose containers with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Seed Starting Mix:Â Use a light, sterile medium that encourages root growth without the risk of disease.
Labels:Â Keep track of each variety and planting date to monitor progress.
Grow Lights (if needed):Â Supplement natural light with LED or fluorescent grow lights to ensure your seedlings get enough energy.
Step-by-Step Basics
Plan and Select Your Seeds: Decide which vegetables, herbs, or medicinal plants you’d like to grow. Some popular choices include basil, mint, cilantro, and even medicinal plants like echinacea.
Sow the Seeds:Â Fill your containers with the seed starting mix, plant the seeds at the depth recommended on the seed packet, and water gently.
Provide Warmth and Light:Â Keep the containers in a warm area or under grow lights. A consistent temperature and at least 12-16 hours of light per day can be crucial during the early stages.
Monitor and Maintain:Â Check your seedlings daily, water when the top layer of soil feels dry, and thin out weak seedlings to give the stronger ones room to grow.
Transplant When Ready:Â Once the seedlings develop strong roots and the outdoor conditions are right, transplant them into your organic garden or larger containers.
4. Recommended Seed Catalogs
To support your organic garden journey, consider exploring some of our favorite seed catalogs:
Rare Seeds: Visit www.rareseeds.com for a diverse selection of heirloom and unique seed varieties.
Botanical Interests: Explore www.botanicalinterests.com for high-quality seeds that focus on both culinary and medicinal plants
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5. Tips for Successful Indoor Seed Starting
Timing is Key:Â Start seeds indoors several weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. This head start allows for a robust transplant to your garden.
Humidity and Temperature:Â Use a humidity dome or plastic wrap to retain moisture during the germination phase, but be sure to remove it once the seedlings emerge to prevent mold growth.
Rotation for Even Growth:Â If using natural light from a window, rotate your seed trays every few days to ensure even growth.
We hope these tips help you feel ready to dive into indoor seed starting! With the right care, you’ll be setting yourself up for a season full of healthy, vibrant plants. Remember, it’s all about patience and a little attention to detail, and soon enough, you’ll be enjoying the rewards of your hard work—fresh, homegrown goodness right from your own garden.
Whether you’re growing food for your kitchen or herbs for wellness, there’s something really special about watching your plants grow from seed to harvest. Happy planting, and here’s to a thriving garden this season!
Agatha & The More Than Gardens Team
Hello More Than Gardeners,Â
It’s almost February and thankfully the temperatures are holding up. It might feel like your garden has gone completely dormant. However, there’s still plenty to observe, care for, and plan during this time. Here are a few announcements and tips to help you stay engaged with your garden and and Nature itself this season:
Announcements:
We’re currently booking early consultations for spring projects! Whether you’re thinking about a new design, planting, or an eco-friendly upgrade, now is the perfect time to start planning.
Stay tuned for our upcoming workshop on creating sustainable landscapes—we’re excited to share tips and inspiration with you soon!
Timely Winter Gardening Tips:
Keep an Eye on Your Trees and Shrubs:Â Heavy snow and ice can cause damage. Brush off excess snow gently with a broom to prevent branches from breaking.
Look for Animal Activity: Winter is a critical time for local wildlife. Check your property for signs of animals—like rabbits or deer—that might be nibbling on bark or stems. Consider adding protective wraps or barriers to vulnerable plants.
Check for Winter Weeds:Â Believe it or not, some invasive weeds continue to grow through winter. Take a moment to inspect garden beds on milder days.
Assess Drainage Issues:Â Snow melt can reveal areas where water pools or drains poorly. Identifying these spots now can help you plan for spring fixes like rain gardens or improved grading
Plan for the Future: Use this time to dream big for your garden. Whether it’s adding native plants, creating better pollinator habitats, or designing a beautiful feature, winter is the perfect time to strategize for the growing season.
Winter is also a great opportunity to reflect on the joy your garden has brought to your life and consider new ways to make it even more sustainable and fulfilling in the year ahead.
Having Exotic Plants ResponsiblyÂ
Did you know that humans have been using and migrating plants across regions since the beginning of time? While native plants play a critical role in supporting local ecosystems, it’s also possible to enjoy exotic plants responsibly—ensuring they don’t harm the environment.
At More Than Gardens, we encourage mindful practices when incorporating exotic plants into your home or garden. Here are some tips to get the best of both worlds:
Keep Exotic Plants Indoors or in Planters:Â Houseplants and contained planters are perfect for exotic species, reducing their chances of spreading into natural ecosystems.
Prevent Seed Spread:Â After exotic plants flower, trim them before they set seed to avoid unintentional spreading to nearby natural areas.
Make Educated Planting Decisions:Â Be a responsible land steward by understanding the needs and potential risks of exotic plants before introducing them to your property.
By managing your land mindfully and incorporating science-backed strategies, you can enjoy the beauty and benefits of exotic plants while contributing to a thriving, balanced ecosystem.
Do you need help creating a mindful garden or landscape?
Reach out to us today! We’re here to guide you in cultivating a garden that’s both beautiful and ecologically sustainable.
Together, we can create spaces that harmonize human needs with nature’s well-being.
Warm regards,
Agatha
More Than Gardens Inc.
Hello More Than Gardeners,
Spring is just around the corner—only about 60 days away! While time seems to be flying, there’s no time to waste when it comes to preparing for a better, healthier environment. These uncertain times for the planet require all of us to take action now to promote sustainable, ecological practices that ensure a clean and thriving future for our families and communities.
Start Planning Now for Your Best Garden Yet!
Now is the perfect time to start planning for a garden that’s not only beautiful but also sustainable. Here at More Than Gardens, we’ve been busy:
Listing seeds to buy.
Designing fresh garden beds.
Allocating plants for shopping lists.
Developing a new and more complete care guide for after-planting instructions.
Launching our new YouTube channel! Check it out here.
When spring arrives, we’ll be ready to create our best gardens yet. (I say this every year, but somehow, every year it gets better!) If you need help planning your garden or have big ideas you want to bring to life, now’s the time.
Spread the Knowledge!
Do you know a library, community group, or club interested in learning about:
Native plants?
Ecological landscaping practices?
Building resilient, planet-friendly gardens?
I would be honored to share my knowledge and passion with them. Together, we can inspire others to make meaningful changes, one property at a time.
Invasive Plants: This Week’s Focus
Invasive plants pose a significant threat to natural ecosystems. They choke out native species, disrupt habitats, and alter soil health. While quick fixes like herbicides are tempting, they often cause more harm than good. This week, we’re focusing on sustainable, effective methods to remove invasive plants from your property.
1. Manual Removal
Physically digging up invasive plants by the roots ensures the entire plant—including the root system—is removed, preventing regrowth. This method is especially effective for smaller areas or species with shallow roots.
Why it’s better:
No harmful chemicals are introduced.
Complete control over what is removed, reducing risk to native plants.
An excellent way to inspect soil health and learn about your garden’s ecosystem.
Tips:
Use tools like a digging fork or root wrench for stubborn plants.
Remove plants when the soil is moist for easier extraction.
2. Fire Removal
Controlled burns can eliminate invasive plants, particularly grasses or woody species. Fire removes above-ground biomass, weakens plants, and returns nutrients like nitrogen to the soil.
Why it’s better:
Mimics natural processes, benefiting fire-adapted native species.
Avoids chemical use and reduces invasive seed banks in the soil.
Tips:
Consult professionals and obtain necessary permits.
Works best in open areas away from structures.
3. Repeated Cutting or Grazing
Repeatedly cutting back invasive plants prevents them from flowering and seeding. Goats or sheep can also graze on invasive species in difficult-to-access areas.
Why it’s better:
Eliminates the need for herbicides.
Grazing animals contribute to soil fertility.
Safe for surrounding plants and the ecosystem.
Tips:
Cut plants during their growing season but before seeding.
Monitor grazing to avoid damage to native plants.
4. Smothering
Cover invasive plants with tarps, cardboard, mulch, or other materials to block sunlight and prevent photosynthesis. Over time, the lack of sunlight kills the plants.
Why it’s better:
No harmful chemicals are used.
Mulching adds organic material as it decomposes.
Tips:
Use thick materials that block light completely.
Be patient; smothering can take weeks or months.
Why Sustainable Methods Matter
While chemical herbicides may seem like a quick fix, they can harm the ecosystem, leach into water sources, and kill beneficial organisms. Sustainable methods prioritize:
Environmental health:Â Protecting soil microorganisms, water quality, and wildlife.
Safety:Â Avoiding harmful residues for current and future land users.
Biodiversity:Â Promoting the health of native plants and ecosystems.
By choosing sustainable methods, your garden can become a haven for native biodiversity, supporting a thriving natural ecosystem.
Coming Next Week
We’ll explore how to incorporate exotic plants into your garden in ways that are safe for the environment—without planting them directly in the soil!
Let’s Connect
While the season is still slow, I’d love to chat with you—over tea or email. Let’s discuss how we can work together to make your garden thrive in harmony with nature.
Warmly,
Agatha
Founder, More Than Gardens
Creating ecological landscapes for a sustainable future
